Even though Square Enix’s marketing campaigns have leaned intoFinal Fantasy 7 Remake’s moniker, it can be argued that the game’s name isn’t as accurate as the publisher would have people believe. In reality, while there are obvious parts ofthe original 1997 PS1 experiencethat have been recreated, sections of the game could stand alone as a separate entity. Aside from the basic premise, most of what’s on offer is more expansive than ever. All this which means that the door is now wide open creatively for the inevitableFinal Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2.
Between factors like new story threads, gameplay mechanics, and general world-building,Final Fantasy 7’s modern re-imagining feels just as much like a sequel or reboot as it does a true remake. It’s for this reason that Square Enix should go all in withFinal Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2. Based on some of the success that it’s already had on this front, throwing new characters into the mix should be towards the top of its agenda.
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Square Enix’s Past Success
Arguably the biggest reason why Square Enix should introduce new characters into the fold inFinal Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2, is the fact that it’s already had some success on similar lines in the past. Even though the initial PS4 release ofFF7 Remake Part 1focused primarily on five ofCloud’s original party members, when it came to the PS5 remaster a year later the publisher chose to shake up the established order. Players only have to look at the subsequentFinal Fantasy 7 Remake IntergradeDLC expansion, for examples of how effective new blood could be in the inevitable sequel.
While Yuffie’s backstory and fully playable protagonist status were arguably the biggest factors that made the DLC special, changes that happened around her enhanced the experience as well. Most notably, during her quest to stop Shinra and restore Wutai’s reputation, Yuffie was assisted by a completely original companion. Over the course of the side story, players were introduced to Sonon Kusakabe for the first time inFinal Fantasy 7’s long history.
The introduction of a brand-new cast member on this occasion, benefited the game on multiple levels. From just a gameplay perspective alone, Sonon’s presence alongside Yuffie added extra dimensions to the action-JRPGs mechanics, in ways that helped to make the expansion feel fresh. Even though it’s hard to imagineSquare Enix disrupting the established partythat players have come to know and love over the last 25 years, a case can be made for the benefits it could have on what will likely be a substantial adventure.
Having already hit it out of the park with Sonon’s introduction into the franchise’s mythos, there is good reason to believe that Square Enix could create even more endearing characters in the future.Final Fantasy 7’s history is so established and expansive at this point, it’s easy to imagine the creative developers behind the scenes having conjured up more intriguing twists since the originalPS1 game’s debut.
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Better Final Fantasy 7 Party Members
Adapting abeloved game likeFinal Fantasy 7that’s inspired several generations of players is a tricky proposition to say the least. Fans have waited decades to see their favorite characters brought back to life on modern hardware, so it’s natural that many will want the remakes to focus on them above anyone else. Brand-new characters don’t have to detract from Cloud or anyone else, though, if Square Enix continues to introduce them in the same mold as Sonon.
Even though there’s no denying that Sonon was introduced intoFinal Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade’s narrativein a fully fleshed-out and organic way, his presence ended up benefiting the DLC’s main character more than himself. Having assisted Yuffie during her personal coming of age quest, Sonon’s mannerisms and sacrifice visibly transformed her own personality and motivations. By the time the DLC came to a close, Yuffie was a much more believable human being as a result.
Up until this point in the series’ history, players have often learned about Cloud and his companions through their interactions with each other. Putting brand-new characters in their way withinFinal Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2would be a clever way forSquare Enix to explore different partsof their characterizations. There’s always a chance that players could get an even deeper appreciation for their favorites as a result of the story-telling opportunities that new characters represent.
Narrative Benefits of New Final Fantasy Characters
From a narrative perspective, adding new characters intoFinal Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2would likely benefit the game a great deal in a more general way. It’s worth keeping in mind, for example, that everymember of Cloud’s partyhas lived eventful lives prior to joining the protagonist on his mission to stop Sephiroth. Taking the time to explore the past in more detail, through the introduction of new faces, would help to make the universe feel more genuine.
It’s also worth keeping in mind above everything else that breaking down one classic JRPG into multiple parts will leave Square Enix with a decent amount of space to fill. From a practical perspective, new characters could help to reduce this to a non-issue. Giving veteran fans some unexpected twists, whilst simultaneously making sure the narrative never becomes too slow for newcomers, would help tokeepFinal Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2engagingacross its likely 40+ hour runtime.
Players only have to look at how wellthe publisher fleshed out MidgarduringFinal Fantasy 7 Remake Part 1, for examples of how effectively Square Enix can address this topic. Even though they weren’t brand-new, the enhancements that Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge received pushed them close to uncharted territory. This is evidenced best by how impactful their eventual fate in the game was in comparison to the original 1997 version. Creating brand-new characters forRemake Part 2would arguably give the publisher even more freedom to create similar emotional moments.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2is currently in development.
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