The upcoming third installment in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake series will diverge from its predecessors` PlayStation exclusivity, embracing a multiplatform launch. This expanded release strategy, which includes development for various consoles and PC, is not anticipated to impede the game`s production schedule, according to Square Enix.
Naoki Hamaguchi, director of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, affirmed that dedicated teams are assigned to each platform, ensuring the multiplatform strategy does not affect development. He did, however, concede that Square Enix encountered hurdles optimizing Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for Xbox Series X|S, primarily due to what he described as `lack of memory` on the console.
Hamaguchi elaborated on the Xbox challenges, stating, “Regarding the Xbox version, much like other publishers, we observed certain issues stemming from insufficient memory when compared to other platforms.”
Hamaguchi expressed optimism regarding the progress of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth`s upcoming Switch 2 version. Square Enix engineers are actively engaged in optimizing the game for both docked and handheld play on Nintendo`s console, with a particular emphasis on enhancing lighting to elevate the overall visual fidelity.
Although release dates for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S remain undisclosed, the initial game in the series, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade, is set to arrive on these consoles on January 22. This version will introduce an optional progression boost designed to significantly ease gameplay, a feature that will also be patched into the PC and PS5 versions later.
Development of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 is underway. Despite the less-than-expected sales performance of Rebirth, Hamaguchi assured fans that the trilogy will culminate in a “proper, high-quality” finale. While the third part has not yet been formally unveiled, Final Fantasy producer Tetsuya Nomura recently confirmed that Square Enix has a precise timeline for its official announcement.