The wait for more of Final Fantasy 7's Remake trilogy has arrived at trade show season 2023, and Square Enix fans are gearing up for news. With Final Fantasy 16 approaching its release and major shows like the 2023 PlayStation Showcase and Summer Game Fest just around the corner, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth could finally pop up again. A winter 2023 release was promised before the launch of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion, and there's no time more appropriate for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth to confirm if it's still able to hit that window.
Much of the eagerness to see more of the game stems from how far off the rails Final Fantasy 7 Remake went. The 2020 action RPG remade the opening Midgar sections of Final Fantasy 7, but not as they were. FF7's universe is in a significantly different state than it was in both the original game and the start of 7 Remake. Even if FF7 Rebirth tries to follow the location order and general events of Final Fantasy 7, there are some things that have changed so much that their ripples will likely be felt throughout the experience.
A Lot of FF7 Remake Characters Know Too Much
Changes to Final Fantasy 7 Remake started early, and many were centered around Sephiroth. Once a mystery that the party had to pursue, the legendary First-Class SOLDIER now actively haunts Cloud with much more intense visions. This culminates in the final boss encounter, where it seems like Sephiroth has guided the party toward defeating the Whispers and the Singularity to ensure FF7's story changes. Combined with references to the titular Advent Children villains from FF7's sequel movie during the finale, it appears that this Sephiroth is aware of how the PS1 game's events played out and is trying to change them for some unknown purpose.
For better and for worse, Sephiroth is not the only suspect for knowing more than they should. Aerith, who persisted in the Lifestream like Sephiroth in the original FF7, also seems to know more than she lets on, even making indirect references to her famous death scene. She tries to keep this under wraps, but even touching some people like Marlene comes with the chance of transferring bits of knowledge. Alongside other characters like Professor Hojo putting together clues about the Whispers' purpose in FF7 Remake, a growing minority is recognizing that things aren't as they should be going into Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Could Have An Expanded Recurring Cast
The defeat of the Whispers, who were trying to keep FF7's story as it was, came with several other consequences. One too large for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth to ignore is the apparent existence of an alternate timeline where Zack survives his trip to Midgar with Cloud in Final Fantasy 7, but Aerith has mysteriously vanished. Even if Cloud and his regular party continue down Final Fantasy 7’s original route, they are almost guaranteed to eventually cross paths with Zack.
Zack might not be the only strange face on the road, as Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's cast is going to be a lot larger than the original’s. Besides altered setting details like Avalanche becoming a global organization, Midgar Avalanche members Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge are implied to be alive. Alongside other minor characters, they will likely appear throughout the party's adventures. Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7's Deepground has also gained relevance far earlier than it once did, including an enmity with Yuffie. Combined with the potentially altered state of Fort Condor thanks to the proliferation of its associated board game and other minute differences, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth could stray much farther away from FF7 than the Remake ever did.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is set to release in Winter 2023 for PS5.
