Naoki Hamaguchi Talks Directing ‘Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’ and Future Plans for the Remake Series
When it comes to Final Fantasy and Square Enix, Naoki Hamaguchi has seen it all. With a career spanning 18 years at Square Enix, Hamaguchi has worked his way up from a real-time visual effects renderer to co-director of game design/programming for the highly anticipated “Final Fantasy VII Remake” series. In a recent interview, Hamaguchi discusses his journey in the gaming industry, the challenges of directing “Rebirth,” and what fans can expect from the future installments of the remake trilogy.
From a young age, Hamaguchi was inspired by “Final Fantasy VI” and knew he wanted to create games of that quality. After graduating from HAL Nagoya College of Technology & Design in 2003, he joined Square Enix and has been a key player in the development of the Final Fantasy series ever since.
Now, as the director of “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth,” Hamaguchi is receiving rave reviews for his work. The game has already garnered a 92 Metacritic score and is being hailed as a masterpiece by critics. Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of the game, especially to see how the story of beloved character Aerith Gainsborough unfolds.
In this second installment of the remake series, players will explore a massive world outside of Midgar, the setting of the first game. Protagonist Cloud Strife and his companions embark on a journey to pursue Sephiroth, an iconic antagonist in video game lore. The game promises lush environments, explorable locales, and epic battles.
One of the most intriguing aspects of “Rebirth” is its decision to end the story at the iconic chapter of “The Forgotten Capital.” According to Hamaguchi, this decision was made early on in development to satisfy fans’ anticipation of seeing Aerith’s fate. He expects players to have various interpretations of the ending, which will fuel healthy debates and potentially influence the development of the third title in the trilogy.
“Rebirth” also introduces massive expansions to the remake project and the series as a whole. Players can expect to explore open regions of the world, engage in mini-games and side quests, and utilize various modes of transportation. The game introduces new combat synergies and item transmutation mechanics, allowing players to tailor their party’s abilities and crafting preferences. While some beloved characters like Cid and Vincent are absent from the playable roster in “Rebirth,” Hamaguchi hints at plans to incorporate them in future titles.
In an interview with Variety, Hamaguchi reflects on his journey at Square Enix and the challenges he faced in directing “Rebirth.” One of the biggest challenges was transitioning from a more narrative-focused game to a vast open world experience. The team had to determine the size of the world map and ensure that the programming environment aligned with their vision.
The guiding philosophy behind the remake series, according to Hamaguchi, was to create something fresh and original rather than a one-to-one recreation. He believes that adding new elements and surprises along the way keeps players engaged and curious about how the story will unfold.
As for future plans, Hamaguchi acknowledges the excitement surrounding new playable characters like Vincent and Cid. While he doesn’t have any clear DLC information to share, he assures fans that there are plans to keep the excitement and anticipation going for these characters.
In conclusion, Naoki Hamaguchi’s journey in the gaming industry has led him to become a key figure in the development of the “Final Fantasy VII Remake” series. With “Rebirth” receiving critical acclaim and promising exciting expansions to the series, fans can expect a thrilling and fresh take on the beloved RPG. As Hamaguchi continues to lead the project, players can look forward to more surprises and memorable experiences in the future installments of the remake trilogy.