FF7 Revelation Dev: No Clear Answer on Playing Original First

Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi says there's no clear-cut answer on whether newcomers should play the original RPG before the Remake trilogy.

Ever wondered if you need to play the original Final Fantasy 7 before diving into the Remake trilogy? You're not alone. And according to the director of the upcoming Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, there's no simple yes or no.

Speaking to GamesRadar+, lead developer Naoki Hamaguchi addressed the long-running debate. He says fans aren't "mistaken at all" for recommending that new players finish the 1997 classic first. Why? Because "the storyline of the original Final Fantasy 7 is very much enshrined within the story [and] the narrative of the Remake series as a thing in the world." In other words, knowing what happened back then can deepen your appreciation of what's unfolding now.

The Remake games have always played with our expectations. Battling against destiny and fate, all while knowing what's supposed to happen next, is part of the thrill. Plus, the alternate timelines have many fans convinced Square Enix is secretly crafting a meta-sequel rather than a straightforward remake. We'll need to see how Revelation ends to get those answers.

"If you know what that original storyline is and you can pick up on what's changing or looking like it's going to change, you're going to have more fun," Hamaguchi explains. "And you're going to get more out of it." So for veterans, the original knowledge adds an extra layer of enjoyment.

But here's the twist: the Remake trilogy has been "designed very much so that even someone who's not played the original can jump in on any of them [and] still have a really great experience." Hamaguchi even suggests some might have a better time starting fresh with the Remake saga. "You could actually look at it the other way around, too, and maybe say that it's better to start with the Remake series for a different reason."

According to Hamaguchi, the modern tech and "graphical splendor" of the new trilogy might make it "easier to have that emotional impact maybe than the original did" for first-timers. "So, in that sense, you could argue coming into Final Fantasy 7 without any prior knowledge [is better]," he adds. "You're experiencing it for the first time in this modern graphical splendor. That might also be a better way of doing it. So I guess really it's down to people's preferences. It's not as clear cut as one way or the other."

In related news, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's battle lead "regrets" how hard the Platinum trophy was to earn, so director Naoki Hamaguchi says Revelation's is "easier." So at least trophy hunters have something to look forward to.

What do you think? Will you be jumping into the original first, or diving straight into the Remake trilogy? Let us know in the comments!