Matchup

2025 Video Game Madness - East Regional Final (Excellent Eight): 5 Final Fantasy VII Remake vs. 10 If Found...

2025 Video Game Madness - East Regional Final (Excellent Eight)

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5 Final Fantasy VII Remake

JPN

Region: East

Developer: Square Enix

Released: 2020

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4

Genre: Action, Adventure, RPG

10 If Found...

IRL

Region: East

Developer: Annapurna Interactive, dreamfeel

Released: 2020

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, iOS, PC

Genre: Adventure, Casual, Indie

East Region Final: 5 Final Fantasy VII Remake wins East Region Championship

In an unforgettable showdown, 5 Final Fantasy VII Remake edged out 10 If Found... in the East Regional Final, advancing to the Four Finalists round via seeding tiebreaker. After a tense 2-2 deadlock through overtime, the higher-seeded Final Fantasy VII Remake moved on, but If Found... left an undeniable mark on the tournament.

This matchup was a clash of storytelling excellence—one a high-budget reimagining of a legendary RPG, the other an intimate, deeply personal narrative experience. Final Fantasy VII Remake, developed by Square Enix, took the beloved 1997 classic and transformed it into a stunning action RPG, expanding on the original’s story, characters, and world in breathtaking detail. The game’s emotional highs, exhilarating combat, and nostalgic callbacks carried it deep into the bracket.

Meanwhile, If Found..., developed by DREAMFEEL, was the tournament’s ultimate dark horse. This visual novel captivated audiences with its hand-drawn art, emotional depth, and a raw, deeply personal story about identity, acceptance, and self-discovery. Despite its small-scale presentation compared to the blockbuster production of Final Fantasy VII Remake, it resonated with players in a way few games could, making its run to the East Regional Final nothing short of remarkable.

The battle itself was as intense as it gets. Each game earned two victories throughout regulation and overtime, showcasing the passionate support behind both titles. But when the dust settled, tournament rules dictated that the higher seed would break the tie—sending Final Fantasy VII Remake through to the next round.

10 If Found... may have fallen just short of a historic upset, but its legacy in this tournament is secured. As for 5 Final Fantasy VII Remake, it now sets its sights on the Four Finalists round, where it will continue its quest for the championship.

Final Score: 2-2 (5 Final Fantasy VII Remake advances on seeding tiebreaker)