Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director on building the future while remaking the past

With Ultimate Fantasy 7 Rebirth, director Naoki Hamaguchi made it clear that his remake of a beloved basic would honor the unique story whereas additionally feeling like its personal distinct story. Although there’s nonetheless a lot to be found in regards to the path he’s taking us — and whether or not we’ll prefer it or not — it’s evident that Hamaguchi’s bold three-part remake undertaking is creating the inspiration on which the Ultimate Fantasy sequence can thrive in future generations.

For these of us who grew up enjoying Ultimate Fantasy video games, the cultural significance of the sequence is unquestionable. These video games molded my style and data about gaming as a child. Ultimate Fantasy taught me that spells develop into stronger as you add extra syllables to their names. In Ultimate Fantasy 4, I realized how emotional an epic journey story may very well be. Ultimate Fantasy 9 made me perceive that I might love this sequence for the remainder of my life. Nonetheless, as new generations of avid gamers uncover their very own pursuits, all this historical past can really feel daunting for sequence newcomers.

On the 2025 Brasil Sport Present, I had the possibility to speak to Hamaguchi about how the Ultimate Fantasy 7 remake undertaking contributes to the franchise and the way porting it to platforms comparable to Change 2 may help the Ultimate Fantasy sequence attain a broader viewers.

Based on the director, the objective of the undertaking is to “take the unique storyline, add new issues — from spin-offs and different sources — that already existed on the planet of Ultimate Fantasy 7, splitting it into three video games, and by doing so make followers surprise how the story will finish.” In different phrases, they deliberate to create an expertise that’s new for everybody. From the hardcore fan who clothes up as Sephiroth at Halloween events to a child who thinks a Chocobo is a big rooster, they may all have the possibility of studying what occurs with the characters.

Whereas the unique Ultimate Fantasy 7 pushed the boundaries of online game visuals again in 1997, the low-poly graphics and lack of voice appearing go away it feeling dated by trendy requirements. Hamaguchi sees the remake as able to “bettering the notion individuals have in regards to the recreation and permitting them to have new discoveries a few world that already existed.”

Picture: Sq. Enix

While you see the energetic Hamaguchi, who greeted us with a welcoming smile and a hug, it’s laborious to know the strain this man carries. With two video games within the trilogy launched to this point, some followers who performed the unique aren’t proud of the modifications. Hamaguchi advised me the staff is conscious of the naysayers, however nonetheless “excited to see how individuals will react to the third recreation.”

Whether or not gamers just like the modifications or not, the Ultimate Fantasy 7 Remake undertaking will develop into the inspiration of the franchise for youthful gamers. It’s a brand new narrative with unimaginable visuals, which extracts as a lot as it will probably from the potential of the present technology of consoles. The soundtrack reinterprets basic songs whereas including new ones. The unique Ultimate Fantasy 7 made an entire technology surprise how the following title within the sequence would use the most effective know-how accessible to create an epic narrative. Now Ultimate Fantasy 7 Remake is doing the identical for the youthful gamers who’ve simply outfitted their first materias.

Picture: Sq. Enix by way of Polygon

By being revolutionary and acquainted without delay, the Remake undertaking capabilities as a bridge for the brand new technology to get in contact with the franchise. This bridge have to be constructed with the durability that the custom and historical past of this sequence carry, whereas having the pliability to know the variations in how the generations have interaction with video games. Put merely, Ultimate Fantasy should adapt.

For many years, Ultimate Fantasy video games have been synonymous with top-notch cinematic cutscenes, mesmerizing graphics, and characters with beautiful, silky hair. (Simply take 5 minutes to recollect how good Ultimate Fantasy 13 seemed on the PlayStation 3.) Being visually spectacular has at all times been a part of the Ultimate Fantasy DNA, which at all times required a devoted console setup for gamers to take pleasure in these titles. As Hamaguchi advised us, “for a very long time, we targeted on making high-definition video games with the intention of them being performed on a console with a big TV, or a pc. We’d develop our initiatives with these situations in thoughts.”

Though the sequence has by no means stopped pursuing excellent visible artistry, Sq. Enix additionally wants to satisfy gamers the place they’re. Whereas the addition of motion parts within the Remake undertaking is a mirrored image of evolving tastes, the builders should additionally perceive that many gamers don’t essentially have costly setups and sometimes play brief classes exterior their homes, not utilizing a big TV, however a handheld or cellular gadget.

Picture: Sq. Enix by way of Polygon

Once I requested Hamaguchi about how handheld ports just like the Change 2 variations of the FF7 Remake video games may help the longevity of the sequence, he defined that “these days there are lots of other ways to play accessible for us. For instance, the Steam Deck, that many gamers use now. Now we have extra freedom now. At the moment, even high-definition video games aren’t performed at house. Contemplating the variety of the way one can play a recreation, we imagine it is vital to consider it and to adapt to those new modes of play.”

The Change 2 model of Ultimate Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade will not obtain the identical visible efficiency as different variations of the sport, however it’s a needed sacrifice to make the sport run easily. For Hamaguchi and his staff, bringing the memorable, epic Ultimate Fantasy tales to extra gamers is the utmost objective. With out compromising his inventive route for the remake undertaking, he’s creating an vital legacy that can hopefully permit Ultimate Fantasy to take care of its place as one of the vital RPG franchises — and proceed to be appreciated by previous and new gamers.