Hamaguchi revealed that the difference in loading speeds when a game is pulling in data from the Switch 2’s internal storage is “roughly double” when compared to pulling it off a game cartridge. This is a big reason for the use of Game-Key Cards for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade.

“There’s simply no way around key cards in certain respects,” said Hamaguchi. “If you compare loading directly from a game cartridge (containing all game data) to loading from the Nintendo Switch 2’s internal storage, the load speed difference is roughly double. Some have expressed concern that multiplatform development may impose constraints not only on graphics, but even on game design itself. However, this is precisely why we didn’t choose a cartridge.”

He went on to note that the game wasn’t built around the idea of loading in all of the required data right at the beginning. Rather, data is constantly loaded in and out in the course of gameplay, which means that the speed at which data can be loaded in becomes an important consideration for the developers. Along with this, Nintendo Switch 2 cartridges also offer lower storage than what the studio needs.

“Our game design isn’t built around loading all data upfront, with nothing further being loaded afterward,” Hamaguchi explained. “Even during gameplay, data is constantly swapped in and out, and given that premise, the loading speed from a game card would inevitably be insufficient, leading to stress for the player. In addition, with currently available cartridge capacity, there is the practical limitation that the full game data simply wouldn’t fit in the first place.”

“However, as long as we can secure the high-speed storage read speeds such as SSD or UFS (on Switch 2), the design we’re aiming for becomes achievable within the scope of optimization for each platform. For the third game in the trilogy, we’re proceeding with development with the goal of delivering a large-scale experience similar to Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, so please rest assured on that point.”

Ultimately, Hamaguchi noted that Game-Key Cards are a major reason for the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 at all. Load speeds and storage capacities simply weren’t high enough in the past. Now, however, the combination of Game-Key Cards lifting these restrictions and the Switch 2’s “impressive” performance has allowed the team to start bringing the trilogy to a new audience.

“In the past, when faced with practical issues related to load speed and storage capacity we couldn’t resolve, we had to decide not to release on Nintendo systems. However, Nintendo Switch 2’s performance is impressive, and with a key card format like FFVII Remake, releasing the games became possible,” he said.

Hamaguchi had made similar comments about Game-Key Cards back in October, noting that while he understands why some may not like it, the technology is simply not one that can be avoided. Nightdive Studios CEO Stephen Kick, on the other hand, has called the system “disheartening” from a video game preservation standpoint.

In the meantime, check out our review of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade on the Nintendo Switch 2.

“That’s a good question, and also, a very difficult question [to answer],” said Hamaguchi when asked about whether he and his team have been savoring their final few months with the trilogy. “We want to see it through, and we want to meet, if not surpass, fan expectations with the final installment. But it would be a lie to say that I haven’t thought, ‘Oh no! There’s still more I have to get through!’ Especially when transitioning from the first to second game. But now that we are seeing the conclusion of the trilogy, there is no wavering. We are focused and want to see it through.”

Leaving behind something you might have worked on for over a decade can understandably be a challenging thing, especially when taking the context of Final Fantasy 7‘s popularity into account. Hamaguchi had spoken in the past, however, that he hopes to work alongside the same team again on future projects. Back in October, he spoke about how the team had bonded throughout their time on the project, and how this helped them improve quite a bit.

“I think once we have got out the third game in the series, and hopefully it’s a big success,” he said. “We’ll definitely move on to something else, and it’d be great to see what that team that we’ve managed to build up together produces. I don’t know if it’s the right way of talking about it, but the bonds, the relationship between the team has definitely improved a lot and strengthened that team.”

Whether this next project will be yet another game in the Final Fantasy series or whether it will be something new altogether is also currently unknown. Despite this, however, Hamaguchi noted that fans of the Remake trilogy can also look forward to the team’s next release.

“I can’t say at this point what that’s going to be, whether it’s going to be a completely new game, completely new IP, whether it’s gonna be something new within the Final Fantasy series, but I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “I think fans who’ve seen what our work has been on the Remake series, the three games, will really look forward to this exciting, new gameplay experience. What we work on after that, I’m very much looking forward to working on that myself as well.”

