A decade of remake work nears its end

Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, says the decade-spanning project felt like it passed in a flash as release approaches for the final chapter, Revelation.

“I was just so focused, it really felt like it passed in a flash.”

The original changed gaming forever

Final Fantasy VII, released on Sony's PlayStation in nineteen ninety-seven, was a pop-cultural phenomenon and the Japanese-RPG series' breakthrough title into mainstream gaming.

The remake took a bold narrative turn

When Final Fantasy VII Remake arrived in twenty twenty, it was not a straightforward remake but a glimpse of an alternate reality where events could play out differently than the original.

Rebirth expanded the alternate reality concept

The twenty twenty-four second chapter, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, saw characters hopping between timelines, expanding on the alternate reality concept introduced in the first remake.

Hamaguchi prefers 'multilayered' to 'multiverse'

Hamaguchi says Square Enix does not use the word multiverse, instead talking about the story being multilayered, with the word reunion coming up most often in development discussions.

“We don't really tend to use the word 'multiverse', we talk about [the story being] 'multilayered.' Actually, the word that comes up most often is 'reunion.'”

Wutai transformed from optional to essential

The nation of Wutai, home of ninja Yuffie, expands from two huts in the original to a thriving city players must explore using Chocobos, now caught in war with Midgar.

Hamaguchi worried about fitting everything in

After two one-hundred-plus-hour games, Hamaguchi says the opposite problem emerged: not padding content but fitting everything remaining into Revelation without overwhelming players.

“I'm looking at everything we've still got to put in, and how are we going to get it in there?”

Two more playable characters join the party

Revelation brings in aeronaut Cid Highwind and were-beast gunman Vincent Valentine, the final two playable characters from the original game, expanding party options and battle combinations.

The world becomes truly open and planetary

Revelation features an open world on a planetary scale where players can soar in Cid's airship, the Highwind, before parachuting down to explore further, with returning locations offering new story avenues.

“I'm not sure if there's anything other than Revelation that is really an open world on a truly 'world' scale, on a planetary scale.”

Multiple playthroughs unlock the full experience

Hamaguchi says it may take multiple playthroughs to see everything in Revelation, though chapter select lets players revisit specific scenes from different perspectives without replaying the entire game.

Trophy requirements are being toned down

Rebirth's notoriously difficult and repetitive trophy requirements are being reduced in Revelation, though Hamaguchi says the achievements remain challenging and not everyone will earn them all.

“that's not to say that the achievements are easy, not just anyone is going to be able to get all of them.”

Retro fashion system blends old and new

The Function Integrated Tactical Suitwear system lets players dress characters as RPG classes from pre-Final Fantasy VII games, offering extraordinary customization while honoring the entire series' history.

The remake inspires the next generation

Hamaguchi says people now tell him the Final Fantasy VII Remake inspired them to enter the games industry, wanting to make Final Fantasy games with their own ideas, which makes him happier than anything.

“Final Fantasy 7 Remake inspired me to get into the games industry.”