Final Fantasy VII Remake facing drastic changes. Is Square-Enix playing with fire?

Dealspwn: Hands up. Who'd given up on ever seeing a Final Fantasy VII remake? I certainly had, especially after reading one interview with Square-Enix a while back where they said they wouldn't even consider it until they'd made a game as good as FFVII. Considering the XIII trilogy (they made three!) exists, it didn't look good.

But as we saw during Sony's presser, it is happening and will be coming to PS4 first and presumably other formats afterwards. We're getting what we want. But are we?

[Blues Cowboy]

It's gonna be interesting to see how they tinker with it. Updating art style is a good idea seeing as they have to visually rebuild it anyway, but I wonder if Square will have the discipline to know when to stop.

Either way, I can't wait, though reckon we might be waiting until 2017. 20th anniversary and all that.

[GameSpawn]

My wife (and I) only cares that they bring in on-map enemies (ala the newer Final Fantasy games) that allow you to circumvent battles when you can. There is no reason for them not to have this as it has already been implemented since Final Fantasy XII (technically XI).

The real question is whether the game will retain the same turn-based combat that the original had or if they will use one of the newer "active" ones that have overlapped turns (think FFX) based on agility stats to recharge the action bar. The materia system will definitely be retained as it is a core part of the story.

[Mikeyy]

Eww, why would you want that? Then you have to leave the area and come back to grind. Just sounds awful. Random encounters are the staple if old school RPGs. And FF7 is just that.

Go play 15 that has everything you want. Don't ruin 7.

[Kurisu]

FFVII had some odd enemies (Houses in Midgar, Motorbikes on the outskirts). I can't wait to see if they bring them over to the remake :D

[thekhurg]

If they remove turn based combat they lose a sale from me. Not interested in real time stuff for this remake.

[Shadow Flare]

I'm not worried.

They've had almost 20 years to think about what they'd like to change and improve about this game. I think they know exactly what they feel is the best road to take. They have the Kitase and Nomura at the helm, who worked heavily on the original. If they made the original game what it was, I trust they will treat this remake with the love and respect it deserves. And I wouldn't trust anyone else to do the job.

As for turn based combat, I like it, but its been done with the original. If you want turn based combat, play the original. This is next gen and again I trust whatever they choose to do in this game will be for the best. Try to be open minded. It can't be exactly like the original otherwise you might as well just play the original.

This game should be what the original game was but without the hardware restrictions it had at the time. And I trust them.

And as a side note, the trailer was perfection. It was the perfect trailer to announce the game, with the perfect voice narrative.

Be thankful it's coming

[Davi123]

I just really hope SE do the call of summons equal to the movie FFVII: advent Children. And i hope too we can control them like in FFX!

[Adrian_v01]

I think a lot will change. From what I understood from the interviews, they're not really considering what fans want (which would be dumb anyways as the fanbase is divided into 100s of groups), but they are doing the FF 7 they wanted to do back then, but couldn't because of weak hardware.

And I support that idea, whatever change happens, I'll give it a try. This is a re-envision of the game. Who wants the old stuff can play the old stuff.

[turdburgler1080]

I fear change...

[kyzer1978]

I'm not sure how that would work with this game but either way I wouldn't mind. The heart of the game is the story and especially the humor. As long as that stays in tact I welcome any changes they might bring to the battle system. The Materia system does have to stay of course. I can't wait to go after Sephiroth and the Weapons with Knights of the Round and Bahamut Zero!

[Lightning Mr Bubbles]

I always point to Tom Savini's remake of George Romero's Night of the Living Dead. He didn't just remake it, he modernized it for a new generation and he didn't follow the events word for word, he shook things up a bit.

I think that's the way to go, that's what a true remake should be, it should feel fresh and add some innovation of it's own not just follow the blueprint word per word.

Even people who already beat the game should get plenty of surprises.

[Timesplitter14]

honestly I just want to hear the remastered OST and see the environments/characters again. Aside from that I'll play whatever they give me

[joab777]

I do NOT envy these guys. It's a no win situation. The pressure of remaking one of the most beloved games of all time and having to remake a game that didn't age well. Damn!

[Christopher]

Drastic changes? When did "some changes" equate to "drastic changes"?

