Everything In FF7 Rebirth Hard Mode (& What Changes)

Of 's four game modes, Hard is the most difficult, and provides a distinct experience from the base game. After completing a single game on one of the base modes (Easy, Normal, or 's new Dynamic Difficulty), Hard Mode becomes available on the difficulty select screen. It provides a far greater challenge than any of the other modes, and comes with some significant rule changes to keep the experience interesting.

Hard Mode is closely based on 's highest difficulty setting, so anyone who's already completed the previous game's Hard Mode knows they're in for a punishing experience. However, there have been a few changes made between and, many of which result naturally from 's distinct nature as a semi-open world, exploration-focused RPG. Here's what to expect from 's Hard Mode.

Across the board, enemies are far tougher in 's Hard Mode than they are in any other difficulty setting. They have more HP, and their attacks deal more damage. That goes for every single enemy in the game, from trash mobs found out in the open world, to Combat Simulator challenges, to every single plot-relevant rival, up to and including the final boss of .

There are also a few extra battles available in 's Combat Simulator, all of which are exclusive to Hard Mode. This includes what may be the most difficult combat challenge in the game: Top Secrets, a five-stage gauntlet against the Shiva, Fat Chocobo, Leviathan, Bahamut, and Ifrit summons (the last two fought simultaneously), and finally, 's secret Pride and Joy superboss. This fight is only available in Chapter 17, so players will have to begin that chapter in Hard Mode and fight their way through until they find Chadley and the Combat Simulator.

Other than that, though, most enemy encounters are more or less the same. They'll appear in the same places, use the same movesets, and have the same resistances and weaknesses. Don't expect more difficult mini-games or Divine Intel rhythm challenges, either — all side activities, apart from the