Which is about all we’ve got to go on right now, but it’s far from nothing. Director Naoki Hamaguchi said the team would reveal more about the Final Fantasy 7 Remake Project “than ever before,” on top of all the tidbits thus far. These include the fact that Vincent Valentine and Cid Highwind have “incredibly appealing” skills that he can’t wait for players to try out.

The third part in the remake trilogy was confirmed to be in a playable state last February, and Hamaguchi accrued over 40 playthroughs as of May. Following his statement about how announcement preparations were “steadily underway” and that fans would only need to wait a “little longer,” a reveal at Summer Game Fest seems highly likely.

Perhaps we’ll finally learn the official title, especially since it’s been locked internally for some time now. Compared to Remake and Rebirth, the third part will also launch on Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 alongside PS5. Stay tuned for more updates when Summer Game Fest rolls around.

“We cannot yet provide specific details regarding the release timing,” said Hamaguchi (via machine translation). “However, what we have strongly felt while developing this multi-platform title is that ‘users want to experience the excitement at the same time.’ We are seriously considering how to best develop the third title on multiple platforms, both for the fans and from a business perspective.”

He went on to discuss how Square Enix’s multiplatform release strategy has changed development processes for the team as well. While a development team would previously focus its efforts on making a game for a single platform and then port it over to others, Hamaguchi explained that this process is no longer viable. The varying level of hardware power between modern platforms means that teams now have to make sure that, from the very beginning, designing games based on the idea that they will be running on multiple environments.

“To be honest, the development flow itself has changed considerably,” he explained. “Previously, the general approach was to ‘complete the game on one platform first, and then consider porting it later.’ Square Enix also largely followed this approach. However, what I strongly felt through FFVII Remake and FFVII Rebirth is that in this day and age, that way of thinking is no longer viable. Including rendering, streaming, memory design, and asset configuration, it is necessary to ‘design with multiple environments in mind from the beginning.’ In other words, the era of ‘the porting team working hard later’ is over.”

While Square Enix has confirmed Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 will come to all platforms, the company hasn’t yet made any commitments about day one releases across all consoles and PC. With the team’s new development processes, however, Hamaguchi is confident that a simultaneous launch is possible.

“These days, the question of ‘which platform it’s released on’ is far less important than ‘how much enthusiasm you can put into playing it.’ We’re prioritizing that aspect with our trilogy as well. The era where ‘AAA games are only for a select few environments’ is rapidly changing,” Hamaguchi said. “That’s why we absolutely won’t leave the third installment in an incomplete state. I want to bring it to a point where I can proudly say, ‘I have completed the FFVII Remake series to the very end.’ That is the determination with which we are developing it now. Please look forward to it!”

In the meantime, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has just come out on Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2. For more on that, check out its launch trailer.

Following State of Play, it’s the Summer of Gaming with one major showcase after another, starting with the Summer Game Fest showcase on June 5th. It’s followed by the Future Games Show Summer Showcase on June 6th and a double feature on June 7th with the Xbox Games Showcase and PC Gaming Show. There’s also the possibility of a new Nintendo Direct to outline what’s coming this year (and potentially beyond), but here are our picks for some of the biggest announcements that you could see, and it all begins with the return of a beloved franchise…

Gears of War: E-Day Release Date

Say what you will about XBOX, all caps or not, they know that fans are hungry for more Gears of War. Hence, the dedicated Direct for E-Day will feature its first-ever gameplay and other details. Since it’s allegedly out in the second half of 2026, all eyes are on The Coalition to finally announce a release date, which is looking to be September based on recently announced sponsorships. Either way, it’s been far too long without the king of cover-based shooters, and we’re looking forward to beginning the fight anew.

Fable’s “Major New Look”

Now, this one is interesting, especially since XBOX has already confirmed a delay to February 2027. So what could this “major new look” hold? Perhaps a walkthrough of a quest? The return of a beloved character? Showcasing the extent of consequences that are possible with increasingly hilarious results? It may end up just showcasing another well-known British actor in the game, but hey, we’ll take it if there’s solid gameplay.

