You know, when I first started playing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, I thought I had the whole gaming thing figured out. I'd breeze through main missions, maybe do a side quest or two if I felt like it, and call it a day. But boy, was I wrong. The real magic of this game—and the key to unlocking those BINGO_MEGA-Mega Wins everyone's talking about—is hidden in the details, particularly in how you approach character relationships and side content. Today, I want to share five proven strategies that transformed my gameplay from mediocre to magnificent, all while diving deep into what makes Rebirth so special.
Why should I even bother with side missions in FFVII Rebirth?
Let's get this out of the way first: if you're skipping side missions, you're playing this game wrong. Seriously. I learned this the hard way during my first playthrough when I rushed through the main story and missed out on what makes Rebirth truly shine. The side missions are where Cloud usually gets paired with another character, and these aren't just filler content—they're golden opportunities for quality time that actually matters. I remember specifically doing a mission with Tifa where we had to help rebuild a community garden, and the way she opened up about her past while we were planting flowers felt more genuine than any scripted main story moment. These missions don't just check boxes; they make characters feel real, well-rounded, and deeply connected to Cloud's journey.
How do these missions actually change Cloud's relationships?
This is where Rebirth absolutely nails character development. Early on, Cloud starts as this stoic, emotionally closed-off mercenary—we all know the type. But through these side missions, I watched him transform into someone who genuinely cares. There was this one moment that really got me: Cloud promised Barret he'd always have his back during a particularly tense mission, and Barret's response was so different from how he would have reacted in Remake. Instead of his usual gruff dismissal, he actually seemed touched. It was a genuinely sweet moment that showed how far they've come, and it made me realize these bonds aren't just cosmetic—they're changing how characters interact at a fundamental level. The bond level system becomes crucial later when you have to decide who to spend quality time with, and let me tell you, having high bond levels completely changes those scenes.
What's so funny about Rebirth's side content?
I'll be honest—I didn't expect to laugh as much as I did while playing what's essentially a dramatic RPG. Rebirth is surprisingly funny, and much of that humor shines brightest in the side quests. Some of it comes through brilliant writing and comedic delivery of lines (Aerith's sarcastic comments during a chocobo racing side quest had me in stitches), but there are quite a few wacky situations and hijinks that are played purely for laughs. I particularly loved the mission where Cloud and Red XIII had to pose as festival mascots—the visual alone was worth the price of admission. The game nails these comedic moments without undermining its serious themes, striking a balance I rarely see in RPGs.
Wait, there are self-referential elements too?
Oh, absolutely—and this is where Rebirth really won me over. The developers clearly love the original game as much as we do, and they're not afraid to show it. The Fort Condor missions are the perfect example: they switch the art style to imitate the blocky character models of the original PS1 game, except rendered in super high resolution. The first time I saw this, I actually put my controller down and just marveled at how beautifully they'd recreated that nostalgic feel. That retro style pops up in other places too, like when you find classic mini-games hidden around the world, and it's always a delight when it appears. These touches show that the developers understand what made the original special while still pushing the boundaries of what a remake can be.
How do all these elements combine to create those BINGO_MEGA-Mega Win moments?
Here's the thing about unlocking those BINGO_MEGA-Mega Wins—it's not about grinding or following some secret formula. It's about embracing everything Rebirth offers. When you invest time in side missions, you're not just ticking completion boxes; you're building relationships that pay off in spectacular ways. During my second playthrough, I focused heavily on Yuffie's side missions, and when we reached the Gold Saucer date sequence, the dialogue options and emotional depth were completely different from my first run. The game rewarded my investment with what felt like a genuinely personal moment rather than a generic scene. That's the real BINGO_MEGA-Mega Win—those moments where the game makes you feel like your choices actually matter, and the relationships you've built transform both the characters and your experience of the story.
The beauty of Rebirth is that it understands something many games miss: the side content shouldn't feel separate from the main experience. It should enhance it, deepen it, and sometimes even transform it entirely. By following these strategies—engaging fully with side missions, appreciating the character development, enjoying the humor, embracing the nostalgia, and understanding how everything connects—you're not just playing a game. You're living in its world, and that's where the true magic happens. Trust me, your BINGO_MEGA-Mega Win moment isn't waiting at the end of some boss battle—it's hidden in those quiet conversations, those ridiculous situations, and those beautiful callbacks to a game we all fell in love with decades ago.
