Naoki Hamaguchi: Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 Will Balance Story Pacing and Fan Expectations
- ⚡Xe⚡
- 1 minute ago
- 5 min read
At Brazil Game Show 2025, Naoki Hamaguchi discussed the series’ design philosophy, pacing, and Square Enix’s future approach in interviews with Screen Rant and TheGamer.
Hamaguchi joined Square Enix in 2006 after being inspired by Final Fantasy VI. His early credits include Final Fantasy XIII and Mobius Final Fantasy, and he later became co-director of Final Fantasy VII Remake in 2015. He now leads the trilogy alongside Nomura and Motomu Toriyama.
“I think it's important for new game creators, including myself, to work in an environment where they can direct their games. However, there is a culture and tradition of Final Fantasy, and I think that [long-time Square Enix producers Tetsuya Nomura and Yoshinori Kitase], who have been involved in Final Fantasy for a long time, have a good relationship with me, and I think that's the key to creating great games.
“As a fan, not only for Final Fantasy, but for Square Enix too, I was very excited to start working there. Having contact with all the legends made me grow as a creator and it really impacted me to get better and better.”
Hamaguchi explained that the Remake trilogy’s hybrid battle system evolved from the original Final Fantasy VII’s turn-based foundation, blending tactical command inputs with real-time action mechanics. He credited Battle Director Teruki Endo, known for Monster Hunter: World, as a key figure behind the combat’s balance.
“The foundation of it all is the original Final Fantasy VII, a turn-based game. However, we do draw inspiration from many action-based games that require you to think tactically about how you battle and position yourself.”
“I believe that finding the balance between the original game’s turn-based system with Endo’s expertise in action-based combat is what made Final Fantasy VII Remake’s combat system so beloved by players.”
He also confirmed that the Stagger system was inspired by Final Fantasy XIII, reflecting his experience on that title.
Responding to fan discussions about pacing in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Hamaguchi said the development team is mindful of player feedback as they finalize the trilogy’s conclusion. He disagreed that sections like Costa del Sol were overly long but acknowledged that perceptions of pacing have changed.
“Regarding time management in certain sections, especially in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, I honestly don’t believe that they were longer than necessary. I feel like nowadays, players just have too much to do and too much to play; so they often feel the urge that something has to be concluded quickly.”
He added that Part 3’s story structure is being adjusted to create a more concise narrative experience.
“As we work on the conclusion to the trilogy, we are striking a balance on how story arcs are told and spread out so as to ensure that the game feels a bit more concise.”
One notable example is Rocket Town, a location originally planned for Rebirth but now moved to Part 3 to improve story flow.
“From the actual storyline of the original game, there was a flow of the Rocket Town in Rebirth. To move that to the third installment, when you look at the storyline of the Remake series, you can see that it changes the relationship between the two [games]. But basically, I want to make all of the elements and essence of the original game come true in this Remake Project.”
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade launches for Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2 on January 22. Hamaguchi attributed the company’s shift to a multi-platform strategy to Square Enix’s new CEO, Takashi Kiryu.
“As a creator, we can't really decide what console platforms we put our games on because it's also based on a company decision. At this time the company has changed to a new CEO [Takashi Kiryu], and he has the multi-platform strategy for content, so based on his decision we were able to follow this direction.”
“Personally, as a creator, we want as many players to play the game in the most optimal and comfortable environments for them, so to see this multi-platform strategy being adopted by Square Enix is truly wonderful.”
When asked about the future of the Final Fantasy series, Hamaguchi said the choice between action-based or turn-based combat systems will depend entirely on each director’s creative vision, not on a company-wide directive.
“Essentially for the Final Fantasy numbered series, the game design is based on the director's decision himself. For the new title, whether it's action or turn-based, that’s not pre-determined yet.”
"If you would ask me, is [my next game] going to be an RPG, yes, there is definitely a possibility. But is it going to be a turn-based RPG? We're taking this aside from the fact that Expedition 33 was received well, we received a lot of 'JRPGs are back' comments. For me, I’m thinking about what game experience that fans will enjoy. That’s the most important point."
“I’m not just gonna make a game and say, ‘I’m making a turn-based game, or an action-based game’. It can go either way. What’s most important is finding out what game design will appeal to the fans.”
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About FINAL FANTASY VII
First released in 1997 on the PlayStation® computer entertainment system, FINAL FANTASY VII celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2022. The game is universally regarded as a hallmark title of the RPG genre. The original title received high praise for its epic storyline, unique characters, and movie sequences that utilized the most cutting-edge technology of the time. Since then, the game revolving around iconic hero, Cloud Strife and his pursuit of the antagonist Sephiroth has sold over 15.3 million copies worldwide and continues to receive widespread acclaim from critics and fans around the world. The popular game has even expanded into spin-offs, films and merchandise.
Now, Square Enix’s FINAL FANTASY VII remake project created by a team of original and new developers, retells the story of the genre-redefining RPG across three distinct, and standalone games. The first game of the trilogy, FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE is now available on the PC and the PS5® and PS4® consoles, will be available on Jan. 22, 2026 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Nintendo Switch™ 2 platforms. FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, the second game in the trilogy, has been praised by both players and critics across the globe, earning more than 125 perfect scores from media and 40 Game of the Year awards, and is available now for PC and the PS5® console.