Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Answers to Burning Questions
After playing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for the first time, I had the opportunity to speak with director Naoki Hamaguchi, producer Yoshinori Kitase, and creative director Tetsuya Nomura to seek answers to some burning questions. From the development process to the narrative coverage, the team provided valuable insights into the highly anticipated game.
Development Comparison: Rebirth vs. Remake
Rebirth is set to launch on February 29, which is just a couple of months shy of Remake’s fourth anniversary. Despite being a larger game, the development cycle for Rebirth seems relatively quick compared to Remake. Hamaguchi attributes this to the team’s experience working on the PlayStation 5-exclusive Intermission story expansion and Intergrade upgrade. This allowed them to become more familiar with the PS5 and complete Rebirth within a similar timeframe, despite its larger scope.
The Story Coverage of Rebirth
When asked about the stopping point of Rebirth’s story, Tetsuya Nomura confirmed that it runs up to the end of the Forgotten Capital, also known as The City of the Ancients. However, Nomura emphasized that Rebirth will not follow events in the same order or manner as the original game. This means players can expect surprises and twists while experiencing the story.
Data Transfer from FFVII Remake
Square Enix confirmed that there will be no shared progression between any version of Remake and Rebirth. Players won’t be able to transfer their gear and materia from the first game to Rebirth. However, if players have saved data from Remake/Intergrade, they will receive an unknown summon materia at the start of Rebirth.
Why Two Discs?
Rebirth is so large that it requires two discs. However, players won’t be swapping discs like with the original game. Instead, they will need to install the entire game by inserting both discs, and after that, only one disc will be needed to play the full game. Hamaguchi explains that the decision to split Rebirth into two discs was to preserve the team’s vision for the game and ensure a highly detailed and immersive world.
Expanded Minigames
Final Fantasy VII is known for its lighthearted and charming minigames. One of the minigames that the team was most excited to revisit in Rebirth is Rufus Shinra’s inauguration parade. In Rebirth, players will collect soldiers and arrange them to lead the march, resulting in different outcomes. The team has elevated the original minigame to match modern standards and provide a deeper and more enjoyable experience.
Vincent Valentine’s Role
Vincent Valentine, a fan-favorite character, makes an appearance in the Rebirth story trailer. In the original game, he was an optional party member, but this time he joins the group as part of the main story. However, unfortunately for fans, Vincent won’t be playable in Rebirth. He will accompany the party, similar to how Red XIII did in Remake. It seems that players will have to wait until the third entry in the series to fully wield Vincent’s power.
Final Thoughts
With its quick development cycle, expansive narrative coverage, and exciting new features, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is shaping up to be a highly anticipated game for fans of the series. The decision to split it into two discs demonstrates the team’s commitment to delivering an immersive experience without compromising on content. While players can’t transfer their progress from Remake, the introduction of a summon materia for those with saved data adds a touch of connectivity. The expanded minigames and inclusion of Vincent Valentine further enhance the gameplay experience, leaving fans eager for the game’s release on February 29 for PlayStation 5.