It’s been over a month since Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s launch, but the massive open world action RPG continues to occupy a sizeable portion of our headspace even now, thanks in no small part to how ambitious the game turned out to be, and how effectively Square Enix managed to make good on its vision in what was a relatively short development cycle. To shed some light on that process, the company has released a four-part behind-the-scenes series that details the development of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
By Going Back in Time, Final Fantasy Rediscovers What Made it Special
12.03.2024 - 12:41 / ign.com / Naoki Hamaguchi
For almost 30 years, Final Fantasy was all about the party; the diverse team of fighters, mages, adventurers, and scoundrels that fought together. Spin-offs and online entries toyed with alternate formulas, but the idea of a group saving the world via turn-based battles was the cornerstone of the mainline series. Until 2016, that is. Final Fantasy 15 saw Square Enix controversially pivot to real-time action combat, and with it we lost direct control of our party allies. By 2023’s Final Fantasy 16 the party was practically eliminated, replaced by an occasional helping hand from an NPC. It’s a shift that’s eroded a vital piece of Final Fantasy’s soul.
Parties have historically been an important foundation for many RPGs because they operate at both the narrative and mechanical levels. In combat they offer a range of interesting fighter archetypes that can be mixed-and-matched to unlock valuable tactics and synergies. Those archetypes are reflected in their stories – the wise wizard, the hot-headed mercenary, the awkward lone gunslinger – which in turn sets the stage for strong character arcs. Because party members are positioned as ensemble protagonists rather than supporting characters, there’s generally a lot of effort put into the writing, forging bonds between allies and finding ways to make each member a satisfying part of the whole. A good party elevates an RPG to the next level.
It’s been unfortunate, then, to see Final Fantasy gradually drift away from the party. The highs of what many would consider the series’ golden age – Final Fantasies 6 through 10 – are behind us. We’ve not had a fully-controllable party since 2011’s Final Fantasy 13-2. And so it’s been interesting to see the Final Fantasy 7 remake project, which by its very nature must feature a party, unfold alongside the distinctly partyless Final Fantasy 16. Where the latter honed focus on its action game-like protagonist and relegated allies to secondary supporting cast status, the former has added invigorating new layers to both Final Fantasy 7’s combat and narrative.
Unsurprisingly, building a game around multiple central characters is something that Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth’s co-director, Naoki Hamaguchi, sees “a lot of potential in”. He recognises that, with party-based combat now practically a retro concept for the series, the remake’s approach feels surprisingly novel. “Having that system where you switch between characters [...] that you work with and you have to strategize with actually provides quite a new and a fresh thing,” he tells me.
The ‘golden age’ of Final Fantasy was always pretty good at this. But the Final Fantasy 7 remake project has pushed this idea into new territory, largely thanks to its use of
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thegamer.com
30.03.2024 / 15:05
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Reveals What Cloud Smells Like
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has Red XIII answer a question that I don't think many of us were asking in the first place - what does Cloud Strife smell like?
gematsu.com
29.03.2024 / 02:21
‘Inside Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’ four-part documentary series now available
Square Enix has released a four-party documentary series for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth titled “Inside Final Fantasy VII Rebirth,” which uncovers the stories behind the making of the RPG through the eyes of the development team.
gamingbolt.com
28.03.2024 / 07:31
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Kicks off Behind-the-Scenes Series with a Video About its World
Square Enix has kicked off a new video series for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, focusing on the development of the game. The first episode is out now, and you can check it out below. Clocking in at almost 15 minutes, the episode focuses on how the developers went about creating the game’s expansive world.
gematsu.com
28.03.2024 / 03:09
Inside Final Fantasy VII Rebirth ‘Episode One: Shaping the World’
Square Enix has released the first episode of “Inside Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, a behind the scenes of the making of the February 29-released action RPG sequel to Final Fantasy II Remake. The first episode is titled “Shaping the World.”
gamerant.com
21.03.2024 / 13:11
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Update Improves Graphics, Adds Performance Options, More
Square Enix has released Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth update v.1.020, introducing various improvements including performance options, graphics enhancements, frame rate adjustments, and more. Additionally, the update includes numerous bug fixes and functional enhancements aimed at refining the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth gameplay experience.
gamerant.com
13.03.2024 / 18:56
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Director Comments on Possibility of Queen's Blood Expansions
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi recently weighed in on the possibility of expansions for the Queen’s Blood card game in the wake of its popularity. Just like Final Fantasy 7 Remake before it, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth expands on the story of the 1997 original and includes many new side quests and bonus activities. Chief among them is Queen’s Blood, a card game that can be played in the lands beyond Midgar’s borders.
gamesradar.com
13.03.2024 / 17:37
He's just like us for real: Final Fantasy 7's legendary composer spent 3 weeks going to work and thinking about Sephiroth
Legendary Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu has revealed he struggled with composing Sephiroth's now-iconic theme tune, One Winged Angel.
screenrant.com
13.03.2024 / 11:55
One Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Mini-Game Might Get Its Own Expansion
While may currently be devouring players' lives with its excellent reimagining of the classic story, one mini-game is proving so captivating that even Square Enix can envision making it even bigger. One of the major positives about the latest entry in the so-called «Remake Trilogy» is the addition of several carefully designed mini-games that both flesh out the world and prove to be a hoot in their own right. There's a good variety on offer but none has gained a following quite like the card game Queen's Blood.
gamerant.com
12.03.2024 / 21:21
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Director Addresses Yellow Paint Debate
The Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director, Naoki Hamaguchi, expressed surprise at the “yellow paint” becoming a topic of discussion on social media. Hamaguchi addressed the ongoing debate surrounding the use of yellow paint in the game while also providing reflections on various Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth aspects.
gamesradar.com
12.03.2024 / 18:01
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director says Queen's Blood expansions are "a possibility" following "very positive feedback" to the JRPG's best minigame
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's director has hinted at the possibility of expansions for the JRPG's best minigame.
gamesradar.com
12.03.2024 / 13:33
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's director wasn't expecting the RPG to reignite the 'yellow paint' discourse, but will "take on board the valuable feedback for future games"
Responding to the yellow paint discourse, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's director says he will "take on board the valuable feedback for future games."