Katarzyna Petru
Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, admitted in an interview with Easy Allies that Square Enix is facing difficulties while working on the Xbox version of the game. The most issues arise from the Series S, whose limited RAM forces additional optimisation. This is not the first time that this cheaper console has become problematic – similar feedback has been heard for 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, the second – Rebirth (2024) – opened up the world and significantly developed the plot. Now, the third instalment is being created, which is 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 such as Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith receive deeper storylines, and the plot intentionally veers in unexpected directions. For some, it is a betrayal of the original, for others – an opportunity to rediscover the same legend.
Technical issues, but Square Enix reassures fans
Hamaguchi openly talks about memory problems on the Xbox, which almost certainly refers to the Series S. The console has only 10 GB of RAM, some of which operates 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 that developers have to create separate solutions for Microsoft's smallest console.
Despite the difficulties, the developer assures that work on the third part is proceeding as planned. Separate teams are focused on optimisation for specific platforms, and the multiplatform release is still scheduled for the same day.
Legacy of Final Fantasy VII
The original game sold over 14 million copies and is still one of the most important titles in the history of JRPGs. Sephiroth has become an icon of villains in pop culture, and subsequent spin-offs and adaptations – such as 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 be able to prove that a true next-gen experience can be created even on limited hardware?
