Summary

• Hard Mode in FF7 Rebirth is the ultimate challenge, with tougher enemies, locked difficulty settings, and no item use allowed.
• Expect exclusive battles and rule changes, like limited MP recovery and no free restoration points, creating a survival game-like experience.
• Completing Hard Mode rewards players with Manuscripts for character progression, the Götterdämmerung accessory, and a PSN trophy.

Of FF7 Rebirth's new Dynamic Difficulty), Hard Mode becomes available on the difficulty select screen. It provides a far greater challenge than any of the other modes, and comes with some significant rule changes to keep the experience interesting.

Hard Mode is closely based on FF7 Remake's highest difficulty setting, so anyone who's already completed the previous game's Hard Mode knows they're in for a punishing experience. However, there have been a few changes made between Remake and Rebirth, many of which result naturally from FF7 Rebirth's distinct nature as a semi-open world, exploration-focused RPG. Here's what to expect from FF7 Rebirth's Hard Mode.

FF7 Rebirth: Hard Mode Differences

Across the board, enemies are far tougher in FF7 Rebirth's Hard Mode than they are in any other difficulty setting. They have more HP, and their attacks deal more damage. That goes for every single enemy in the game, from trash mobs found out in the open world, to Combat Simulator challenges, to every single plot-relevant rival, up to and including the final boss of FF7 Rebirth.

There are also a few extra battles available in FF7 Rebirth's Combat Simulator, all of which are exclusive to Hard Mode. This includes what may be the most difficult combat challenge in the game: Top Secrets, a five-stage gauntlet against the Shiva, Fat Chocobo, Leviathan, Bahamut, and Ifrit summons (the last two fought simultaneously), and finally, FF7 Rebirth's secret Pride and Joy superboss. This fight is only available in Chapter 17, so players will have to begin that chapter in Hard Mode and fight their way through until they find Chadley and the Combat Simulator.

Other than that, though, most enemy encounters are more or less the same. They'll appear in the same places, use the same movesets, and have the same resistances and weaknesses. Don't expect more difficult mini-games or Divine Intel rhythm challenges, either - all side activities, apart from the Combat Simulator, remain untouched in Hard Mode. (FF7 Rebirth's Fort Condor has a Hard Mode of its own, but it's unlocked by different means.) So, the only thing that's really affected is combat, but it's not just enemy stats that have changed.

FF7 Rebirth: Hard Mode Rules & Restrictions

Locked Difficulty Settings, Item Restrictions, & MP Recovery

FF7 Rebirth also puts additional restrictions on player actions, demanding a wholly different kind of strategy. First and foremost, once a player has chosen to play a chapter in Hard Mode, they're locked into that difficulty until they complete it or return to the chapter select screen. They're more or less required either to complete the chapter or abandon their progress through it to change the difficulty.

In any other game mode, difficulty can be changed at any time from the Gameplay Options menu.

Also, in a recurring rule from Remake, players can't use items at all in FF7 Rebirth's Hard Mode. When it comes to healing, removing status effects, buffing, and debuffing, they'll have to rely entirely on their spells, abilities, and Materia. That means the party will inevitably burn through their MP much more quickly, which creates another problem. Players can't use Ethers to recover MP in FF7 Rebirth, so they're forced to rely entirely on rest points.

However, unlike other difficulty settings, the blue benches don't restore MP in FF7 Rebirth's Hard Mode. They'll heal the party, but their MP will remain exactly where it was before they rested. In Hard Mode, MP can only be restored via the broken benches at Chocobo Stops. These restore both HP and MP to the maximum, but require the player to expend a Cushion for each use.

It's also possible to restore Aerith's MP by using her Soul Drain skill, but she's the only character with access to this ability.

As a result, MP conservation becomes much more of a factor in Hard Mode. Instead of constantly shooting off max-level spells and healing party as soon as they take a hit, players must exercise restraint, and use their MP only when absolutely necessary. In a way, Hard Mode turns FF7 Rebirth into a sort of survival game. The main objective becomes getting from one Chocobo Stop to the next before running out of resources.

FF7 Rebirth: Hard Mode Rewards

Thankfully, Hard Mode doesn't come without its rewards. As players run through the game on Hard Mode, they'll receive various Manuscripts for finishing side quests and beating bosses. These pertain to the new Folio system of character progression. Each one grants a specific character a handful of Skill Points, which can be used to purchase FF7 Rebirth. These have a variety of effects, from increasing character stats to unlocking new abilities. Completing the game on Hard Mode is the only way to obtain these Manuscript volumes and take full advantage of the Folio System.

Plus, once the party completes Chadley's final Combat Simulator challenge, the Top Secrets series, they'll receive the Götterdämmerung accessory. It doesn't affect stats at all, but it grants the wearer a full Limit Break gauge each time they enter a battle. This ensures they can launch one of their most powerful attacks as an opening salvo, which can be a great boon throughout the rest of Hard Mode. If a player so chooses, they can actually play through Chapter 17 first, complete this Combat Simulator challenge, and equip Götterdämmerung for the rest of their run.

The name Götterdämmerung was previously used for the ultimate weapon in Final Fantasy 16's Normal Mode.

Finally, for completing the entire game on Hard Mode, players will receive the Of Hardy Stock trophy on PSN. This is a silver trophy, and one of 60 players must obtain in order to achieve 100% completion and claim the platinum, The Planet's Hope.

And that's everything there is to know about FF7 Rebirth's Hard Mode. While it's not recommended for absolutely everybody, Hard Mode is a must for thrill-seekers and achievement hunters alike. It represents a worthy challenge for seasoned players, a wonderful way to re-experience Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth with fresh eyes and a new sense of adventure.