Are you wondering exactly how many chapters Final Fantasy VII Remake contains? Whether you’re planning your gaming schedule or tracking your progress through Cloud’s epic journey, you’ve come to the right place. Final Fantasy VII Remake features exactly 18 chapters, each varying in length and packed with unique content, side quests, and memorable boss battles.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about FF7 Remake’s chapter structure, playtime expectations, and detailed breakdowns to help you navigate Midgar like a pro.
Key Takeaways
• Final Fantasy VII Remake has exactly 18 chapters with varying lengths • Total playtime ranges from 30-45+ hours depending on your playstyle • 26 optional side missions are scattered throughout different chapters • Chapter select feature allows you to replay any completed chapter • Hard mode unlocks after completing the main story for additional challenges
The Quick Answer: Final Fantasy 7 Remake Has 18 Chapters
Final Fantasy VII Remake contains 18 chapters in total. These chapters vary significantly in length, with some taking 30 minutes to complete while others can stretch to 3+ hours depending on your exploration and side quest completion. The game features a convenient chapter select option that unlocks after your first playthrough, allowing you to revisit any chapter to collect missed items, complete side quests, or tackle the challenging Hard Mode.
Unlike traditional Final Fantasy games with numbered chapters, FF7 Remake gives each chapter a descriptive title that reflects the key story events, making it easy to identify specific sections when you want to return to particular moments or locations.
How Long Is Final Fantasy 7 Remake? A Playtime Breakdown
Understanding the time commitment for FF7 Remake helps you plan your gaming sessions effectively. Here’s a detailed breakdown based on different playstyles:
| Playstyle | Estimated Hours | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Main Story Rush | 30-35 hours | Focusing primarily on main objectives with minimal side content |
| Balanced Playthrough | 40-45 hours | Mix of main story with some side quests and exploration |
| Completionist Run | 50-60+ hours | All side quests, collectibles, and optional content included |
| Hard Mode Completion | +15-20 hours | Additional time for Hard Mode challenges and trophies |
The variation in playtime comes from several factors. Final Fantasy IX’s recent 25th anniversary celebrations remind us how these classic JRPGs offer incredible replay value, and FF7 Remake follows this tradition with its rich side content and multiple difficulty options.
A Full List of All 18 Final Fantasy 7 Remake Chapters
Here’s the complete chapter list with their official titles:
| Chapter | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Destruction of Mako Reactor 1 |
| 2 | Fateful Encounters |
| 3 | Home Sweet Slum |
| 4 | Mad Dash |
| 5 | Dogged Pursuit |
| 6 | Light the Way |
| 7 | A Trap is Sprung |
| 8 | Budding Bodyguard |
| 9 | The Town That Never Sleeps |
| 10 | Rough Waters |
| 11 | Haunted |
| 12 | Fight for Survival |
| 13 | A Broken World |
| 14 | In Search of Hope |
| 15 | The Day Midgar Stood Still |
| 16 | The Belly of the Beast |
| 17 | Deliverance from Chaos |
| 18 | Destiny’s Crossroads |
Each chapter represents a significant story milestone, and the titles give you a clear sense of the narrative progression without major spoilers.
A Detailed Breakdown: Chapter-by-Chapter Guide to Story, Bosses, & Content
Understanding what each chapter offers helps you prepare for upcoming challenges and ensures you don’t miss important content. Here’s your comprehensive chapter-by-chapter guide:
Chapter 1: The Destruction of Mako Reactor 1
Key Events: Cloud joins Avalanche for the first bombing mission, introducing core combat mechanics and the Stagger system.
Notable Boss Fight: Scorpion Sentinel – Your first major boss encounter that teaches you about weaknesses and tactical combat.
Key Collectibles: 2 Materia pieces, 1 Potion, Music Disc #1
Estimated Playtime: 45-60 minutes
This opening chapter serves as an extended tutorial while establishing the game’s environmental storytelling and combat foundation.
Chapter 2: Fateful Encounters
Key Events: First meeting with Aerith, introduction to magic materia, and escape sequences.
Notable Content: Learn advanced combat techniques, magic casting, and environmental interactions.
Key Collectibles: Lightning Materia, HP Up Materia, various consumables
Estimated Playtime: 30-45 minutes
Chapter 3: Home Sweet Slum
Key Events: Explore Sector 7 Slums, meet Tifa, and get introduced to the hub-world structure.
Notable Side Quests: “Chadley’s Report” begins here – your gateway to combat assessment challenges throughout the game.
Key Collectibles: Fire Materia, numerous weapon upgrades, and crafting materials
Estimated Playtime: 2-3 hours (with side content)
This chapter significantly expands if you complete optional content, similar to how games like Stardew Valley offer cross-platform experiences that encourage exploration and community building.
Chapter 4: Mad Dash
Key Events: High-speed motorcycle chase sequence and introduction to vehicular combat.
Notable Mechanics: Learn motorcycle controls and boost mechanics for the memorable highway sequence.
