Final Fantasy 7 Remake Director Reflects on Generational Shift as New Square Enix Developers Favor FF13 Over Classic FF6: “The Company is Evolving”

Pro tip for life: once you hit a certain age, it’s best to stop asking younger gamers about their favorite titles from childhood. It can lead to some serious existential reflection. Naoki Hamaguchi, the director behind the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy, feels this when he hears newer Square Enix team members cite their love for the series starting with the 13th mainline entry, rather than the classic PS1 gems.

“The company has been evolving as new talent joins, and it just keeps moving forward,” he shares. “The younger crowd doesn’t mention Final Fantasy 6 anymore; they say, ‘Oh yeah, Final Fantasy 13 was my favorite.’ It really makes me feel the passage of time.”

As someone whose first experience was with Final Fantasy 7, I can relate, Hamaguchi-san. It makes sense, though. Final Fantasy 13 launched in 2009, making it a key title for any recent college grads stepping into the gaming world.

While it faced criticism for its linearity and fewer side quests compared to its predecessors, many younger players likely saw it as their first major JRPG adventure. For them, it was a thrilling journey that ignited a passion for deep and vibrant role-playing games.

Hamaguchi’s point about Final Fantasy 6 is spot on; it’s a timeless classic worth revisiting. The games from 6 to 10 represent a golden age for the franchise and Square Enix, each delivering a unique experience. However, with 6 being over 30 years old and the others not far behind, they feel distinctly retro to newer gamers.

One day, there will be someone working on a Final Fantasy title who got hooked with 15. That’s just how it goes. Unfortunately, 13 and its sequels aren’t easily accessible on PS5 or Xbox Series X/S yet (though they are available on Steam). Perhaps that should be Hamaguchi’s next goal after wrapping up Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake lead mentions that he and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 director agree “games are meant to be diverse”: “Both action games and turn-based games should evolve for the better.”