Fans are still waiting on an official release date for the second part of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Square Enix's ambitious project re-imagining the classic RPG for modern audiences. While the release of the updated Intergrade version on PS5 and spin-offs including The First SOLDIER have tided fans over, anticipation is still high for what Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 might bring, including new locations, battles, and party members.
In the first part of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, protagonist Cloud Strife was joined by allies Barret, Tifa, and Aerith as he explored the layered city of Midgar and faced off against the powerful Shinra Corporation. Another ally, the canine Red XIII, was met near the end of Part 1 but not made into a fully playable party member. Fans hope to see at least one, if not more of Cloud's allies from the original Final Fantasy 7 join up in the second part of the remake series as the party explores the world outside Midgar.
Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, and Barret Will Return
Led by Cloud and his iconic Buster Sword, four of the playable characters from Part 1 will return in Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2. It remains to be seen whether their levels and skills will carry over from older save files or players will have to start fresh, but Cloud and his allies will likely gain new powers and abilities in the second part as they continue to fight monsters and Shinra soldiers to collect different kinds of materia.
Red XIII Will Likely Be Playable
Near the end of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 1, Cloud and his friends encountered the wolf-like Red XIII while rescuing Aerith from captivity in the Shinra labs. Red XIII was captured and experimented on by Shinra for many years, and he wishes to help save the planet and restore his species. He was an AI-controlled guest character in Part 1, helping Cloud and the others escape from Professor Hojo's laboratory. In the second part, he will likely be a fully playable character using his canine strength and speed, innate magical abilities, and the materia attached to his collar.
Intergrade Indicates Yuffie Will Appear
A ninja from the land of Wutai, Yuffie Kisaragi was an optional party member in the original Final Fantasy 7. However, she was made the star of her own remake chapter, Intermission, in Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade, which covered her adventures before meeting Cloud. This implies that Yuffie will show up in Part 2 and perhaps play a larger role than in the original game. As shown in Intergrade, Yuffie uses shurikens in battle and can use ninjutsu to charge her attacks with elemental power.
Cait Sith Was Teased in Part 1
Arguably Final Fantasy 7's most unique party member, Cait Sith is a tiny feline fortune-teller with a mysterious connection to Shinra. He appeared briefly toward the end of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 1, watching as Midgar's Section 7 was destroyed. This teaser appearance makes it likely he will play a major role in Part 2, including possibly joining up with Cloud and his team. Cait Sith originally fought using magic while riding around on a giant Moogle, but since the Moogle was not shown in Part 1, it is possible his gameplay and combat style will be reworked.
Vincent Valentine Might Not Be Optional This Time
In the original Final Fantasy 7, the second optional party member after Yuffie was Vincent Valentine, a brooding man who didn't like to talk about his past. Although recruiting Vincent was optional, he quickly became one of the game's most popular characters and later received his own spin-off, Final Fantasy 7 Dirge of Cerberus. Fans currently theorize that he will appear in Final Fantasy Remake Part 2, but are divided on whether he will be a required or optional party member this time around. Regardless, Vincent will likely be encountered in Part 2 if Cloud and his party make their way to the decrepit Shinra Manor.
Cid Highwind May Be Saved For Part 3
Genius scientist and airship pilot Cid Highwind is the last character to join the party in the original Final Fantasy 7. He is not met until Cloud and the group reach Rocket Town, where they decide to make use of Cid's plane in order to pursue Sephiroth. Because Cid is the final party member, he may be saved for a potential Remake Part 3 so that that game has something new to offer. However, he may make appearances as an NPC in Part 2, similar to Caith Sith and Red XIII in Part 1.
Sephiroth May Make a Guest Appearance
One of the most popular characters introduced in Final Fantasy 7 is the antagonist Sephiroth, who quickly became famous for his unique appearance, difficult final battle, and musical theme, "One Winged Angel." Due to the character's popularity, he made appearances in Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 1, including as a boss battle near the end of the game. In Part 2, his backstory will likely be explored, so Sephiroth may show up in flashback sequences as an AI-controlled guest character - or possible even a fully playable one.
Zack's Role Remains a Mystery
Cloud's SOLDIER friend Zack Fair is an interesting case. In the original Final Fantasy 7, he only appeared in flashbacks, having died prior to the events of the game. Zack's popularity led to him becoming playable in his own spin-off, Final Fantasy 7 Crisis Core. However, near the end of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 1, a version of Zack was shown as having survived the battle that killed him in the original, so it is possible that this Zack may show up in Part 2 and even join Cloud's party.
With fans suspecting that more information regarding Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 will be announced in June, more could be revealed about how much of the original game's story the second part of this remake series will adapt. With that, fans will have a clearer idea of which party members will appear and who will be saved for future parts.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 is currently in development.