Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and the upcoming unofficially titled “Part 3,” says he’s unsure whether his future projects will reuse the Remake trilogy’s combat system, preferring to keep gameplay experiences fresh for players.
In a recent interview with Easy Allies, Hamaguchi admitted he doesn’t yet know what he’ll tackle after the much-anticipated threequel, but added he probably won’t replicate the trilogy’s exact battle system. “I don’t know what kind of project I would be working on after the FF7 Remake project, but at this point in time, I don’t think I will use the exact same battle system,” he said.
He explained that diverging from the Remake formula helps keep the experience surprising for players. That said, he left the door open for using the revamped JRPG combat as inspiration: rather than copying it verbatim, he could use parts of it as a foundation when evolving mechanics for future titles.
Talking Final Fantasy VII w/ Naoki Hamaguchi at TGS 2025 – Easy Allies Interview – YouTube
“I think it is very possible for me to take the FF7 Remake battle system as a basis, [and] have something that derives from that as an evolution,” Hamaguchi added. “I think there is a possibility to use something like that, but I don’t think I’ll use the exact same format.” He did not elaborate on which specific mechanics he might reuse or alter.
The Remake’s combat itself stirred debate by transforming the original 1997 game’s turn-based framework into a more action-oriented system. Older online discussions document a divided community over that shift, and together with Hamaguchi’s remarks, they raise questions about the direction he will take in future titles.
After Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s divisive ending, the director has said Part 3 is “in safe hands” and that the trilogy’s finale will reward players who stick with the series to the end.
