Exciting news for fans of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake series: Part 3's story is now complete, and development is progressing smoothly without any delays. This update comes directly from director Naoki Hamaguchi and producer Yoshinori Kitase during an interview with Famitsu, ahead of the PC port launch of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Dive deeper into what this means for the eagerly anticipated trilogy!
In their interview, Hamaguchi confirmed that work on the third title began immediately after wrapping up FF7 Rebirth. "We are progressing without any delay from the schedule we planned when we launched the remake project, so we hope you will look forward to it," he stated optimistically.
Kitase shared that the main scenario for the third game was finalized before the PlayStation 5 release of FF7 Rebirth in February 2024, and any remaining polishing has since been completed. He entrusted the storywriting to Tetsuya Nomura, the creative director of FF7 Rebirth, with the goal of concluding the remake project while respecting the original and delivering a satisfying ending. "That was finally completed at the end of the year, and the scenario for the third installment was completed there," Kitase noted, expressing his satisfaction and confidence that the trilogy's conclusion will meet fans' expectations.
The second installment, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, released in early 2024, received widespread acclaim and positive reviews. Despite its success, Kitase and Hamaguchi admitted to having initial concerns about its reception. "I was worried about how it would resonate with players and game fans because it was a remake and the second in a trilogy," Kitase confessed. However, the overwhelmingly positive feedback alleviated these concerns and boosted the team's confidence for the upcoming finale. Hamaguchi added, "In that sense, I think we have done our job of creating a good atmosphere for the third installment."
The game's success can be attributed to its compelling storyline and engaging gameplay, largely thanks to Hamaguchi's "logic-based approach." He explained in a separate interview with Automaton that while they consider feedback from beta test sessions, they focus on suggestions that enhance the game's core objectives without deviating from their vision.
The interview also touched on the increasing popularity of PC gaming. Kitase noted that the trend is driven by rising development costs and the need to reach a broader audience. "As for PCs, there are no borders, so I think it's inevitable that PC versions will be released in order to allow more people to play," he explained. This shift is evident as many console exclusives, including FF7 Rebirth, are now available on PC shortly after their initial release.
Hamaguchi emphasized the team's commitment to releasing the PC port of FF7 Rebirth promptly, acknowledging the changing landscape of game consumption. "I feel like the flow of game users in the world has changed a lot there. That's why we focused on making the PC version of FFVII Rebirth shorter than the period when the PC version of FFVII Remake was released," he said.
With all the experiences gained from the first two releases, the final installment of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy promises to be an eagerly awaited conclusion. Fans can hope for a swift PC release, ensuring that the full Remake Project experience reaches a global audience.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is now available on PC via Steam, as well as on its original platform, the PlayStation 5. If you're yet to embark on this epic journey with Cloud and his companions, Final Fantasy 7 Remake is accessible on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam.