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[Chaeotic]

Actually could not be happier with this approach - I'm sure the reasons why have been poured over numerous times through this thread. It's amazing the amount of backlash this has coped all over the internet. Is there no "wait and see" in this industry anymore?

Even cautious optimism would be preferable at this stage! Surely the benefits far outweighs the negatives possible in this scenario? Square and Sony both know the risks with this title, I'd like to think they'd make this decision after plenty of thought. One question though - could data present in the earlier episodes be used in a latter, even if multiple discs are used? With the PS4 and mandatory data installs (or so I believe, first time disc is put in), could latter episodes not utilise this? My thought being later episodes releasing in quicker succession as more and more data is reused

 

[Zafir]

I'm glad they do this, and everyone should understand.

If you got FFVII and translated it into a cinematic game, with 3D graphics ala FFXIII, it would be like 5-6 times longer and last 5-6 times more than FFXIII, and at the same time if you translated FFXIII into FFVII's format, FFXIII wouldn't even last as much as FFVII's disc 1.

So with the current production costs to make a faithful remake they have to pull this off, and i'm sure that each instalment of the remake has the ability to give us 20-30 hours of nice gameplay. This is better than trying to do all at once, which isn't realistic


It could have been a much better game

But that's stupid to compare, because they're completely different styles. The original Final Fantasy VII went for low poly open world, like many other RPGs of that era, because it just wasn't viable to create an actual world that large with assets but they still wanted a sense of scale and feeling of travelling the world. Consequently a lot of time you spent traversing the mostly empty over-world. Unless they're going to add ALOT of extra content(which I have no reason to believe they will add with their track record), it's just pointless padding.

While XIII is on the short side. Witcher 3, Xenoblade Chronicles X, GTAV and all that have all proven you can make a very large open world on the budget of one game.

Maybe if this was a publisher I'd trusted, then my opinion would be different. But to me, this just reeks of them wanting to fleece more money out of people, because they can.

 

[hidys]

Original Final Fantasy didn't cost 180 dollars/euros, so I don't really understand these "it makes sense if every part covers one disc". And they will 100% ask for full price each of these titles.

Oh well, still interested but need more information, why they couldn't just make a simple remake .

I can't imagine they would break it up the same way as the discs. Especially given the fact the 3rd disc is pretty short.

 

[Niosai]

I'm okay with this as long as they're full titles with extra content. This just means we can get it sooner and maybe get a better overall experience out of it.

 

[Trumpets]

While XIII is on the short side..

It's a 50 hour game, hardly short...

 

[Buzzati]

One of the more interesting parts for me, is how are they going to handle the transition between episodes/games. Can someone pick up FFVII:R-2 and play like Mass Effect, or will you need to have a FFVII:R-1 completed save file?

Will little Jimmy's mother pick up FFVII:R-2 for his Christmas present to find he can't play it because he didn't play the first yet?

This is most likely why a world map might not be in the game. There are elements of continuity in the exploring of the world that cant be segmented up by releases that one may or may not have played.

 

[Eylos]

the thing that is troubling me, is that i remember starcraft 2, and wings of liberty released 27/06/2010, legacy of the void released last month

more than 5 years to release the entire game!

please square do not do that

 

[artsi]

Bad news for me. I would not have bought "Disc 1 out of 3" back then either.

As much as I want to play the game, I think I'll wait until all episodes are out.
I'm also afraid that the game won't be what I'm expecting it to be because of this.

 

[the_batman]

this sounds very discouraging.

It's a 50 hour game, hardly short...

short on fun, maybe.

 

[BocoDragon]

the thing that is troubling me, is that i remember starcraft 2, and wings of liberty released 27/06/2010, legacy of the void released last month

mora than 5 years to release the entire game!

please square do not do that

Better buckle up.

The Square I know could take that amount of time, and more....

 

[Heartfyre]

I think this could work out. It seems to be done so they don't have to compromise on the scale. Also, I don't think people remember how linear the original game is up to a certain point. If the last release of the game covers the expanse of the world map and all the bonus stuff right up to the ending, after having released all the linear stuff up to that point in parts, I think that'd be a very smart way to approach making this otherwise gargantuan game.

 

[Yankee Ruin X]

I think I am actually ok with this, if they were to remake FFVII and actually make the entire world of it then there is no way it would fit into one or even 2 Blu Rays. Plus development would take forever.

My only concern is I hope they make it so that is it truely expandable. So as the new games come out they add to the original parts like an expansion would to the parts you already own and it all carries over eventually adding up into a huge world you can freely explore and not seperate individual self contained games eg. if you want to go to this place you have to boot up FFVIIR-3 or FFVIIR-2 to do that bit because that would suck.

Basically do it like an MMO would do expansions and not seperate individual games.

 

[t_wilson01]

I'll wait for the remastered complete collection in 2050 so the joke's on them... Mwahahahaha.

Seriously, I'm just hoping they don't change the game mechanics between parts, like they did with FFXIII and FFXIII-2.

 

[Macrotus]

Midgar was interesting because it fooled you into thinking this was all there was to the world, and then BOOM... it opened up into a larger world.

Thats exactly how I felt when I played the original version for the first time.
I was blown away. One of the many reasons I still love FFVII.

 

[BudokaiMR2]

They could have done a REmake style "graphical overhaul" of VII no problem.

The problem is that most the fanbase asking for a remake clearly want VII to be a kind of beautiful and relevant AAA RPG again. Can't do that by just cloning the ATB and making HD versions of the old environments.

Rule #1 of game development: The fans have no idea what they actually want ;p

It just kinda disappoints me that there is a chance the game as a whole could suffer because of them fixing something that was never broken. I don't think anyone has stopped to think what it means to redesign every single encounter (or most of them!) for a completely different combat system. I mean there is even a chance they can't come up with a way to fit the Weapons into this new system and scrap them completely or something.

That sort of workload will COMPLETELY eclipse the creation of the environments and assets which is the reason we are given for the episodic release plan.

It just feels like they went chose the most dangerous, trap-ridden path they could with this remake.

 

[E-flux]

Ahahahaha, I don't know what i was expecting from this but this is just hilarious. I'm so glad that i wasn't introduced to games last or this gen.

 

[daniels]

I can only accept this if they at least keep the world map

 

[grimmiq]

This is most likely why a world map might not be in the game. There are elements of continuity in the exploring of the world that cant be segmented up by releases that one may or may not have played.

Unless they do it more like Destiny, Buy base game, play that, expansion(Second part) comes out and you can either buy expansion alone for $X , or expansion+base game for $X+20

 

[BocoDragon]

Rule #1 of game development: The fans have no idea what they actually want ;p

It just kinda disappoints me that there is a chance the game as a whole could suffer because of them fixing something that was never broken. I don't think anyone has stopped to think what it means to redesign every single encounter (or most of them!) for a completely different combat system. I mean there is even a chance they can't come up with a way to fit the Weapons into this new system and scrap them completely or something.

That sort of workload will COMPLETELY eclipse the creation of the environments and assets which is the reason we are given for the episodic release plan.

It just feels like they went chose the most dangerous, trap-ridden path they could with this remake.

I can agree it's an insane undertaking.

But I think both fans and Square want a new FFVII that is relevant to a new generation. It's not unlike Disney making a new Star Wars movie. They want to revive their most beloved property, bring in all the old fans and make new ones, and coast on the success of it for years to come.

 

[Karuyag]

FF7 for ps1 had 3 discs... Pretend the first "episode" is disc 1.

 

[Shotgun Kiss]

I won't even consider buying it until the full game is available.

I hate to say it, but I may do the same. The last thing I want to do while playing through FFVII is hit a point where I'm forced to wait months to continue.

 

[silver.tongue]

Ok.. it kinda makes sense... just dont cut stuff and I'll be happy.

 

[Sadist]

... but can I explore HD towns?

 

[the_batman]

FF7 for ps1 had 3 discs... Pretend the first "episode" is disc 1.

except all the discs came out at the same time, in the same package.

 

[artsi]

FF7 for ps1 had 3 discs... Pretend the first "episode" is disc 1.

But you didn't have to wait for a long time until Disc 2 was shipped to you after completing Disc 1. You had all of them there when you purchased the game.

 

[Malcolm9]

I'm pretty sure that if this is the case you will be able to access all parts if you buy the game at full price.

Anyway I can fully understand why they are taking this direction.

 

[KojiKnight]

I hate to say it, but I may do the same. The last thing I want to do while playing through FFVII is hit a point where I'm forced to wait years to continue.

Fixed that for you.

I'm torn on this announcement... It may be fine... If it's part of the game and completes an entire 'arc' and it's a decent price? I think I'd be okay with this.

 

[mocoworm]

I am pretty disappointed with this news. I am cautious to pass comment though until we know more.

 

[georly]

Eh if this is what they need to do to keep the thing financed and make it as big as it needs to be, that's fine with me. I think the alternative is that they either take FOREVER to make it OR they cut at least 30% of the original game out to make it come out in a reasonable amount of time/budget.

Let's just hope each 'chapter' isn't a fully priced game.

 

[vareon]

I can only accept this if they at least keep the world map

I honestly have no idea how (if) they're going to keep the world map. We've seen how it plays, now imagine the FF7 world map. What should SE do with it?

1) Scale it accordingly. But then SE would have to create an entire planet
2) Have it exactly like the original with deformed characters - this wouldn't match the tone for the rest of the game
3) Scrap the map, have interconnected sections like FFXII/XIV - wouldn't be believable given FF7 deals with the fate of the planet
4) Chapter-like progression - many people won't like it if this means they couldn't explore
5) Menu based - the worst option and it will feel lazy

No matter what they choose there will be people to complain. Such is the curse of remaking a game everyone loved.

 

[Zafir]

It's a 50 hour game, hardly short...

It can be completed in less time than most JRPGs if you only do the critical path. Though as I mentioned in my post, the older games were padded out by the overworld, so they could probably be completed fairly quickly too if it wasn't for that.

 

[Roxas]

As long as i am only paying one price for the thing, otherwise they can get fucked.

 

[Piers]

I guess that explains how they plan to cover the whole story. They'll use episode breaks to cut out parts of the world that would be too large and too time consuming/expensive to create.

B-But…I wanna go back to super high detailed areas whenever I want
They wouldn't do that
Nope! They'll make it just like the original

 

[Tiops]

Way to kill the hype, S-E. Congratulations.

It's going to be linear as shit, isn't it?

 

[TheTux]

One game for each CD I guess lol

 

[hidys]

As long as i am only paying one price for the thing, otherwise they can get fucked.

I don't think that is going to happen.

 

[KojiKnight]

B-But…I wanna go back to super high detailed areas whenever I want
They wouldn't do that
Nope! They'll make it just like the original

That perfect reaction shot.

 

[Discotheque]

aside from the huge issue that these are going to be 60 dollar 'episodes' (don't even try to imagine it will be otherwise)

it's incompetent ass square enix's development schedules, who the hell wants to play an episodic game that will have maybe 3-4 years between parts (and this is an optimistic timeline tbh). good thing I wasn't really hyped for this. it's completely crushing news considering the developers behind it and their timeliness.

 

[Impeccable]

I laughed.

 

[DarknessTear]

Way to kill the hype, S-E. Congratulations.

It's going to be linear as shit, isn't it?

I think they know better at this point. I could be wrong, but they've seen enough criticism about that specifically.

 

[Silver-tongued]

3) Scrap the map, have interconnected sections like FFXII/XIV - wouldn't be believable given FF7 deals with the fate of the planet

You think the world map of FF7 was a believable representation of an entire planet?

 

[Scotia]

Where does disc 1 end in the original PS1 version? If it's

Spoiler

when you leave Midgar

then I have no problem with the first part ending there.

 

[Andyliini]

Where does disc 1 end in the original PS1 version? If it's

Spoiler

when you leave Midgar

then I have no problem with the first part ending there.

Disc 1 ends with

Spoiler

Aerith's death.

 

[hidys]

Where does disc 1 end in the original PS1 version? If it's

Spoiler

when you leave Midgar

then I have no problem with the first part ending there.

It ends

Spoiler

when Aerith dies.

 

[Scotia]

Disc 1 ends with

Spoiler

Aerith's death.

It ends

Spoiler

when Aerith dies.

Oh shit that's even better. Yeah I have no problem with this.

 

[hidys]

Oh shit that's even better. Yeah I have no problem with this.

The main problem I have with going by disc is that disc 3 is pretty short.

 

[BudokaiMR2]

I can agree it's an insane undertaking.

But I think both fans and Square want a new FFVII that is relevant to a new generation. It's not unlike Disney making a new Star Wars movie. They want to revive their most beloved property, bring in all the old fans and make new ones, and coast on the success of it for years to come.

Yeah, I understand that sentiment but why couldn't that game be FFXV? It is doing a lot of stuff that FF has never done before as well. Hell, I always thought that was the goal of Versus XIII anyway.

Seems weird to use a remake of a 20 year old game to achieve that goal.

These sort of long dev/PR cycles have not been their strong point either.

 

[artsi]

aside from the huge issue that these are going to be 60 dollar 'episodes' (don't even try to imagine it will be otherwise)

it's incompetent ass square enix's development schedules, who the hell wants to play an episodic game that will have maybe 3-4 years between parts (and this is an optimistic timeline tbh). good thing I wasn't really hyped for this. it's completely crushing news considering the developers behind it and their timeliness.

Exactly. My personal horror story is Rebuild of Evangelion.

"Yay, a remake of my favourite anime series"

Part 1: September 1, 2007
Part 2: June 27, 2009
Part 3: November 17, 2012
Part 4: ??? (TBA)

 

[Ochibi]

You don't understand it at all, it's for nostalgia purpose.

Episode 1 will be the same content as CD 1
Episode 2 will be the same content as CD 2
Episode 3 will be the same content as CD 3

It is like old times ! You just have to change CD between each part.
...
...
...
Oh wait !

 

[ZombiePlatypus]

I'm glad they do this, and everyone should understand.

If you got FFVII and translated it into a cinematic game, with 3D graphics ala FFXIII, it would be like 5-6 times longer and last 5-6 times more than FFXIII, and at the same time if you translated FFXIII into FFVII's format, FFXIII wouldn't even last as much as FFVII's disc 1.

So with the current production costs to make a faithful remake they have to pull this off, and i'm sure that each instalment of the remake has the ability to give us 20-30 hours of nice gameplay. This is better than trying to do all at once, which isn't realistic

That's because XIII is a half-baked cluster-fuck of a shit show that's hardly an adequate FF. Why on god's green earth are we using what many would argue to be the worst, POS FF entry ever as a barometer for anything?

What about games like the latest Fallouts, GTA5, Witcher 3, etc? Would VII really trump them all in size and content?