Naoki Hamaguchi, co-director for the highly anticipated Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3, has reassured fans that the development team is focused on achieving a perfect balance between advancing the story and refining the game’s overall pacing.
In a recent conversation with ScreenRant, Hamaguchi addressed common critiques regarding the pacing and extended playtimes of previous installments. While he doesn’t believe that parts of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth were “longer than necessary,” he noted that modern players often desire quicker conclusions due to the abundance of games available.
Despite his stance, Hamaguchi emphasized that the development team is attentively considering this feedback. He stated, “As we work on the conclusion to the trilogy, we are striking a balance on how story arcs are told and spread out so as to ensure that the game feels a bit more concise.”
During the interview, Hamaguchi also shared his inspirations, citing classics like 1994’s Final Fantasy VI as his impetus to become a developer. He mentioned other influential titles such as The Witcher series and Fable, and enthusiastically revealed his current engrossment with Ghost of Yotei, stating, “I can’t wait to get home to continue playing it.”
Fans of role-playing games have been eagerly awaiting updates on the final chapter of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy since Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth released in early 2024. Development for the third part reportedly began in June 2022, with Square Enix aiming for a 2027 release. Enthusiasm soared earlier this year when the team confirmed that the story for the trilogy’s conclusion was already complete.
Additionally, Hamaguchi recently clarified that while Square Enix acknowledged that Rebirth’s initial profits “did not meet expectations,” the game is performing “very well” across PC and PS5 platforms. This success, he stated, has been instrumental in ensuring a “high-quality third installment.” Co-director Tetsuya Nomura also addressed the demand for updates on Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 and Kingdom Hearts 4, confirming that development for both is “progressing really smoothly.”
As we eagerly await more details, you can explore insights into why the Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 team is committed to authentically portraying Final Fantasy 7’s iconic airship.
This article was reported by Vikki Blake, an experienced critic, columnist, and consultant with over 15 years in the gaming industry.