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Battle to become the first elite SOLDIER in a cinematic Final Fantasy battle royale prequel

Battle to become the first elite SOLDIER in a cinematic Final Fantasy battle royale prequel

Vote (1 votes)

Program license Full

Developer SQUARE ENIX Co. Ltd.

Version 1.0.28

Works under Android

Also known as Final Fantasy VII The First Soldier

Vote

(1 votes)

Developer

SQUARE ENIX Co. Ltd.

Works under

Android

Program license

Full

Version

1.0.28

Also known as

Final Fantasy VII The First Soldier

Pros

  • Fresh mix of battle royale shooting with Final Fantasy style classes, magic, and invocations
  • Large and varied arsenal, from modern firearms to melee weapons inspired by the original game
  • Customizable SOLDIER recruits with outfits and emotes
  • Explores Midgar’s past and the early SOLDIER program as a prequel spin-off
  • Iconic Final Fantasy VII locations rendered in a detailed 3D battle arena
  • Striking visuals and ambitious genre crossover from Square Enix

Cons

  • Requires a 64-bit device with at least 3 GB of RAM, and some compatible-looking devices still may not run it
  • Focus on multiplayer battle royale instead of the traditional single-player Final Fantasy structure and familiar main characters
  • Online service has ended, so the game is no longer playable in its original form

Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier is a free-to-play 3D action battle royale for Android that takes place in Midgar long before the events of the original Final Fantasy VII. It is aimed at players who enjoy competitive online shooters and long-time Final Fantasy VII fans curious about Shinra’s origins and the birth of SOLDIER.

A Prequel Set in Midgar’s Turbulent Past

The First Soldier is set roughly thirty years before Final Fantasy VII and presents itself as a prequel spin-off. Instead of following Cloud or other familiar heroes, you step into the boots of a fully customizable recruit taking part in Shinra’s early SOLDIER experiments.

This setup gives the game room to explore Midgar at an earlier stage in its history. You fight for the honor of becoming one of the first elite SOLDIER operatives, turning each battle royale match into a kind of audition for Shinra’s most feared unit.

Battle Royale Structure with a Final Fantasy Twist

At its core, The First Soldier follows the format of modern mobile battle royale titles. Dozens of players enter the map, scavenge for gear, and fight until only one remains. Matches are online and competitive, with your survival instincts and map awareness tested from the start.

Where it stands apart is in how it folds in mechanics more often seen in role-playing games and MOBAs. The map is populated not only by rival players but also by enemies you can defeat for advantages. You have access to special abilities, magic, and powerful invocations, so positioning and timing matter as much as quick reflexes. The combination of firearms, close-quarters combat, and spellcasting gives each encounter multiple layers.

Combat Styles, Weapons, and Magic

Before entering a match, you select a combat style, such as Warrior, Sorcerer, or Ninja. Each style comes with its own strengths, which can shape how you approach fights. Warriors favor direct confrontation, Sorcerers lean on magic, and Ninjas are built around agility and surprise.

The arsenal is one of the game’s biggest draws. You can equip pistols, machine guns, shotguns, and sniper rifles for ranged combat. For players who prefer getting up close, there is a wide collection of hand-to-hand weapons, many inspired by iconic arms from the original Final Fantasy VII. On top of that, items let you cast elemental magic like fire, ice, and lightning. Mixing guns, melee attacks, and spells lets you adapt to different situations and keep opponents guessing.

Character Customization and Iconic Locations

Instead of controlling a fixed protagonist, you design your own SOLDIER candidate. The game includes a variety of outfits and emotes, so you can create a look that matches your preferred style and personality. This personal touch fits well with the competitive setting, since your character becomes your identity on the battlefield.

Fans of Final Fantasy VII will likely appreciate how the game revisits key spots in Midgar. You can roam through detailed versions of the church where Aerith first appears, the seedy district associated with Don Corneo, the Seventh Heaven bar, and other recognizable areas. Seeing these locations reimagined for a large-scale multiplayer environment adds a strong nostalgic pull for veterans of the 1997 classic and its remake.

Visual Impact and Design Ambition

The First Soldier presents itself with high production values. Effects from gunfire, magic, and invocations combine with the dense cityscape of Midgar to create matches that look dynamic and intense. The overall presentation has been described as visually spectacular, and the hybrid design shows that Square Enix approached this genre shift with confidence and originality.

By merging battle royale conventions with Final Fantasy style magic, classes, and enemies on the field, the game carves out a distinct identity instead of feeling like a simple reskin of other shooters.

Hardware Demands and Online Requirements

The First Soldier targets relatively powerful mobile hardware. It requires a 64-bit Android device with at least 3 GB of RAM, and even devices that meet these specifications may still be incompatible. Players with older or lower-end phones are likely to run into issues running the game or may not be able to access it at all.

Since matches are fought against other players in real time, a stable internet connection is also needed for normal play.

Current Service Status

Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier operated as an online live service. That service has now been discontinued, and the official servers are no longer active. As a result, the game is not currently playable in its intended online battle royale form.

Pros

  • Fresh mix of battle royale shooting with Final Fantasy style classes, magic, and invocations
  • Large and varied arsenal, from modern firearms to melee weapons inspired by the original game
  • Customizable SOLDIER recruits with outfits and emotes
  • Explores Midgar’s past and the early SOLDIER program as a prequel spin-off
  • Iconic Final Fantasy VII locations rendered in a detailed 3D battle arena
  • Striking visuals and ambitious genre crossover from Square Enix

Cons

  • Requires a 64-bit device with at least 3 GB of RAM, and some compatible-looking devices still may not run it
  • Focus on multiplayer battle royale instead of the traditional single-player Final Fantasy structure and familiar main characters
  • Online service has ended, so the game is no longer playable in its original form

Screenshots of Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier APK