In an interview with The Washington Post this week, Final Fantasy 7 (FF7) Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi shared insights into the plans for FF7 Remake Trilogy's finale. Read on to learn about the director's insights and the project's next steps.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Trilogy Director Discusses Next Steps
Gaia Being Rebuilt to Accommodate Traveling Using the Highwind
Naoki Hamaguchi, the game director of Square Enix's FF7 Remake Trilogy, revealed in an interview with The Washington Post this week that work on the final installment of the acclaimed remake trilogy is already underway. He shared that the team is crafting a comprehensive game design document outlining key elements for the finale.
Much of the groundwork for the third and final game has been laid out during the development of FF7 Rebirth, the second installment in the trilogy, said the director. He noted that the extensive world-building undertaken in Rebirth will serve as a foundation for the upcoming finale.
However, the director stated that a significant challenge lies ahead in rebuilding the game world to reintroduce the iconic airship, the Highwind. It was important that FF7 Rebirth featured an explorable map as with the original 1997 game. "I definitely want to address the same for what is likely expected from our experience with the Highwind to explore the world," Hamaguchi said.
The Highwind is a zeppelin-type airship from the original FF7 that players would use as the primary mode of air transportation to navigate the expansive world of Gaia in the battle against Sephiroth. Additionally, players can talk to other party members, keep a Chocobo in a stable, all inside the Highwind, as well as use the operations room as a save point and free heal spot.
Hamaguchi stated that it is a must to maintain the massive exploration experience in Gaia while enabling players to seamlessly traverse the world aboard the Highwind. The director said they aim to rebuild the in-game world for the final to recreate the same sense of adventure and freedom.
FF7 Remake Trilogy Console-Exclusivity Still Undetermined
Addressing speculations regarding the trilogy's exclusivity, Sony Interactive Entertainment's VP of 2nd and 3rd-party Content Ventures, Christian Svensson, clarified the partnership with Square Enix. While the FF7 Remake Trilogy has been associated with PS consoles, Svensson said that exclusivity arrangements are not yet confirmed beyond PS platforms.
"Final Fantasy has always been one of the primary franchise pillars on PlayStation consoles," Svensson told The Post. "[Square Enix] is one of the best in the business at pushing beyond their fans' lofty expectations and showing off what can be done with PlayStation hardware."
Source
The Washington Post: Console exclusivity key to ‘Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’ success, team says
