In a recent interview with Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu, the producer for Final Fantasy VII Remake – Yoshinori Kitase – provided some new details on the direction that the visuals and gameplay are headed in.
We’re starting to see the visual direction. On the other hand, we’re currently working out the battle system and such through trial-and-error. Since there’s a possibility that the command battle system of the old days might not work today, we’re thinking hard about what kind of direction we can take it.
Normally, when you do a remake, it becomes somewhere along the lines of a familiar action RPG, so we’re looking at how we can put out something like Final Fantasy VII while still surprising players.
Please don’t ask about how far into development we are and such. [Laughs]
Admittedly, these comments aren’t going to be very reassuring for those who want a remake that’s fiercely loyal to the original, and it looks like Square Enix are adamant in their decision that Final Fantasy VII Remake needs to, at least to a certain degree, modernize the original’s combat system to bring it line with today’s standards.
[zergpaid]While certain elements of the original release certainly do need sprucing up, Square Enix undoubtedly have a tough road ahead of them. If they change too much, they’ll alienate fans of the original version. If they change too little, they’ll be criticized for not doing enough to justify a remake. Honestly, it’s going to be hard for them to please everyone here.
If you haven’t already, take a look at our own thoughts on why Final Fantasy VII Remake could be both a good and bad idea, and sound off with your thoughts in the comments section below.