Final Fantasy VII Remake: 20 or 30 Minute Timer?

Ah, the first major choice of Final Fantasy VII Remake. Do you choose the 20 or the 30 Minute timer? Here's what you need to know.
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Ah, choices. Lots of games have them, including Final Fantasy VII Remake. While some choices are as simple as whether or not to do certain questlines, the beginning of the game jumps right into a method of escape. For that, here’s what you need to know about whether or not to set the timer to 20 or 30 minutes in Final Fantasy VII Remake. 

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Should you set the timer to 20 or 30 minutes in Final Fantasy VII Remake? 

Look, choices are hard, we get it, especially so when the building is literally going to go up in flames. But don’t worry, we’re obsessed with the Final Fantasy VII Remake and we’ve got you covered for exactly what choosing each option means for your time in Midgar. 

Right off the bat, there isn’t really any major difference between either option. It comes down to if you want a little extra loot or if you want a little extra time to explore all of the nooks and crannies. Honestly? The 20-minute timer is more than enough to get to a safe distance from the blast zone. Running through it several times, with one time in particular where I took my sweet little time, I was in no danger of running out of seconds for my escape. I even got up to go refill my covfefe and I was still fine. That being said, some players would rather be safe than sorry, so here’s what exactly defines each option. 

What happens when you choose 30 minutes? 

If you choose the 30 minutes, you make it to safety, congrats! No, really. That’s it. You’ve made it past the first narrative hurtle and it’s time to dive face-first into Midgar to begin the journey anew! You’ll have more time to find any loot caches you may have missed going into the reactor, but there other than that – it’s a one and done type deal. 

What happens when you choose 20 minutes?

Basically the same thing but with a little gift at the beginning of chapter 2. As a reward for that swift-ish escape (come on, it’s 20 whole minutes), Jessie will give you an Ether and two Hi-Potions to help against future battles against various foes. 30 minutes doesn’t give you those but if you needed that extra time, don’t sweat it. Ether and Hi-Potions are aplenty when it comes to finding them in caches, vending machines, and various shops throughout the game. 

After you’ve successfully made it out, you’re ready for the next chapter! If you need more help after you’ve made your timer choice, check out our Final Fantasy VII Remake master guide here that links all of the tips and tricks articles we’ve whipped up into one convenient location! From Materia locations to various weapons to unlock, this master guide has it all! 

So go forth and don’t get blown up now that you know what setting the 20 and 30-minute timers mean in Final Fantasy VII Remake. Let us know your thoughts on Square Enix’s latest adventure over on Facebook and Twitter. You can grab a copy of the popular game for yourself and support Prima Games at the same time by purchasing the Final Fantasy VII Remake through this link


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About the Author

Liana Ruppert

With an arguably unhealthy obsession with Dragon Age and Mass Effect, Liana is wildly passionate about all things in the gaming community. From shooters, to RPGs, if it's out - she's playing it. A medically retired US Sailor and now full-time hoarder of gaming collectibles, Liana's passion for everything in the gaming industry is palpable. Also, if you lose her in a crowd, just casually mention any BioWare game and the crazy pterodactyl screech will without a doubt follow. You can follow her on Twitter @DirtyEffinHippy or email her for editorial inquiries at [email protected]!