Final Fantasy 7 Remake series director Naoki Hamaguchi has shared exciting news with fans eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the beloved trilogy. In a recent interview, Hamaguchi revealed that Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is approaching completion and expressed strong confidence in the final product. After twelve years of dedicated work on the ambitious remake project, the director indicated that the pressure he has carried throughout development is finally beginning to lift as the team enters the final stages of production.
Speaking to YouTube creator Ashif’s Release Notes, Hamaguchi reflected on the immense responsibility of helming a project that reimagines one of gaming’s most cherished titles. When asked about his approach to leading the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy as someone personally inspired by the original series, the director acknowledged both the weight and privilege of the undertaking. “Having been able to announce FF7 Revelation at SGF, I hope that people out there can look at it and think this looks like it will be pretty good,” Hamaguchi stated, referencing the game’s unveiling at Summer Game Fest.
A Journey Twelve Years in the Making
The Final Fantasy 7 Remake project represents one of the most ambitious undertakings in gaming history. When Square Enix first announced plans to remake the 1997 classic, fans worldwide reacted with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The original Final Fantasy 7 is widely considered one of the most influential role-playing games ever created, having sold over 14 million copies and fundamentally changing how Western audiences perceived Japanese RPGs. Its story of Cloud Strife and the eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE fighting against the megacorporation Shinra resonated with millions and established narrative benchmarks that games continue to aspire to today.
The remake trilogy began with Final Fantasy 7 Remake in 2020, which expanded the Midgar section of the original game into a full-length experience. This was followed by Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth in 2024, which continued the story through the original game’s middle chapters. Both titles received critical acclaim for their stunning visuals, revamped combat systems, and expanded storytelling, though some fans expressed concerns about narrative deviations from the source material. The games introduced complex timeline elements and mysterious spectral entities called Whispers, leaving players uncertain about how closely the remake would ultimately follow the original’s legendary narrative beats.
Director’s Confidence as Development Concludes
Hamaguchi’s comments about the current state of development suggest that Revelation has reached a playable state that satisfies the development team’s high standards. “As we are now approaching the end, it’s nearing completion,” the director explained. “I personally can pick it up and play it and think, ‘yeah, this feels good; this is satisfying.’ So I am quite confident in it.” This hands-on validation from the project’s lead represents a significant milestone, particularly given the scrutiny the final installment will face from the passionate fan community.
The timing of Revelation’s release carries additional symbolic weight, as the game will coincide with the original Final Fantasy 7’s 30th anniversary in 2027. This convergence of old and new creates both tremendous opportunity and pressure for Square Enix. Hamaguchi acknowledges this reality while maintaining his optimism: “Of course the final judgment is in the hands of the players… but I feel confident. I can see the end. So my honest state at the moment is that I can finally feel that pressure lifting.” The director’s candid admission about the psychological toll of the project humanizes the massive undertaking behind what many consider gaming’s most anticipated trilogy conclusion.
What Lies Ahead for the Trilogy’s Finale
Despite the generally positive reception of the remake trilogy, certain elements have divided the fanbase. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s ending, in particular, left many players confused about the direction of the story and its relationship to the original game’s iconic moments. Questions about character fates and timeline mechanics remain unanswered, creating both anticipation and anxiety about how Revelation will resolve these dangling threads. In previous interviews, Hamaguchi has tantalizingly suggested that the ending “might be fully faithful to the original” RPG, or “it might end up being something completely different,” keeping fans guessing until the very end.
The stakes for Revelation extend beyond just satisfying longtime fans. The game must also serve as a worthy conclusion to a project that has spanned over a decade of development and represents billions of yen in investment. With the RPG market more competitive than ever, featuring strong entries from both Eastern and Western developers, Square Enix needs Revelation to deliver both critically and commercially. Based on Hamaguchi’s recent comments, the development team appears confident they have crafted an experience worthy of the Final Fantasy 7 legacy, though only time will tell if players agree when the trilogy reaches its long-awaited conclusion.
Expert Opinion: Hamaguchi’s confidence at this late stage of development is a positive indicator for the project’s quality, as directors typically become more cautious rather than more optimistic as release approaches. The 30th anniversary timing creates a powerful marketing narrative that Square Enix will likely leverage heavily. However, the true test will be whether Revelation can satisfy both purists who want faithfulness to the original and newcomers who have embraced the remake’s innovations—a balancing act that will ultimately determine the trilogy’s lasting legacy in gaming history.