Halo: Campaign Evolved Release Date

Halo Studios has been rather mum on this remake, which is odd for several reasons. Yes, it recently confirmed there’s no in-game store, but… that’s pretty much it. There’s been no new gameplay since its reveal at the last Halo World Championship, and it’s reportedly launching next month. Will marketing kick into overdrive after the showcase? Time will tell, but from every angle, it seems fans won’t have to wait long to go hands-on.

Phantom Blade Zero Gets New Trailer

Launching in September, being in the “intense, final stages of development” according to the developer, only one other big showcase until its launch – if ever there was a time to start marketing for Phantom Blade Zero, it would be at Summer Game Fest. As always, the question of what could be showcased always pops up – obviously, you want to get the people excited without spoiling too much. Alternatively, if S-Game wanted to drop that demo promised long ago, next week wouldn’t be the worst occasion to do so.

Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 3

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has said that marketing won’t begin until Summer, clarifying that it won’t be for another few weeks. However, it doesn’t exclude the possibility of a new trailer, and it certainly doesn’t stop Rockstar from opening pre-orders. Could it stop short of the latter and release a new teaser, hyping up a reveal in the coming weeks? Sure. Does it need to do it at any of the upcoming showcases? Probably not, but it would be cool. Either way, expect to hear a lot more about the title this month, even if it’s when you least expect it.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword Release Date

We’ve seen more than enough gameplay, know more than enough the story – so if the long-awaited Onimusha revival doesn’t get a launch date at some point in the coming days, I may lose it. Granted, the developer could always pull the patented, “Tune in to the Online Special Program later in June for more,” but like Pragmata at last year’s The Game Awards, it’s probably just going to cut through the noise and announce a date with pre-orders.

Monster Hunter Wilds Expansion Reveal

Now this is a classic example of potentially debuting a trailer and revealing more information later. Monster Hunter Wilds’ expansion is confirmed to receive more details this Summer, and given the franchise’s history at Keighley’s shows, a title reveal seems very likely. We could then see a proper Monster Hunter Showcase next month or in September, right before the so-called Summer period ends.

OD Update

It’s been a year since Hideo Kojima took the Summer Game Fest stage, promoting Death Stranding 2. With how close he is to Keighley, and the fact that there hasn’t been any update on its next title, OD, since September 2025, a new teaser would hardly be surprising. Then again, since Xbox Game Studios is the publisher, it may even appear at the upcoming Xbox Showcase. The real question is: Will Kojima attend both? It’s certainly not impossible, even if it would be excessive.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Release Date Reveal (or Delay)

It really doesn’t hit you just how many games could be released between June and October, simply to avoid “competing” – which is already a strong word – against Grand Theft Auto 6. I’m not sure that Amazon Game Studios would want to take the risk, even after announcing a 2026 release window, and rumors of a delay to 2027 may feed into that. An appearance certainly seems on the cards, but for now, it’s a toss-up on whether it launches this year or next.

Resident Evil – Code: Veronica Remake Announcement

Rumors have circulated about this remake since June 2024. Resident Evil Requiem was announced in June 2025, at the Summer Game Fest no less. With a supposed launch in the first half of 2027, odds are looking good that Resident Evil could steal the show once more with the long-awaited Code: Veronica Remake. Get your “welcome back, Claire Redfield” signs ready in advance.

Virtua Fighter Crossroads Reveal

Call it a mistake, an accident or just an honest-to-goodness leak, the new Virtua Fighter’s gameplay has seemingly leaked. The final name is apparently Virtua Fighter Crossroads, and admittedly, it looks quite good. Is Sega saving the announcement for a big show like Summer Game Fest, especially since it was announced at The Game Awards 2024? Possibly – it’s not like there’s any other shows it could fit in.

Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition Announcement

Add another game to the potential Nintendo Direct, as Sega seeks to bring Sonic Frontiers to Nintendo Switch 2 at long last. While previous rumors suggested a rewritten story, the Definitive Edition is allegedly closer to a standard port, complete with all updates, except that it should run better than the Switch 1 version. Again, if it’s indeed real, expect an announcement and release date soon.

