Spoiler alert: This interview contains mild spoilers for “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.” Naoki Hamaguchi, a veteran at Square Enix, has had a long journey with the Final Fantasy franchise. Starting as a real-time visual effects renderer in 2006 with “Final Fantasy XII,” Hamaguchi has climbed the ranks over the past 18 years. Inspired by “Final Fantasy VI,” he entered the gaming industry in 2003 after graduating from HAL Nagoya College of Technology & Design.
Now, at the helm of “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth,” Hamaguchi has received critical acclaim. The game, a part of the renowned RPG series, has achieved a Metacritic score of 92, ahead of its release. It has been praised by critics, with The Washington Post calling it “so good, it nearly wrecked my life.”
“Rebirth” is the second installment in the FFVII remake series, exclusively available on PlayStation 5. The game expands the original 1997 RPG into three distinct parts. In this sequel, protagonist Cloud Strife and his comrades venture beyond Midgar, the setting of the first game, in pursuit of the iconic antagonist Sephiroth. The journey is filled with lush environments and exploratory locales.
The remake trilogy aims to reimagine the original game across multiple parts. The first installment expanded the initial hours into a 40-hour adventure. “Rebirth” concludes at the end of the first disc, focusing on the pivotal chapter of the party’s journey to “The Forgotten Capital,” which determines the fate of Aerith Gainsborough.
Hamaguchi emphasized the significance of Aerith’s fate in the story and the anticipation surrounding it. With the player responses shaping future titles, the team is keen on creating engaging narratives. “Rebirth” introduces expansive regions, team-based combat abilities, item transmutation, and dynamic difficulty modes for enhanced gameplay experiences.
The playable cast is expanded with characters like Yuffie, Red XIII, and Cait Sith, with plans to include Cid and Vincent later on. Hamaguchi’s journey at Square Enix, challenges faced during “Rebirth,” and the philosophy behind the remake series were discussed in detail. Despite missing characters, the team is excited about potential future additions to keep players engaged.
While no DLC information was shared, the team aims to introduce new playable characters gradually to maintain player excitement. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
