Vincent Valentine, the enigmatic and brooding figure from the original Final Fantasy 7, will grace the upcoming middle chapter of the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy.
And, while fans celebrated his brief appearance in the State of Play trailer for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, his involvement in the sequel isn’t in the capacity most are expecting.
According to the game’s developers, Vincent, reminiscent of Red XIII’s role in Final Fantasy 7 Remake, will serve the role of a “companion character” rather than a playable member of your party.
This revelation came to light during an interview with IGN, where the game’s director, Naoki Hamaguchi, explained the reality of Vincent’s inclusion, saying:
In terms of whether or not Vincent will be a playable character, he will be more of an accompanying character to the party in terms of Rebirth.
This mirrors Red XIII’s role in the previous title. In FF7 Remake, Red XIII, despite joining the group in the latter half of the narrative, couldn’t be maneuvered in battle nor could players alter his gear. However, this doesn’t seal Vincent’s fate for the entire series. Red XIII was reintroduced as a playable character in Rebirth, hinting that Vincent may potentially assume a similar role in the upcoming concluding part of the trilogy.
For those unfamiliar, Vincent Valentine, with his crimson cloak and mysterious aura, was an optional ally to the players that they can recruit in the original FF7 game. His story unfolds in the remote town of Nibelheim, where aligns with the main party in pursuit of a personal vendetta. The handgun-wielding former Turk garnered immense popularity, leading to him eventually becoming the protagonist of the spin-off, Dirge of Cerberus. Though the game received a lukewarm reception, Vincent’s character retained his fan-favorite status over the years.
It’s clear that Square Enix is setting up Rebirth to be both a familiar tale and an incredible new journey that older fans and newcomers alike can equally enjoy.
As per the recent revelations, the narrative of FF7 Rebirth spans the conclusion of the FF7 Remake up to the evocative Forgotten Capital segment. While it remains loyal to the spirit of the original FF7, players can expect a reshuffling in the sequence of events, and even the introduction of party members will no longer follow the original.
Vincent’s involvement, specifically, is hinted to play a role in the enigmatic plot developments explored in FF7 Remake, specifically the so-called “Whispers of Fate.”
To fully appreciate the scope of Rebirth, one must look beyond Vincent. The recent teaser unleashed during Sony’s State of Play event unveiled other enticing elements, from the return of the Gold Saucer and its assortment of minigames to the introduction of other beloved characters. The game, promising an extensive 100 hours of content across a two-disc adventure, promises to bring to life certain scenes that have had fans eagerly awaiting, including additional story bits like a new adventure for Zack Fair.
As for Vincent Valentine, while players might not directly command him in battle, his presence is bound to add layers of intrigue and complexity to the overarching narrative.
We’ll find out just how Vincent will join the party in FF7 Remake when it comes out on the PlayStation 5 on February 29, 2024.
