The first-ever 3D Final Fantasy game ever released, Final Fantasy VII is arguably the most popular Final Fantasy game of all time. It’s received multiple spin-off titles since its release, with its own animated feature and a movie to boot. But, a restatement to just how popular the game remains to this day is how well received the 2020 remake was. First announced in 2015 after years of speculation and teases, the Final Fantasy VII Remake sold over 3.5 million units in three days. In doing so, it quickly became one of the fastest-selling PlayStation 4 games ever, and it’s just getting started. The Final Fantasy VII Remake is more than just a re-skinned and upscaled retelling of the same story from back in 1997. Instead, it expands so much more on the original adventures. It ties in with the numerous spin-off stories released for Final Fantasy 7 since 1997. At the same time, it also introduces completely new narratives. As a matter of fact, the game itself is theorized to completely change the entire story. This is mostly because of how the Final Fantasy VII Remake teased the possibility of multiple realities. This includes one where shows Zach Fair - the original owner of Cloud Strife’s Buster Sword - successfully defending himself as well as an unconscious Cloud. With so much story to tell, it makes sense that Square Enix decided to split the story into multiple parts just as the original was split into three CDs. Scroll down below if you want to learn more about the Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2.
How Did the Final Fantasy VII Remake End?
The first part of the Final Fantasy VII remake focuses on the original game’s first act. It saw Cloud venture through the industrialized metropolis known as Midgar. However, in the original title, this part of the game took no more than a dozen hours to complete and that’s if you were being deliberately slow and/or through. What the remake does, however, is turn that those few hours into a 40-hour epic adventure. More importantly, they tweaked the story just enough to make fans theorize that the remake won’t end the same way that the original did. Case in point, the ending of the Final Fantasy VII Remake. Throughout the entire game, players encounter what the game describes as Whispers. Although they initially look no more than a means to explain how and why players can’t access certain places, eagle-eyed fans will be quick to notice one thing about them. In many instances, the Whispers act to make sure that the game follows the exact same events as the original did. This means that they’re not necessarily enemies. Rather, they’re just there to safeguard the timeline. Like, for example, when they healed Barret in Chapter 17 because it wasn’t his time to die yet. There’s also that time when the Whispers deliberately prevented Cloud from hearing professor Hojo tell him more about his past. If Hojo had succeeded, then the events would have unfolded way earlier than it did in the 1997 release.
Why is the Ending to the Final Fantasy Remake So Important?
By the game’s final chapter, you’ll encounter Sephiroth on your way out of Midgar. Then, as he enters a portal of sorts, the Whispers suddenly let out an ear-piercing screech, with Aerith initially hesitant to let Cloud go inside the portal. Now, you’re free to take that however you want. However, Aerith’s actions throughout the game suggest that she knows more than she’s let on so far and that she either knows the future or is from the future herself. In any case, at this part of the game, Aerith tells Cloud of a “boundless, terrifying freedom” and that in entering the portal, Cloud and the rest of the party will be “changing more than fate itself”. Again, these words are all subject to interpretation. But, what is surprising here is that, just as you enter the portal and before you face off against Sephiroth, the game cuts to a scene showing Cloud Strife’s mentor and friend, the true 1st class SOLDIER, Zack Fair. In this scene, you’ll clearly see the Whispers circling around Midgar. It’s as if they are trying to prevent Zach from making his way to the city. It’s like they want to make sure that the events unfold exactly as they did. However, once you’ve beaten the final boss fight of the game, you’ll find that the Whispers are no longer there. What follows next is a scene that appears to show Zach surviving the fight that originally ended his life and essentially made the Cloud Strife you play as in the Final Fantasy VII Remake who he is. The game never really does make it clear what exactly players are supposed to make out of what they’re seeing. Although, if we’re being honest, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell that this is an alternate timeline. Ultimately, so much happens near the end of the Final Fantasy VII Remake that you’ll have to play through it yourself to be able to make better sense of it. Luckily, the Final Fantasy VII Remake is free for PlayStation Plus subscribers this March. This means that first-time players and longtime fans alike will have a chance to find out exactly what we’re talking about for a mere fraction of the price that the game originally sold for when it first released last April 2020.