Key Collectibles: Minimal collectibles due to linear, action-focused chapter structure
Estimated Playtime: 45-60 minutes
Chapter 5: Dogged Pursuit
Key Events: Exploration of Mako Reactor 5, stealth sections, and industrial platforming.
Notable Boss Fight: Air Buster – A massive mechanical boss requiring strategic limb targeting.
Key Collectibles: Barrier Materia, various consumables, weapon cores
Estimated Playtime: 1.5-2 hours
Chapter 6: Light the Way
Key Events: Navigate collapsed infrastructure, solve light-based puzzles, and encounter new enemy types.
Notable Content: Introduction to more complex environmental puzzles and tactical enemy encounters.
Key Collectibles: Time Materia, multiple weapon upgrade materials
Estimated Playtime: 1-1.5 hours
Chapter 7: A Trap is Sprung
Key Events: Major story revelations, character development between Cloud and Tifa, and preparation for upcoming challenges.
Notable Boss Fight: Airbuster (Enhanced) – Return encounter with improved mechanics and new attack patterns.
Key Collectibles: Assess Materia, valuable weapon cores, rare consumables
Estimated Playtime: 1.5-2 hours
Chapter 8: Budding Bodyguard
Key Events: Introduction to Aerith as a party member, flower-themed side activities, and Sector 5 exploration.
Notable Side Quests: “The Language of Flowers” and other Aerith-focused content that builds character relationships.
Key Collectibles: Healing Materia, Chakra Materia, multiple accessories
Estimated Playtime: 2-3 hours (with side content)
Chapter 9: The Town That Never Sleeps
Key Events: Wall Market exploration, cross-dressing sequence, and multiple branching story paths.
Notable Content: This chapter features the most side quests (6 total) and multiple story branches affecting your experience.
Notable Boss Fight: Hell House – One of the game’s most challenging and memorable boss encounters.
Key Collectibles: Numerous materia pieces, rare accessories, and unique items based on your choices
Estimated Playtime: 4-5 hours (completion)
Chapter 9 represents the game’s peak in terms of optional content density, rivaling the depth found in comprehensive guides for complex games that require strategic planning.
Chapter 10: Rough Waters
Key Events: Sewers exploration, introduction to new party dynamics with all three main characters.
Notable Boss Fight: Abzu – A unique beast-type boss requiring adaptation to aquatic combat.
Key Collectibles: Subversion Materia, Water Ring accessory, multiple weapon cores
Estimated Playtime: 1.5-2 hours
Chapter 11: Haunted
Key Events: Train Graveyard exploration, horror-themed sequences, and supernatural enemy encounters.
Notable Content: Atmospheric chapter focusing on environmental storytelling and puzzle-solving.
Notable Boss Fight: Eligor – A mounted specter requiring precise timing and positioning.
Key Collectibles: Spiritual Materia, Ghost Ward accessory, rare consumables
Estimated Playtime: 2-2.5 hours
Chapter 12: Fight for Survival
Key Events: Pillar defense sequence, large-scale combat scenarios, and major story developments.
Notable Content: Multiple mini-boss encounters and high-intensity action sequences.
Key Collectibles: Various materia upgrades and weapon enhancement materials
Estimated Playtime: 1.5-2 hours
Chapter 13: A Broken World
Key Events: Aftermath exploration, character development, and preparation for final act.
Notable Content: Emotional character moments and world-building through environmental details.
Key Collectibles: Premium healing items and rare materia pieces
Estimated Playtime: 1-1.5 hours
Chapter 14: In Search of Hope
Key Events: Sector 6 exploration, reuniting with party members, and uncovering plot developments.
Notable Side Quests: Additional optional content becomes available for completionist players.
Key Collectibles: Enhanced materia varieties and unique accessories
Estimated Playtime: 2-3 hours (with side content)
Chapter 15: The Day Midgar Stood Still
Key Events: Climbing the Shinra Building, stealth and action sequences, major story revelations.
Notable Content: Multi-floor exploration with varying gameplay styles and approaches.
Key Collectibles: High-tier materia and rare weapons
Estimated Playtime: 2-2.5 hours
Chapter 16: The Belly of the Beast
Key Events: Shinra Building interior exploration, laboratories, and significant plot developments.
Notable Boss Fights: Multiple mini-bosses and challenging encounters throughout the facility.
Key Collectibles: Experimental materia and unique weapons
Estimated Playtime: 2-3 hours
Chapter 17: Deliverance from Chaos
Key Events: Escape sequences, motorcycle combat, and preparation for final confrontations.
Notable Content: High-octane action sequences combining multiple gameplay elements.
Key Collectibles: Final weapon upgrades and ultimate materia pieces
Estimated Playtime: 1.5-2 hours
Chapter 18: Destiny’s Crossroads
Key Events: Final boss sequences, story conclusion, and ending cinematics.
Notable Boss Fights: Multiple final bosses including Sephiroth encounter.
