Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the sequel to Final Fantasy 7 Remake, is shaping up to be a bigger, deeper, and more immersive experience. And, while the follow-up was always expected to double down on what made the first game of the remake trilogy so good, Square Enix continues to say the right things.
Particularly, the developers are teasing a deep emotional experience that should resonate better among long-time fans and newcomers alike. Case in point, a pivotal moment in Corel Prison involving Barret and his childhood friend Dyne.
Tetsuya Nomura, the game’s creative director, expressed in an interview with Game Informer that there’s a specific scene in Corel Prison that brings him to tears every time he sees it.
This scene, involving Barret and Dyne, is expected to be one of FF7 Rebirth’s most impactful moments. Nomura’s claims underscore the depth and emotional resonance the team is bringing to these characters and their stories. The director, Naoki Hamaguchi, shared similar sentiments, referring to it as one of the game’s “most wonderful scenes.
The emotional reunion between Barret and Dyne is a crucial narrative point in the original game, but should get more airtime in FF7 Rebirth.
Dyne, the biological father of Marlene and former best friend of Barret, was believed to have died after a Shinra attack on his village. This is why Barret adopts Marlene. However, it’s later revealed that he is alive and reunites with Barret in Corel Prison, except, Dyne is no longer the same man. The developers have emphasized their commitment to depicting this scene, and other character arcs, with greater depth and detail in the remake.
The development team’s focus on enhancing character portrayals extends beyond Barret and Dyne. Hamaguchi had, in a previous interview, mentioned that players would also “truly feel bad” for Sephiroth, the game’s antagonist. Many are taking this as a hint towards a more nuanced exploration of the one-winged angel’s past. This approach aligns with the game’s overarching theme of “life,” as stated by Nomura, who emphasized the importance of depicting life and death authentically within the game.
The remake’s expanded narrative, facilitated by modern hardware and the decision to split the original game into three separate titles, allows for a deeper exploration of character relationships and pivotal plot points. This approach not only enhances the impact of Aerith’s storyline and Sephiroth’s role in the game but also elevates lesser-known yet significant scenes, such as the one involving Dyne in Corel Prison.
Producer Yoshinori Kitase initially considered cutting the Dyne scene from Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. But, after hearing the opinions of Nomura and Hamaguchi on its importance, he changed his mind, realizing its significance. This highlights the team’s dedication to preserving and enriching key moments from the original game while adapting them for a contemporary audience.
The emphasis on character development, combined with the advanced capabilities of the PlayStation 5, sets the stage for a profoundly moving gaming experience that stays true to the essence of Final Fantasy 7 while pushing the boundaries of modern storytelling in video games.
If nothing else, this should mean that FF7 Rebirth should only play better once it inevitably arrives on PC. Unfortunately, there’s still no word about when it could arrive on Xbox.
