Complete Interlude and Chapter 1 Guide for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

The Interlude and Chapter 1 are where our story begins in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. The story within these two chapters is very linear. There are, however, a few moments that really help you piece together where things are headed in this installment. After this chapter, you can follow along with the rest of the chapters in our comprehensive guide of the entire game.

All Interlude: A World Apart Quests for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

With a heavily mako-poisoned Cloud in tow, Zack has beaten the odds and returned to Midgar alive – yet a strange, ominous pall hangs over the City of Mako. This is not the same world the SOLDIER once knew.

The chapter sets the stage for the whole game, picking up right where the previous one left off. There are no major fights in this chapter as it is strictly following a linear story.

Main Scenario

Episode 1

• Rescue
  • Sazk saves Aerith from the downed helicopter, only to find her unconscious and barely clinging to life.

Episode 2

• Knock at the Door
  • Concerned for Aerith, Elmyra barges in and flies up the stairs.
• Mother and Daughter
  • Elmyra is beside herself to see her daughter in such a state. To better look after both Aerith and Cloud, she and Zack carry the two to the Gainsborough house.

Episode 3

• Aerith’s Bedroom
  • Neither Aeirth nor Cloud show any sign of recovery at the moment, so Zack heads downstairs.
• Elmyra and Marlene
  • Zack learns that a man named Biggs has been coming by the house as of late. Hoping to raise Marlene’s spirits, he promises to bring the wanted fugitive back to see her.

Episode 4

• Manhunt
  • Zack’s hunt for Biggs is proving fruitless – until an explosion rocks the Sector 5 undercity.
• Explosion
  • Finding Biggs before a smoldering wreck, Zack hurries over.

Episode 5

• The Vagaries of Fate
  • Biggs shows Zack an Avalanche recruitment flyer, asking potential candidates to meet at the lot off Petal Lane. Doubtful that anyone will actually show, the two nevertheless head over.
• Our Purpose
  • Disheartened by the lack of recruits, Biggs turns to leave, but Zack stops him and offers words of comfort.
• Home
  • After returning to Aerith’s house, Zack checks on the comatose flower peddler one more time.

All Chapter 1: Fall of a Hero Quests for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

After a harrowing battle in Midgar with an otherwordly twist, the group continues their pursuit of Sephiroth. They make a stop in the village of Kalm, where Cloud reveals his connection to their uncanny enemy and what happened on that fateful day in Nibelheim five years ago. The story kicks off the rest of the game at the end of this chapter. The story behind Sephiroth and Cloud’s friendship is told as well as what happened to Nibelheim. Sephiroth’s atrocities officially come to life.

Here, you’ll also be challenging the Materia Guardian as your first in-game boss. You’re going to want to pressure it as quickly as you can in battle. Freeing captured allies and escaping captures will help achieve this. You can also destroy its legs to pressure it faster. Check out our guide for taking down the first big boss of FF7 Rebirth here.

At the beginning of all of this, Sephiroth joins your party. Considering that, you’re able to control him for the duration of the battle!

Main Scenario

• Tifa Comes Calling
  • Tifa says she needs to talk, but not here, so Cloud leaves his room behind and follows her.
• Late-Night Talk
  • Cloud tries to open up to Tifa about what happened in Nibelheim but ends up complicating matters further.
• Get Some Rest
  • Concern lays heavy in Kalm’s night air as Cloud and Tifa return to bed, unable to resolve their differences about what transpired in their hometown five years prior.

Five Years Ago

• Home Sweet Home
  • Having explored his hometown to his heart’s content, Cloud returns to the inn and prepares for an early start the next day.
    • First Time in Two Years
      • Cloud stops by his childhood home and spends some quality time with his mother.
    • Lockhart Residence
      • Cloud visits Tifa’s home, but is unable to see her.
    • The Old Water Tower
      • Cloud climbs the water tower and reminisces about his youth.
    • The Inn
      • Cloud meets Tifa’s martial arts instructor, Rashard Zangan, who offers to take him under his wing. Cloud not-so-politely declines.
• The Mission Begins
  • The party arrives at the base of Mt. Nibel and begins their climb to the mako reactor.
• Happy Trails
  • Though the party is waylaid by fiends, Cloud succeeds in dispatching them.
• Clear the Way
  • Cloud comes to a dead end, but is called back down by Tifa, who knows a detour.
• Bridge is Out
  • The group leaves the mako gas-filled facility and continues their climb up Mt. Nibel.
    • New Route
      • Unable to cross the ravine due to the bridge across it no longer being there, the survey team is forced to make a detour through a Shinra facility.
    • Unlock the Elevator
      • With the elevator operational again, the party heads to the upper levels of the facility.
• Cross the Bridge
  • Lightning strikes, causing the bridge to snap, and the party falls into the river below. Though they sadly lose a member of their team, they cannot afford to halt their mission.

• The Mission Continues
  • Though they encountered a few setbacks, the party managed to reach the reactor, Now the survey can begin in earnest.
    • Up the Cliff
      • The party successfully scales the cliffside and resumes their trek towards the mako reactor.
    • Beware the Gas
      • After taking a moment to admire the miraculous crystal formation that towers over the mako spring, the team presses on.
    • Unlock the Elevator
      • With the elevator operational again,the party heads to the upper levels of the facility.
    • Short Power Cord
      • With the door unlocked, the ait purification unit can now reach all the mako gas.
• Reactor Survey
  • Sephiroth says the malfunction is causing the pods to depressurize.
• Close the Valve
  • Cloud does as Sephiroth asks and closes the valve, which turns off the air.
• Go Back Inside
  • After discovering evidence of the horrific experiments that took place in the reactor, Sephiroth begins to question his own origins.
• Sephiroth’s Whereabouts
  • As Sephiroth has supposedly gone to Shinra Manor, Cloud heads there too.
• To Shinra Manor
  • Cloud arrives at Shinra Manor and enters in search of Sephiroth.
    • Worried Villagers
      • The villagers fo as far as the manor gates, but Cloud continues on.
• Searching for Sephiroth
  • Cloud does search the manor, but cannot find any sign of Sephiroth.
• The Basement
  • Cloud finds Sephiroth in the basement of the manor, poring over a journal. He tries to help, but Sephiroth wants only to be left alone.
• Village in Turmoil
  • Upon returning to the village, Cloud sees it is engulfed in flames. He worries for his mother’s safety.
• Check on Mom
  • As she succumbs to the flames, Cloud’s mother tells him, “You have to live.” Wracked by grief and guilt, the wounded Cloud doggedly pursues Sephiroth.
• Sephiroth’s Atrocities
  • Cloud remembers coming face-to-face with Sephiroth in the Nibel reactor, but nothing after that.

Check out our FF7 Rebirth Walkthrough on YouTube here.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is available now on the PS5.