The announcement thatFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthwill not receive any downloadable content has left fans with mixed feelings.Game director Naoki Hamaguchi confirmed the decision, explaining that the development team is entirely focused on delivering the third and final part of the remake trilogy as quickly as possible. While this move ensures the team’s resources remain dedicated to completing the saga, it also means players won’t receive additional expansions to flesh out key characters or storylines introduced inRebirth.
Vincent Valentine, a fan-favorite character who makes an appearance inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth, stands to be both impacted and overlooked by this decision. While his role inRebirthis significant, he is not a playable character, and his deeper narrative potential remains untapped. Without DLC to explore his backstory or allow him the spotlight, questions arise about whether the trilogy’s final chapter can fully deliver on Vincent’s promise.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s Focus Leaves Questions Open
The decision to forgo DLC follows adeliberate strategy by the developers ofFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. UnlikeFinal Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade, which featured a Yuffie-focused expansion,Rebirthwill rely solely on its base game to deliver its narrative. Hamaguchi’s reasoning highlights a commitment to completing the trilogy with minimal distractions, a move that will likely benefit the overarching story but leaves characters like Vincent in a precarious position.
Vincent’s introduction inRebirthteases his importance without allowing players to engage with him on a deeper level.Players encounter Vincent in Chapter 11 ofRebirth, where he temporarily joins the party as a non-playable character. While his mysterious persona and connection to Sephiroth hint at greater involvement,Rebirth’slimited focus raises concerns about whether his storyline will receive the attention it deserves in the final game.
Vincent’s Final Fantasy 7 Backstory Could Enrich Part Three
Vincent Valentine’s backstory offers ample material for developers to expand upon, even without DLC. His narrative ties toDirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7, a third-person shooter released for the PlayStation 2, provide a wealth of lore that could enhance the trilogy’s conclusion. InDirge of Cerberus, Vincent battles the militant group Deepgroundwhile grappling with his role as the host of the Chaos gene and the bearer of Protomateria. These elements deepen his connection toFinal Fantasy 7’score themes of identity and redemption.
AlthoughDirge of Cerberusreceived mixed reviews due to its gameplay and pacing, its story gave fans a deeper understanding of Vincent’s tragic past and his ties to key figures like Sephiroth and Lucrecia Crescent. Incorporating these elements into the third installment of the remake could elevate Vincent’s role from an intriguing side character to a central figure. With no DLC to explore these threads, the onus falls entirely on part 3 to deliver a satisfying arc.
Could Final Fantasy 7’s Vincent Get Redemption?
If handled correctly, the absence ofDLC forRebirthmight actually work to Vincent’s advantage. Instead of relegating his story to an optional expansion, Square Enix has the opportunity to make him a fully playable character in the final game. This approach would align with the treatment Yuffie received inIntergrade, ensuring that Vincent’s character development occurs organically within the main narrative.
By making Vincent playable in part 3, the developers could dive into his combat potential and unique transformations, such as his Galian Beast form, while also exploring his personal struggles. His connection to Lucrecia, Sephiroth, and the Jenova Project makes him a key figure in the largerFinal Fantasy 7mythos. Revising his arc could also give the trilogy a fresh perspective on Vincent’s story, much like howZack Fair’s role was reimagined inFinal Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy.
The developers face a delicate balancing act. Without the additional time and resources that DLC could have provided, integrating Vincent’s story into part 3 will require careful planning. However, his fan-favorite status and narrative depth make him a character worth the effort, ensuring that his arc is as compelling as his original portrayal.
