After the conclusion of the first part of 'Final Fantasy VII Remake,' many fans speculated how much the new trilogy would alter the plot of the original PS1 game. 'Rebirth' has confirmed that Square Enix's developers have consistently strived to remain faithful to the original, while also planting several unexpected twists at the end of the second installment, leaving players uncertain about what comes next.
With all plotlines set to conclude in 'Rebirth,' this question can no longer be avoided. Just how much will this remake trilogy modify the classic story that players have cherished for decades?
"We have never altered the core story based on player feedback at any stage," Naoki Hamaguchi recently stated in an interview with Edge magazine (as reported by GamesRadar). "From the very beginning of the Remake series, we established our core theme, and each subsequent installment has been built around this theme without wavering."
He added, "It's not easy. I've always believed it's crucial never to let a masterpiece like 'Final Fantasy VII' become my personal fan fiction."
The remake trilogy introduces a grand meta-narrative element—ghosts known as 'Whispers' attempt to pull the timeline back to its predetermined fate—and fleshes out the world with extensive details. However, so far, the core storyline has not deviated significantly from the original.
Naoki Hamaguchi stated, "The real challenge isn't just adding elements that differ from the original or offering new interpretations. We constantly ask ourselves: Can what we're creating truly be called 'Final Fantasy VII Remake'?"
A fan-fiction approach would naturally satisfy fans' long-held expectations: saving all the main characters and delivering a 'happily ever after' ending, rather than the somewhat bleak and unresolved conclusion of the original. Modern games no longer design endings like the PS1 version of 'Final Fantasy VII' did.
To what extent can Naoki Hamaguchi and his team resist this creative impulse? We'll find out when the game officially launches early next year.