Final Fantasy VII Remake
Final Fantasy VII Remake

Chapter Select

Master Final Fantasy VII Remake's Chapter Select feature to re-earn all dresses and clear Hard Mode for the "Hardened Veteran" trophy.

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Chapter Select

Once you've completed Final Fantasy VII Remake for the first time, a powerful new feature unlocks: Chapter Select. This invaluable tool allows you to revisit any completed chapter at your leisure, making it essential for trophy hunters, completionists, and anyone looking to experience specific story beats again. Access Chapter Select from the main menu by navigating to System > Chapter Select.

Why Use Chapter Select?

Chapter Select isn't just for replaying your favorite moments; it's crucial for:

  • Collecting Missables: Many items, side quests, and even some key story choices are tied to specific chapters. Use Chapter Select to go back and grab anything you might have overlooked.
  • Hard Mode Completion: To unlock the coveted "Hardened Veteran" trophy and master all weapon abilities, you'll need to clear every chapter on Hard difficulty. Chapter Select is your primary method for tackling these challenges one by one.
  • Dress Code Trophy: Achieving all nine dresses for Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith requires specific actions and side quest completions across Chapters 3, 8, and 9. Chapter Select is indispensable for manipulating these outcomes.
  • Weapon Proficiency: If you missed mastering a weapon's ability during your initial playthrough, jump back into a chapter with that weapon equipped and grind out the proficiency.
  • Character Leveling & Materia Grinding: While not the most efficient method, replaying combat-heavy sections can help level up characters or gain AP for Materia.

Important Considerations Before Selecting a Chapter

Before diving back into a chapter, understand how Chapter Select impacts your game:

  • Progress Overwrites: When you start a chapter via Chapter Select, your current story progress is effectively paused. Any progress made within the selected chapter (e.g., new items, character levels, completed side quests) will be saved to your primary save file. However, progressing beyond that chapter's end will overwrite your previous story progression from that point forward.
  • Inventory & Stats Carry Over: Your current character levels, equipment, Materia, gil, and inventory items are carried into the selected chapter. This means you can bring your overpowered endgame party back to early chapters for an easier time.
  • Side Quest Reset: All side quests within a chapter are reset when you select it. This is vital for the "Dress Code" trophy, as you'll need to complete specific sets of side quests to influence dress outcomes.
  • No Mid-Chapter Saves: You cannot save your game in the middle of a chapter selected via Chapter Select. Your progress will only be saved when you complete the chapter or manually save at a save point within the chapter.
  • Chapter Completion Status: The game tracks your completion of each chapter on both Normal and Hard difficulties. This is visible on the Chapter Select screen.

Strategic Use of Chapter Select for Trophies

"Dress Code" Trophy (All Dresses)

This trophy requires careful planning across three specific chapters:

  1. Chapter 3: Home Sweet Slum
    • Cloud's Dresses: The dress Cloud wears in Chapter 9 is determined by the number of side quests completed in Chapter 3.
      • 0 Side Quests: Cloud's basic dress.
      • 3 Side Quests: Cloud's elegant dress.
      • 6 Side Quests: Cloud's glamorous dress.
    • Actionable Step: Replay Chapter 3 three times, completing 0, 3, and 6 side quests respectively, ensuring you then play through Chapter 9 each time to see the dress and trigger the trophy progress.
  2. Chapter 8: Budding Bodyguard
    • Aerith's Dresses: Aerith's dress in Chapter 9 is determined by the number of side quests completed in Chapter 8.
      • 0 Side Quests: Aerith's basic dress.
      • 3 Side Quests: Aerith's elegant dress.
      • 6 Side Quests: Aerith's glamorous dress.
    • Actionable Step: Replay Chapter 8 three times, completing 0, 3, and 6 side quests respectively, then proceed to Chapter 9 each time.
  3. Chapter 9: The Town That Never Sleeps
    • Tifa's Dresses: Tifa's dress in Chapter 9 is determined by specific choices made during the "Discovery: The Party Never Stops" side quest line.
      • Mature Dress: Choose "Exotic" at the beginning of Chapter 9 when asked about Tifa's outfit.
      • Sporty Dress: Choose "Sporty" at the beginning of Chapter 9 when asked about Tifa's outfit.
      • Exotic Dress: Choose "Mysterious" at the beginning of Chapter 9 when asked about Tifa's outfit.
    • Actionable Step: Replay Chapter 9 three times, making a different choice for Tifa's outfit each time. Ensure you complete the specific side quests that unlock the "Mysterious" option if you haven't already.

"Hardened Veteran" Trophy (Hard Mode)

To earn this trophy, you must clear every single chapter on Hard difficulty. Chapter Select is the only way to achieve this efficiently.

  • Strategy: Begin from Chapter 1 and systematically work your way through each chapter on Hard. Your fully leveled characters and mastered Materia from your first playthrough will be invaluable.
  • Key Differences in Hard Mode:
    • No item usage in combat or outside of combat.
    • No MP restoration at benches or from items.
    • Enemies hit harder and have more HP.
    • New enemy placements and attack patterns for some bosses.
  • Preparation: Ensure your Materia setups are optimized for MP conservation (e.g., Magnify + Healing, Chakra, Prayer) and elemental weaknesses. Max out your weapons for their unique abilities.

By understanding and utilizing Chapter Select effectively, you can conquer all of Final Fantasy VII Remake's challenges and uncover every secret Midgar has to offer!