The Long Goodbye of Final Fantasy VII Revelation

The gaming world has been waiting for seven years and two console generations’ worth of work on the next installment in Square Enix’s Final Fantasy VII remake saga. On April 8, 2027, fans will finally get to see the culmination of this prolonged development process. However, as anticipation builds, it’s hard not to wonder if this trilogy is more about nostalgia than innovation.

One of the most striking aspects of these remakes is how they’ve deviated from the original game. Gone are the days of turn-based RPGs; instead, we’re getting real-time action systems that feel more at home in modern titles like God of War or The Last of Us. This shift may be a welcome change for some, but it’s also difficult to shake off the feeling that Square Enix is trying to balance paying homage to the classic Final Fantasy VII with creating something entirely new.

The remakes are not just about gameplay; they’re also incredibly lengthy. The first installment took around 50 hours to complete, which is roughly on par with a full-fledged RPG experience. By splitting the game into three parts and releasing them over seven years, Square Enix has essentially created a behemoth of a series that’s more akin to an epic fantasy novel than a video game.

This means fans will get to see the story of Final Fantasy VII in all its glory, with the final confrontation between Cloud and Sephiroth being the culmination of years’ worth of build-up. However, it also means they’ll be treated to more of the same – long gameplay sessions, backstories, character development – which may start to feel stale.

With the release of Final Fantasy VII Revelation, fans will have access to even more story content, new characters, and additional gameplay mechanics through DLCs. This raises questions about whether Square Enix is sacrificing quality for quantity or if these remakes are truly innovative.

The evolution (or devolution?) of remakes is a topic worth exploring. Some might argue that Square Enix is trying to have it both ways by paying homage to the classic game while creating something new. However, when released in 1997, Final Fantasy VII was itself heavily influenced by internal and external projects, making it a remake of sorts.

The business of remakes raises further questions about the value of “new” content and whether we’re really getting anything different or innovative. On one hand, remakes allow classic games to be experienced by new audiences and provide a revenue stream for developers. On the other hand, they also raise concerns about the gaming industry’s focus on nostalgia over innovation.

As fans wait for Final Fantasy VII Revelation to drop, whispers are already circulating about what comes next. With Square Enix’s announcement that a new Final Fantasy game is in development (rumored to be Final Fantasy Resonance), it’s clear that the company has no intention of slowing down.

But as fans, we have to ask ourselves: are these remakes truly worth the investment? Are they something new and exciting, or just more of the same old, same old? Only time will tell. With Final Fantasy VII Revelation on the horizon, one thing’s for sure: Square Enix is committed to keeping us engaged – even if it means taking a few risks along the way.

As we count down the days until April 8, 2027, it’s hard not to feel a sense of fatigue wash over us. Will Final Fantasy VII Revelation be a masterpiece or a misfire? One thing’s for sure: we’ll be watching with bated breath as this epic saga comes to an end.