The artistry of video game design often extends beyond the gameplay and narrative. The overarching theme, as any fan of Hideo Kojima will tell you, bleeds into every detail, including their cover artwork. But, while the Japanese video game auteur is widely associated with such subliminal messaging, he’s not the only creative genius to use every aspect of a game to tease audience of its release. Case in point, Tetsuya Nomura.
The mastermind behind some of Square Enix’s most iconic titles, including the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, appears to have imbued profound symbolism into the cover art for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the halfway point of the aforementioned trilogy.
What’s more interesting is this new design philosophy stands in stark contrast to the relatively simplistic art that graced the cover of Final Fantasy 7 Remake in 2020.
Created by Creative Director, Tetsuya Nomura, this artwork represents the three worlds that form the axis of the story in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Sephiroth is in the center, as he represents the instigator of the events of the past. #FF7R [1/2] pic.twitter.com/gmAW12vNum
— FINAL FANTASY VII (@finalfantasyvii) October 8, 2023
Central to the Rebirth cover is the enigmatic figure of Sephiroth, a character whose influence and essence permeate the narrative of the Final Fantasy series. He stands prominently, flanked by the formidable duo of Cloud Strife and Zack Fair. The backdrop, a swirling melange of foreboding reds and yellows, amplifies the ominous atmosphere. In an attempt to offer insights into this meticulous design, Square Enix took to social media.
Square Enix explains that the artwork encapsulates the “triad of worlds forming the story’s axis.” Sephiroth’s positioning at the center is deliberate, symbolizing his pivotal role as the orchestrator of past and future upheavals. The presence of Cloud and Zack, on the other hand, depicts destinies that have been tragically altered by the war hero’s interventions. A pervasive use of hues of red, representative of blood and fire, act as further testament to Sephiroth’s sprawling influence over the game’s world.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s storyline brings forth a compelling dimension: Sephiroth’s relentless ambition to reshape his destiny. This becomes all the more intriguing when recalling that Zack, who tragically perished before the events of the original game, was portrayed as alive at the conclusion of the Final Fantasy VII Remake. This narrative deviation hints at the initial success of Sephiroth’s attempts to contort fate. Trailers and other promotional materials emphasize Zack’s enhanced role, suggesting deeper layers to his character that might significantly influence the course of the game.
The survival of Zack stirs a plethora of questions. What force ensured his continued existence? Could it be the Planet’s will? Is it the machinations of the Whispers? Did Aerith intervene? Is it all part of Sephiroth’s plans? Perhaps, it’s a mere quirk of fate? Sephiroth might even be thinking of weaponizing Zack in his overarching strategy to manipulate destiny. Intriguingly, there are also indications pointing to Zack’s involvement in negative lifestream events, notably related to the rise of geostigma and the ensuing corruption of the lifestream.
The narrative web becomes denser when considering Zack’s history with Aerith. Their ill-fated romance, prematurely severed by Zack’s demise in Crisis Core, beckons pondering about Aerith’s trajectory in the sequel’s narrative. Zack’s return to the storyline has the potential to radically reshape events, perhaps even averting Aerith’s tragic end at the malevolent hands of Sephiroth. There exists a possibility that Zack’s re-emergence is either a tactical sacrifice to help safeguard Aerith or a mere presence that’s potent enough to thwart Sephiroth’s malevolent schemes.
Given the cover art’s symbolic depth and layered meanings, it has naturally become a subject of deep fascination for its fans. Various interpretations have emerged, positing, for instance, that the color gradients, reminiscent of Crisis Core’s promotional materials, position Zack and Cloud as contrasting day and night iterations of each other, while Sephiroth resides in the ambiguous twilight zone. Such analysis dovetails with the overarching theme of trust and deception prevalent in the game, prompting players to oscillate between Cloud’s illusions and Zack’s revelations.
Moreover, an examination of the intricate cover art within the broader canvas of Square Enix’s artistic strategy shows a kind of meticulous care and profound thought that underpins these creations. Developer notes and ancillary materials frequently showcase the depth of consideration that shapes these designs, with every element – be it color palettes, character positioning, or underlying symbolism – calibrated to encapsulate the game’s core essence.
As anticipation builds for the February 29, 2024 release of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on PlayStation 5, it’s evident Square Enix and Tetsuya Nomura have masterfully crafted a visual and narrative marvel that promises to offer an experience that resonates deeply with its audience.
