The creators of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth enjoy discussing its ending.

This year has been significant for the Final Fantasy saga, as is often the case in most years, given that the RPG series always brings new developments, whether they are new releases or updates for Final Fantasy XIV. However, what set 2023 apart was the release of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Launched in February, this second part of Square Enix's ambitious remake trilogy took some of the most peculiar moments from the 1997 Final Fantasy VII and adapted them outstandingly. The story it offers is both absurd and deeply moving, addressing the theme of loss, which resonated with players, earning a nomination for Game of the Year at the Game Awards. Although it did not win the main prize, which went to Astro Bot, Rebirth was recognized for its outstanding soundtrack, and Square Enix announced a PC port during the ceremony.

With such a busy year practically in the rearview mirror, the creators of Rebirth, Naoki Hamaguchi and Yoshinori Kitase, reflected on the project's success in a recent interview. This moment of calm came after a busy period of work to finally assess how the team managed to materialize the vision they had conceived even before finishing the 2020 remake. While fans seemed to enjoy the game, there was a question of whether it truly met its creators’ expectations, and the answer was a resounding yes.

Looking back, Hamaguchi shared that before they completed the development of Remake, they already had a clear idea of the experience they wanted to offer with Rebirth. The world's structure and the level of player freedom were already defined at that time, demonstrating that the game's vision remained close to what they had initially planned. Moreover, the narrative approach remained fundamentally unchanged, focusing on the team's journey to the outcome of Aerith, delving deeper into the dynamics between the characters. Hamaguchi mentioned that the theme of bonds was crucial in allowing players to connect emotionally with the narrative.

A key moment in the plot is Aerith's death, which occurs shockingly halfway through the original Final Fantasy VII. This event becomes an unforgettable moment, and the Rebirth team was aware of the importance of providing their own interpretation of this iconic scene. The goal was to generate emotional complexity, making both the protagonist and players confront the notion of loss.

The combination of emotional moments with touches of quirky humor contributed to Rebirth's uniqueness. Instead of omitting the more bizarre elements of the original, such as the amusement park or the character Cait Sith, the team made an effort to keep the original comedy intact. The passion they felt for the classic Final Fantasy VII was fundamental to its development, facilitating the creation of adorable moments, such as how Red XIII interacts with a Chocobo.

Although Rebirth has left players satisfied in many respects, its conclusion has garnered divided opinions. Some consider it a powerful reflection on grief, while others see it as an excessive attempt to rewrite a classic ending. Hamaguchi acknowledges the varied reactions, pointing out that the ambiguity is intentional and aims to create intrigue for the trilogy's third installment.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth presents a narrative that addresses loss, but its team still has the mission to complete the trilogy. What is relevant is the interest sparked in players to discover the outcome of this mystery-filled journey. The video game is already available on PS5 and will arrive on PC on January 23, 2025.