Metro 2039 Gets More Gameplay

After its surprising reveal and the even more surprising First Look, Metro 2039 seems poised to appear at the Xbox Games Showcase. Not for the sake of filling up time, mind you – rather, to showcase more of the horrors that players will allegedly face. I’m skeptical about a release date, especially since 4A Games still has time to narrow things down – and decide whether it wants to fall on the 2026 or 2027 side of its Winter release window – but stranger things have happened at an Xbox show.

State of Decay 3 Gameplay and Updates

Meet one of the stranger things. I know, I know – Undead Labs is conducting closed tests, and it’s seemingly making progress after years and years of nothing. And while it could outright say “2027” as a release window, something tells me the team will simply provide new gameplay, an update from recent tests, and the assurance of providing more opportunities in the coming months. Playing things safe before it really decides to commit to something.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 Release Date

Launching this Summer and already unveiling everything that sets it apart from the original, Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 seems like a lock for Summer Game Fest. A release date seems a given, but it feels like something else is needed – a little je ne sais quoi. Maybe a brand new big bad that would replace the Queen as a major threat? Hard to say, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it arrives as soon as next month.

Valor Mortis Release Date

A first-person Souls-like set in an alternate 19th-century Europe focused on fighting Napoleon’s zombie soldiers after returning from the dead, developed by the team behind Ghostrunner 2? Sign us up, and more importantly, give us a release date, since it’s already confirmed for Fall. That may end up closer to October than November for the obvious reason, but I’m more interested to see if a demo or open beta ends up happening, especially with all the closed testing done so far.

Ananta Trailer and Launch Window

Geoff Keighley’s showcases have a thing for games – see the frequent appearances by ZZZ, Honkai: Star Rail, Wuthering Waves, and, more recently, Arknights Endfield. Ananta is interesting because it’s foregoing a character system while retaining the urban open-world fantasy we’ve seen thus far. It may not launch this year, but with most of its competition, particularly NTE, already released, a new trailer at least seems a given.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Release Date

What should have been rated recently by PEGI, but Bandai Namco’s next Ace Combat? Smarter minds will probably be able to tell you why its pre-release date is May 30th on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, but it’s further proof of a potential release announcement. And honestly, with how good Wings of Theve has looked, both the first-person cutscenes and the actual combat, we’re hoping it drops sooner than later.

The Duskbloods Release Month

Say what you will about its recent multiplayer focus – FromSoftware generally does a good job convincing millions to try its next game, regardless. The same will hopefully hold for The Duskbloods, and with rumors of a launch later this year (and not this Summer, apparently), it could appear at that alleged Nintendo Direct set for mid-June. Maybe Elden Ring Tarnished Edition will be shadow-dropped in the meantime.

New 3D Mario Announcement

Nintendo isn’t above announcing big names a good while before they actually launch – just as it has no qualms holding back finished titles, waiting for the right launch window. And with insider NateTheHate claiming that a new 3D Mario would be announced for 2027, that supposed mid-June Direct isn’t the worst place to announce it, especially after the success of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

Pokémon Wind and Waves Release Window

Perhaps one of the safest possible bets for the Direct is the release date announcement for Pokémon Wind and Waves, especially with listings spotted on Amazon Germany. If it follows, say, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, then January/February 2027 aren’t outside the realm of possibility. Again, a safe bet, unless Nintendo goes in another direction (like saving the info for a Pokémon Showcase in July).

Hollow Knight: Silksong — Sea of Sorrow Gameplay

Geoff Keighley loves his Silksong teases, but that was for one of the most-anticipated games of all time. What are the chances the trend repeats at this year’s show, revealing the first gameplay for Sea of Sorrow, its free DLC? Probably low, but don’t forget about XBOX – they’ve featured Silksong on numerous occasions, and would probably jump at the opportunity to feature the title on their showcase, complete with a release date.

