Final Fantasy 7 Remake Trilogy Director Balances Spin-Off Content to Create a Unique Experience

Final Fantasy 7 stands out as the game in the series with the most spin-offs and additional stories, making it a significant challenge for the developers of the ongoing Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy to weave together decades of lore.

In a recent interview, director Naoki Hamaguchi discussed the intricate task of balancing the new and old narratives. He noted that key figures like creative director Tetsuya Nomura and producer Yoshinori Kitase aimed to create more than just a remake. “They wanted to craft a story that encompasses the compilation of the spin-offs and the essence they’ve developed over the years, bringing a fresh perspective to Final Fantasy 7,” he explained.

Hamaguchi elaborated on the challenge of integrating these new narratives, especially for players unfamiliar with the spin-off characters. “We had to consider how much to reveal and include for those who might not know these new faces,” he said. “When determining the scope of what we could convey in a single game, timelines were a crucial factor. With numerous popular characters from various spin-offs, we aimed to provide a vibrant and exciting experience for players of the remake.”

The original Final Fantasy 7, released in 1997, is already a vast journey, but it becomes even more complex when factoring in titles like Dirge of Cerberus, which centers on Vincent Valentine, and Crisis Core, a prequel focused on Zack. Then there’s the animated sequel, Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children, which adds another layer of narrative.

While Advent Children hasn’t been explicitly referenced in the remakes so far—given that it occurs after the original events—Kitase has indicated that there are plans to connect the games to the film. “We are finally going to link up with Advent Children; that will be part of the canon. The overall storyline and developments will align with Advent Children in the end,” he stated.

As for the upcoming Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3, the lead has mentioned that the Highwind will play a significant role, and it seems Square Enix is nearing a decision on its name.