They say that a picture paints a thousand words, so how many words can a single tweet convey? In gaming, and in the modern era, in general, a lot. Sometimes, one tweet can set hearts racing with anticipation or break them with disappointment. The recent incident involving Xbox Brazil’s Father’s Day post is an example of the latter.
August 13, Father’s Day in Brazil, saw Xbox’s social media team attempting to honor the day with a graphic celebrating iconic video game dads. Included in the mix was Barret, the much-loved father figure from the legendary JRPG, Final Fantasy 7 Remake. But here’s the twist: Final Fantasy 7 Remake isn’t available on Xbox. This inclusion set the community ablaze with speculation and hope: was this a subtle hint of the game making its debut on Xbox platforms?
Before we delve further, it’s worth noting the context. Fans wait with excitement, for over three years, to see the newer version of Final Fantasy 7 come to Xbox. The game was a PlayStation exclusive at launch in 2020, but with its eventual PC release, Xbox loyalists clung to the possibility of a port.
Square Enix, the game’s developers, had been somewhat enigmatic. While the company hasn’t yet announced any plans for Final Fantasy 7 Remake or its upcoming sequel, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, to debut on Xbox, they have made moves to bring the MMO, Final Fantasy 14, to Xbox platforms next year. Furthermore, CEO Takashi Kiryu has teased continued commitment to “deliver fabulous games to fans across the world,” hinting at more titles heading to Xbox.
So, given all the recent developments, you can’t blame Xbox owners for jumping on the bandwagon since the source is, for the most part, legitimate, or so it seemed.
Unfortunately, Microsoft was quick to set the record straight. In a statement to Eurogamer, they confirmed that Barret’s appearance was not a teaser but an oversight. “The image was posted in error and removed as it included a title not available on Xbox.” Just like that, the community’s hope, inflated by that tweet, was deflated with a simple clarification.
Of course, this intricate situation becomes more complicated given the previously tumultuous relationship between the two companies. Square Enix and Microsoft. Even if the Japanese giant has since extended an MMO-sized olive branch, as previously mentioned, this doesn’t undo years of rumors of issues. Certain titles, such as Octopath Traveler 2 and the Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters, are glaringly absent from Xbox while being available on other platforms. Furthermore, whispers from last December even suggested that Sony played a role in blocking some games, including the sought-after Final Fantasy 7 Remake, from being ported to Xbox.
It’s no wonder then that Xbox fans are hungry for more of the Final Fantasy universe on their consoles. Final Fantasy 7 Remake has garnered critical acclaim, known for its impressive overhaul of the classic 90s game. Players navigate the world as Cloud, teaming up with eco-activists against the monolithic Shinra Inc. It’s a story of environmental activism intertwined with personal demons and global destruction, all rendered in modern, stunning graphics.
While the original Final Fantasy 7 is available for Xbox, the allure of the Remake and its sequel remains tantalizingly out of reach. And though Xbox did get a taste of the universe with the 2022 port of Crisis Core -Final Fantasy 7- Reunion, it’s the Remake that remains the holy grail.
To make matters worse, Final Fantasy 16, one of the franchise’s best outings in a while, might never come to the Xbox and will likely not be available on the PC for a while.
With Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth coming in January, Xbox Series S/X owners will have to wait on the sidelines for longer.
Who knows? Perhaps, one day, the stars will align, and the modern re-telling of the storied rivalry between Cloud Strife and Sephiroth will finally be available on an Xbox.
