At the Korean G-STAR 2024 gaming conference, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth producer Yoshinori Kitase and director Naoki Hamaguchi shared exciting details about the future of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy. While the Highwind airship didn’t play a role in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, it appears set to make its grand return in the third and final chapter. Translated by Siliconera, Hamaguchi emphasized the importance of the airship, stating, “We will not cheat with the airship system but take the challenge head-on so that it can freely fly all over the game map.”
The Highwind is a beloved feature of the original Final Fantasy 7, and its anticipated inclusion in the trilogy’s conclusion underscores Square Enix’s dedication to preserving iconic gameplay elements. With the development team already earning praise for Rebirth’s open-world style and meticulous attention to detail, the airship’s reintroduction promises to elevate the experience even further.
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Designing the Highwind for Final Fantasy 7
The Highwind is an enormous airship, and one challenge the developers must address is how it will interact with the game’s world. Realistically landing such a large vessel would be complicated, especially given the increased level of detail in the remake trilogy. A potential solution could be to eliminate traditional landings entirely. For instance, players might descend from the Highwind using a rope ladder or similar system, which could streamline gameplay and maintain immersion.
The animations for this interaction would be crucial. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth demonstrated the developers’ commitment to lifelike movements, with characters seamlessly running and exploring the open world. This level of care could extend to the Highwind. From stepping onto a rope ladder to landing on the ground, every movement could enhance the sense of immersion.
Open World Lessons from Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
While the Highwind’s full capabilities won’t be realized until the trilogy’s conclusion, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has already set the stage for expansive exploration. The game’s open-world style, which many have praised as a standout feature, shows how the team has evolved the Final Fantasy 7 experience for modern audiences.
The open-world design also allows for creative uses of the Highwind. Beyond simple transportation, the airship could unlock new areas, reveal hidden secrets, or trigger unique events. Integrating the Highwind into the open-world framework could reinforce its role as both a gameplay mechanic and a narrative symbol, marking a turning point in the story.
Why the Highwind Matters for the Trilogy
In the original Final Fantasy 7, the Highwind became available during the latter part of the narrative, symbolizing a significant shift in the narrative. The airship wasn’t just a mode of transportation; it represented the culmination of the party’s growth and the story’s escalation. Its inclusion in the remake trilogy’s final chapter could evoke similar feelings, creating a sense of progression as players prepare for the climax.
The Highwind’s return also offers an opportunity to modernize classic Final Fantasy mechanics. Over the years, airships in the series have become less interactive, with games like Final Fantasy 10 reducing them to simple fast-travel menus. By fully realizing the Highwind’s potential, Square Enix could reintroduce a feature that has been missing in recent titles, blending nostalgia with innovation.
Looking Ahead to Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3
The anticipation for the Highwind builds on the strong foundation set by Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. The game has been nominated for Game of the Year. This arguably means that the developers are not only being recognized for the progressive work done on the trilogy, but also that the semi-open world style is ideal for the final part. This acclaim sets high expectations for the trilogy’s conclusion, where the Highwind’s introduction could serve as the perfect capstone to an already impressive series.
Hamaguchi’s comments at G-STAR 2024 indicate that the Highwind’s implementation in Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 will be a major technical and creative achievement. By combining expansive gameplay, seamless animations, and meaningful exploration, the airship could redefine what players expect from modern RPGs.
Discover a vibrant and vast world in this standalone entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project.Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project, which retells the story of the genre-redefining RPG across three distinct games.Iconic heroes Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith and Red XIII have escaped from the dystopian city Midgar and are now in pursuit of Sephiroth, the vengeful swordsman from Cloud’s past who was thought to be dead.This new adventure can be enjoyed by all players, even those who have yet to play Final Fantasy VII Remake or the PlayStation original. Expect a new standard of cinematic storytelling, fast-paced combat and rich exploration across a vast world.