FF7 Remake Part 3 Needs to Steer Clear of FF7 Rebirth’s Major Mistake

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth represents the much-anticipated sequel in the FF7 Remake franchise. With its acclaim as one of the year’s best releases and a nomination for Game of the Year at The Game Awards, FF7 Rebirth boasts the elements of an exceptional game that redefines a beloved classic. However, despite its accolades, there is a significant issue that needs addressing for the trilogy to conclude successfully.

The Overabundance of Mini-Games in FF7 Rebirth

An Engaging Narrative Hampered by Excessive Content

Cloud Strife and Yuffie playing a mini-game in FF7 Rebirth

The challenge of remaking a game as iconic as Final Fantasy 7 within a three-part framework has been immense. The trilogy aims not just to recreate, but also to reimagine the narrative, enriching it with more profound exploration of characters and various subplots. However, the task of converting a significant portion of a nearly 30-year-old game into a full-length title has led to some problems.

FF7 Rebirth has been criticized for an overwhelming number of mini-games, which can detract from the otherwise stellar core gameplay. The introduction of numerous side activities loaded into expansive game environments creates a sense of bloat rather than depth.

As a middle installment, maintaining engagement while expanding the original’s locales into vast, interconnected areas has proven difficult. While exploration is essential, the overwhelming presence of trivial tasks—designed seemingly to extend playtime—makes FF7 Rebirth feel cumbersome.

Players encounter a staggering 28 mini-games across the 14 chapters—a staggering amount in comparison to the original Mario Party’s 50, which was designed entirely around mini-games. While mini-games are a staple of the JRPG genre and Final Fantasy in particular, their excessive quantity in FF7 Rebirth shifts the experience towards a collection of mini-games rather than a captivating RPG.

The Narrative Becomes Secondary Due to Mini-Game Overload

The Disturbance of Urgent Quests by Side Content

Tifa and Aerith in swimsuits on Costa Del Sol during FF7 Rebirth

Though mini-games have been a recurrent feature in the Final Fantasy series, traditionally, they were reserved for optional activities. In FF7 Rebirth, these mini-games frequently become mandatory for story progression, causing significant disruptions to the urgency of the narrative. The urgency in saving the world feels diminished when players are sidetracked with tasks such as acquiring swimsuits.

While many mini-games are labeled optional, the game’s structure contradicts this notion. As a part of a series expanding on the stories of supporting characters, it loses narrative momentum when many pivotal character moments require participation in inconvenient side quests laden with mini-games.

Enhancing FF7 Remake Part 3: A Call for Clarity and Purpose

The Necessity of Streamlining the Experience

Aerith Gainsborough praying at the City of the Ancients in FF7 Rebirth

In today’s gaming landscape, an incessant drive to create expansive experiences often hampers the overall quality. This is evident in FF7 Rebirth, which highlights the pitfalls of prioritizing scale over substance. For the concluding chapter of the trilogy, FF7 Remake Part 3 must prioritize a concentrated and engaging narrative arc instead of inflating the content merely for perceived value, especially considering the mixed sales performance of Rebirth.

According to HowLongToBeat, playing the original Final Fantasy 7 takes about 36 hours to complete, with roughly 80 hours required for completionists. In stark contrast, FF7 Rebirth spans around 47 hours for a standard playthrough and an astonishing 167 hours for full completion—over twice the time of its predecessor.

Players have voiced concerns regarding burnout due to the relentless barrage of side activities in FF7 Rebirth, which poses a challenge for the next installment. Director Naoki Hamaguchi has indicated that the final part will reduce the completion complexity in comparison to Rebirth. It is imperative that the success of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth in storytelling and gameplay should guide the development of Part 3, while its missteps become valuable lessons moving forward.

Source: HowLongToBeat (1, 2)

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