Following a brief teaser trailer at The Game Awards, Apex Legends has unveiled the comprehensive details of its unexpected collaboration with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. This surprising announcement caught many off guard and serves as a potential avenue for Final Fantasy enthusiasts to explore the free-to-play shooter. Simultaneously, it offers fans of both franchises an exciting interim experience before the highly anticipated video game of 2024 hits the shelves at the end of February.
The revelation of the upcoming collaboration occurred during The Game Awards 2023, adding to the intrigue generated by the latest trailer and live performance of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Commencing with an iconic shot of Cloud’s buster sword, the teaser unfolded with the unexpected presence of Apex Legends characters Wraith, Horizon, and Crypto, hinting at forthcoming content. While the initial announcement only provided a start date of January 9, a subsequent trailer and Respawn blog post now furnish fans with comprehensive insights into new game modes, cosmetics, rewards, and more.
At the heart of this fresh crossover event lies the Final Fantasy 7 Takeover mode, stepping in to replace the unranked battle royale from January 9th to the 30th. Enthusiasts can now wield the all-new Buster Sword R2R5 weapon, introducing a range of light and heavy attacks, damage reduction through blocking, a dash for closing in on adversaries, and unlocking a limit break special move once the meter is filled. Additionally, players can acquire Materia Hop-Ups, each imbued with distinct effects and bonuses reminiscent of Materia effects from previous games, such as Final Fantasy 7 Remake. The coveted Buster Sword can be obtained from Care Packages, while materia awaits discovery in Cactuar Ticks.
Cosmetic Items and Rewards in the Collaboration Between Apex Legends and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Throughout this event, Apex Legends will feature a plethora of cosmetics for players to pursue. Following the pattern of past collection events in Apex Legends, the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth crossover encompasses 36 items unlockable through packs. These items comprise stickers, legendary skins for iconic legends, and the universally applicable Buster Sword R5 Melee Cosmetic, which can be equipped in lieu of an heirloom or fists. EA cautions that the Buster Sword won’t be available in the store once the event concludes, emphasizing that unlocking it during the event is the sole means of acquisition.
To aid in this pursuit, players can earn an event currency named Gil— a nod to the currency in Final Fantasy 7—by completing various challenges and engaging in the new mode. The Reward Shop is the designated hub for spending Gil, featuring a weekly rotating inventory. Alternatively, players have the option to use Gil to purchase battle stars for advancing in their seasonal battle pass. Each day presents new challenges, providing ample opportunities for Apex Legends players to accumulate more rewards.
For those seeking a more direct route to acquire distinctive Final Fantasy 7 gear, Respawn is introducing all six Iconic Legend Cosmetic skins to the store from January 9 to February 6. Wraith’s ensemble, named 7th Heaven Skirmisher, draws inspiration from Tifa, Crypto dons a Cloud-style skin, Horizon’s “Flower Girl” outfit pays homage to Aerith, Valkyrie and Wattson showcase outfits inspired by Yuffie, and Newcastle transforms into a Barrett look-alike. It’s important to note that, unlike crossovers in some other live service games like Fortnite, these cosmetics don’t transform the Apex Legends characters into their Final Fantasy counterparts; rather, they are simply inspired by them, a fact that has left some fans expressing a hint of disappointment.
