2023 has been an exciting year for fans of the Final Fantasy series, but 2024 figures to be an even bigger year with the anticipation building around the next big entry in the franchise and one of its few true sequels, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. This upcoming title isn’t another entry in the storied franchise; it’s a game generating much discussion and excitement, particularly regarding its approach to world exploration.
After years of Square Enix grappling with adapting the classic Final Fantasy format to modern platforms, FF7 Rebirth is attempting to recapture the essence of what made the series so beloved, particularly in its approach to the world map.
The absence of an explorable world map in Final Fantasy titles post the PlayStation 2 era has been a point of contention among fans and developers alike. Yoshinori Kitase, a producer on Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, who has been involved with the series since 1990, expressed that the world map’s disappearance was a notable loss. Tetsuya Nomura, the creative director of Rebirth, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of a world map in experiencing the full scope of a Final Fantasy game. This sentiment is not unique to them, as many long-time fans of the series have felt a disconnect in recent games due to the lack of an expansive, explorable world, as revealed in an interview with Game Informer.
Final Fantasy XV attempted to reintroduce the concept of a world map, but FF7 Rebirth aims to take this a step further. The game promises a large, explorable world, filled with story missions, side content, and minigames. This approach is not just about bringing back a nostalgic element but is an effort to deepen the immersion and connection players have with the game’s universe.
While Rebirth isn’t a fully open-world game in the traditional sense, its design seems to strike a balance between linear narrative progression and exploratory freedom. Regions like the Grasslands and Junon, though labeled as separate on the world map, can be traversed seamlessly, offering players a sense of continuity and scale that was lacking in the partitioned design of FF7 Remake (although, to be fair, the first game did take place exclusively in Midgar).
The original FF7 released in 1997, is remembered fondly for its sense of discovery and scale. Players recall the moment they stepped out of Midgar into the wider world as a revelation, transforming their understanding of the game’s scope. Despite the limitations of the time, which restricted true open-world exploration, the game still managed to convey a sense of vastness and possibility. This is the essence Rebirth seeks to recapture and expand upon.
To be fair, the multiple trailers we’ve seen for FF7 Rebirth ahead of its release in February 2024 does suggest that Square Enix has nailed this design aspect of the game, but we can only tell for sure once it has come out.
Square Enix’s journey with world design in Final Fantasy has been complicated. From the linear corridors of Final Fantasy XIII to the more open but somewhat empty landscapes of Final Fantasy XV, the best-selling JRPG series has attempted a unique approach to world-building in every new entry. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth seems to be Square’s most ambitious attempt yet to merge the expansive world design of earlier titles with the narrative depth and graphical fidelity of modern gaming.
The significance of Rebirth handling the world map effectively cannot be understated, especially for Nomura, who was involved in the development of the original FFVII. Achieving a balance between exploration and narrative, between nostalgia and innovation, is crucial for Rebirth to live up to its legacy.
In addition to recapturing the spirit of 90s RPGs, Rebirth addresses the criticism directed at recent Final Fantasy titles for being too linear or graphics-focused at the expense of gameplay depth. Players yearn for a game where exploration is a key part to storytelling, where the world itself is a character with its personality and stories to tell. This desire for exploration and discovery is a core tenet of RPGs, and Rebirth seems poised to deliver on this front.
While Final Fantasy XVI showcased open areas, it was criticized for lacking meaningful activities within these spaces. On the other hand, FFVII appears set to offer a world that is not just vast and beautiful but filled with engaging content that enriches the gameplay experience.
By successfully integrating a vast, explorable world with a compelling narrative and rich content, Rebirth could set up a new standard for what a modern Final Fantasy game can be.
Fingers crossed, whoever ends up taking up the helm of the next entry in the franchise will take notes.
