FF7 Remake: Chapter 3 Side-Quests Walkthrough Master Chapter 3 side-quests with strategic tips, combat tactics, and hidden rewards explained

TL;DR

Complete Chadley’s quest early to unlock Assess materia and discounted Auto-Cure materia
Use strategic positioning and counter-attacks against fast-moving Doom Rats
Explore thoroughly to find all three hidden cats for valuable Maiden’s Kiss item
Master stagger mechanics to efficiently handle Chapter 3’s tougher enemies
Plan your route to minimize backtracking between quest locations

Chapter 3 marks your initial opportunity to explore Midgar’s semi-open environments and undertake optional missions that significantly enhance your party’s capabilities. These side-quests provide crucial early-game resources while introducing mechanics that become essential throughout your journey.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s third chapter serves as your introduction to the game’s expanded exploration segments, where you can pursue multiple optional objectives simultaneously. Each completed mission yields specific rewards that strengthen your party for upcoming challenges.

Chadley is your one-stop-shop for powerful materia.

Chadley represents your primary source for advanced combat materia throughout the game. Positioned near Wymer in the Sector 7 slums, this enigmatic researcher provides access to powerful abilities through his Battle Intel program.

Upon accepting Chadley’s initial assignment, you’ll receive the Assess materia—an essential tactical tool that reveals enemy weaknesses, HP values, and vulnerability information. Scanning just two distinct enemy types completes this introductory task, unlocking the Auto-Cure materia at a reduced cost. This automated healing ability proves invaluable during extended combat sequences.

The Battle Intel system introduces progressive research objectives that reward you with increasingly potent materia as you advance through the story. Completing these assignments early ensures you have access to superior magical capabilities when facing tougher adversaries.

The Cleansing materia is essential for curing status ailments.

The feline retrieval mission begins west of Beginner’s Hall, where a young girl needs assistance locating her three missing companions. Thorough dialogue with her provides valuable location clues that streamline your search efforts.

Your first target rests comfortably on Seventh Heaven’s front porch—an easily spotted location. Proceed eastward to discover the second cat positioned along the northern roadside at the subsequent intersection.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake features exceptionally detailed feline character models that add charm to the slums environment.

The final cat requires more diligent exploration, concealed within the residential area north of Beginner’s Hall, just before reaching the Item Shop. Look for a woman marked with a green indicator standing before a drainage pipe. After conversing with her, navigate through the pipe to locate the last feline and claim your Maiden’s Kiss reward—a valuable status-curing item.

FF7 Remake has some of the most adorable cats in games. There, we said it.

Initiate the pest control assignment by speaking with the Item Shop proprietor, then follow the northern path located on Seventh Heaven’s western flank. Navigate through the drainage conduit to access an abandoned lot overrun with hostile rodents.

Eliminate the initial rat population and retrieve the chest on the eastern perimeter containing three grenades—effective area-of-effect weapons against grouped enemies.

Return to the location to confront the enhanced Doom Rats, which exhibit significantly increased speed and aggression. Employ Punisher stance to capitalize on counter-attack opportunities against their close-range assaults, while utilizing magical attacks to maintain distance control.

Sustained offensive pressure will eventually stagger these nimble foes, creating critical windows for massive damage deployment. Proper timing of abilities during stagger phases dramatically reduces encounter duration.

Use the switches to the right of the shutter doors to open them up and reveal pathways to crates--those dreaded crates.

Mastering stagger mechanics proves crucial for efficient combat throughout Chapter 3 and beyond. Focus attacks on enemy pressure points to fill the stagger gauge quickly, then unleash your most powerful abilities during the vulnerability window for maximum effect.

Elemental weaknesses play a significant role in combat effectiveness. The Assess materia provides critical intelligence about enemy vulnerabilities, allowing you to equip appropriate elemental materia before challenging encounters.

Party composition optimization involves balancing physical attackers, magical damage dealers, and support roles. Consider enemy composition when selecting your active party members and their equipped materia.