I think the media is running with this just for hits and it's not helping anyone at all.

[blackblades]

Recreating/remodeling the world with updated graphics. The problem lies with do you change the gameplay with the make or keep everything exactly the same but with updated graphics. I wish other really old games get a remake.

[Unarmed_Civilian]

IGN - Rewind theater

They speculate about a possible prologue added to FF7

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[Eonjay]

"We're getting what we want. But are we? "

Yes. it really isn't that deep. Its a remake that people have wanted for a very long time.

Of course there will be changes but thats the point. We are expecting improved visuals, better translation and refined mechanics.
\
And, like with Final Fantasy 15, you can bet that Square will be reaching out to the fans to ask what changes they would like to see.

[bggriffiths]

What if they ditch turn-based combat though? Sounds like more than a refinement to me. I'm caught in two minds as to if it'd be a bad thing or not.

I do like how they're approaching XV with fan-feedback. Essentially Episode Duscae has turned into a beta. I need to try the latest build of that actually.

[Eonjay]

If I remember correctly, they had two separate demos for Final Fantasy 7 before it launched. So that is what my money is on for this title. Plus this is a big deal for them so yeah.

[bggriffiths]

But what Final Fantasy game we don't actually want are going to have to buy the demo next time :p

[RustCohle]

That would be a huge undertaking, remember how they've tried with XV with controllable party members, but it ended up being a Noctis centric game.

Now imagine that with FF7, no chance.
We're probably gonna get an ATB with upgraded mechanics, something more visually pleasing than the square dancing nature of the original.

[starchild]

It's not that simple it seems. Just look at all the different opinions in this very comment section.

[Eonjay]

The thing is, you can NEVER make everyone happy. It just isn't possible. Therefore, a demo would allow the communities more consistent concerns to rise to the top. Thats the best anyone can hope for.

[Tempest317]

Honestly, i dont know a single person that requested a "remake"...we all wanted a remaster...update the visuals, maybe fix some bugs but dont dick with the core game. As soon as i found it was gonna be a remake and they were going to change things i lost interest. And before anyone says its all nostalgia and the game hasnt held up (ive seen lots of folks saying this) ive just recently played 7 and 8, and typically play one of those every couple years. Theyre still spectacular games, no nostalgia needed.

[Eonjay]

The general consensus is that the visual fidelity of FF7 does not hold up today.

A remake doesn't imply them changing anything. It implys that the assets can't be redeemed and therefore they have to literally remake everything to get the visuals up to today's standards. For example, they have to make new character models, new textures, new set pieces, new everything. Every single asset in this games has to be remade. The only thing that can be remastered is the music.

[Tempest317]

@Eonjay @kalkano
Just pointing out, a remake does imply changes. And just on the off chance that im wrong about the general definition, in this particular case it DEFINITELY implies changes as SE has stated its gonna change, do a google search...i dont disagree the visuals are bad, but the gameplay itself needs no adjustment imo, as i stated before.

Www.vg247.com/2015/06/18/ff7- remake-we-dont-need-two-of-the - same-thing-says-nomura/

www.playstationlifestyle.net/ 2015/06/18/things-will-change- f inal-fantasy-vii-remake-battle - system-changes-likely/

These are just 2 of lots

[PaleMoonDeath]

What did they expect? there is no way it'll be turn based, especially after the refreshing take FF15 has given us, hell even Crisis Core stood away from turn based and no one complained, those that do complain are just jumping on the "Played FF7 once as a kid, OMFG my childhood" train.

Take FF15's world exploration and gameplay, tweak it to FF7's needs, and LET us play as all party members and boom, there's the modern FF7 those who kept playing FF games after 7 expect and want.

[GameSpawn]

15 is more action oriented because it is coming from some of the same team that created Kingdom Hearts. Like I said above they may use one of the more active turn based systems that the newer games have had. I'd hate to see FFVII turn into an Action RPG. I'd still play it if that was the case, but something would just seem incredibly wrong the entire time.

