The Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy isn’t just a chance for older fans to revisit the iconic 1997 JRPG in a modern package but it’s also Square Enix’s opportunity to retell the story and delve deeper into each character, especially as it was limited by the technology of its time.
One of the characters that’s benefitted a lot from the expansion of Final Fantasy 7 over the past few decades is Zack Fair, who, before the FF7 Remake, was mostly popular only with casual fans as the chipper version of the man that Cloud Strife thought he was.
Now, co-director Naoki Hamaguchi has provided further insights into Zack’s expanded role in the upcoming sequel as he doubles down on earlier interviews and reports, suggesting that players can expect fresh experiences and deeper insights into the 1st Class SOLDIER.
In the original Final Fantasy 7, Zack played a relatively minor role, but he has become increasingly central to the story through subsequent releases like Crisis Core and Advent Children. His surprise survival in FF7 Remake has set the stage for significant changes in the sequel. Hamaguchi has described Zack as a crucial character whose presence will enhance players’ understanding of the game’s setting. He will be used to illustrate the world’s governing policies and rules, potentially leading to a different ending from the one familiar to fans of the original game.
Hamaguchi’s comments in a recent Game Informer interview indicate that Zack’s inclusion in Rebirth plays a part in the strategy as the developers build a sense of mystery and alter players’ expectations. This approach aims to provide a new perspective for both longtime fans and newcomers. With Zack’s expanded role, Rebirth is set to diverge from the original storyline, making it more than just a modern reimagining of the 1997 classic.
Zack’s survival, revealed at the end of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, is presumably linked to the defeat of the Whispers, which are ethereal entities that sought to preserve the original timeline. This victory suggests that future events can unfold in a different manner. But, it’s also possible that Zack’s involvement significantly changes the narrative. Zack might play an inadvertent antagonist role, replacing the Whispers as a narrative device to explore themes of destiny and fate. This is a development that could lead to Zack coming into conflict with the main characters, adding complexity to the plot.
In addition to altering the storyline, Zack’s presence in Rebirth raises intriguing questions about key events in the game, such as Aerith’s fate and the final showdown with Sephiroth. While the developers have been careful not to reveal a lot, they have hinted that Zack’s role will be substantial and could lead to unexpected outcomes. FF7 Rebirth’s producer, Yoshinori Kitase, has even confirmed that Zack will have a new episode in Rebirth, indicating that his story will be explored in more depth than in the original game.
Furthermore, the speculation surrounding Zack’s role in Rebirth touches on the broader thematic concerns of the FF7 Remake trilogy. The game wrestles with the legacy of the original and the expectations of fans.
With the Whispers defeated, Rebirth appears set to challenge preconceived notions about the storyline and fate. Zack’s unexpected survival, a significant deviation from the original plot, embodies this theme of challenging destiny.
The narrative possibilities that Zack’s presence opens up are vast. Another possibility is that Zack’s return could lead to a poignant culmination where he sacrifices himself in place of Aerith only to discover that this heroic deed results in a bleaker reality for everyone.
Ultimately, it’s becoming more evident that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth promises to be more than a straightforward remake; it aims to offer a reinterpretation that acknowledges the original while paving new narrative paths. Zack’s expanded role is indicative of this approach, as it introduces an element that could significantly alter the game’s direction.
By spending more time with Sephiroth, Aerith, Zack, and even Barrett, Square Enix is turning one of Final Fantasy’s supposed weaknesses, especially in recent years, into its biggest strength.
While very few, if at all, play Final Fantasy for the narrative, FF7 Rebirth is shaping up to be the most story-driven entry in the franchise yet.
With only a little over a month to go before the release of FF7 Rebirth on February 29, fans won’t have to wait for too long to find out the differences between the Beagle and Terrier timelines, among others.
