Square Enix has begun revealing concrete details about the final chapter in its ambitious Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy. While an official title and release date remain unannounced, director Naoki Hamaguchi has confirmed several key locations and gameplay mechanics that will define the concluding installment, directly addressing longstanding fan speculation about the project’s scope.
Wutai Transitions From Optional Side Quest to Narrative Centerpiece
One of the most significant revelations concerns the region of Wutai, the homeland of the ninja Yuffie Kisaragi. In the original 1997 RPG, Wutai was presented as an entirely optional area that players could choose to visit or ignore without impacting the main storyline. This approach is being fundamentally reworked for the remake’s conclusion.
Hamaguchi explicitly stated that Wutai will serve as “one of the main locations” in the third game. This decision is a direct consequence of Yuffie’s expanded role throughout the remake series, particularly following her dedicated episode in Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade and her integration into the core party in Rebirth. The development team recognized that Yuffie’s strong attachment to her nation, a recurring theme in her character arc, made its inclusion as a major story hub a narrative necessity.
From World Map Icon to Fully Realized Playable Zone
The shift signifies a massive expansion in scale. The original Wutai was a relatively small, self-contained town. In the remake’s final part, it is poised to become a fully realized region, likely encompassing the town itself, surrounding landscapes, and dungeons. This transformation follows the trilogy’s established pattern of deepening and expanding upon the world-building of the source material, turning iconic but brief visits into substantial chapters of the adventure.
Iconic Highwind Airship Returns as Core Gameplay Mechanic
Another cornerstone of the original game’s late-stage experience is confirmed to return: the airship Highwind. In the classic title, obtaining the Highwind marked a pivotal turning point, unlocking free exploration of the global map and access to previously unreachable areas. Hamaguchi indicated that the remake intends to expand this concept significantly.
Piloting the Highwind will be “an important component” of the gameplay in Part 3. This suggests the mechanics will go beyond a simple fast-travel menu, potentially involving direct player control, in-flight sequences, and new exploration opportunities tied to the vessel. The mention of the Highwind also inherently confirms the return of its iconic pilot, the gruff and aspirational Cid Highwind, and his hometown.
Rocket Town and Spacefaring Ambitions
Hamaguchi directly confirmed the inclusion of Rocket Town, the launch site intrinsically linked to Cid and his dreams of space travel. The town’s signature rocket and launch pad are expected to be major visual set pieces. Given the original game’s narrative progression and the director’s hint at possible “space-related sequences,” Rocket Town’s role is likely to be crucial, serving as the staging ground for the party’s most audacious mission.
Submarines, Chocobos, and the Starting Point
Beyond the headline locations, Hamaguchi offered glimpses into other returning elements. He noted that co-director Motomu Toriyama is overseeing the development of content involving submarines. This confirms that underwater exploration, a memorable segment from the original game’s second disc, will be part of the remake’s finale, possibly involving dedicated vehicle mechanics and underwater dungeons.
The treatment of Chocobos, the series’ beloved avian mounts, remains more enigmatic. Hamaguchi stopped short of confirming the return of the intricate Chocobo Breeding and Racing systems from the original but suggested the third title will feature Chocobo-related mechanics distinct from those seen in Rebirth. This could point toward new systems for traversal, combat, or collection in the game’s final world state.
Picking Up the Story at the Great Glacier
Regarding the narrative’s starting point, Hamaguchi indicated the journey will resume directly from where Rebirth concluded, with the party likely beginning their trek across the Great Glacier. This frozen, treacherous region serves as the gateway to the Northern Crater and the final act of the story, ensuring a immediate and tense opening for the concluding chapter.
Development Progress and Projected Timeline
While no release window was provided, Hamaguchi offered a positive update on the project’s status. He confirmed that development is progressing smoothly and is aligned with the internal milestones established at the project’s outset. Crucially, the game has already reached a playable state, a key indicator that core systems, environments, and story sequences are being implemented and tested.
This steady progress, following the established production cadence from Remake to Rebirth, suggests that Square Enix may be positioned to unveil the title formally—potentially with a title reveal trailer and release year—within the foreseeable future. The studio’s commitment to delivering a complete, high-fidelity conclusion to its multi-part reimagining appears to be on track.
The emerging picture for Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 is one of both faithful homage and ambitious expansion. By elevating Wutai to a central role, making the Highwind integral to gameplay, and incorporating classic elements like submarines, the team is crafting a finale designed to satisfy long-time fans’ expectations while surprising them with new depth. The confirmation of these details marks the beginning of the final climb towards the Northern Crater, promising an epic culmination to one of gaming’s most celebrated modern retellings.
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