What it is
Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis is a free-to-play, chapter-based RPG that brings together stories from across the Final Fantasy VII universe, including the original game, Crisis Core and the original young-Sephiroth storyline. It is already available on iOS, Android and Steam. The date listed as Tuesday 6 October 2026 is not a UK release date: Square Enix has announced that the global service will end at 11pm PDT that day, which is 7am BST on Wednesday 7 October 2026.
- UK release
- Already released: 7 September 2023 on iOS and Android; 6 December 2023 on Steam
- Platforms
- iOS, Android and Windows PC via Steam
- Developer
- Applibot, Inc. with Square Enix
- Publisher
- Square Enix
- UK price
- Free-to-play with optional in-app purchases
- PEGI
- PEGI 12
- Genre
- Role-playing RPG and adventure
- Online mode
- Yes — online co-op battles for up to three players, while the service remains active
- Service status
- Scheduled to end at 7am BST on 7 October 2026
Story and setting
Ever Crisis presents the Final Fantasy VII timeline as a series of compact, episodic story chapters. Its mainline material retells key events from Final Fantasy VII, while Crisis Core follows Zack Fair seven years before the original game. The central new material is The First Soldier, which explores Sephiroth’s early career and introduces the original characters Glenn, Matt and Lucia.
The story is presented through a mixture of cutscenes, dialogue scenes and battles. Square Enix described the project as another possibility for a remake rather than a replacement for the 1997 game. It also set out to cover the wider Compilation of Final Fantasy VII, with Before Crisis story content added during the final months of service. Ever Crisis is therefore best understood as an abridged, reorganised tour through FFVII history rather than a full remake of every individual game.
How it plays
Combat is a fast-paced, command-based system derived from Final Fantasy VII’s Active Time Battle approach. Characters use abilities, Materia, summons and Limit Breaks, while Auto Mode and adjustable battle speed make routine encounters quicker. Parties can be built around familiar characters including Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, Zack and Sephiroth, with weapons, equipment and character-specific gear affecting their abilities and presentation.
The story can be played alone, but the game also includes online co-operative battles against powerful bosses. Steam describes co-op groups of up to three members, with cross-platform multiplayer between PC and mobile versions. The game’s free-to-play structure includes optional purchases and random-item draws, so progression and character customisation are closely tied to its live-service systems.
Platforms, price and service status
The confirmed platforms are iOS, Android and Windows PC through Steam. The mobile versions launched on 7 September 2023, followed by the Steam version on 6 December 2023. There is no confirmed PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo version.
Ever Crisis is free to download and play, with optional in-app purchases rather than a boxed release or standard UK RRP. There are no confirmed physical editions, pre-order bonuses or UK retailer listings. Paid Red Crystal sales ended ahead of the shutdown, although existing currency can be used until the service closes. Square Enix has also said that account information will be deleted after the closure procedures are complete.
Trailers and showcases
The 25 February 2021 teaser introduced Ever Crisis as another possibility for a remake and established its episodic approach to the Final Fantasy VII timeline, originally targeting iOS and Android in 2022. The 16 June 2022 25th Anniversary Celebration trailer showed the project’s timeline-spanning premise and its mix of stylised field scenes with more detailed battle presentation.
The 12 December 2022 Winter trailer gave a further look at the combat system and young Sephiroth, while confirming that the closed beta had moved to summer 2023. Square Enix’s 8 June 2023 Summer Game Fest trailer highlighted the command-based battles, party customisation and solo or co-operative play. The 31 August 2023 Countdown to Launch trailer confirmed the 7 September mobile release. Later videos promoted anniversary events and crossover content rather than announcing a new platform or a conventional boxed edition.
What remains unconfirmed
Square Enix has not announced an offline conversion, permanent single-player edition or any way to continue playing the story after the servers close. It has also not confirmed whether the game’s story, cinematics or progression will be preserved in another form. A PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass or console release remains unconfirmed.
For a British reader, this is not a game to pre-order: it has been available for several years and is now approaching the end of its online service. It may still be of interest as a final chance to see Ever Crisis’s version of the FFVII Compilation and young Sephiroth’s story, but access is time-limited and there is no confirmed long-term ownership option.
Not yet confirmed
- There is no announced offline mode, permanent edition or post-closure way to play the story.
- No PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo version has been confirmed.
- No PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass, boxed UK edition, pre-order bonus or UK RRP has been announced.
- Square Enix has not confirmed that the story or cinematics will remain accessible after the online service ends.
Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis: your questions
Is Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis coming out in the UK on 6 October 2026?
No. The game launched on mobile in September 2023 and on Steam in December 2023. The 6 October 2026 date is the North American service-closure date; in the UK, the servers are due to close at 7am BST on Wednesday 7 October 2026.
What platforms is Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis on?
It is available on iOS, Android and Windows PC through Steam. No console version has been announced.
Does Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis have an online mode?
Yes. It includes online co-operative boss battles for groups of up to three players, with cross-platform multiplayer between mobile and PC.
Is Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis free to play?
Yes. It is free to download and play, with optional in-app purchases and random-item draws. Paid Red Crystal sales have ended ahead of the scheduled service closure.
Can I play Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis after October 2026?
That has not been confirmed. Square Enix has announced the end of the online service but has not announced an offline version or a permanent standalone release.
