final fantasy 7 rebornIt was praised by critics and players alike for its detailed, seamless open-world formula, which the game’s producers say wouldn’t have been possible if the team had focused on developing the game as a multi-platform project.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Final Fantasy producer Yoshinori Kitase explained how exclusive development of the PlayStation version of Rebirth allowed the team to transcend the limitations of the Midgar remake and create a vast and immersive world. Its open world. This vast environment offers a wealth of optional activities, from gathering resources and crafting equipment to participating in side quests, hunting beasts, and traversing the terrain on a chocobo.
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH – Release Trailer
Kitase said that if the team hadn’t developed Rebirth for a single platform, its world map wouldn’t have been as seamless and “the game design might have had to take a huge step back.”
The producer also explained how reusing existing assets and taking advantage of an 80% employee retention rate shortened the development cycle compared to Final Fantasy 7 Remake. This advantageous position allows reborn employees to avoid “time-wasting detours” that would require “building an entirely new team.”
The Washington Post also interviewed game director Naoki Hamaguchi, who said that the structure of “Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth” will have a positive impact on the development of the final part of the trilogy.
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Utilizing Rebirth’s world design, much of the groundwork for the third game has been completed, with only “key elements of the ending” being added to the evolving design document. However, a unique challenge arose: accommodating the iconic Highwind, Cid’s airship, which was crucial to the later parts of the original game.
Hamaguchi admitted that various parts of Reborn’s world would need to be tweaked to ensure that High Wind would work seamlessly within the game world while still maintaining the overall look and aesthetic of the trilogy. The delicate balance between respecting the original game and incorporating new elements is crucial to delivering a satisfying conclusion to a beloved series.
Final Fantasy 7 Reborn launches on PlayStation 5 on February 29th. While news of a PC version has yet to surface, it’s already highly anticipated considering Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade is finally coming to the platform. If it does come to PC, it’s expected to launch sometime after May 29, as hinted at last month’s State of Play demo.
If you’re still on the fence about buying the game, in Alex’s Rebirth review he said it’s “the most impressively ambitious game Square has made since the golden age of Final Fantasy,” and “It’s glorious despite its painful little flaws.” You can read his full comments at the link.