The most recent entry in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy was 2024’s Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and development on the third game has been described as going well. In another recent interview, Hamaguchi also confirmed that the third game will feature a “powered-up version” of fan-favorite mini-game Queen’s Blood.

In the meantime, also check out our review of the recent Nintendo Switch 2 release of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade.

What stands out instantly about Remake’s Switch 2 port is just how drop dead gorgeous it looks. The game has, of course, always been a technical showcase, even back when it first launched on the PS4, and on the Switch 2, it looks similarly breathtaking, to the point where it really has to be seen to be believed.

"During my time with this port, I also noticed some brief frame rate drops during cutscenes, but thankfully, they were far from major and didn’t really get in the way of the experience."

From the slums of Sector 7 to the dense, bustling metropolis of Midgar’s hubs of civilization, from the proudly over the top action sequences to the magnificent views of sweeping landscapes, Final Fantasy 7 Remake never stops flexing its technical and artistic muscles on the Switch 2. Whether you’re playing in handheld mode or in console mode, it genuinely does look good enough to go toe to toe with Intergrade’s PS5 release (for the most part).

There are, of course, some minor visual and technical issues here and there, as you would expect. Characters’ hair frequently has an uncanny translucent quality, while some textures (especially those off in the distance) can occasionally look muddy or take a second to properly load in. In terms of performance, the game is locked at 30 FPS, and especially for a game like this one, that’s a bit disappointing- FF7 Remake’s high octane, pedal to the metal, blistering action is obviously best suited to 60 FPS, and it’s disappointing that that isn’t at least an option in the Switch 2 version. During my time with this port, I also noticed some brief frame rate drops during cutscenes, but thankfully, they were far from major and didn’t really get in the way of the experience.

Barring those few minor technical hiccups – most of which are rather easy to ignore – Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade is a visual and technical marvel on the Nintendo Switch 2. On the gameplay front, meanwhile, it’s exactly as compelling of an experience as it always has been. The 2020 action RPG’s greatest strength has always been its combat, and that continues to shine through still.

"Every location you visit in Midgar feels unique, alive, and dense, and exploring every nook and cranny never loses its charm."

Each playable character is a joy to control, the ATB system perfectly balances turn based systems with real time action, and combining all the different mechanics – from Limit Breaks to the simple but effective progression and customization systems and more – to wreak havoc on enemies feels immensely satisfying. A particular highlight are the boss fights, which combine cinematic action with mechanical strength perfectly almost every single time.

Those who’ve played Final Fantasy 7 Remake before will, of course, tell you that outside of the combat, the game suffers from some design issues, such as linear and uninteresting level design, or unimaginative side quests that mostly feel like filler content. But while those issues do obviously persist (there’s little to no gameplay changes in this port, as you would expect, barring a new streamlined progression option to minimize grinding), personally, I continue to find them easy to forgive, given just how much the game does in other areas.

Every location you visit in Midgar feels unique, alive, and dense, and exploring every nook and cranny never loses its charm. Of course, the exploration is nowhere near as engaging as it is in Remake’s spectacular 2024 sequel, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, but in and of itself, FF7 Remake does more than enough to ensure that players can lose themselves in its wondrous, grimy, cyberpunk-esque setting.

The game is also a narrative tour de force. That’s not to say it doesn’t have flaws – it has pretty noticeable ones, in fact, from the excessive anime grunts in pretty much every cutscene in the game to long stretches that feel like they’re being dragged out more than they should – but just as it was when Final Fantasy 7 Remake first launched in 2020, it’s still incredible to witness it not only recreate the legendary original title’s story and its most iconic moments (in part, at least), but also add to them and twist and remix them in unexpected ways.

Especially after having played Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and knowing where the story is going, it’s a ton of fun to go back to Remake and see what seeds its planting and what future events it is cleverly foreshadowing- and it can be really clever about how it does all of it.

"If you choose to play it on the Switch 2, you’re absolutely not going to go wrong."

Prior knowledge of the original FF7 or of what happens next in Rebirth is by no means required to be able to enjoy Final Fantasy 7 Remake, but if that is how you choose to experience the game, you’re going to have a much fuller, more engaging experience. Even now, years on from its original launch, it’s impressive to see Final Fantasy 7 Remake simultaneously trying to be a remake and a sequel (of sorts) as well as it does.

