The concluding chapter of the Final Fantasy VII Remake project, currently known as Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, has had its ending planned from the early stages of development, according to director Naoki Hamaguchi. He stated in an interview with VGC that both he and producer Yoshinori Kitase had a clear vision for the story's conclusion from the outset.
Hamaguchi expressed confidence in the team's crafted ending and anticipation for player reactions. While details of the conclusion remain undisclosed, the team is proceeding with their planned narrative direction. This approach contrasts with perceived uncertainty in other long-running series, where creators are sometimes thought to be improvising plot developments.
Regarding player feedback, Hamaguchi shared that the development team does not heavily incorporate public opinion into their design choices. He explained that attempting to cater to a median average of feedback, or to reconcile conflicting extreme opinions, could result in a product lacking distinct character or strong appeal. This philosophy extends to the game's content, including its numerous minigames, a feature that has drawn mixed reactions from players. Hamaguchi indicated that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will feature a similar, if not greater, number of minigames, aligning with his aim to maintain the game's unique identity.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth continues the narrative established in Final Fantasy VII Remake, with the Whispers playing a role in altering events from the original game. The third installment, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, is slated for release next year and will bring the remake trilogy to its planned conclusion.