Despite rumors that the longtime Final Fantasy composer was headed toward retirement, Nobuo Uematsu confirmed he'd be "honored" to return with a main theme for the final game in the Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy.
In a recent Square Enix Music Youtube channel video, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth creative director Tetsuya Nomura asked if Uemasu would return for the yet-to-be-titled third game in the Final Fantasy remake trilogy. Although Uematsu's involvement in the third title has yet to be made official, the 64-year-old composer agreed to Nomura's "gentleman's agreement" to work on the third Final Fantasy VII game.
"It'd be my honor," Uematsu said. "Really, I'm honored you're even extending the offer."
Prior to the video's release, Uematsu told the German publication Zeit Online (via VGC) that, while he'll still be involved with writing the main themes for Final Fantasy games, he likely won't work on the full composition for a video game again.
"You would have to give it full throttle for two or three years. And I don’t think I have the physical and mental strength to do it anymore," Uematsu told Ziet Online. "I think I’d rather use the time I have left to work on other projects that I love."
Uematsu composed the score for the first Final Fantasy back in 1987. He'd go on to compose the scores for the first nine Final Fantasy games before collaborating with fellow composers Junya Nakano and Masashi Hamauzu for Final Fantasy X and Kumi Tanioka and Naoshi Mizuta for Final Fantasy XI. Uematsu's latest compositions include Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Remake's themes, Hollow and No Promises to Keep.
Uematsu revealed he felt a sense of finality while composing No Promises to Keep. When he listened back to a copy of the song at home, he felt satisfied with what he'd made, saying "it's pretty darn good." Likewise, Uematsu admitted that working on Rebirth's theme song also led him to the realization that someone in his age range can't keep up with the Final Fantasy series, or the effort required of its developers.
"Of course, it's great to see new people giving this series their all and making great games, but I was happy to get back in the saddle and contribute again," Umatsu continued. "In 10, 20 years, when it's my time to go, I'll look back on this moment with tears in my eyes. That's just how happy I am with this song."
Nomura jokingly echoed Uematsu's thoughts on the strain developers endure making video games, saying "I want to be done with this absolute marathon of projects."
Toward the end of the video, Nomura asked Uematsu if he'd be up to the challenge of surpassing the musical feats he'd already accomplshed for the long-running RPG series.
"For starters, I'm gonna take a vacation," Uematsu said.
The third unnamed entry in the Final Fantasy VII trilogy does not have a release date.
In our review of Rebirth, we wrote, "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth impressively builds off of what Remake set in motion, both as a best-in-class action-RPG full of exciting challenges and an awe-inspiring recreation of a world that has meant so much to so many for so long."
Thumbnail credit: Patrick/Redferns via Getty Images
Isaiah Colbert is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow them on Twitter @ShinEyeZehUhh.
