Summary
TheFinal Fantasyfranchise features some of the most iconic locations in the world of gaming, fromFinal Fantasy 10’s Zanarkand dreamland toFinal Fantasy 9’s breathtaking Lindblum andFinal Fantasy 15’s epic Altissia. These locations feature some incredibly innovative visual designs, along with a strong sense of atmosphere that’s been created through the game’s use of lighting, architecture, music, and color palette. Of course,the original 1997Final Fantasy 7has more than its fair share of similarly iconic locations, withFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthgiving them a modern-age overhaul.
Though it might not be the most iconic location from the original 1997Final Fantasy 7, Costa del Sol has gone on to have quite the legacy in the wider franchise, appearing as a settlement inFinal Fantasy 14. A small beachside resort, Costa del Sol acts as a nice but brief reprieve from the rest of Cloud and company’s heavier journey, and that purpose is made even clearer inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
Comparing Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s Costa del Sol to The 1997 Original
On the whole,Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s version of Costa del Solbears a striking resemblance to its original 1997 counterpart, with the remake making practically no changes to the original look of the area, but simply adding more to it. In the originalFinal Fantasy 7, Costa del Sol consisted of just three background screens, with one depicting the harbor where the Shinra ferry docks, and the remaining two being used for the resort’s center and beach.
Theoriginal 1997 version of Costa del Solwas very small, containing just one bridge, a beach, one storefront, and just a handful of buildings, giving the sense that this beachside resort wasn’t a gigantic complex, but was still a popular vacation spot. The same can’t be said, however, forFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s version of Costa del Sol. Greatly expanded from the original version,Rebirth’s Costa del Sol now features a plethora of hotels, seaside bars, street vendors, and storefronts, along with a lengthy beachfront and a much longer harbor area.Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s Costa del Sol feels like a true resort town, filled with eager vacationers.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s Costa del Sol Puts an Emphasis on Relaxation
The biggest purpose of Costa del Sol in the original 1997Final Fantasy 7is to give players a bit of a break from the game’s more weighty narrative, which has just taken an even darker turn, with Cloud and the rest of the crew having just faced off againsta manifestation of Jenovaaboard the Shinra ferry. Being a bright, sunny, and peaceful place, Costa del Sol allows players to catch their breath briefly before being thrown back into the fray once again.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s Costa del Sol has the exact same purpose, but again, it expands on it. Rather than just offer a few shops and some calming music,Rebirth’s version of Costa del Sol gives players a handful of minigames to participate in, from a pirate-themed shooting gallery to a Red XIII-led soccer match and a Tifa piano concert or anotherQueen’s Blood challenge. These minigames do dragFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s overall pacing down quite a bit, but in the process, it gives fans a brief respite from the rest of the game’s darker tone.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
WHERE TO PLAY
Discover a vibrant and vast world in this standalone entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project, which retells the story of the genre-redefining RPG across three distinct games. Iconic heroes Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith and Red XIII have escaped from the dystopian city Midgar and are now in pursuit of Sephiroth, the vengeful swordsman from Cloud’s past who was thought to be dead. This new adventure can be enjoyed by all players, even those who have yet to play Final Fantasy VII Remake or the PlayStation original. Expect a new standard of cinematic storytelling, fast-paced combat and rich exploration across a vast world.
