How Square Enix Achieves Fast Sequels: Final Fantasy VII Remake Series Continues on Unreal Engine 4 for Nintendo Switch 2

Square Enix’s approach to Final Fantasy VII Remake development has garnered industry attention—not only for its ambitious reimagining of a legendary title but also for the studio’s impressive speed and consistency across releases.

Since first launching on PlayStation 4 in 2020, Final Fantasy VII Remake has seen timely sequels and successful ports, thanks largely to the consistent use of Unreal Engine 4 as its foundation.

With announcements of the next installment targeting platforms like the Nintendo Switch 2, Square Enix’s strategic technological choices are more relevant than ever. When the original Final Fantasy VII Remake debuted on PlayStation 4, Square Enix opted to use Unreal Engine 4, the then-latest engine from Epic Games.

For subsequent chapters in the saga, including the hotly anticipated Part 3, the developer has chosen to refine and continue with the same engine rather than upgrading to Unreal Engine 5.

In a recent interview with GameSpot, director Naoki Hamaguchi explained that although the team has customized Unreal Engine 4 extensively, sticking with familiar technology brings significant advantages.

“We continue to use Unreal Engine 4, tailoring it to our requirements and workflow.

Leveraging an engine that we deeply understand and have optimized for our needs is considerably more efficient for our multi-platform development,” Hamaguchi told GameSpot.

Changing engines at this stage, he noted, would require a substantial learning curve and could delay production, even if a new engine promised theoretical visual improvements. The benefits of a stable development environment have become especially obvious as Square Enix prepares new releases for next-generation hardware.

The company has confirmed that Final Fantasy VII Remake’s upcoming content is being actively tested on Nintendo Switch 2, with ongoing efforts to stabilize performance and frame rates.

This commitment to cross-platform launches ensures that the iconic series remains accessible to a wide audience, whether on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, or other supported systems. On the topic of the third entry in the trilogy, details about its title have generated significant curiosity within the gaming community.

While director Hamaguchi stopped short of revealing the official name, he clarified the process behind the decision, saying, “We narrowed naming options down to two main candidates, and ultimately, Mr.

Nomura made the final call after our return from Paris Games Week.

The title is now finalized.” This confirmation solidifies internal plans, as Square Enix continues to chart the future of its celebrated remake project. With continuing success—including strong sales milestones and critical acclaim for Final Fantasy VII Remake and its Intergrade edition on PlayStation consoles—Square Enix’s handling of engine technology and cross-platform optimization offers a noteworthy example for the wider industry.

As anticipation builds for the release of Part 3 on Nintendo Switch 2 and other platforms, the commitment to technical excellence and audience reach sets a high standard for major franchise development. For more updates on Final Fantasy VII Remake, future Nintendo Direct announcements, and eShop releases for Nintendo Switch 2, stay tuned to our coverage.