Square Enix is keeping us in suspense. Since the release of Final Fantasy VII Remake in 2020, the community has been debating whether the trilogy is a direct sequel to the 1997 story or a simple remake.
The signs are mounting thanks to the whispers and the ending of "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth". Now it's official: The final installment, "Fantasy VII Revelation", will deliver the long-awaited resolution next year.
Remake or sequel? Hamaguchi remains wisely silent.
Director Naoki Hamaguchi wants to discuss the debate in an interview with Hobby Consoles Don't cut it off prematurely. There are no spoilers. He explains that the basic idea is to create a new narrative that incorporates all the elements of the previous spin-offs. According to him, "both answers are currently possible." This is clever and keeps the discussion alive. Until the 2027 release, every theory remains on the table. This annoys the impatient, but fuels the hype.
But this also means that Square Enix can't afford to mess up the finale. Expectations are enormous after Rebirth, and if the story resolution isn't right, it will damage the entire trilogy.
Chainsaw meets rocket launcher
Beyond the major story puzzles, the first gameplay details are starting to emerge. In a conversation with creator Jess Capricon, Hamaguchi hinted at a special Synergy Ability: Barret and Cid will be given a joint combo.
The team is fully committed to their tried-and-tested humor here. In "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth," Aerith and Barret's glasses routine already provided plenty of laughs during battle. The interaction between the two old warhorses, Cid and Barret, is sure to become legendary. It's pure fan service.
In addition, the controllable high wind, which is intended to take the gameplay to a new level. Together with the challenging endgame and additional new playable characters, it shows that Square Enix isn't relying solely on the story. The gameplay evolves as the player progresses.
Delaying the sequel's answer is testing fans' patience, but it's keeping the discussions alive. Revelation has to deliver by 2027. If the interplay between the story's resolution and new mechanics like the Highwind works, we can expect the highlight of the trilogy.
What role do the spin-off elements play in the ending? Write your most accurate theory about Genesis and Deepground in the comments!
The story will give you the false impression that you can change the fate of certain characters, but it won't; it's a remake. Advent Children is the sequel to Final Fantasy VII.