For the last few years, it has seemed inevitable that Final Fantasy 7 Remake won’t be bound to PlayStation exclusivity for long, and now that it is finally making its way to other consoles, I can confidently say that it’s been worth the wait. The ambitious action RPG was a must play for new and returning fans alike back when it first released, and half a decade later, its Nintendo Switch 2 version is just as impressive.

Some minor technical concessions might hold it back from being the game’s definitive version – I’d say Intergrade’s PS5 release still holds that crown – but even if you choose to play it on the Switch 2, you’re absolutely not going to go wrong. This is an excellent port of an excellent game, and I cannot wait to see Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth inevitably following suit.

This game was reviewed on the Nintendo Switch 2.

“There’s not a huge amount of information I can share in terms of future games, but I can reassure players that we’re working on the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the second game in the series, and the third game too,” said Hamaguchi, who also went on to note that development on the Switch 2 port of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 is happening simultaneously along with other platforms. “They are being worked on for Nintendo Switch 2 alongside the other platforms right now.”

He also reassured fans of the series that the Switch 2 ports won’t be different from other versions from a gameplay standpoint, since he wants to avoid consumer confusion about which platform is the ideal place to play the games.

“One thing to reassure the fans who want to play these games on Nintendo Switch 2: I’ve got a personal policy where I don’t want to make any versions of my games different or offer a different gameplay experience just because they’re on different hardware,” he explained. “That might get confusing for players, and they might wonder which version of the game they should buy. That’s something I’d very much like to avoid. The Nintendo Switch 2 versions are being developed in a way that keeps the gameplay experience pretty much exactly the same as all the other platforms, so I hope this reassures Nintendo Switch 2 players.”

The Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S release of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade, coming out later today, will bring with it a few new progression streamlining features. These are essentially “cheats” that can be enabled in the game, giving players options like constant max HP, MP, damage and Gil, among others. However, Square Enix has confirmed that the PC and PS5 versions of the game will also be getting these same features through a free update.

For Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2 players that might not be sure yet about whether or not Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade is a game that they might enjoy, a demo is also available on both platforms. The demo largely consists of the opening chapter of the game, serving as an introduction to the setting of Midgar, our group of protagonists, and the combat system, culminating in a boss fight. If the demo sways you enough to pick up the full game, your progress can be carried right over.

Playing the demo also brings with it an added bonus in the form of the Survival Set and Revival Earrings that will make the earlier parts of the game a smoother ride for new players.

For more details about Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade on Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2, here are 15 things you need to know.

So, was the third time any less entertaining on the Xbox Series X? Absolutely not. Midgar continues to be a visually stunning and entertaining place to be. The dystopian metropolis is the perfect stage for an adventure that is an absolute banger to play through, even after almost six years since its initial release. It is an adventure that is worth playing in 2026 on the Xbox, even when there’s a dearth of great titles that are as good as available to play.

"The boss designs deserve a special mention, just as they did on the PS4 version, and their patterns and behaviour are going to have you glued to your screen."

Just like its PS5 counterpart, the Xbox Series X version comes with two visual modes: Graphics and Performance. The former targets 30fps at 4K resolution, and the former renders the game at a lower resolution 1512p, but at 60 frames per second. On the Series X, performance was solid across the board with only a few hiccups here and there. So, as far as performance is concerned, this is as stable as the PS5 version.

The developers have ensured that the Xbox versions’ visual fidelity remains on par with the PS5, although load times could have been a little quicker. That said, this isn’t a deal-breaker, and Xbox’s Quick Resume helps offset the issue by effectively eliminating cold-start loading. Beyond that, the presentation closely matches what you get on PS5.

That means the excellent lighting and character models for the main cast are back, which is always a good thing in a title where story is such a crucial part of the experience. A few rough textures and some NPC faces that look like they belong to a long-past era of gaming are still present, but they’re largely easy to ignore given the overall level of polish on display.