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra Update

Game delays can be funny, especially when something like Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra – the next big game from Uncharted creator Amy Hennig – announced a delay beyond early 2026. That doesn’t mean 2027, but at this rate, with very little to actually show for it, we wouldn’t be surprised if it appears with a new trailer confirming it’s skipping 2026 entirely. Which is fine, but you’d have to expect a closer look at the game at some point.

Star Wars Zero Company Release Date/Delay

Star Wars crossed with XCOM sounds like a dream come true, and based on previews, it makes for an excellent tactical strategy experience. But there’s otherwise been relative silence – not even a peep during this year’s May the 4th. If it’s meeting that 2026 release window, then a new trailer at either the Xbox Games Showcase or Summer Games Fest is possible. Then again, EA could choose not to foot the bill and just drop these details at some random time.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 Title Reveal

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was first announced during the original’s 25th Anniversary Celebration livestream in June 2022. So close enough to the Summer of Gaming at the time, but still nothing. However, its gameplay trailer would appear at the Summer Game Fest in 2023, followed by another trailer at The Game Awards, and so on. With director Naoki Hamaguchi already claiming more than 40 playthroughs and promising to share more updates on the overall project than ever before this year, a Part 3 reveal – if not a release window, then perhaps its name – seems very likely.

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Release Date

Oh, look – another game that appeared at last year’s Summer Game Fest with a release window of 2026. Asobo Studio offered a substantial update last April, confirming “final tweaks, last recording sessions, the closing notes of the score,” and much more as it focuses on refining the prequel. It’s been four years since A Plague Tale: Requiem, yet the developer is focused on delivering “an experience as challenging as it is unforgettable.” We could thus see Resonance appearing next week to announce a delay to next year, if only to allow it to shine all the brighter.

Palworld 1.0 Release Date

With all the big announcements, I think back to Palworld, which exited early access this year. Pocketpair already said that Version 1.0 wouldn’t just be randomly revealed on Discord, and it has a history of featuring on these big shows. So what better time to reveal all the new content and a release date than Summer Game Fest, with further info dumps planned for the coming months? Again, there’s kind of a time limit given the elephant in the room called GTA 6, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Pocketpair decides on January 2027 of all months.

Nivalis Release Window

At this time, developer ION LANDS posted a new update for its cyberpunk restaurant management title, going over level design, visuals, how it’s handling simulating thousands of characters, and so on. However, one little bit stood out – the shift towards “final polish” ahead of release. From bug fixes to localization and optimization, the team has been busy. It will share a release date when it’s ready, so a shadow drop seems unlikely, but at this stage, a release date still seems very possible, especially in the coming week.

Light No Fire Appearance

Of all the studios and publishers sweating about November and finding the right days to release their titles, Hello Games has it made. No Man’s Sky continues to succeed, and it continues to receive quality free updates that deepen the experience. So when it comes to Light No Fire, a small teaser could be released at Summer Game Fest with very little context, much less a release window, and stand out. And if no one wants to feature an indie title that simply wants to remind people that it still exists, well, that’s alright then, because development will roll on until something concrete. The point is, at the end of it all, Sean continues to hold all the cards.

Minecraft Dungeons 2 Release Date

As if its first-party line-up for the coming months wasn’t enough, Mojang’s Minecraft Dungeons 2 is also launching in 2026. It’s not a huge title by any means, but the original had 25 million players, so the prospect of new locations and a brand new threat could be appealing…and you just know it’s going to be at the Xbox Games Showcase, showcasing its various new zones that totally weren’t leaked a year ago.

Hamaguchi also noted that we will see more of his character arc evolve, especially with his tendency to talk too much when he finds a subject he is keenly interested in.

“We understand that many fans are fond of Chadley,” he said. “However, whether he’s become a playable character is something we’re unable to comment on at this time.”

“That said, Chadley will continue to play an important role even in the final installment of the trilogy. His strong curiosity and tendency to talk a bit too much – inherent traits that he’s aware of and somewhat self-conscious about – will be further explored in the third game, too. It’d make me happy if players could warmly follow how Chadley becomes involved in the story and what role he takes in supporting it.”

Chadley was introduced quite early in Final Fantasy 7 Remake, acting as the central hub for players to take on additional combat challenges through VR missions. Through him, players could also unlock new summon materia. Chadley also gave us additional side objectives that could be completed over the course of the game, like using the Assess skill on a certain number of enemies or causing specific enemies to get Staggered.

Through this, players could get their hands on powerful materia like Parry, First Strike, and Skill Master. Completing all of Chadley’s challenges also opened up a final optional boss fight—Bahamut—which rewarded players with the Bahamut Summon materia.

The character returned in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, frequently appearing in new towns that players traveled to and giving out more optional objectives to complete. Chadley, along with an AI he created named MAI, was also responsible for many of the game’s open-world activities. However, his presence in the game started to wear thin for many players owing to how often he would keep talking.

Chadley’s impact on the story in Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 remains to be seen. However, Hamaguchi had previously said that the team has no plans to bring in large changes to the original Final Fantasy 7 story. He spoke about trusting the game’s writer, Kazushige Nojima, to not bring in large changes, since it was “one of the aspects of development we were most sensitive about.”

“When it comes to the overarching story, I place my trust in what Kazushige Nojima writes and have no intention of altering that based on my judgment,” he said. “However, with the significant increase in visual fidelity in these remakes, arranging events and the passage of time exactly as they were in the original game can sometimes result in scenes that feel implausible.

“When changes in time or dates don’t feel convincing, it also breaks the player’s emotional engagement.”

In the meantime, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S on June 3rd. For more details, here is everything you need to know about its Xbox Series X/S release.

Standalone Second Entry in a Remake Trilogy

First released in 2024, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second title in a planned remake trilogy of the revered 1997 action RPG. Following Cloud Strife and his band of eco-warriors, Rebirth picks up where Remake left off, taking you into the wider world en route to The Forgotten Capital following the collapse of Midgar. If you’re unfamiliar with the story, that’s really all you need to know. The developer has expanded the original game’s story sufficiently enough that dropping in midway shouldn’t hamper the overall experience – Rebirth is a standalone entry.

Mix of Real-Time and Turn-Based Combat

Unlike the 1997 predecessor, which featured exclusively turn-based combat, the Remake Trilogy uses a hybrid system, weaving real-time action into its original three-party-member design. Rebirth, however, introduces some refinement over Remake, making combat much more fluid and fast-paced: aerial manoeuvres, for one, are more common amongst characters, while many utility moves are now a part of a character’s standard moveset. Blocks and Parries negate damage whilst building Active Time Battle (ATB) Points, which can be spent in turn on special abilities, magic, or utility items. Whilst there’s a lot for novices to understand, FF7 Rebirth’s combat caters to a variety of skill levels. It can be as simple or as complex as you like.

Synergy Abilities Unlock Your Potential

That said, if you want to become a true master of Rebirth’s hybrid combat system you’ll need to execute Synergy Abilities, where two characters combine techniques to unleash more powerful attacks; made all-the-more devastating if you’ve worked your enemy into a “Stagger” state. Synergy systems, overall, have been expanded for Rebirth, supported further by a Party Levelling System which upgrades your chosen group simultaneously, reinforcing their bond and strengthening their combinable abilities.

Xbox Version Launches with Streamlined Progression

Whether you’re unconvinced by Rebirth’s combat, you’re desperate to engage with the story, or you simply don’t want to grind, then Streamlined Progression – launching with the Xbox version – will make progressing through fights a trivial breeze. When active, all hits deal colossal damage, while resources such as Materia Points – the magical weapon and armour augments – health, and ATB gauges will remain at their maximum. Limit Breaks – special moves ordinarily charged by taking damage, using specific Synergy abilities, or staggering enemies – will be freely available in Streamlined Progression mode too.

Enhanced Visual Modes on Xbox Series X

On Xbox Series X, FF7 Rebirth offers multiple visual modes, with the standout being a 4K-targeting Graphics Mode which will prioritise image fidelity, environmental detail, more defined character models, plus overall clarity. This mode, however, won’t operate at a consistent 60fps, so a Performance Mode is also available if smoothness is your preference.

VRR Support and SSD Optimisation

The game also supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) which should help to smooth any performance friction during visually demanding sections. Combined with optimisation for the Xbox Series X|S SSD, load times are kept short, allowing for quick transitions across the ginormous open world, whether by fast travel or riding a Chocobo across the plains.

Spatial Audio and HDR10 Support

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s Xbox Series X|S enhancements go beyond visual with full support for Xbox Spatial Sound. Bringing immersive 3D audio positioning, from enemies approaching from off-screen or environmental ambience breathing life into the world. Three formats are supported: the free Windows Sonic, and paid for Dolby Atmos and DTS Sound Unbound. Elsewhere, HDR10 support rounds out the overall presentation on Xbox Series X|S, improving contrast, brightness, and colour depth. Collectively, these Xbox-specific features bring richness and dynamism to players on Microsoft’s console platform.

Supports Xbox Play Anywhere and Cross-Save

Xbox Playwhere Anywhere support means a single digital purchase of FF7 Rebirth can be played across both Xbox consoles and PC at no extra cost. Sweetening the deal further, cross-save functionality ensures that your progress carries over seamlessly between platforms, ensuring that if you were to switch from console to handheld PC, for instance, your game will continue without losing momentum.

Returning Remake Players Can Access Exclusive Bonuses

If you have an existing save file from Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on your Xbox or PC you can unlock exclusive Leviathan Summon Materia bonuses in Rebirth. Now, this bonus isn’t found in the world, but accessed via the system’s DLC menu, and it’s worth doing as Leviathan is a powerful summoning option. Furthermore, if you’ve played through Yuffie’s Episode INTERmission DLC, and have a save file to back it up, then you’ll also be able to acquire a Summon Materia.

Xbox Velocity Architecture Support

Both Xbox Series X and Series S versions will take advantage of Xbox Velocity Architecture, which hastens storage and data streaming, significantly reducing loading bottlenecks by freeing up processing power otherwise reserved for CPU-related overheads. Together with other speed-related systems, like the game’s SSD optimisation, it allows for smoother world traversal by rendering detail quickly – a point especially crucial given the importance of expansive exploration throughout Rebirth.

Series X vs Series S Differences

While both consoles deliver the full FF7 Rebirth experience, there are, as expected, a handful of technical differences. Xbox Series X, of course, targets higher resolutions and more stable performance through the aforementioned Graphics and Performance modes, while Series S opts for a lower maximum pixel count in the region of 1440p at 30fps with Graphics enabled and 1080p at 60fps during Performance. Series S, however, also includes a “Balanced” mode, striking a middle ground between fidelity and performance, with a purported 800p at an unstable 60fps offering you more flexibility in how you experience the game.

Digital Deluxe Edition Overview

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s Digital Deluxe Edition includes the base game alongside a selection of bonus DLC content including Magic Pot Summoning Materia, a Reclaimant Choker accessory, and Orchid Bracelet Armour. Also includes access to Digital Artbooks; for the relatively light jump in price over the Standard Edition, the Deluxe Edition could prove a worthwhile upgrade.

Release Date, Price, and Pre-Order Bonuses

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is set to release on Xbox Series X|S on June 3rd. Pricewise, you’re looking at $49.99 for the Standard Edition, and $64.99 for the Deluxe. There are a handful of bonuses if you pre-order, not least the 20% discount across the Xbox store running until release, but a pre-purchase DLC pack too. This contains: Moogle Trio and Posh Chocobo Summoning Materia, Shinra Bangle and Midgar Bangle Mk II armour.

No Game Pass Plans

For now, at least, presently there are no announced plans to bring FF7 Rebirth to Xbox Game Pass. However, the already-mentioned early purchase discount does make the game slightly more accessible if you’re planning to jump in at launch. Whether the game eventually lands on Game Pass remains to be seen.

Free Demo With Transferable Progress

If, after all this, you still need tipping over the edge there is a free demo available via Xbox’s online store, allowing you to play through an early portion of the game without committing to a purchase. What’s more, progress made during the demo can be transferred to the full release, while completing the demo entirely unlocks a bonus Kupo Charm and a set of consumables, including potions and ethers.

