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Final Fantasy VII Remake a Trilogy and to Feature Changes

Chris-Howlett 90 Comments

We have already heard that Final Fantasy VII: Remake would likely be a multi-part series. But until now, fans and writers alike have only been able to speculate about what that would mean. The added side comments from Square-Enix stating that there would be some changes to accommodate the near 20 year gap between now and the release of the original has also caused a varied response.

Well now, thanks to a recent article in Game Informer focusing primarily on Final Fantasy XV , we now have a little bit of extra news, thanks to the piliaging efforts of NeoGAF user, Philippo , which perhaps won't come as a complete surprise.

Using the model of Final Fantasy XIII' s full-length trilogy, the team is planning on preparing 3 separate full length titles to contribute to the retelling. More specifically, they are aiming at each story to be a full scale 30+ hour RPG.

Whether those hours refer to story length from simply running straight through main missions or if that includes all side missions is still a mystery. Come to think of it, whether or not this game even includes side missions is still a mystery!

The other piece we've learned is that Kitase, Nomura, and Nojima have heard concerns about the supposed "changes" that they've propsed. They elected to clarify that they aren't changing everything, but that since they all worked on the original title, they feel they have the right to change whatever they want "while still making fans happy".

Lastly, although they weren't willing to give an estimate on a release date, they stated that they fully plan on each iteration of the remakes to have MUCH shorter development cycles than XV.

Well… that last part is certainly good news… although if you want to nitpick, that could still mean something close to 8 years.

What do you think? Is that basically more or less what you expected in regards to the 3 full-length games? I suppose it could work well like the .hack games of old. And perhaps it will make it more likely to leave less story on the cutting room floor.

On the other hand, are you nervous about the "changes"? Or do you have full faith in the three all-star developers who brought us the original in the first place?

Related Game(s): Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VII: Remake

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FFVII Remake: “Fully Voiced,” Unsure If It’ll Be Open-World

Ben-Dutka 21 Comments

Well, of course it's going to feature voice performances.

Final Fantasy VII Remake director Tetsuya Nomura and producer Yoshinori Kitase recently spoke to Japanese publication Dengeki PlayStation (as translated by Gematsu ), and the two offered a few juicy new details on the hotly anticipated project.

First and foremost, Nomura confirmed that it will be "fully voiced." He added that they haven't settled on the voices of the characters "that weren't in 'Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children," which certainly implies that those particular voice actors will reprise their roles in the Remake . Secondly, Kitase responded to a question about the dating events being voiced:

"It would be impossible not to. [Laughs.] However, since it's different from that time and social situation, we need [to] implement the reproduction of original events carefully."

Then there came the all-important question of structure; i.e., will this be open-world/sandbox like just about every other major new project in existence? Well, Kitase wouldn't confirm one way or the other and instead said they're more focused on the iconic backdrop:

"We can't say anything yet, but we don't plan on fussing about whether it's a so-called open-world or sandbox. But since Nomura is more focused on the creation of the scenery, we want to express an environment [where] character actions affect the scenery."

Lastly, the duo said they plan to include the mini-games from FFVII that "remain favorable among fans," although we do question how they determine which mini-games are actually the most popular. Me, I want snowboarding back.

As for the rest of it, I have no comment. The PSXE community is almost split on the matter, with the slight majority believing the FFVII Remake will end up being an "absolute masterpiece." …even if not everyone is the biggest fan of the episodic treatment and the possibility of paying $180 for the entire game.

Related Game(s): Final Fantasy VII Remake

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PSXE Poll Update: FFVII Remake Might Be A Work Of Art

Ben-Dutka 6 Comments

The controversy remains at a fever pitch and will likely remain that way for some time.

From the "multi-part" plan to that oft-discussed new gameplay trailer , the arguments seem endless. But PSXE readers remain hopeful.

Our most recent poll was very close, but the majority of participants say the Final Fantasy VII Remake will be an "absolute masterpiece." Almost as many say it'll be "great, but not as good as the original," and a good many claim it'll be nothing but a "colossal disappointment." As expected, there appear to be plenty of fans in every camp but at least, for the time being, the outlook can be considered optimistic. Are you more or less optimistic after that admittedly poorly translated update …?

Anyway, it's time to start our voting for the reader's choice for PSXE's Game of the Year. You've got 10 choices there and the top 5 will make it into the second and final round, and the title receiving the most votes at the end of that round will be the winner. So, which game gets it? One of the PS4 exclusives; Bloodborne or Everybody's Gone to the Rapture ? Or one of the massive blockbusters like Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain or Fallout 4 ? Vote now!

