FF7 Remake Part 3 Story Now Complete, Smooth Progress Ahead

Exciting news for fans of the iconic Final Fantasy 7 series: the long-awaited Part 3 of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake has completed its story, and development is progressing smoothly, according to director Naoki Hamaguchi and producer Yoshinori Kitase in a recent interview. This update marks a significant milestone in the trilogy's journey, promising fans a thrilling conclusion. Read on to discover what this means for the beloved series!

Development On Schedule, No Delays For Its Upcoming Release

Image from Famitsu

In a detailed interview with Famitsu ahead of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's PC port launch, series producer Yoshinori Kitase and Rebirth game director Naoki Hamaguchi announced that the third title's development is progressing smoothly without any delays. Hamaguchi revealed that they started working on Part 3 immediately after concluding FF7 Rebirth's development, stating, "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."

Kitase shared that the main scenario for the third game was already completed before the PlayStation 5 release of FF7 Rebirth in February 2024, with some polishing still required at the time. In the recent interview, he confirmed that the story is now definitively complete, expressing satisfaction with the final product. "I gave it [the storywriting] to Nomura (FF7 Rebirth Creative Director, Tetsuya Nomura) as homework to conclude the remake project, while respecting the original and providing a sense of satisfaction that wasn't felt in the original. That was finally completed at the end of the year, and the scenario for the third installment was completed there." Kitase believes this conclusion will satisfy fans of the trilogy.

Team Admits That They Were Worried About Rebirth’s Release At First

Released in early 2024, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the second installment in the remake series, received widespread acclaim and positive reviews from critics, fans, and gamers. Despite its success, the development team initially harbored concerns about the game's reception. Kitase and Hamaguchi admitted to Famitsu that they were worried about how players would react to the sequel, given its status as a remake and the second part of a trilogy. "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. "But in the end, I was happy to receive such positive reviews that it overcame those concerns."

The overwhelmingly positive feedback not only alleviated their concerns but also boosted the team's confidence for the upcoming finale. "In that sense, I think we have done our job of creating a good atmosphere for the third installment," Hamaguchi added. The team credits director Hamaguchi's "logic-based approach" for the game's compelling storyline and engaging gameplay. In an interview with Automaton, Hamaguchi explained their method of incorporating feedback: "If our goal is A, and we get an opinion like 'I want B instead,' we can’t do anything about it as it is just someone’s preference. However, if we get an opinion like 'If you added B too, wouldn’t it be even better?' then I’ll think about incorporating it, if possible."

PC Gaming Is Now The Norm

Kitase and Hamaguchi also discussed the growing trend of PC gaming, noting that many gamers now prefer playing on their personal computers. This shift has been recognized by the video game industry, leading to more games being available on PC at launch, including former console exclusives. Kitase emphasized the economic aspect, stating, "From a manufacturer’s point of view, development costs are rising, hence the need to deliver to a much wider market." He also pointed out that PCs are universally available, unlike some consoles which face regional restrictions due to various policies. "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."

The FF7 Rebirth team prioritized the PC port to meet this demand, with Hamaguchi noting, "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." With the experiences gained from the first two releases, fans can look forward to a grand finale that might even reach PC platforms sooner than expected, ensuring the full Remake Project experience is accessible to a global audience.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is now available on PC via Steam and on its original console, the PlayStation 5. If you haven't yet embarked on this epic journey with Cloud and his allies, the first installment, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam.