The final installment in the Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy is beginning to capture shape. While Square Enix has not yet officially revealed the title of the next chapter following Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth, director Naoki Hamaguchi has shared new details about what players can expect from the ambitious project’s conclusion.
Hamaguchi confirmed that several memorable locations from the original 1997 RPG will return, including Rocket Town and Wutai. Both areas had been the subject of fan speculation as they hadn’t yet appeared in the trilogy’s storyline.
Wutai will play a significant role
One of the biggest reveals centers around Wutai, the homeland of ninja Yuffie Kisaragi. In the original game, the region was an optional destination, but the remake trilogy intends to give it a much more prominent role. The continued popularity of the Final Fantasy franchise demonstrates the enduring appeal of immersive world-building and character development.
Hamaguchi explained that Wutai will be “one of the main locations” in the third game. According to the director, the decision was also influenced by Yuffie’s expanded presence in the new series.
Recognizing that leaving Wutai out would likely frustrate fans, given the character’s strong attachment to her homeland throughout the narrative, the Square Enix team plans to transform the region into a central part of the final chapter’s world.
Exploration with the Highwind and classic locations
Another iconic element returning in the third game is the airship Highwind, a defining mechanic of the original title. In the classic game, the vehicle allowed players to freely explore the world map after obtaining it.
Hamaguchi stated that the remake intends to expand on this concept. Piloting the Highwind will be a key component of gameplay, suggesting a larger-scale exploration experience and potentially the return of space-related sequences.
Rocket Town, which has strong ties to the Highwind and its crew, will also appear in the final chapter. The city is known for its connection to the character Cid Highwind and his dreams of space travel.
Submarines, Chocobos and the initial area
Hamaguchi also previewed a few other elements that will be present in the game. Co-director Motomu Toriyama is overseeing the portion involving submarines, indicating that underwater exploration may play a role in the adventure.
Regarding Chocobos, another classic element of the series, Hamaguchi preferred to remain somewhat enigmatic. While he didn’t confirm the return of the original game’s breeding system, he suggested that the third title will feature a Chocobo-related mechanic different from what was seen in Rebirth.
Finally, the director indicated that the Great Glacier region may serve as the starting point for the final game, picking up the story where the previous chapter left off.
Development remains on track
Although the third chapter of the remake doesn’t yet have an official release date, Hamaguchi recently confirmed that development is progressing well. The game is reportedly already in a playable state and advancing according to the milestones established by the team at the project’s outset.
If this timeline holds, fans may not have to wait long for Square Enix to officially reveal the final chapter of its modern reimagining of Final Fantasy VII.
Source: Bloomberg