Director Naoki Hamaguchi previously said the trilogy won’t bring “large changes” to the original’s overarching narrative. So you can imagine his surprise at how far speculation has gone, especially for the third part of the remake. Don’t expect him to acknowledge or deny it anytime soon, either, since he obviously doesn’t want to spoil the surprise.

Speaking to Nintenderos (translation via GamesRadar), Hamaguchi said, “The moment we start doing that, the story ceases to be an experience to be received and becomes a search for the ‘right answer.'” If that sounds like there’s enough room for interpretation, that’s exactly what the team intended.

“The fact that this has generated so much discussion among fans is, to me, a clear sign that this design is working as we intended.” Of course, not all of it has been positive, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Hamaguchi accounted for this.

Otherwise, it’s the same old story – no release date for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3, much less an official title (though it has been decided internally). Announcement preparations are “steadily underway,” but when and where remains the big question. Thankfully, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2 users can experience Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on June 3rd, at long last. Check out our review of the PS5 version to learn more about it.

That is not to say that Hamaguchi believes that turn-based games should go away, however. He noted that the genre also has its own strengths. “Games where you evaluate the situation, contemplate your moves, and build upon the decisions you make are deeply universal, closely tied to the very nature of human thought.”

He even went on to bring up other recent games—like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, for example—that are able to bring in real-time action elements despite their combat systems being turn-based. “It’s also true that when we look at younger players, they increasingly favor more real-time experiences in games,” he said. “I believe they’re a generation that’s naturally accustomed to receiving instant feedback upon input.”

“With that context in mind, it may have been inevitable for turn-based games that incorporate real-time decision-making through action elements to gain prominence. I think this reflects players’ desire for both the excitement of strategy and the immediacy of response.”

With the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, Hamaguchi said that the development team was concerned about how moving the 1997 original into the world of real-time action combat would “reduce the room for strategic thinking and the momentary tension of choosing commands that were present in the original game.”

Ultimately, however, the studio was able to bring in elements of the original Final Fantasy 7‘s Active-Time Battle system into the Remake trilogy by allowing players to pull off special moves after a certain number of regular attacks filled up an ATB bar.

It is worth noting that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was far from the first game to blend real-time elements with turn-based combat in an RPG. Titles as old as 1996’s Super Mario RPG on SNES featured similar elements. We would also see these elements make their way into other titles like 2008’s Xbox 360 JRPG Lost Odyssey, as well as Nintendo’s Mario & Luigi franchise.

Interestingly, Final Fantasy 16 producer Naoki Yoshida had expressed the belief that a modern audience would be more receptive to real-time combat in RPGs rather than turn-based systems. In an interview from 2022, he spoke about growing up with turn-based RPGs, as well as opinions about the combat systems from younger players these days.

“I’m from a generation that grew up with command and turn-based RPGs,” Yoshida said. “I think I understand how interesting and immersive it can be. On the other hand, for the past decade or so, I’ve seen quite a number of opinions saying ‘I don’t understand the attraction of selecting commands in video games.’”

Recently, Hamaguchi had also spoken about the decision to turn the remake of Final Fantasy 7 into a trilogy, and how there was simply no other way to achieve the level of detail and world density that Square Enix wanted.

“It wasn’t so much about ‘wanting’ to make it a trilogy – the accurate assessment is that, upon objectively evaluating the sheer volume of the story and the content that needed to be depicted, no option other than a trilogy was realistic,” he explained.

Among the changes made to Final Fantasy 7 to facilitate the trilogy was to heavily expand on the earlier parts of the story for Final Fantasy 7 Remake. While the city of Midgar served as a relatively small part of the larger RPG, the 2020 remake instead turned it into a dense, massive game in its own right. This level of density and sense of scale was the team’s intention with all of the locations of Final Fantasy 7.

“The Midgar segment of Final Fantasy 7 is a relatively short part of the original game, but it is incredibly dense with information regarding the game’s world, characters, and story,” he said. “It became clear early on that if we were to faithfully recreate this using modern techniques, we would need a substantial amount of content just to make it work as a standalone title.”

