Square Enix has promised it won't "cheat" when it comes to Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3’s airship.
Fans of the original Final Fantasy 7 will know that the Highwind is an airship from the original Final Fantasy 7 that Cloud and the crew unlock in Act 3. It lets the part swiftly and seamlessly travel around the world, even interrupting the imposing Weapons as they potter about the map.
The airship is set to star in the third and final part of Square Enix’s Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy, but some fans had wondered whether the original airship system would be replicated in the upcoming game, given its expanded detail and scope.
As reported by 4gamer and translated by Siliconera, producer Yoshinori Kitase and director Naoki Hamaguchi told an audience of fans at the Korean G-STAR 2024 gaming conference that the airship’s introduction in Part 3 means the world needs to be experienced from a higher perspective.
“We will not cheat with the airship system (in Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3) but take the challenge head-on so that it can freely fly all over the game map,” Hamaguchi confirmed.
While that will come as some reassurance to fans, questions remain. How low or high will the Highwind be able to fly over the game map? Will you be able to land and pop out at any location? Will airship travel be seamless across the entire planet, with no loading? Will Part 3 represent the game map in a different way to accommodate airship traversal?
It may be some time before we find out. In April, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3’s main story was said to be finished, with voice recording set to start shortly after. A 2027 release window was suggested, too (the original Final Fantasy 7 launched in 1997).
Final Fantasy 7 Remake came out in 2020, with Rebirth launching in February this year. In September, Square Enix made public its dissatisfaction with Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s commercial performance, admitting neither game met profit expectations. Final Fantasy 16 producer Naoki Yoshida has said it might be time for a younger generation to lead the franchise and helm Final Fantasy 17.
Check out our Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth ending explained to find out where things left off.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