The combat’s as good as it was, too, and the balance between real-time action and the ability to pause and issue commands to my party members is a great balance between the genre’s traditional turn-based trappings and a more fluid approach. I did tend to stick with Cloud and Barret for the most part, but that’s just me, and I’m sure plenty of Xbox players will dive in, experiment with different setups, and find satisfying ways to synergize the party’s attacks against the game’s many enemies and its sublime boss encounters.

"The balance between real-time action and the ability to pause and issue commands to my party members is a great balance between the genre’s traditional turn-based trappings and a more fluid approach."

If you haven’t played this before, know that the combat will have you using every tool at your disposal to gain an edge, even on Normal difficulty. The early hours often have you leaning on Cloud’s melee prowess and Barret’s ability to attack from range, but that changes as you recruit more allies and start weaving them into your battle strategies.

If you switch on Performance Mode, which I’d highly recommend, the animations feel fluid and immersive. Combat feels like a dance, with you choreographing attacks that look like they’ve been rehearsed countless times, and the elegance with which your characters pull off their moves is among the most satisfying things to watch. That’s great news in a game that has you facing enemies almost constantly as you explore the world and progress through the story.

The boss designs deserve a special mention, just as they did on the PS4 version, and their patterns and behaviour are going to have you glued to your screen as you try to identify openings for your attacks and moves that you’re better off defending against. You’re going to find yourself hunting down upgrade materials to get your party up to speed, and the game’s difficulty spikes are consistent for those of you who take a diligent approach to exploring Midgar.

Unlocks come at a steady pace, and the game’s UI does a good job of showing you everything you need for your next big progression level. The menus feel seamless, and the RPG mechanics come with a relatively gentle learning curve. That helps you stay focused on the story, which is a major highlight of the experience.

"I can’t get enough of Barret’s earnest pleas to save Midgar, and the manner in which his personality often contrasts with Cloud’s."

Cloud’s fight against Shinra and his eventual confrontation with Sephiroth is a compelling tale on its own. But the journey in reaching there is a crucial part of what makes this game so special, as each character brings its own set of charm, wit, and unique personalities to the mix. I can’t get enough of Barret’s earnest pleas to save Midgar, and the manner in which his personality often contrasts with Cloud’s. Their relationship flits between somber reflection and witty banter in a way that’s both relatable and amusing, fleshing them out quite well.

The entire cast is brought to life quite well, but if I had to pick a standout character, it has to be Aerith. She brings a measure of grace and sincerity to the party, and her character arc is a personal highlight of the entire story as I’m sure it’s going to be for a lot of you who are diving into this one for the first time.

I was glad to see EPISODE INTERmission be a part of the deal by default on the Xbox version of the game, and you’re going to have an absolute blast with Yuffie’s shuriken. She feels like a hybrid between Cloud and Barret, thanks to her ability to be effective at range while also being quite potent when she’s getting up close and personal with her enemies.

Of course, it is disappointing that Sonon isn’t playable outside of the commands you can issue to him, but that’s been a complaint players had even on the PS5 version. However, the story on offer in INTERmission ties in so well with events in the main story that I’d recommend it to anyone looking to immerse themselves in this universe.

"Any completionists out there are sure going to have a field day as this one takes a tidy while to achieve 100% if that’s the route you want to take."

There’s also a number of mini-games scattered across various locations in the game’s world. I’m a sucker for that kind of thing and found myself putting my current objectives on the back burner to just relax and enjoy it for a few hours. It can easily have you losing track of the time you spend on it, which is saying something considering how everything else in the game is equally good.

The level design is decent, although a tad linear, as is the dialogue delivery and sound design. However, players who played on the PlayStation previously will miss the haptic feedback from the DualSense controller on this version of the game. It’s a noticeable difference, but that’s a limitation that comes down to hardware and if you’ve been on the Xbox for this generation of consoles, it isn’t something that’s likely to bother you.

So would I recommend Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade to you if you’re curious to see what the fuss is all about? Absolutely. It’s a great choice for action-RPG fans or those of you who love an interesting bunch of characters and excellent gameplay mechanics. A sublime combination of both those elements is definitely worth your attention in my book. Any completionists out there are sure going to have a field day as this one takes a tidy while to achieve 100% if that’s the route you want to take.

