Cloud Strife is back — and this time, Square Enix has finally done what PC fans have been begging for since 2013. The original Final Fantasy VII has been re-released on Steam with meaningful quality-of-life upgrades, and if you already own it, the upgrade costs you absolutely nothing. But there’s a catch that’s already breaking hearts across the internet.
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What’s Actually New in the 2026 Steam Version?
Square Enix has released an updated version of Final Fantasy VII on PC via Steam, boasting all-new enhancements and features. This replaces the original PC release from 2013, now dubbed “Final Fantasy VII – 2013 Edition” to differentiate it from the new re-release.
Here’s what’s new in the 2026 version: a 3x Speed button for battles, travel, and certain events; the ability to toggle random battle encounters on or off (story battles and bosses remain); a Battle Enhancement Mode that lets players refresh HP/MP and max out their Limit Gauge mid-battle; and Autosave that periodically records your progress while still supporting manual saves.
The update essentially brings the original to the level of modern console ports, correcting many bugs present in the 2013 PC edition.
| Feature | 2013 Edition | 2026 Re-Release |
|---|---|---|
| 🛒 Available to Buy | ❌ Delisted | ✅ Live on Steam |
| 💰 Cost for Old Owners | — | Free Upgrade |
| ⚡ 3x Speed Mode | ❌ | ✅ |
| 🎲 Toggle Encounters | ❌ | ✅ |
| 💊 Battle Enhancement | ❌ | ✅ |
| 💾 Autosave | ❌ | ✅ |
| 🔄 Save Compatibility | Old saves only | New saves only |
| 📚 Both Versions Accessible | ✅ (existing owners) | ✅ |
Final Fantasy 7 Big Catch — Your Saves Are Gone
Save data will not be compatible between the two versions. 2013 Edition saves will only work with the 2013 Edition, and new version saves will only work with the new version — meaning players must start completely from scratch to experience the new enhancements. ANI News
That mid-game save you’ve been sitting on since 2019? Yeah. It’s staying in 1997 Midgar forever.
For fans who want to revisit the roots of one of gaming’s greatest stories before the remake trilogy concludes, this is the best time to jump in — or start over. For more gaming news and RPG guides, check out TechnoSports, and don’t miss our coverage of Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth updates for everything happening in the Midgar universe.
Final Fantasy VII originally launched in 1997 on PlayStation and remains one of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed RPGs in history — making this re-release a milestone for PC gaming preservation.
FAQs
Q: Do I need to buy Final Fantasy VII again to get the 2026 Steam version?
No — current version owners will retain access to the 2013 Edition and will be eligible to obtain the new version at no extra cost The CSR Journal, with both versions accessible in your Steam library.
Q: Can I still play the 2013 Edition after the new version launches?
Yes — while the 2013 Edition has been delisted from the Steam Store and can no longer be purchased, existing owners can still access and play it alongside the new 2026 re-release from their Steam library.
