FF7 Rebirth Director Discusses the Abundance of Mini-Games

Final Fantasy VII Remake’s third and final chapter may still be a few years off, but development on what follows 2024’s Rebirth is already underway at Square Enix. The sequel was packed with minigames, and while the Remake trilogy has been stretching the original story into three titles, Rebirth’s heavy reliance on these diversions felt excessive. Aside from its polarizing ending, this aspect has drawn significant criticism, yet it seems Square isn’t backing down from this design choice.

In a chat with an outlet, Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi addressed the abundance of minigames, acknowledging that some players felt they disrupted the game’s flow. He explained that the team aimed to mix up gameplay during Rebirth’s lengthy experience while also paying tribute to the original Final Fantasy VII, which featured its own share of minigames.

Hamaguchi noted that this isn’t an issue exclusive to Final Fantasy VII Rebirth; many games incorporate side activities alongside their main narratives. He pointed out that sticking too closely to a single tempo can lead to player fatigue, which is why they introduced minigames to keep the experience fresh and engaging. He recognized that while some players enjoy these diversions, others prefer to focus solely on the main storyline. This balance was a deliberate choice in their game design.

He also highlighted that the original Final Fantasy VII was well-known for its minigames, and the team wanted to maintain that spirit of varied gameplay in the remake, allowing players to enjoy a range of experiences similar to the classic.

While the intention to honor the original’s minigames is understandable, Rebirth’s use of them often feels more like filler than a thoughtful reimagining. The quality of these diversions varies significantly, from the enjoyable Queen’s Blood card game to the less popular Cait Sith box-throwing segment. Navigating Rebirth’s open world can feel like dodging landmines, with frustrating, unskippable distractions lurking around every corner.

Hamaguchi hasn’t confirmed whether this trend will continue into the next installment of the Final Fantasy VII Remake, but he has mentioned that the third game will be more concise. Hopefully, that means a reduction in minigames for the final chapter. If not, well, let Sephiroth have his way.