Hamaguchi also discussed the work that the team had to do in order to create clear breakpoints in the story of Final Fantasy 7, where each entry of the Remake trilogy could end. One example of this is the end of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

“In the original plan, the story didn’t clearly break at the forgotten capital and Aerith’s fate,” he said. “At that time, I suggested to producer [Yoshinori] Kitase-san, ‘Considering the narrative focus, wouldn’t it be better to treat Aerith’s fate as a natural break to this section?'”

Co-director Tetsuya Nomura added on to Hamaguchi’s statement by saying, “From there, the overall framework for the entire trilogy came together very smoothly.”

Just last month, Hamaguchi had also spoken about how the development team was avoiding making any large changes to the Final Fantasy 7 story, since it is “one of the aspects of development we were most sensitive about.” The few changes that were brought in, he said, were largely to better align the story’s emotional beats with the player’s own emotions and flow while playing the games.

“It wasn’t so much a matter of adding or changing the story, but rather adjusting things in a way that ensured that the player’s emotional pacing aligned with the flow of time,” Hamaguchi explained. “That process required revisiting scenes again and again, and honestly, it was one of the aspects of development we were most sensitive about.”

While no announcement has been made for a title or release date for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3, the studio is currently working on bringing Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth to Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S on June 3rd. For more, check out our review of the Nintendo Switch 2 release of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade.

“Yuffie was designed as a standalone protagonist for the DLC, so she has an excellent balance of long-range and close-range attacks, as well as physical and magical abilities. As a result, she’s turned out to be a very versatile character. I always include her in my party during battles myself…but in the final game, both Vincent and Cid have been designed with incredibly appealing combat capabilities. They’re characters I can’t wait for everyone to actually try out.”

That’s good news since Vincent’s high magical stats and Limit Break transformations can be devastating when used correctly, while Cid’s dragon-focused moves make him great for controlling the action in the early going. Hamaguchi also opened up about Sephiroth’s Supernova and the Knights of the Round summon, effectively confirming that they’re in the game.

It looks like the game is coming along quite nicely, and while there’s still little to no news about an official announcement, we know that preparations are “steadily underway.” The sequel is also confirmed to launch on multiple platforms, namely Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, bucking its predecessor’s trends. As always, stay tuned for more updates.

“We’re very excited about how the game is currently progressing. I have already completed over 40 full playthroughs! I can’t wait for as many people as possible to experience the game for themselves, and myself and the team are working hard to ensure we can create an unforgettable gameplay experience.”

When asked about a potential release window, Hamaguchi remained largely quiet. However, when the publication then asked about the relatively short gap of time between the release of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on the Nintendo Switch 2—with the latter coming out on June 3rd—Hamaguchi teased that the trilogy might be closer to its end than we thought. He noted that releasing the titles on the platform in quick succession led to better pacing for the overarching story.

“With large-scale titles like this one, it’s common for a long gap to exist between the first and second instalments,” he explained. “However, because they were ports, we decided we could deliver them without leaving much of a gap. We want to capitalize on this cadence and moment to tie the experiences together without any gaps, from Remake to Rebirth to finally the third instalment that lies beyond them.”

Recently, Hamaguchi also confirmed that, despite the team adding its own twists to the Final Fantasy 7 story with the Remake trilogy, there are no plans to make any major changes to the overarching story.

“When it comes to the overarching story, I place my trust in what Kazushige Nojima writes and have no intention of altering that based on my judgment,” he said. “However, with the significant increase in visual fidelity in these remakes, arranging events and the passage of time exactly as they were in the original game can sometimes result in scenes that feel implausible.

“When changes in time or dates don’t feel convincing, it also breaks the player’s emotional engagement.”

Hamaguchi has also recently confirmed that the development of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 is on schedule, and that the team has already begun preparations to officially unveil the game to the world. In the meantime, you can check out the free demo for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S. Take a look at our review of its initial PS5 release while you’re at it.