[HiddenMission]

You do know that most of the team that worked on Kingdom Hearts and FFXV worked on FFVII righ? Only a few big players either left the company or went to other SE teams. All they really are doing is bring the core team back but the director of all the games listed above is the same Nomura so it's very likely that the game will not be turn based but either action RPG like FFXV or ATB like other entries...my bet is SE will want to use the action RPG system buy with more money spent on letting you use the other characters.

Keep in mind a huge amount of money and time was spent on the systems that make FFXV work the way it does and I don't see SE spending all that money for one title...they'll want to advance the system and mechanics to feel like an SE version of what Dragon Age Inqustion offers where you have action control or a more tactical system...that's what I think their end goal is and FFXV is the initial build for this new system.

[SeanScythe]

Yes to this idea! Having your charactter just standing there while fighting is boring and was fine with 2d style games but I want full control of my characters. I want to feel like I'm playing the advent children movie.

[Mikeyy]

Then 15 is for you. 7 needs to be and stay for the fans who acually played it growing up. We love turn based.

[SeanScythe]

@mikeyy
I did grow up playing it. It's the only reason I bought a PS1, I had nothing but nintendo until FF7 came out. I hated the turn based game style but I loved the characters and story. Guess what the old 2d style is still in the old game go play that. I rather have my characters be able to run around and fight, not stand there like idiots getting hit. I'm guessing you want the airship to be 50% the size of a mountain to in order to keep it the same?

[-Foxtrot]

Refreshing take?

Urm...no

Do you really just want to play as Cloud in this game. As you can only control Noctis in FF15

It's not an action RPG, it's an RPG.

Turn Based can still be done today and hopefully will get more people into it again.

If people want FF15s combat system then they will buy FF15

[PaleMoonDeath]

Pretty sure I had said "Let us play as all party members" dude, and I'd hate to go back to turn based gameplay, ever since I played Crisis Core funnily enough, and Episode Duscae just blew me away with what could happen if they did make FF7.

This isn't the 90's, we're on powerful tech now, and I want FF7 to play like a modern Final Fantasy, want turn based? play the old FF7, know what I mean? (Won't be able to reply after this, bubbles are up and gone dude).

Edit: Episode Duscae, I've spent just under 30 hours on that demo and finished all the new quests the update had to offer, could you really say no to Final Fantasy 7 being remade in this way? https://www.youtube.com/wat...

C'mon now, I bet there would be more angry folk complaining about the turn based gameplay than the new gameplay, remake means remake, I don't want a complete facelift aside from the gameplay.

[NoctisPendragon]

FF XV has AXB system ( you can do a lot of co-op attacks and stuff like that) , FF VII won't so you will surly be able to control everyone .

[kingdip90]

I can't see the material system working without ATB. if they ditch it, it could strip away what is arguably one of the most fun systems in game.

[Ogygian]

Turn based is OK so long as they make it challenging and fun (and avoid adding an auto-battle button).

However they should definitely add something to allow us to avoid turn-based battles for the easier/common enemies if we want (a simulated battle or something which limits experience gained (no loot also) so it doesn't become almost a cheat).

XCOM has proven that turn-based gameplay can be fun if effort is made to make it so.

[Number-Nine]

Crisis Core was a one man show and a spin off of the series. It didn't need to follow the same formula.

[pootymcpoockle]

If they even touch the turn based combat and materia system I'll lose my shit.

[chrisx]

let them do what they have to

[Lionsguard]

Agreed. It's going to be completely impossible to satisfy everyone so they should just do what they have to do and we should be thankful that they're even considering doing this in the first place. They could have easily just released the PS4 PC port and gone on their merry way. Like the trailer said to us "Let us embrace whatever it brings".

[-Foxtrot]

Everytime they play with fire they get burnt and us along with them

Why are people feeling alright letting them do this

Just remake the game as it was. That's what we asked for.

[Mikeyy]

This! All we want is sweet updated graphics. And new locations are fine. Voice overs I can live with but I love reading .

There is no need to change the combat or materia systems they work great!

If they made this an action rpg then it would no longer be a remake of ff7. It would be a spinoff, another failed spinoff.