It’s also great that this one’s a part of the Xbox Play Anywhere collection, as you get to seamlessly continue your playthrough on other devices that let you access your library of titles. Whether you’re a genre veteran, somebody who’s already completed the game on the PS5 or PC, or an absolute newbie, this is a game that’s going to have you entertained and itching for a sequel once you roll the credits on it.

This game was reviewed on the Xbox Series X.

Release Date

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade lands on Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2 on January 22nd. Intergrade is the remake’s PS5 enhanced version, featuring graphical upgrades, new performance modes, and sharper textures. Bundled with the base game – the first part of the remake trilogy – is the bonus story chapter FF7R Intergrade Episode INTERmission, centring on Yuffie as she infiltrates Shinra HQ to obtain special materia.

FF7 – What Is It?

Unless you’ve been in a coma for thirty years, you’ll have heard of Final Fantasy VII. The game is a landmark RPG, dating back to the original PlayStation in 1997. With groundbreaking cinematography, revolutionary turn-based combat, and a vast, emotional story experienced through a cast of iconic characters, FF7 has aged like a fine wine. That said, graphically it doesn’t hold up, and there’s always been the aching feeling that its complex world was limited by mid-90s hardware. Announced in 2015, and released in April 2020, Final Fantasy VII Remake is the first entry in a multi-part saga, developed to modernise its beloved story with deeper world building and expanded lore. Remake Intergrade is, as already mentioned, the PS5’s enhanced version which came in June 2021. Now, Remake is not without its controversy; notably, there is a switch to hybrid real-time-slash-menu-based combat systems, bringing new strategic layers by stripping away the strictly turn-based mechanics of its forbearer – for better or worse.

There’s a Demo Currently Available

Whether you’re playing on Xbox or Nintendo Switch, you can access a free FF7R Intergrade demo right now, showcasing the game’s explosive first mission; the Mako Reactor assault. Progress made in the demo will transfer to the full game, plus a handful of in-game bonus items will become available – Revival Earrings and a Survival Set are unlockable if you play the demo.

The Game Runs Well on Switch 2

Understandable concern surrounded FF7R Intergrade’s Switch port. While compromises have been made, they’re not especially drastic. The result is a game which plays smoothly and looks great on Nintendo’s comparatively less-powerful hardware, despite losing detail in light and fog. More so, it has been reported that the Switch 2’s image stabilisation outperforms the PS5 due to how it handles DLSS. But, on the flipside, it’s locked at 30fps. This might be a non-issue for you if you’re used to the Switch 2’s lower framerates but with Cyberpunk 2077’s recent port reaching 40fps there are shades of disappointment that FF7R Intergrade couldn’t get there too.

Xbox Series X Targets PS5-like Quality

FF7R Intergrade’s Xbox Series X port looks set to visually match the PlayStation 5 version. There are two graphic options available: “Graph” mode which runs at native 4K and is locked at 30fps, and “Performance” mode which targets 1512p resolution but runs at 60fps. Both modes look great; it’s down to personal preference if the frame rate dip is a worthy trade-off for the sharpest visuals possible.

Xbox Series S Graphics are Softer, but Still Look Good

On the Xbox’s less-powerful offering, both “Graph” and “Performance” modes have been reported to run at 1080p resolution. The graphics on the Series S are less sharp than on the Series X, with “Performance” mode noticeably softer than “Graph”. The usual caveat applies though: higher fidelity comes with lower framerate, with “Graph” locked at 30fps and “Performance” hitting 60fps.

Works Great on Handhelds

As Remake Intergrade is launching to Xbox, that means it becomes a greater part of Microsoft’s gaming ecosystem and so is now accessible for the ROG Ally and Xbox Ally X. To get the best experience, users are reporting some tweaks to the handheld’s settings are necessary, namely resolution, shadow, and texture adjustments. Whether targeting an achievable 60fps, or locking in a consistent 30fps, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is more than playable on ROG Ally.

