Katarzyna Petru
Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, admitted in an interview with Easy Allies that Square Enix is facing difficulties when working on the game's version for Xbox. The biggest issues arise with the Series S, whose limited RAM necessitates additional optimisation. This isn't the first time that this cheaper console has become problematic – we have heard similar concerns regarding Baldur’s Gate 3 and Diablo IV.
Remake that changed everything
The trilogy Final Fantasy VII Remake is not just a simple refresh of a classic, but a complete reinterpretation. The first part (2020) presented events in Midgar, while the second – Rebirth (2024) – opened up the world and significantly expanded the narrative. Now the third installment is in development, set to be the culmination of the entire story and at the same time the first part debuting simultaneously on all platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2.
New vision of an iconic story
The original from 1997 is considered one of the most important games in PlayStation history, and the remake takes it a step further – the combat system combines dynamic action with classic ATB, characters like Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith receive deeper storylines, and the plot intentionally takes unexpected turns. For some, it’s a betrayal of the original; for others, it’s a chance to rediscover the same legend.
Technical issues, but Square Enix reassures fans
Hamaguchi openly speaks about memory issues on the Xbox, which almost certainly refers to the Series S. The console has only 10 GB of RAM, some of which runs slower than in the more expensive models. Compared to the PS5 and Series X (both with 16 GB of faster memory), the difference is clear. This means developers have to create separate solutions for Microsoft's smallest console.
Despite the difficulties, the developer assures that work on the third installment is proceeding as planned. Separate teams are optimizing for specific platforms, and the multiplatform launch is still scheduled for the same day.
Final Fantasy VII Legacy
The original game sold over 14 million copies and remains one of the most important titles in JRPG history. Sephiroth has risen to the level of an iconic villain in pop culture, and subsequent spin-offs and adaptations – like Crisis Core: Reunion – demonstrate that the FF7 universe is more than just a game.
The question that remains is: will the Series S prove to be the weak link in the grand finale of the saga, or will Square Enix manage to prove that a true next-gen experience can be achieved even on limited hardware?
