Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Insights from the Development Team
After the release of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, I had the opportunity to speak with director Naoki Hamaguchi, producer Yoshinori Kitase, and creative director Tetsuya Nomura to get some answers to burning questions about the game. Here are some key insights:
Development Comparison: Rebirth vs. Remake
While Remake took around four years to develop, Rebirth, which is a larger game, had a relatively quick development cycle. This was made possible by the team’s experience working on the PlayStation 5-exclusive Intermission story expansion and Intergrade upgrade. The familiarity with the PS5 architecture allowed them to finish Rebirth within a similar timeframe, despite its larger scope.
The Story Coverage of Rebirth
Rebirth covers the story up to the end of the Forgotten Capital. However, it’s important to note that the events in Rebirth do not follow the same order or manner as the original game. The team has made significant changes to the story, offering a fresh experience for players.
Data Transfer from FFVII Remake
There is no shared progression or data transfer between any version of Remake and Rebirth. Players will not be able to bring over their gear and materia from the first game. However, players with Remake/Intergrade saved data will receive an unknown summon materia at the start of Rebirth.
Why Two Discs for Rebirth?
Rebirth is such a massive game that it couldn’t fit on a single disc. Square made the decision to split it between two discs, with 100GB on one disc and 50GB on the other. However, players won’t have to swap discs like in the original game. They will need to install the entire game by inserting both discs, and then only one disc will be needed to play the full game. This decision was made to preserve the team’s vision for the game and ensure it had the necessary content and ideas.
Expanded Mini-Games in Rebirth
The team has expanded and enhanced many of the original game’s mini-games in Rebirth. One specific mini-game mentioned is Rufus Shinra’s inauguration parade. Players will collect soldiers and arrange them, resulting in different versions of how the parade proceeds. The team wanted to take the original elements of the mini-game and elevate it to match the standards of today, offering a deeper and more fun experience for players.
What’s Up With Vincent?
Vincent Valentine, a popular character from the original game, will have a more significant role in Rebirth’s main story. However, he won’t be playable like other party members. Instead, he will accompany the party, similar to Red XIII in Remake. This decision was made to stay true to the original game, where Vincent joins the party later in the story. Players may have to wait until the third entry in the series to fully experience Vincent’s power.
These insights from the development team offer a glimpse into the thought process and decisions behind Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. With its larger scope, enhanced mini-games, and deeper story, Rebirth promises to deliver a fresh and immersive experience for fans of the series. The game launches on February 29 for PlayStation 5.