[pompombrum]

The key word here is "remake" most of us asking for a remake meant we want it faithfully re-created using current gen visuals. Outside of debates of what should change, I don't think I've ever seen a FF fan go "boy I would love a re-imagined FF7, taking the story and modernizing it with an action based combat system"

[Lionsguard]

Often times "What we asked for" aren't always right. What we want in our hearts and what we really want to see are two different things. There are going to be changes, Nomura has already confirmed that. Just be glad that you're going to take the journey again but perhaps this time there will be new surprises.

[I_am_Batman]

Honestly they are playing with fire by remaking VII no matter how they do it. It's a game that a lot of people remember as one of their favorite games of all time. As soon as something doesn't match their nostalgic memories people will complain. In other words they pretty much can only lose. That's why I never thought an FF VII remake would ever happen. It's just too risky.

[Mr_Luke]

FFVII + "drastic changes" = not good...

[Timesplitter14]

FF7 + no changes = people will hate it
FF7 + changes = people will hate it

Better to take risks with making changes than to not do anything

[-Foxtrot]

Thing is

If it's just like the old game with no changes why would people hate it?

It's FF7, everyone has been asking for a remake, so I don't think them keeping in line with the original is going to turn people away

However big changes WILL tick people off.

[Timesplitter14]

People love FF7 as a 1997 game. The same game today with updated graphics will not hold up very well.

Even if what I'm saying ends up not being true, I just don't want them to not make any changes. I want them to try to make this FF7 remake its own thing. The original FF7 is already here, it won't go away.

Innovation is always the way to go. Let the "fans" be mad as always and just ignore them

[Double_O_Revan]

I don't see them changing the combat system. They're not that crazy.

Of course the will be changed. Your going from PS1 - 4. That's a drastic change. I have faith they'll keep it close to the original. The only changes I really anticipate will be improvements.

[_-EDMIX-_]

"drastic changes"....turns out they just changed the font in the text.

[SeanScythe]

This isn't the witcher3 we're talking about.

[MasterCornholio]

It would be nice if they gave us more freedom with the camera.

[WizzroSupreme]

If you like the way FF VII was, then you have the original Playstation game you can pick up pretty cheap. Only right to make this a game worth buying if it intends to win over new series converts who want a new experience entirely.

[Mikeyy]

New people can buy 15. 7 remake is for the diehard fans who have played final fantasy for 20+ years.

None of the diehards want this action rpg crap you guys are asking for. It's fine in 15. But to take a beloved classic, and gut out its gameplay and make it play like everything else on the market then what's the point?

Capcom did right with RE remake I'm sure square will do the same.

[Elda]

Well you better keep your fingers crossed because most likely S-E are probably going with an action based battle system...times are changing.the old battle system is basically stale,slow & boring.

[jib]

"None of the diehards want this action rpg crap you guys are asking for"

Who made you the spokesman for the diehard FFVII fans? I want at least a minor change(/improvement) in the combat system

[Spotie]

Speak for yourself. I don't want my party just sitting there waiting for their next chance to attack.

[PhoenixUp]

I just wanna see how they adapt the combat system. Stay old school or try to implement Advent Children style sequences

[HentaiMasterRace]

They're playing with our balls.

[Elda]

I'm all for the changes as long as all characters are in game,love to see everything looking updated with with the beautiful state of the art graphics & production S-E is known for when it comes to the FF games...though I believe it'll be several years before we get to play this game

[StarLord_Who]

DRASTIC?

Nice use of adjective and hyperbole. Some chages are happening not drastic game ruining changes.

[RustCohle]

Guys, Nomura, Kitase, and Nojima were three of the four creative minds most responsible for 7, I say let's wait and see.

Have a look at what Nomura said in this interview:

'The trailer seemed pretty serious in tone. Will the occasional humor the original game carry through?

TN: The comedy or the lighthearted parts -- I like those. I don't want to change it that much. But we can't have these upgraded, beautiful 3D models of Cloud and Barrett, still lining up in a row, jumping forward to attack an enemy, then jumping back to wait for their next turn. That would be bizarre. Of course there will likely be changes there. But if we took away parts like the lighter moments of the game, then it would no longer be FFVII.'

Article: http://www.engadget.com/201...

[SeanScythe]

Thank you even the creator knows it is boring and dull to have character just standing there waiting to be attacked. This was ok 20 years ago with hardware that couldn't handle anything else.