Streamlined Progression Available at Launch

A feature not yet present on PS5 or PC – although it’s coming soon via a patch – is streamlined progression, and it will be available in both Xbox and Switch versions from day one. Look, if you’re a purist you likely won’t use the feature, but if you’re pushed for time, after an easy ride, or just want to experience the story without the grind, then streamlined progression is worth a look. By setting HP and MP to their fullest, ATB and Limit Gauges to max, boosting damage to 9999, and removing the chance of instant death, streamlined progression is the ultimate cheat mode that’ll provide the most frictionless progression.

Two Digital Editions

Two digital editions are available on both platforms: Standard and Deluxe. Both versions include a suite of bonuses – Summoning Materia Carbuncle, Chocobo Chick, and Cactuar; Midgar, Shinra Bangles, Corneo Armlet Armour DLC; and Superstar Belt, Mako Crystal, Seraphic Earrings accessories. On top of that, the Deluxe Edition includes a digital artbook and a digital mini soundtrack.

You Can Get the Original FF7

There is an early purchase bonus available to you whether you’re Xbox or Nintendo too. Pre-purchase either the Standard or Deluxe Edition before January 31st and you’ll receive the original Final Fantasy VII at no extra cost. Despite the archaic character models, which undeniably hold their charm, Cloud and co’s eco-terrorism odyssey is a must play. And, what’s more, the chance to hear Nobuo Uematsu’s iconic soundtrack in situ should not be passed up.

There’s a Physical Edition on Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 version will have a physical edition available to buy. However, worth mentioning is it comes in the form of a game key card. The game will still need to be installed, and at a hefty 90GB filesize, it’ll take up nearly half of the Switch 2’s 249GB total usable capacity. If you haven’t plumped for a microSD card yet, FF7R Intergrade might just convince you.

Physical Edition Bonuses

To sway you toward purchasing the Switch 2’s physical edition, there are a handful of bonuses that are exclusive to that format. One is a reversible cover, but the main incentive is a Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy play booster containing fifteen cards. All those other bonuses included with either digital edition are present on physical, too.

No Plans for an Xbox Physical Edition

With a physical edition available to Nintendo players – and to PlayStation players too – you’d think Xbox players would be able to purchase a disc edition should they choose. However, currently, there are no plans to release a physical edition for Xbox players, although this could change in the future depending on demand.

Prices

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade Digital Standard Edition is retailing at $39.99 / £39.99, while the Digital Deluxe Edition costs $59.99 / £54.99. The Switch 2’s physical edition retails at the same price as the Digital Deluxe Edition – $59.99 / £54.99.

No Rebirth Announced Yet

The second entry in FF7’s remake trilogy is Rebirth, released in January last year. At present, there is no confirmation it’ll come to Xbox and Nintendo Switch 2 although it can’t be ruled out either. In fact, it’s much more likely that Rebirth will be playable on platforms beyond PlayStation and PC. Much like Microsoft’s first-party titles, the developer is following a new, multi-platform strategy for Final Fantasy, with plans to make the games available on multiple platforms in the future.

For those who missed it, Streamlined Progression is basically a series of “cheats,” including Constant Max HP, MP, Damage (constant 9,999 hits, ahoy) and Gil. You can top ensure the ATB and Limit Gauges never deplete or enable Easy Weapon Ability Acquisition – use a weapon once, and its core ability is unlocked. Even Materia Levels can be immediately maxed out.

The reason for its addition is to allow new players to progress faster through the story, especially since Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will eventually launch for Xbox and Switch 2 this year. However, if you’ve never ventured into the Remake trilogy on any platform and want to catch up, Streamlined Progression is great. It may even make the sewer levels much less of a slog.

Sadly, it won’t do anything to help with the game’s 90+ GB storage requirement on Nintendo Switch 2. On the bright side, you can try out the free demo (also available on Series X/S) to see how performance measures up and get a head start, since progress carries over. For more details on Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade, check out our review.

If you played the PS4 demo for Remake back in the day, this will look very familiar as it covers the opening chapter, introducing Cloud Strife and Avalanche. From there, players sabotage Shinra’s Mako Reactor, which culminates in a battle against the Scorpion Sentinel. It’s the perfect way to showcase the combat system.

