10 Video Games That Take Multiple Playthroughs For The TRUE EXPERIENCE

As terrifically entertaining as Final Fantasy VII Remake is on any difficulty, it becomes something truly special once you beat it and unlock Hard Mode, which is unequivocally the way to get the most out of the game.

Hard Mode isn't just the base game but more challenging, it inherently reshapes the way in which you play, in turn delivering an experience more akin to classic, old-school Final Fantasy.

Beyond enemies simply being more difficult, they've also got new attack patterns, but most crucially, you're not allowed to use items, and rest points can only be used to replenish HP, not MP.

Basically, Hard Mode makes magic feel like a truly vital commodity rather than something you can always rely upon to get you out of a tough spot no matter what. It forces players to be strategic and thoughtful about when they use it, saving the big guns for tricky bosses.

In comparison to the more casual-friendly lower difficulties, Hard Mode absolutely feels like the way Square Enix wants you to play the game.