Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth: Sales in the USA Revealed
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the highly anticipated PS5 exclusive, has been stirring up conversations about its commercial success. Despite receiving widespread acclaim from critics, the lack of official sales figures from Square Enix has led to doubts and speculations among gaming enthusiasts.
The situation, however, is no longer in the dark thanks to the recent revelations made by gaming analyst Mat Piscatella of Circana. Piscatella’s insights provide a better understanding of the game’s performance in the USA.
Successful Launch, Followed by a Decline…
Upon release at the end of February, Rebirth had a strong debut, securing the second spot on the software sales chart for the month. This accomplishment was quite impressive, considering the game’s late release. However, the picture took a turn in March as new releases such as Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Rise of the Ronin introduced stiff competition. As a result, Rebirth slipped to seventh place in the rankings.
Comparing Sales to Previous Final Fantasy Titles
To gain further perspective on Rebirth’s commercial performance, it’s important to consider its sales compared to other games in the Final Fantasy franchise. According to Piscatella, Rebirth currently ranks 14th in terms of dollar sales in the US. In this ranking, Final Fantasy 15 takes the top spot, followed closely by Final Fantasy 7 Remake and the original Final Fantasy 7. The comparison to the Remake is particularly notable, highlighting Rebirth’s inability to surpass its predecessor’s success.
Factors Affecting Sales
Several factors contribute to Rebirth’s underwhelming sales figures. Firstly, being a PS5 exclusive limits its potential audience, as the install base for the console is still relatively small. Secondly, being a direct sequel, Rebirth faces the challenge of appealing to previous players while considering the divisive nature of the Remake’s narrative direction. Players who were not satisfied with the Remake might hesitate to invest in the sequel.
Despite the critical acclaim, Square Enix surely expected a better reception for Rebirth, likely hoping to replicate the success of the Remake. It remains to be seen what the publisher has to say about the game’s performance in its forthcoming financial reports.
What are your thoughts on Rebirth’s sales? Do you believe it deserves better, or has Square Enix missed an opportunity? Share your opinions in the comments below!
[source: twitter.com]