Key Collectibles: Ultimate equipment and final story items
Estimated Playtime: 2-3 hours
Final Fantasy VII Remake vs. Rebirth: A Chapter and Playtime Comparison
Understanding how FF7 Remake fits into the larger trilogy helps contextualize your experience. Here’s how the games compare:
| Aspect | FF7 Remake | FF7 Rebirth |
|---|---|---|
| Chapters | 18 chapters | 14 chapters |
| Main Story Length | 30-35 hours | 50-60 hours |
| World Scope | Midgar only | Multiple regions |
| Party Members | 3 main characters | 6+ playable characters |
| Release Date | April 2020 | February 2024 |
FF7 Remake serves as the first act of a three-part series, focusing entirely on the Midgar portion of the original game. While it has more chapters than Rebirth, each chapter in Remake is generally shorter and more focused on specific story beats.
The episodic nature initially confused some players, but the approach allows for unprecedented depth in storytelling and character development. This structure parallels successful gaming approaches we see in detailed game analysis and guides that break down complex content into manageable sections.
Essential Tips for Chapter Progression
Maximizing your FF7 Remake experience requires strategic approach to chapter progression:
Save Management: The game features multiple save slots – use them before major boss fights and decision points, especially in Chapter 9’s branching storylines.
Materia Strategy: Experiment with different materia combinations throughout your playthrough. Each chapter introduces new strategic possibilities, and understanding these systems early improves your overall experience.
Side Quest Timing: Some side quests are missable and chapter-specific. Pay special attention to Chapters 3, 8, 9, and 14 for the majority of optional content.
Collectible Awareness: While you can return via chapter select, it’s more efficient to collect items during your initial playthrough when you’re naturally exploring each area.
Difficulty Considerations: Normal mode provides a balanced experience for most players, but don’t hesitate to adjust difficulty if you’re struggling with specific encounters like Hell House or the final boss sequence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many side quests are in Final Fantasy 7 Remake?
Final Fantasy 7 Remake contains 26 side quests called “Odd Jobs.” These are distributed across specific chapters, with Chapter 9 containing the most (6 side quests). Some side quests are missable and can only be completed during specific story segments.
Can you replay chapters in FF7 Remake?
Yes, chapter select becomes available after completing your first playthrough. You can return to any completed chapter to collect missed items, complete side quests, or experience different story choices, particularly useful for Chapter 9’s branching narratives.
How long does it take to get all trophies in FF7 Remake?
Earning the Platinum trophy typically requires 60-80 hours, including a Hard Mode playthrough. The most time-consuming trophies involve completing all side quests, mastering all enemy skills, and defeating challenging Hard Mode encounters.
Are there random encounters in FF7 Remake?
No, FF7 Remake features visible enemies in the environment rather than random encounters. All combat encounters are designed and placed deliberately, allowing for strategic preparation and tactical approach to each battle.
What’s the difference between FF7 Remake and Intergrade?
Intergrade is the enhanced PlayStation 5 version featuring improved graphics, faster loading times, and the “Episode INTERmission” DLC starring Yuffie. The base game structure remains the same with 18 chapters, but the DLC adds approximately 4-6 hours of additional content.
How many materia are in FF7 Remake?
The game features over 50 different materia types across five categories: Magic, Command, Support, Independent, and Summon. Each chapter gradually introduces new materia, with the full arsenal becoming available by the final chapters.
Does FF7 Remake have New Game Plus?
While there’s no traditional New Game Plus, the chapter select feature allows you to replay content with retained character progress. Hard Mode, unlocked after completion, provides a significantly more challenging experience with modified rules and enemy encounters.
Can you miss anything permanently in FF7 Remake?
Some music discs and manuscripts can be missed if you don’t collect them during specific chapters. However, the chapter select feature means nothing is truly permanently missable – you can always return to collect items you’ve missed.
How does Materia progression work between chapters?
Materia experience and levels carry over throughout your playthrough and persist when using chapter select. This system encourages experimentation and allows you to develop powerful materia combinations over time.
What level should I be for each chapter?
Character levels naturally progress with story advancement. Most players finish around level 30-35 on Normal difficulty. If you’re struggling with specific encounters, focusing on materia combinations and weapon upgrades often provides more benefit than pure level grinding.
Conclusion
Final Fantasy VII Remake’s 18-chapter structure creates a perfectly paced journey through Midgar that balances linear storytelling with exploration opportunities. Whether you’re rushing through the main story in 30 hours or savoring every side quest for 50+ hours, each chapter offers unique rewards and memorable moments.
The game’s design ensures that both newcomers and series veterans can find their preferred level of engagement. With its chapter select feature and Hard Mode unlocks, FF7 Remake provides excellent replay value that extends well beyond your initial completion.
Ready to start your journey through Midgar? Fire up your console and dive into one of the most ambitious JRPG remakes ever created. Cloud’s adventure awaits, and now you know exactly what to expect from each step of the journey.
With a degree in mythology and folklore, Fatima is our RPG Lore Master. She delves into the vast open worlds of RPGs to uncover hidden narratives, cultural inspirations, and thematic connections. Her features are for players who want to fully immerse themselves in the history and lore of their favorite games.