Square Enix explains why Final Fantasy VII is being remade as a trilogy

Final Fantasy VII-3

30 September 2025 by rawmeatcowboy 3

Nintendo fans didn’t get to experience the unbelievable Final Fantasy VII until it finally landed on Switch, decades after its initial release on the PlayStation 1. Now the fun continues on Switch 2 with the entire Final Fantasy VII REMAKE trilogy heading to the platform in the years to come. It all starts with REMAKE on Jan. 22nd, 2026, and then REBIRTH and Part 3 will follow sometime after.

Square Enix is using three separate games to retell the story of Final Fantasy VII, while the original was a singular game. Why did they decided to split the iconic entry in the Final Fantasy franchise into 3 installments? In an internal interview with Director Naoki Hamaguchi, we finally get to hear the reasoning.

The original FINAL FANTASY VII was incredibly ambitious in scale, from its storyline to the way its characters were shown and its expansive world. When it came to remaking it with modern technology and visuals, we felt that in order to do such a massive game justice, we should split the story into three thematic segments that align with the narrative.

The trilogy structure was perfect because it let us properly depict the growth of Cloud and his allies, the developing relationships between them, and the drama they face.

This first entry in the trilogy - FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE - is set in the closed environment of Midgar. It introduces the main character, Cloud and his allies, and the start of their journey.

The second game - FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - expands the world massively, and focuses on the relationships between Cloud and the other characters. These bonds deepen as their feelings collide and intertwine.

For the third and final part, which is currently in development, we are working to bring all the stories told so far together for an epic culmination that will leave a lasting impression on players!

[Director Naoki Hamaguchi] [Square Enix] Loading... Close Sign in or, Sign up

Most Upvoted

stephane_akumajou_fr

(Spaceballs 2) The quest for more money.

stephane_akumajou_fr

11M ago

(Spaceballs 2) The quest for more money.

marl0

11M ago

It's because it's not a remake. It's a sequel and each part is waaay longer than the original game. If they actually remade FF7 in its original form, they easily could have done it in one part.

jark

11M ago

It's not a sequel. Rebirth makes it more clear that Sephiroth has specific intentions for the group and the future of the world, but likely doesn't know what will happen; this is all in line with the original game. The only way this trilogy would've been a sequel is if he was a time-traveling agent, for which there is no longer any evidence to support that interpretation, which ran wild in the early days of Remake.

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