Naoki Hamaguchi, the director of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, is once again openly championing the use of ‘yellow paint’ as a key method to guide players through the game world, stating that there is a definitive need for such a feature.
The use of yellow markings on ledges and walls to indicate traversable areas in video games has ignited considerable discussion among players since its increased prevalence in titles like Uncharted on PlayStation 3. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth also employs this tactic, prompting players to share diverse opinions and leaving Hamaguchi himself surprised by the intensity of the debate it initially sparked.
In a recent interview, Hamaguchi acknowledged the ongoing conversation, understanding that some individuals may not desire or require such explicit visual guidance. Nevertheless, he firmly asserted its necessity.
(A video discussing the ‘yellow paint’ debate in video games was shown here.)
“I understand there is a debate about that, whether it fits with that world or not, whether some people want it, some people don’t,” Hamaguchi explained. “I think, as a game, there is definitely a need for that kind of thing in a lot of ways. I believe different developers naturally experiment and try various methods to determine what works best and integrates most effectively into their specific game designs.”
He elaborated, “The need to guide players from a gameplay perspective, to show them what actions are possible and what they need to do, is absolutely present at certain times. So, while the debate often centers on the ‘how’ – the level of implementation and what approaches are most effective – and there will always be those who find it unsuitable, I firmly believe the fundamental need for it exists and is worthy of consideration.”
When the ‘yellow paint’ discussion first arose with Rebirth last year, some players expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceived as overly explicit hand-holding, not only in Final Fantasy 7 Remake but across many modern video games. Others, however, argued that it provided valuable assistance and served as an important accessibility feature. Developers also contributed to the conversation, often pointing out that during playtests and focus groups, players frequently struggle with navigation, leading to frustration and even abandoning games. This highlights why sometimes obvious and even visually unrealistic clues are deemed necessary to direct players effectively. Furthermore, many note that visual cues for exploration and progression have been a fundamental part of video game design for many decades.
A past social media post by John Linneman reminded players of similar red/green arrows and giant pointers available in the original Final Fantasy 7, illustrating that visual guidance has always been a component of the series.
Based on Hamaguchi’s latest comments, fans can likely expect the guiding yellow paint to make a return in Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3. Regarding the trilogy’s conclusion, Square Enix stated last year that their objective is to launch the finale by 2027. Anticipation for the third and final chapter escalated further when the team confirmed earlier this year that its story had been fully outlined.
Most recently, Hamaguchi clarified earlier statements that Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 would “strike a balance” in pacing and be “more concise,” reassuring fans that this did not imply any content cuts from the game.
While awaiting further news, the development team has also shared insights into their commitment to ensuring Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 features a faithful rendition of the series’ iconic airship. As for whether Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 will incorporate turn-based combat, Hamaguchi indicated that this decision has not been “pre-determined yet,” despite the recent success of games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which features traditional JRPG-inspired turn-based combat and has achieved 5 million sales in five months.