Final Fantasy 7: The Saga Continues with an Engine that Refuses to Age
In a twist that’s about as shocking as finding out chocobos are a thing in the Final Fantasy universe, the co-director of the epic trilogy has announced that the grand finale will stick with Unreal Engine 4. Because why change engines when there’s a perfectly good one lying around, right?
After two blockbuster hits, the legendary Remake and its equally riveting sequel, “Rebirth,” everyone had their fingers crossed for a shiny leap into Unreal Engine 5. Maybe even a few neon lights, a disco ball, and some radical space cats while they were at it. But alas, the decision has been made, and it seems players will be revisiting the familiar landscapes of the fourth iteration of Unreal Engine.
Back to the Future: Engine Talk from 2024
Rewind back to 2024, when the ever-wise director Naoki Hamaguchi hinted to the world in a revelation that was about as enigmatic as a canceled game announcement. “We might switch to Unreal Engine 5, or maybe we won’t! Stay tuned!” he said in a charm-fest of uncertainty. Decisions, decisions. But before anyone could break out their confetti, Hamaguchi reassured fans that the creative minds were carefully weighing the benefits of switching versus maintaining consistency. Because, after all, why bother with a shiny new toy when the old one still works? Just add some duct tape and call it a day.
Oldie but a Goodie: Why Unreal Engine 4 Is Here to Stay
As fans eagerly awaited answers, Hamaguchi laid it all out during a chat with the fine folks at Gamespot. The verdict? Sticking to the tried-and-true Unreal Engine 4 would do the trick for Part 3. Praise be for consistency! It turns out, the development team has been tweaking the engine so much that it’s practically wearing a custom-tailored suit at this point. “Look, it’s not like we just slapped some paint on it,” Hamaguchi joked. “We’ve adjusted it to fit our needs, so it’s kind of our engine baby now.”
Title Talk: What’s in a Name?
Shifting gears, the creative director Tetsuya Nomura, known for having a flair for the dramatic, finally locked in a title for the third game. Hope everyone had their guessing hats on because it came down to a riveting nail-biter between two potential names. “It was a tough call,” stated Hamaguchi, reminiscing about their epic brainstorming sessions, “but Nomura’s final choice came like a bolt from the blue while he was likely sipping coffee.” So yes, one can officially say that the title is set, and it only took a few thousand caffeine-induced hours of contemplation.
Switching It Up
If there are any anxious hand-held console enthusiasts out there, fear not! In the same breath, the development team reassures that owners of the beloved Switch 2 won’t be left in the dust. Final Fantasy 7 Remake was just released on that console last week (cue applause), and Hamaguchi reiterated that both “Rebirth” and Part 3 will make their way to Nintendo’s handheld. Cue the joy of pockets-sized adventures!
In summary, while the world awaits the epic finale, Unreal Engine 4 remains the steadfast companion, the title is ready, and there’s plenty of magic to come. Stay tuned for more heroic tales and pixelated escapades!