[TheOneWhoIsTornApart]

Yes this is exactly the problem with having it turn based with super high fidelity current gen graphics that will probably look better than Uncharted 4 and Horizon since it will be a couple years away from now. It has to be changed a bit in order to not have it look so strange while battling. This is what purists aren't seeing. I am a die hard FF7 fan and I really do love turn based combat but it just cannot be the same way for the remake. I am just so excited to see one the most legendary and iconic gaming worlds along with our favorite characters to be recreated in current gen engine and have an amazing adventure.

[averagejoe26]

There is no evidence, whatsoever, of drastic changes being made. Not even a single hint of drastic changes. Click bait at its finest.

And all of you who jump in the comment section complaining, without researching what was actually said, are partly what ruins the video game industry.

Stop being media sheep and do your own research.

And on the topic, FFVII is my favorite game. Artwork all in my room, tattoos, etc. The game is my favorite story and adventure of all time... And I'm excited and open for changes.

"Real fans want turn based, exactly the same game blah blah" speak for yourself

I couldn't possibly be more of a fan and I cannot wait for the innovation brought to this game.

[jwillj2k4]

They can't retell the story with a different look and feel, battle system, etc and call it FF7. If the core concepts are changed, not isometric, not turn based then its not FF7, its something else.

[averagejoe26]

Not true at all. I want to relive the characters, the story, the locations, the summons...THOSE are what make FFVII...

There is no proof of drastic changes. They just said it's not going to be exactly the same.

They're obviously not going to drastically change the characters, setting or the plot... It wouldn't be a remake then...

If the gameplay is somewhat different, who cares? I'm still witnessing the epic story, amazing characters and adventurous plot that I fell in love with 18 years ago.

[TheOneWhoIsTornApart]

@ averagejoe26: I 100% agree with you that "characters, the story, the locations, the summons...THOSE are what make FFVII...". The people that keep saying that if it isn't turn based then it isn't Final Fantasy are being so narrow minded and being unreasonable. Final Fantasy is so much more than a battle system. I certainly didn't play it just to battle enemies. It was about the world and characters and mystery and exploring and every other great thing in the game. I can't believe people are saying they won't buy the game if they change the battle system. It's absurd and they are being completely obtuse and stubborn.

[manaxknight1]

A ff6 remake would have been better...3d visuals and character models..updated esper summons..etc. but its ff7 that got the remake and so everyone hush and be thankful that it is getting remade!

[Sirk7x]

How similar do you think this game can actually be? First, with updated graphics, the world itself has to change. Originally, towns were twenty feet next to each other on a map, random encounters in between, and you'd walk into a little cottage with loads an entire town. That kind of gameplay WILL NOT work nowadays lol. So the choice at that point is either to make the game more linear, or more open world, similar to FFXV. I'll assume they'll go with the latter. Now, if you're going with an open world game, you need more to do in it than random enemy encounters, which might be a feature they'd not like to keep either. Obviously, many changes are going to be required in this game to even make it work at all. As long as they respect the main core of the story, without any HUGE changes, it should be fine. If anything, the world itself will probably become much more fleshed out, with more insights into characters, entities, locations, etc. I always thought with 7, the story and music were superior to the actual gameplay itself, and if the spirit is kept, this remake should be amazing.

[TheOtherVitaOwner]

I'm glad to see Nomura doesn't want to just straight up ditch the turn based combat of the original. It definitely looks like they'll be putting a lot of effort into making sure this remake stays as true to the original as possible.

[DEATHxTHExKIDx]

I dont need it to be perfect. I have full faith whatever changes they make will be ok and that this will be an excellent game.

[asadachi]

It's not like they are destroying every copy of the original so you can't play it. If they make a bad remake / redo, then so be it. The original will always be a fun game to go back and play.

[Zichu]

Even though I am really looking forward to this and enjoyed the hell out of FFVII on the PS1, I just have a feeling it will lose it's charm with the remake.

Just take a look at the part where you have to dress up as a girl, it was funny and charming at the time. I can't see them pulling it off in HD graphics. Either they do it and it looks stupid or they scrap it.

I'm getting it regardless because of the story and just to see what they have changed.