Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Director Naoki Hamaguchi Discusses Future Beyond Trilogy

At the recent Golden Joystick Awards, acclaimed news outlet The Daily Star spoke with Naoki Hamaguchi, the director behind Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the second part of Square Enix’s ambitious remake trilogy.

With the Final Fantasy VII Remake project capturing the imagination of RPG fans worldwide and establishing itself as a modern classic on platforms such as PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, the attention now turns toward what’s next for both the series and its visionary team. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which launched in early 2024, continues an epic reimagining of the beloved 1997 classic, offering expanded storylines and state-of-the-art visuals powered by Square Enix’s development prowess.

As the second entry in the series, Rebirth has received critical praise for its storytelling, character depth, and gameplay innovation, cementing the remake trilogy as a standout within the JRPG genre. In the interview, Naoki Hamaguchi reaffirmed that his focus remains firmly set on the upcoming third and final chapter of the remake series.

"My current priority is to ensure the Remake Chapter 3 is released as soon as possible so fans can complete this journey," he explained.

However, Hamaguchi also expressed a profound enthusiasm for the broader Final Fantasy universe, stating, “After the trilogy wraps up, I’m eager to delve deeper into other narratives within the franchise.

There’s significant demand to bring different stories, characters, and parts of the world into the spotlight, and I would be interested in approaching these elements from fresh perspectives.” This openness to future projects after the remake trilogy showcases the enduring legacy and creative potential of the Final Fantasy series.

Square Enix’s ongoing determination to explore new and untapped areas of its iconic franchise continues to excite its global fanbase, with Hamaguchi at the helm of these initiatives.

With over 180 million units sold worldwide across the entire Final Fantasy series as of 2024, including record-breaking figures for Final Fantasy VII Remake, the appetite for more content remains strong. The Final Fantasy VII Remake project has not only revitalized the original for a new generation but has also set new benchmarks for narrative-driven role-playing games.

As anticipation grows for the trilogy’s conclusion and potentially new adventures beyond, fans can look forward to Square Enix pushing the boundaries of storytelling and gameplay within the legendary Final Fantasy universe.

Final Fantasy Final Fantasy VII Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Naoki Hamaguchi Square Enix Golden Joystick Awards Final Fantasy series Rebirth