Gallery: Final Fantasy VII iOS is finally here Gallery Gallery: Final Fantasy VII iOS is finally here + 3

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Prepare your iPads and keep your chargers close to hand -- JRPG classic Final Fantasy VII is coming to the App Store. In fact, depending on where you are in the world, it's already there, with the game currently listed on New Zealand's version of Apple's digital storefront.

The legendary 1997 game retails for $19.99 NZD. That's around £8.39 at a direct conversion, though not a clear indication of what Square Enix may set the UK price at.


The iOS version of the game is based on the PC re-release that was launched on Steam in 2013. It will take up around 2GB space, but require 4GB free to download (because of the way apps are unpacked). Exactly how well it has been optimised for touch controls remains to be seen, but given the original relied heavily on menus for both combat and character management, all that would really be needed is a decent tap-to-walk system for it to lend itself to tablet play.

Instead, it seems the game will use a virtual onscreen controller. These are often hit-and-miss at best though, never as precise as a physical joypad, though the App Store description claims the VOC here is designed not to obscure the screen and can the analogue or fixed four-way digital controls of the original PlayStation controller.

Other changes for the mobile version include an option to turn off random enemy encounters on the world and area maps (i.e, everywhere but for story-driven event battles), and a "Max Stats" command to instantly level your party.

A more elaborate remake of the game was announced for PlayStation 4 at this year's E3, directed by Tetsuya Nomura. Nomura later confirmed to WIRED.co.uk that his take on the game won't be a literal remake, so short of digging out your PS One, an iOS port is a good way to revisit something closer to the original.

WIRED.co.uk has contacted Square Enix's UK office for clarification on a UK App Store release, and will update this story accordingly.