You’ve just stepped out of the train in Sector 7, the music is swelling, and Cloud looks cooler than ever. But ten minutes into your first scrap with a Shinra guard, you’re probably wondering why the combat feels so... clunky. If you’re playing this like Devil May Cry or Dark Souls, you are going to have a bad time. Honestly.
Most people treat this game like a pure action title. They dodge constantly. They mash square. Then they get frustrated when a boss swathes them aside like a fly. Here’s the secret: Final Fantasy 7 Remake isn't an action game. It’s a menu-based strategy game disguised as one. If you want to stop burning through Phoenix Downs, you need to change how you think about the ATB bar.
The Combat Logic Nobody Tells You
The biggest mistake? Dodging.
In most modern games, dodging gives you "i-frames" (invincibility frames). In FF7 Remake, it basically doesn't. If a big mechanical arm is swinging at your head and you dodge into it, you’re still getting hit. You’re just getting hit while moving.
Guard instead.
Seriously. Holding R1 is the most overpowered move in the game. It reduces damage significantly and, more importantly, it builds ATB. If you use the Steadfast Block Materia, you’ll find yourself with full bars constantly just by being a punching bag for a few seconds.
Character Roles Are Not Suggestions
Cloud is your all-rounder, sure, but his Punisher Mode is the real star. If you see an enemy rushing you with a physical attack, just switch to Punisher and hold guard. He will automatically counterattack. It’s free damage and massive stagger build-up.
Tifa is your "stagger multiplier" queen. Don’t just spam her abilities. Use Unbridled Strength to upgrade her triangle attacks. When an enemy finally hits that "Staggered" state, you swap to Tifa and go ham with Rise and Fall and Omnistrike. This pushes the damage bonus from 160% up to 200% or 300%. That is how you melt bosses.
Barret is the tank. If you aren't using Lifesaver, you're making the game twice as hard. He can soak up the damage meant for Aerith while she’s busy casting the slow-moving nukes.
Essential Materia Combinations
You’ve got limited slots. Don't waste them.
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- Magnify + Healing: This is the gold standard. It turns Cure into Curaga-all. It’s your panic button.
- Elemental + [Fire/Ice/Lightning]: Put this on your weapon for extra damage. Put it on your armor to become immune to that element. In certain boss fights, like Reno or Shiva, having this on your armor makes you literally unkillable.
- Synergy + Poison/Fire: Stick this on a character you aren't controlling (like Aerith). Every time Cloud uses an ability, she’ll follow up with a free spell without costing you MP or ATB. It’s constant pressure for zero cost.
The Assess Tax
Always keep the Assess Materia equipped. Always. You only need to use it once per enemy type. It reveals the "Pressure" conditions. Some enemies only pressure if you hit them while they’re casting; others need a specific element. Blindly attacking a boss is the fastest way to a Game Over screen.
Hard Mode: A Different Beast Entirely
Once you finish the story, Hard Mode unlocks. This is where the game actually starts for many enthusiasts. But there’s a catch: you can’t use items. At all. And resting at benches doesn't restore your MP.
This changes everything.
You suddenly realize that Chakra and Prayer are the most important Materia in the game because they heal you using ATB instead of MP. If you walk into a boss fight with 0 MP because you spent it all on Cura during the trash mobs, you’re done.
Pro Tip for MP Management: Break every Shinra box you see. They often drop Mako Shards that restore a tiny bit of MP. You can actually "farm" these by saving and reloading your game near a cluster of boxes. It’s tedious, but if you’re stuck at the end of Chapter 17 with no mana, it’s a lifesaver.
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Side Quests: What’s Actually Worth It?
Most side quests are "fetch-y," but the rewards aren't just fluff.
The quests in Chapter 3, 8, and 9 determine which dresses the trio wears later. More importantly, doing all quests in Chapter 14 rewards you with the Elemental Materia #2. Since there are only two in the entire game, skipping those quests means you’re permanently weaker.
Also, keep an eye on the Battle Intel from Chadley. Completing his tasks is the only way to get the most powerful Materia, like ATB Boost or the Bahamut summon. If you ignore the kid in the lab coat, you're ignoring the best gear in Midgar.
The "Final Fantasy 7 Remake Guide" Checklist for Success
- Stop mashing. Use square just to build ATB, then slow down time with the menu to make your real moves.
- Switch characters constantly. The AI is defensive. It won't build ATB for you. You need to jump to Barret, fire off some shots, jump to Tifa, build her Chi, and then back to Cloud.
- Pressure first, Stagger second. Don't use your big damage moves (like Braver) on a normal enemy. Use "Focused" moves (like Focused Thrust) when they are pressured to fill that bar fast.
- Weapon Upgrades matter. Don't just look at the Attack stat. Some weapons, like Cloud's Twin Stinger, are better for magic-heavy builds because of the materia slots and MP recovery boosts.
The game is a dance. Once you stop fighting the mechanics and start using the ATB system as a resource to be managed, the "clunkiness" disappears. You'll go from struggling against a Sweeper to dismantling a House-shaped tank in no time.
Now, go find Chadley and start those VR missions. You’re going to need those summons for what’s coming next.