Part 3 of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy may bring back the Highwind and, as a result, feature a “more expansive map.” While that’s far away, the sheer achievements ofFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthare undeniable, both as the hotly anticipated successor toFinal Fantasy 7 Remakeand as an entry in the groundbreaking remake trilogy of the original classic. Not only has the story interjected new elements to keep fans guessing, but it has closely followed the evolution of the classic game. Now,PC gamers will be able to check outFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthas well in January 2025.
This also marks an important moment in its development cycle. After the PC release, Square Enix will put its heads back down and continue to push forward with the third and final part of theFinal Fantasy 7remake trilogy. Game Rant recently spoke with Square Enix producer Yoshinori Kitase and director Naoki Hamaguchi at The Game Awards, both about the PC release andFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s role in the trilogy, and one hope expressed by both is that the PC version gives them momentum for the third part. As Kitase said, “We’re hoping that, with this PC version release, we can gain momentum, and we can continue that momentum until the conclusion of the trilogy. We’re hoping to carry those feelings that the players would have throughout, through until the conclusion.”
The beloved RPG is great about evoking emotions, with both developers talking about the players' reactions while playingFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthand how anticipation for one single moment carried a lot of fans forward. Then,Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthends with a dramatic beatthat leaves players hungry for more, so Square Enix shifting focus toPart 3only makes sense. But this momentum is important, as it also pertains to the evolution of theFinal Fantasy 7remake project.
The Highwind and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s Evolution
Final Fantasy 7 Remakeestablished the story and world, andRebirth expanded upon the world with open-world elements. The next step in that evolution is not only wrapping up the story set forth byFinal Fantasy 7 Remake, but expanding on that open-world emphasis ofRebirth. To facilitate that, the whole world needs to feel more alive than ever for the third part, withFF7 Rebirthcreative directorTetsuya Nomura previously indicating that Airship Travelwill return as part of that. Hamaguchi reiterated Nomura’s dedication to the Airship but also elaborated on how that would further evolve the trilogy:
We’re hoping that the players have seen the evolution of Final Fantasy 7, with Remake being more story-driven and then Rebirth having that sort of open field where you’re able to traverse freely. Then, we are interested in producing the Highwind, so in the third title, we’re hoping that it will allow for an even more expansive map and players will be able to experience that.
How exactly Airship Travel affects the world of Part 3 remains to be seen, but it seems safe to say there’s plenty of anticipation and momentum to carry Square Enix to the conclusion. Between the evolution of the trilogy, the high points left in the story, the further expansion of the world, the momentum of the PC release (which fans have clamored for since day one), andFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s place as one of thebest RPGs of 2024, it sounds like there are only good things to come.