Related Game(s): Final Fantasy VII Remake

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Let’s All Try To Interpret This Fresh Batch Of FFVII Remake Info

Ben-Dutka 20 Comments

How is the Final Fantasy VII Remake shaping up?

Well, if you want to pick through a particularly wonky translation of a recent Japanese interview with Square Enix bosses Nomura and Kitase (which will debut in this week's Famitsu issue), go right ahead.

Well, let's see: It appears Square Enix wants to add some depth and dimension to various parts of the game, as we already knew. They've said that given the sheer size and scope of this project, they've adopted a "multi-part" series concept. According to this new info, that includes fleshing out the infamous Shinra trio of Rude, Reno and Elena, and it also involves a greatly expanded Midgar section. There should also be a bigger emphasis on Cloud's early allies; Biggs, Wedge and Jessie.

As for tech, we know they're using Unreal Engine 4 for the production, and now they say they're working with the Kingdom Hearts team as well. Considering the type of gameplay they're using, that's no surprise. It's also no surprise to hear that we'll be able to switch between our three party members during combat. Speaking of which, here's the screwy translation concerning the fighting:

"Battle system action closer. Crisis Core and will be different at all. AC version of the DFF and KH as action color also not · ATB system strongly. However, it is not intended that the attack in order Once the gauge is accumulated, it can not be said to be, details change the name of the · ATB that is a system that leads to action resistance, but there is that ATB gauge is red, in the fact that attention"

So, what do you make of it?

Related Game(s): Final Fantasy VII Remake

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Kitase Keeps Defending FFVII Remake’s Multi-Part Plan

Ben-Dutka 47 Comments

When it was revealed that the anticipated Final Fantasy VII Remake would be released in episodic format , or what Square Enix called a "multi-part series," the fans were miffed.

To say the least.

But franchise mainstay Yoshinori Kitase has come to the project's defense since, once just after the PlayStation Experience (where Square Enix debuted a new controversial trailer ), and now again on the Square Enix Blog . Kitase directed the original FFVII release and now says they intend to "go beyond the story, world, and experience of Final Fantasy 7 in ways we've always dreamed of." He claims this is a chance to expand the story and make it something both "fans and new gamers alike" will want to play.

Kitase also restated his stance that if they attempted to fit everything into the original in one installment, it wouldn't work:

"We would have to cut various parts and create a condensed version of Final Fantasy 7. We knew none of you would have wanted that … I hope that by explaining a little more about our design decisions that you can appreciate the size of this project and what we have planned for this remake."

He finished by saying they "like delivering surprises." …yeah, well, that's the thing, Kitase: A lot of these fans have no interest in "surprises" when we're dealing with a remake of a beloved classic. Breaking apart an adventure and story that was never designed for such treatment sounds like a terrible idea to me. And it's still ridiculous to claim that one of the shortest (and smallest) FFs ever made in the 3D realm wouldn't fit into one modern installment. I still say they did this – this "expanded take" – so they could charge more overall.

Which brings us back to the question: How much are you willing to pay for the entire Final Fantasy VII Remake saga?

Related Game(s): Final Fantasy VII Remake

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Will The FFVII Remake Overshadow Final Fantasy XV In 2016?

Ben-Dutka 19 Comments

Yes, I'm well aware Final Fantasy VII Remake won't launch in 2016.

But the point is, that game will continue to make headlines until it's released and in the meantime, one wonders if the next entry in the franchise, Final Fantasy XV , will actually take a back seat to a game that isn't even out yet.

As it is, people will be arguing about that fresh trailer and the episodic news through the end of the year. It seems like any time Square Enix releases any details concerning the project, the Internet just explodes. Perhaps rightfully so, as it seems to many die-hard fans of the epic RPG classic that once again, Square Enix developers are going to muck up another FF production and in so doing, break hearts yet again.

But let's not forget that we're supposed to get a release date announcement for FFXV in March and Square Enix has already promised it'll launch in 2016. If you count back to the first time Final Fantasy Versus XIII was revealed back in 2006, that will mean the game has been in development (on and off and in various stages, granted) for over a decade. Well, whatever. It's coming and it almost seems like we've forgotten about it amid the FFVII hoopla. And the more we learn about the latter, the more the forums and message boards will light up.

Perhaps it's just a ploy by the publisher to drive up interest in the franchise, as sales took a steep dive during the FFXIII trilogy (look them up; they're comical). Is it feasible that the FFVII remake might actually have a positive impact on FFXV sales…? Hell, looks like they're using similar combat mechanics (a lot of flash and not much brain, as far as I can tell), so if you like one, you might like the other. What do you think?

Related Game(s): Final Fantasy VII Remake, Final Fantasy XV

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