Final Fantasy VII Revelation, the third and final installment in Square Enix's reimagining of the beloved RPG, is set to expand its world to an unprecedented "planetary scale." Game director Naoki Hamaguchi stated that the team intends to continuously increase the game's scope throughout the series, moving from Remake's linear narrative to Rebirth's explorable open world, and now introducing verticality to Revelation.
"The world's not just going outwards, it's also going upwards as well," Hamaguchi explained. This focus on verticality was evident in the demo, which commenced on the Highwind airship. Players will seemingly be able to parachute from the Highwind to practically any location across the globe, including familiar areas from Rebirth and new regions like the nation of Wutai and the island of Mideel. This vast accessibility early in the game contributes to an overwhelming sense of scale.
New Characters and Gameplay Mechanics
The demo allowed players to select their active party of three, including two new playable characters: pilot Cid Highwind and ex-Turk Vincent Valentine. For the first time in the series, players can switch between controlling different characters during normal world exploration. Vincent, in particular, offers a duality in combat, with his normal gun attacks and the ability to transform into his ferocious Behemoth-like Galian Beast form, a move that was previously a Limit Break in the original game. However, this transformation has limits that impact his maximum HP.
Cid also proved to be a highlight, his spear-wielding style reminiscent of the dragoon class in the Final Fantasy series with his high-leaping attacks. All party members will have more skills available through Revelation's new FITS (Function Integrated Tactical Suitwear) system. This system imbues characters with classic RPG jobs while also changing their outfits. While similar to Final Fantasy X-2's Dresspheres, these are not complete class changes but rather an addition, with original skills like Yuffie's Ninjitsu remaining accessible regardless of her outfit. The FITS system adds a new command tab for FITS Abilities, which consume Mana Points. This system is designed to cater to both hardcore players seeking character customization for power and more casual players interested in altering character appearance.
Content and World Design
Despite the expansive world, Revelation maintains narrative structure by locking players into specific areas during key story points, such as the demo's visit to Wutai. This secretive ninja nation, once an optional region in the original game, is now integrated into the main story. Players can traverse Wutai using a grappling hook, a mechanic available to any party member, not just Yuffie.
Square Enix's approach to incorporating original game content into the remake involves ensuring that all additions, whether compulsory or optional, are compelling and well-developed. Hamaguchi noted that elements like the Knight of the Round summon will be fully fleshed out with dedicated storylines and battles, similar to the handling of Gilgamesh in Rebirth, rather than simply being a materia pickup as in the original Final Fantasy VII.
The development team is confident in delivering Revelation's full vision across multiple platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, without compromising on hardware limitations. Core development occurs on PC, with a dedicated porting team assessing performance on other hardware and collaborating to create platform-specific assets when necessary, such as lower polygon counts for less powerful machines like the Steam Deck.
Addressing Fan Expectations
While the demo’s sheer volume of content may feel overwhelming, particularly for those who found Rebirth to be content-rich, Hamaguchi emphasized that Revelation offers a unique planetary-scale adventure distinct from other open-world games. A significant question for fans remains the fate of Aerith, who is prominently featured in the game's key art. Hamaguchi assured fans that the team has thoroughly considered her storyline, aiming to provide the most satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.
Final Fantasy VII Revelation is scheduled for release on April 8, 2027.