I don't think Square Enix could ever completely recapture the feeling players had when FFVII was originally released. At the time, the whole experience was highly novel. The technology and artistry on display were unparalleled at the time, and the game launched in an era where JRPGs were still quite niche in western countries. So it was really "the" game that popularised JRPGs in the west.

So when it comes to this remake, I'm glad that Square Enix has been willing to question, explore, and completely re-imagine many of the original game's core elements. For example, I love the fact that in FFVIIR we now get a much more intimate view of Shinra employees and their relationship with the company. FFVIIR is bold because it doesn't entirely rest on the "big corporations are evil" trope. It points out the many complex ways in which Shinra is directly and indirectly intertwined with the lives of Midgar's denizens. Yes, it's a mega corporation that is harming the planet - but milions of people in Midgar rely on mako energy for their daily lives. And these people are, by and large, good people who are just trying to get by. The analogy with fossil fuel is obvious, and the many nuances involved are handled with great care.

Given how well Square Enix handled difficult topics like environmental activism and reliance on polluting technologies in the first game, I'm confident that they will handle other topics (like bio-engineering) just as carefully in future instalments. I can't wait.