Summary
- Square Enix should end the complex Final Fantasy 7 Remake approach after Part 3 for time's sake.
- Future remakes should follow a simpler path to avoid losing veteran fans due to prolonged development timelines.
- Departing from the Remake format might allow future remakes to be more faithful to classic Final Fantasy games.
As the trend for video game remakes continues and many of those remakes find themselves failing to deliver, Final Fantasy 7 Remake and its sequel, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, are undoubtedly some of the best examples of what a video game remake is supposed to be. While these two games have taken plenty of liberties in certain areas in order to offer players a more modern experience, they are still both celebrated for their effortless ability to breathe fresh life into what is widely considered the best Final Fantasy game of all time. Even so, despite the glowing reputation of these titles, Square Enix might want to consider a different route for future remakes.
After seeing what Square Enix has been able to accomplish with Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, it would be perfectly understandable for one to desire more of the same when it comes to other beloved games in the Final Fantasy franchise. However, there remains an argument for the approach that Square Enix has taken with remaking Final Fantasy 7 to come to an end once the third and final entry of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy has been released. Specifically, for time's sake and for the sake of remaining as faithful as possible to classic Final Fantasy games, future remakes should tread a different path.
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Square Enix's Final Fantasy 7 Remake Approach Should End After Part 3
Future Final Fantasy Remakes Should Adopt a Simpler Approach for Time's Sake
Firstly, it would be wise for Square Enix to leave the Final Fantasy 7 Remake approach behind for future remakes simply for time's sake. If the developer were to use the same method for future Final Fantasy remakes, many of the series' veteran fans might be long gone by the time their favorite installment is remade. For context, Final Fantasy 7 Remake was released in 2020, with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth following it in 2024. If the same timeline applies for the third entry in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, it won't arrive until 2028 at the latest.
For time's sake and for the sake of remaining as faithful as possible to classic Final Fantasy games, future remakes should tread a different path.
After that, the first installment of the next Final Fantasy remake potentially wouldn't launch until 2032, with the final entry in that trilogy being released in 2040. Not only would that be 15 years from now, that would still only see one additional Final Fantasy remake made, and since there are plenty of Final Fantasy games worthy of a remake — like Final Fantasy 6, Final Fantasy 8, and Final Fantasy 9 — the Final Fantasy 7 Remake approach to developing these games would just take far too long.
Future Final Fantasy Remakes Might Benefit From More Faithfulness
Another reason Square Enix might want to consider leaving the Final Fantasy 7 Remake format behind is slight criticism the first two games of the trilogy have received for their deviations from the original game. For example, both Final Fantasy 7 Remake and its sequel have taken notable liberties when it comes to the original game's narrative by altering key plot points, and they have also portrayed the original Final Fantasy 7's characters and their relationships with one another in a different life, resulting in some heated debates among fans of the franchise.
If Square Enix were to depart from the Final Fantasy 7 Remake format, it might make it easier for remakes to remain more faithful to their classic counterparts. Of course, many Final Fantasy 7 newcomers have likely not had much to hold against the remakes due to their lack of a history with the original game, which is something Square Enix has certainly had to consider when developing the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy. Nevertheless, there is more than enough reason for the next Final Fantasy remake (assuming there will be one) to approach its development in a way that produces a better representation of the original experience it intends to overhaul.
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Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
RPG
Systems
-
- Top Critic Rating: 93/100 Critics Recommend: 99%
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5
- Released
- February 29, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- How Long To Beat
- 40 Hours
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- PC Release Date
- January 23, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- February 29, 2024
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