The cult classic PlayStation RPG Xenogears may never see a remake, according to Final Fantasy VII Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi. The game, which originated from a proposal for Final Fantasy VII, remains a fan favorite but has not been playable on modern hardware since its digital release on PlayStation 3, and will become entirely inaccessible once the PS3 and Vita stores shut down in 2027.
When asked about the possibility of a Xenogears remake, Hamaguchi admitted he had not replayed the game since its initial release. "Remaking something that came from that era, as an experienced person who has gone through the Remake series, sounds like a tough game to make," he stated in an interview with FinalWeapon.net. He also expressed surprise that a reference to Xenogears exists in Final Fantasy VII Revelation, attributing its inclusion to original staff members like Yoshinori Kitase or Kazuyuki Nojima.
The prospect of a Xenogears remake faces significant hurdles. Similar to discussions around a potential Final Fantasy VI remake, the scope and effort required for a modern reimagining in the vein of Final Fantasy VII Remake are immense. While such an undertaking could honor the game's legacy, the tone of Hamaguchi's comments suggests Square Enix may not have immediate plans for a remake or even other forms of revisiting the title.
Xenogears is remembered for its ambitious storytelling and unique mechanics, despite its infamously abrupt shift to a visual novel format for its second disc. The game's original director, Tetsuya Takahashi, now leads Monolith Soft at Nintendo, where he has guided the Xeno series through multiple entries and consoles. A remake without Monolith Soft's involvement is difficult to imagine, yet a collaboration between Square Enix and Nintendo on a game with Xenogears's cult following, potentially exclusive to Nintendo hardware, seems unlikely given the resources required.
Fans are holding out hope for at least an HD port to bring Xenogears to current platforms and PC. However, Square Enix's inconsistent track record with remasters, coupled with the release of titles like SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered before an HD Xenogears, offers little reassurance. The anticipation for an HD remaster of Vagrant Story also remains unfulfilled.
A more ambitious dream for some fans is a comprehensive Xeno collection, including the Xenosaga trilogy alongside Xenogears. Rumors of Nintendo acquiring the rights to Xenosaga from Bandai Namco earlier this year have fueled speculation about such a possibility, given Nintendo's close ties with Monolith Soft. The greatest tragedy, many feel, would be to see other Xeno titles made available on modern consoles while Xenogears remains inaccessible. In the interim, an unofficial PC port effort is reportedly underway.