Better yet, progress from the demo will carry over to the game. Even if you don’t finish it, simply possessing save data from the demo can unlock the Survival Set and Revival Earrings for in-game use.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade launches on January 22nd, 2026, for Xbox Series X/S and Switch 2. If you purchase the digital edition by January 31st, then you’ll receive the original Final Fantasy 7 for free (with Xbox owners getting immediate access).

“While making Remake, there was this aspect of weight and how cloud swings it around with one hand that sort of felt like it would weaken the sense of realism, you know?” said Hamaguchi, according to a translation by Final Fantasy 7 fan Twitter account Shinra Archaeology Department. “So at the time, when we were making Remake, there was some discussion about whether we should give Cloud a more realistic version of the Buster Sword.”

Ultimately, however, the development team decided to stick with the original design of the Buster Sword owing to how iconic it was. Hamaguchi also noted that there was a chance that fans of the original would have rejected the design if it were turned into just a regular, normal-sized sword.

“But it was just too iconic, and if we‘d made it just a regular old sword, players wouldn’t accept it,” he said. “But in the end we stayed faithful to the OG, and a whole new generation of people fell in love with it, so I think it was the right call.”

In the same interview, Hamaguchi had also noted that development on Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 has been going on quite well, with the “core game experience” being “almost complete”. He said this while also noting that a major keyword for the development of the third game in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy will have “Highwind” as a key word.

“In that vein one of the really important keywords this time, like you mentioned, is ‘Highwind,’ without a doubt,” he said. “And already at this point I’d say the gameplay experience itself is basically complete, and we’re really now in the phase where we’re seriously building things out to completion. And I’d say we’ve gotten to a point where I, as the director, am feeling super confident about the game in its completed form.”

Hamaguchi has also spoken about the potential title for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3. He noted that he was in discussions with creative director Tetsuya Nomura about the game’s name, and that they have narrowed the potential title down to two names. The game’s official name is slated to be decided by the end of the year.

“Me and Tetsuya Nomura have already narrowed it down to two, within the year we will decide on which one,” said Hamaguchi in the interview. “Within this year it will be set.”

In the meantime, Square Enix has also been working on Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade to more platforms – namely Xbox Series X/S and the Nintendo Switch 2. This release is slated to happen on January 22, 2026, and will be followed up with the release of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth later on.

The more content you get with the title, the higher the storage requirements go. The Limited Early Purchase Edition, as well as the Limited Early Purchase Digital Deluxe Edition of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade will require between 93.8 and 99 GB of storage space.

It is worth noting that Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade was going to end up being the largest game on the Nintendo Switch 2 even before Square Enix updated the storage requirements. Even the previous estimates indicated that the title was going to be much larger than what is now the second-largest title on Nintendo’s new console – WWE 2K25 – which weighs in at 73.2 GB.

Due to the game’s largesse even on the Nintendo Switch 2, Square Enix has confirmed that the physical release of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade – slated for January 22, 2026 – will make use of Game-Key Cards. This largely comes down to the fact that the proprietary media format used by the Switch 2 caps out at around 64 GB, while also being quite expensive to manufacture for developers and publishers. Along with this, performance considerations also tend to play in decisions like this, since physical cartridges are slower than the console’s internal storage.

Director Naoki Hamaguchi has spoken about the trend of using Game-Key Cards in lieu of physical cartridges that include all of a game’s data, and how it is essentially inevitable. Back in October, Hamaguchi also noted that physical releases of games are “less and less part of the industry.” He went on to note say, “I think it’s, in some ways, part of a larger trend that we can’t avoid.”

As for the general criticisms towards Game-Key Cards by fans of physical media as well as those interested in preservation efforts for older games, Hamaguchi said that he understood why these people might not like the format. This, he notes, is specially the case for users of Nintendo’s platforms, which tend to have a preference for physical releases.

“The trend is going towards digital,” said Hamaguchi. “But within that, where the key card falls into that – I understand why a lot of people don’t like this and maybe want to push back against it. But from a creator’s perspective, I kind of think it gives us opportunities to put some games on Switch 2.”

With Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade making its way to Nintendo Switch 2 as well as Xbox Series X/S in January, Square Enix has also confirmed that it will be bringing the rest of the trilogy to more platforms as well. Currently, the second game has only been released on PC and PS5, while the third game is still under development.