Square Enix commemorated the 29th anniversary of the iconic role-playing game Final Fantasy VII with a heartfelt message from long-time creative director Tetsuya Nomura.
The celebration arrived as Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade continues to capture the attention of RPG fans, especially with its availability on Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo eShop, reinforcing the franchise's legacy on Nintendo platforms. In a statement shared through official social channels, Nomura reflected on the creative journey that shaped one of the most influential games in history.
"This year marks the 29th anniversary of Final Fantasy VII, with the upcoming 30th year set to be an even greater milestone," he expressed.
Eager to mark the occasion, Nomura revisited early concept sketches and developer commentary from FFVII’s formative stages.
While much of the original material had previously surfaced in art books and retrospectives, Nomura aimed to share a new perspective.
Reposting previously unreleased early concept art, he elaborated that this is the first time fans are seeing this particular piece in its entirety, accompanied by detailed notes from the era. The revealed concept art, created during Final Fantasy VII's earliest storyboarding phases, features a prototype of protagonist Cloud Strife and a character known as "Johnny the Needle," who differs from the Johnny seen in the final release.
"Johnny the Needle’s characteristics would eventually help shape the character of Reno in the completed game," Nomura explained.
The concept also spotlights an early, unnamed Avalanche member on a staircase—demonstrating the project's evolving narrative and character design. Addressing gameplay evolution, Nomura highlighted that the original Final Fantasy VII envisioned dynamic battles unfolding amid the city’s three-dimensional environments—an idea technologically out of reach in the 1997 release.
"While that combat style was not possible then, the ongoing FFVII Remake series now achieves those ambitions using modern hardware," he detailed.
Nomura closed with an invitation for fans to continue experiencing the remake project, where innovative elements from early design documents are finally coming to life. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, which has shipped and sold over seven million copies worldwide, extends the narrative of ex-SOLDIER mercenary Cloud Strife as he joins the resistance group Avalanche in the industrial metropolis of Midgar.
Players confront the sinister Shinra Electric Power Company in a struggle for the planet’s future.
The Intergrade edition, now available both physically and digitally on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo eShop, features upgraded visuals and additional content. Among the highlights is the original side story "FF7R EPISODE INTERmission," where Wutai ninja Yuffie Kisaragi takes center stage during her secretive mission in Midgar.
This episodic expansion further enriches the Final Fantasy VII universe for veterans and newcomers alike. With Square Enix and Tetsuya Nomura’s commitment to honoring FFVII’s history while pushing the boundaries of modern game development, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Nintendo Switch stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of a genre-defining masterpiece.
The celebration arrived as Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade continues to capture the attention of RPG fans, especially with its availability on Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo eShop, reinforcing the franchise's legacy on Nintendo platforms. In a statement shared through official social channels, Nomura reflected on the creative journey that shaped one of the most influential games in history.
"This year marks the 29th anniversary of Final Fantasy VII, with the upcoming 30th year set to be an even greater milestone," he expressed.
Eager to mark the occasion, Nomura revisited early concept sketches and developer commentary from FFVII’s formative stages.
While much of the original material had previously surfaced in art books and retrospectives, Nomura aimed to share a new perspective.
Reposting previously unreleased early concept art, he elaborated that this is the first time fans are seeing this particular piece in its entirety, accompanied by detailed notes from the era. The revealed concept art, created during Final Fantasy VII's earliest storyboarding phases, features a prototype of protagonist Cloud Strife and a character known as "Johnny the Needle," who differs from the Johnny seen in the final release.
"Johnny the Needle’s characteristics would eventually help shape the character of Reno in the completed game," Nomura explained.
The concept also spotlights an early, unnamed Avalanche member on a staircase—demonstrating the project's evolving narrative and character design. Addressing gameplay evolution, Nomura highlighted that the original Final Fantasy VII envisioned dynamic battles unfolding amid the city’s three-dimensional environments—an idea technologically out of reach in the 1997 release.
"While that combat style was not possible then, the ongoing FFVII Remake series now achieves those ambitions using modern hardware," he detailed.
Nomura closed with an invitation for fans to continue experiencing the remake project, where innovative elements from early design documents are finally coming to life. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, which has shipped and sold over seven million copies worldwide, extends the narrative of ex-SOLDIER mercenary Cloud Strife as he joins the resistance group Avalanche in the industrial metropolis of Midgar.
Players confront the sinister Shinra Electric Power Company in a struggle for the planet’s future.
The Intergrade edition, now available both physically and digitally on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo eShop, features upgraded visuals and additional content. Among the highlights is the original side story "FF7R EPISODE INTERmission," where Wutai ninja Yuffie Kisaragi takes center stage during her secretive mission in Midgar.
This episodic expansion further enriches the Final Fantasy VII universe for veterans and newcomers alike. With Square Enix and Tetsuya Nomura’s commitment to honoring FFVII’s history while pushing the boundaries of modern game development, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Nintendo Switch stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of a genre-defining masterpiece.
