Square Enix has delivered highly anticipated news for fans of one of gaming’s most celebrated franchises.
Naoki Hamaguchi, director of the Final Fantasy VII Remake series, has officially confirmed that development on the third entry in the acclaimed trilogy is proceeding "very smoothly." This announcement arrives as particularly welcome news, especially as Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 is slated for a broader multi-platform launch, including release on the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2. The Final Fantasy VII Remake project, which began with the 2020 launch on PlayStation 4 and continued with the critically acclaimed Final Fantasy VII Rebirth in February 2024, has set new standards in modern reinterpretation of classic JRPGs.
With Square Enix maintaining strong sales and a passionate fanbase, anticipation for the trilogy’s conclusion is higher than ever, particularly among Nintendo enthusiasts eager to experience the epic on the next-generation Switch hardware. In a recent interview, director Naoki Hamaguchi provided insights into the team’s technical choices that have kept production on track.
Reframing his remarks, Hamaguchi highlighted that sticking with Unreal Engine 4 across the trilogy, rather than transitioning to Unreal Engine 5, was a strategic decision vital to meeting development milestones.
He noted that while Unreal Engine 5 introduces advanced features, such as the Lumen lighting system and Nanite for finer graphical detail—the hallmarks of modern visual technology—adopting it mid-project during its early release phase could have exposed the team to unforeseen delays. "The key reasons for staying with Unreal Engine 4 were stability and continuity," explained Hamaguchi.
"While next-gen features are appealing, integrating them could have risked our progress, as Unreal Engine 5 was still maturing when development began.
By using our in-house graphics pipeline within UE4, we could optimize performance and streamline porting efforts to multiple platforms, including the Nintendo Switch 2." This focus on reliability and platform flexibility also played a role in Square Enix’s ability to confirm Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 for the Nintendo Switch 2 alongside other major platforms.
With the Switch 2 anticipated to bring significant hardware advancements and a growing roster of AAA titles, the decision to maintain a unified engine ensures that the game can be optimized efficiently for different user experiences across consoles. The Final Fantasy VII Remake series has been a cornerstone of Square Enix’s modern lineup, amassing critical acclaim and strong sales.
As the third installment progresses towards release, Hamaguchi reassured fans to "look forward to technological evolution" within the game, signaling enhancements while staying true to the remake’s vision. Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 is shaping up to be another showcase of Square Enix’s commitment to technical excellence and cultivated storytelling, leveraging tried-and-true tools to deliver a seamless experience for a global audience and promising a landmark release for the Nintendo Switch 2 and beyond.
Naoki Hamaguchi, director of the Final Fantasy VII Remake series, has officially confirmed that development on the third entry in the acclaimed trilogy is proceeding "very smoothly." This announcement arrives as particularly welcome news, especially as Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 is slated for a broader multi-platform launch, including release on the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2. The Final Fantasy VII Remake project, which began with the 2020 launch on PlayStation 4 and continued with the critically acclaimed Final Fantasy VII Rebirth in February 2024, has set new standards in modern reinterpretation of classic JRPGs.
With Square Enix maintaining strong sales and a passionate fanbase, anticipation for the trilogy’s conclusion is higher than ever, particularly among Nintendo enthusiasts eager to experience the epic on the next-generation Switch hardware. In a recent interview, director Naoki Hamaguchi provided insights into the team’s technical choices that have kept production on track.
Reframing his remarks, Hamaguchi highlighted that sticking with Unreal Engine 4 across the trilogy, rather than transitioning to Unreal Engine 5, was a strategic decision vital to meeting development milestones.
He noted that while Unreal Engine 5 introduces advanced features, such as the Lumen lighting system and Nanite for finer graphical detail—the hallmarks of modern visual technology—adopting it mid-project during its early release phase could have exposed the team to unforeseen delays. "The key reasons for staying with Unreal Engine 4 were stability and continuity," explained Hamaguchi.
"While next-gen features are appealing, integrating them could have risked our progress, as Unreal Engine 5 was still maturing when development began.
By using our in-house graphics pipeline within UE4, we could optimize performance and streamline porting efforts to multiple platforms, including the Nintendo Switch 2." This focus on reliability and platform flexibility also played a role in Square Enix’s ability to confirm Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 for the Nintendo Switch 2 alongside other major platforms.
With the Switch 2 anticipated to bring significant hardware advancements and a growing roster of AAA titles, the decision to maintain a unified engine ensures that the game can be optimized efficiently for different user experiences across consoles. The Final Fantasy VII Remake series has been a cornerstone of Square Enix’s modern lineup, amassing critical acclaim and strong sales.
As the third installment progresses towards release, Hamaguchi reassured fans to "look forward to technological evolution" within the game, signaling enhancements while staying true to the remake’s vision. Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 is shaping up to be another showcase of Square Enix’s commitment to technical excellence and cultivated storytelling, leveraging tried-and-true tools to deliver a seamless experience for a global audience and promising a landmark release for the Nintendo Switch 2 and beyond.