What Is The Story of the Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2?
So far, we’ve established that the events of the first part of the Final Fantasy VII Remake drastically changed the original story. This suggests that we can no longer expect to see the same story play out in the second part and in future installments. It is possible that Square Enix meant for this to happen. Basically, by making it so that the events of the first part of the remake created an alternate timeline (if not multiple ones), they now have free reigns to switch up the story. Whether or not that is for the better is not up for us to decide. What we do know is that what they’ve done so far seems to be working. As a result, fans now can’t wait to see what happens next in the Final Fantasy VII Remake. Unfortunately, this also means that we don’t know the story of the Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2. Even Square Enix has yet to reveal anything regarding the game. In fact, they’ve mostly only talked about an expansion for the remake in the form of the PS5-exclusive, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade.
What New Features Will Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2 Have?
The Final Fantasy VII Remake already changed so much that we can’t expect the same timeline of events from the original saga. However, there are a couple of franchise staples that have yet to make their way to the game. Chocobos, for example, have yet to make an appearance. At least, not in their usual forms. Players are only able to ride it in the Final Fantasy VII Remake as a form of fast travel within Midgar. The next part could probably let players ride on a Chocobo. We might just see the shallow-flying airplane, Tiny Bronco, and even an airship, appear in Part 2 as well. Combat-wise, expect the party of four - Cloud, Barret, Tifa, and Aerith - to grow as characters like Red XIII and Cid Highwind come to play. Speaking of new characters, Yuffie Kisaragi will be playable in the Intergrade expansion. However, it’s still unclear if this means that Yuffie will join up with the rest of the crew once Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2 arrives.
What’s Next After the Final Fantasy VII Remake Part II?
Most probably another Final Fantasy VII Remake game. This could or could not be titled Part III. Again, this is mere speculation, but despite the numerous changes and lengthier runtime, the Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 1 ends just as the party of four leaves Midgar. In the original, this occurs just barely halfway into Disc 1. This means that there’s still enough content from the latter half of Disc 1 where Part II can draw from and that’s without adding its own spin to it. It’s important to remember that while the original Final Fantasy VII released as a three-disc game, Disc 3 was mostly composed of optional endgame content and cinematic cutscenes. With that said, it is still possible that the Final Fantasy VII Remake series of titles will release as a trilogy. What’s interesting though is that Square Enix decided to make an entire expansion based on Yuffie and a completely original character. This means that it isn’t outside the realm of possibility for Square Enix to do these same for other party members. In particular, Vincent Valentine, who, just like Yuffie, was an optional party member in the 1997 classic.
Will Zack Fair Be Playable in Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2?
This is something that only Square Enix can confirm. The only thing we’re sure of is that Zack Fair seems to have survived the ambush that originally killed him. It is possible that Square Enix will try to include him as a playable character in Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2. However, if the events we’re shown are indeed from an alternate timeline, what is most probable is that Zach Fair be featured in his very own expansion or DLC.
Is the Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2 a DLC?
No. The Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2 is most definitely not downloadable content or expansion. Instead, it’s meant to be a standalone title. How well this will work is up in the air. However, if it is any consolation, we have seen trilogies and series of games many times in the past act as standalone titles even though their stories are closely connected. This includes, among others, Mass Effect.
When Is The Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2 Release Date?
Sadly, there’s no way to tell when the Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2 will release. Square Enix seems to have their hands full at the moment. They’re currently juggling multiple projects across their many studios. This includes, among others, the next mainline installment in Final Fantasy XVI. Then there’s also keeping their hit MMO title, Final Fantasy XIV, updated and flush with fresh content. More importantly, Square Enix also announced a slew of titles based on the Final Fantasy VII universe. This includes two mobile games and the aforementioned Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade expansion. This should give Final Fantasy VII fans enough content to tide them over for at least a year. This means that we shouldn’t expect Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2 to release earlier than 2022 if not 2023.
