The release of Final Fantasy 7 Remake in 2020 both delivered on fan expectations and subverted them. Square Enix was successfully able to capitalize on nostalgia for the original PlayStation JRPG, while also updating the game for modern audiences. That Square Enix also diverged from the original game's story was a twist many expected, but still took the game in a surprising direction. Now, Square Enix is looking to Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2, and is hoping to recapture the magic again.
This weekend, Square Enix is delivered the keynote for the ongoing CEDEC + Kyushu 2020 Online event. The keynote includes Final Fantasy 7 Remake producer and Square Enix executive officer Yoshinori Kitase. Kitase spoke about Square Enix's plans for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2, saying he hopes to once again "exceed expectations" while still surprising players. That's a challenge that seems both easier and more difficult to do than with the first game.
Kitase describes how Final Fantasy 7 players already know the story of the game, and because of this Square Enix was able to deliver what they expected while also making it more complex. As Kitase said, Square Enix wants to capitalize on making players think, "Oh, so this is what actually happened!" However, this also allows Square Enix to surprise players and "go beyond their expectations." In that, Kitase said that despite Final Fantasy 7 being a remake, Square Enix can continue providing a game that fans can look forward to.
It's easy to see why Square Enix would want to do this again with Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2, since it worked so successfully with the first. It's also easy to see why it will be both easy and difficult in different ways. It'll be easy in that Square Enix has already diverged from the original story of Final Fantasy 7. Expectations are up in the air and everything going forward could be a major surprise, but it'll be difficult because new content can't rely as much on nostalgia.
From here, Square Enix will have to find a new recipe balancing both the original Final Fantasy 7 story and new content. Kitase can say he's excited to exceed expectations again, but Square Enix is in a more precarious position overall. No one knows what to think about Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2's direction.
That said, Square Enix also has the benefit of momentum. Final Fantasy 7 Remake has been a resounding success. When Square Enix officially announces Part 2 and reveals its characters once more in a new cinematic trailer, the hype will undoubtedly be back again, too. It doesn't guarantee Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 will be a great game, but there are worse conditions under which to launch a game.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake is available now on PS4.