10 hours in, when does this game open up?

[Vaylor]

So far, it's been an entirely linear game with no options for exploration or extra battles to level up or do anything really. Just 10 hours of story and easy click battles. I get games having an intro sequence, but after 10 hours I'm still stuck in the story and can't just explore and level.

Basically, does this game get better? At this point I'd rather re-load one of the older FF games and have some fun VS this which so far has been 10 hours of watching story. The gameplay so far is pretty terrible and I don't feel like I have enough agency to really affect much as far as actions and build goes. My build diversity is currently nothing because they all seem the same.

[Weltall8000]

This game is rather linear, like the corresponding section of the original FFVII.

Given your complaints, it probably isn't for you, and barring Hard Mode (unlocked after completing the story campaign), the combat is easy to moderate challenge throughout.

The weapon skill trees do offer some variations, but there are still kinda basically what everyone's roles are. Cloud being the most flexible to be able to fulfill a couple basically being the all grounder and second best at every role.

[[Lethalvriend]]

The only building you can do in this game is your materia/equipment loadout and the character combo you use in your party. On top of that it's definitely a lineair game. The 2nd part (Rebirth) is also a lineair game story wise, but because it actually has open areas and the ability to travel back and forth between them it's not as much of a lineair game, you can do most quests later in the game in that one if you wish. Personally I really liked the gameplay in these two games so perhaps its just a matter of the game not clicking with you. It happens sometimes, even if others praise a game.

[Pack 4 Potatoes]

It doesn't. It's linear all the way through. The sequel, Rebirth is the open world game.

[Yílõng Má]

When you play Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

[Camp_Ricki_Lake]

It remains linear throughout, just the like Original does.

It opens up when the OG opens up i.e Rebirth.