Even though Square Enix’s recent Final Fantasy 7 Anniversary Celebration stream clocked in at a punchy 15 minutes, the publisher still managed to cram plenty of detail into that window of time. Not only were fans treated to several updates regarding its mobile titles, but they were also given a glimpse at the franchise’s future from a mainline perspective. Beyond the upcoming Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion, it's now known that the series’ remake games will be split up into a trilogy.
In a somewhat surprising turn of events, PS5 owners can look forward to Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth hitting Sony’s latest console during the winter of 2023. While it’s worth pointing out that release plans can change at the drop of the hat, especially when they’re over 16 months away, there’s reason for expectant players to be optimistic. Now that Square Enix’s trilogy-themed release plans have been revealed, there’s a particularly solid chance that more Intermission-style DLC expansions could be on the cards as well.
Square Enix’s Release Plan
When Square Enix released Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade in 2021, just over a year after the first incarnation of the game’s debut on PS4, some onlookers were understandably surprised. Even though an enhanced version was expected due to Sony’s financial support for the Remake series, the manner in which the experience came together on PS5 was somewhat out of the blue. That’s because instead of simply porting Final Fantasy 7 Remake, whilst taking advantage of the new console, Square Enix decided to repackage the experience with brand-new content as well.
For the first time in Final Fantasy 7’s then 24-year history, players were given a substantial window into the life and motivations of Yuffie Kisaragi. Thanks to Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s Intermission DLC, the one-time optional companion got a starring role in proceedings, and fleshed-out with a more realized backstory and personality. Beyond offering new insight into the franchise’s lore though, almost as importantly, Square Enix’s Intergrade strategy kept the series at the forefront of the gaming industry’s collective consciousness.
One of the biggest reason why fans can be optimistic when it comes to future Intermission DLC expansions, is the fact that the publisher is going to need to tap into that same mentality again in the future. Now that it’s been confirmed that the franchise is being broken down into three distinct parts, there’s going to be plenty of holes in the real world for Square Enix to fill. After all, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the currently unnamed Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 could debut at some point beyond 2026.
Releasing an Intergrade expansion that tackles another unexplored section of Final Fantasy 7’s universe, would be a great way to fill an otherwise empty release schedule. Having established a precedent already, the structure of the series now suggests that the same tactic will be used again in the future. Even though it’s unlikely that there will be a new console generation for Square Enix to capitalize on for a second time, there’s alternate initiatives it could tap into instead. With a Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth port to PC, Xbox, and Switch potentially on the table, there’s plenty of re-releases that bonus DLC could be added to.
Final Fantasy 7’s Story
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From the moment that details regarding Final Fantasy 7 Remake first hit the internet, it’s been clear that Square Enix has approached the task of rebuilding its classic game with a roadmap in mind. The way in which the first installment in the trilogy exclusively tackled the Midgar region of the original game underlines this. Instead of revisiting parts of that classic JRPG beat-for-beat, the publisher has expanded its timeline to make the story and overall gameplay experience even grander.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s announcement trailer shows that this design philosophy isn’t going to change anytime soon. Having teased that the next part of Cloud’s journey is going to deviate from the established timeline even further, it stands to reason that the other iconic areas of the original PS1 game will be rolled out gradually as well. Therefore, the decision to retell the game’s story across three parts almost makes additional Intermission-style DLC expansions a necessity.
Before Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was unveiled, there was a sense online that beloved characters like Yuffie, Cait Sith, Cid, and Vincent, would once again join up with Cloud’s party in the second part of the series. With Square Enix now having revealed that an additional game lies in wait even further down the road though, there’s less of a guarantee that this will be the case. Having explored Midgar in detail, some characters could simply be out of reach from a story perspective if other areas get the same love.
In this respect, a three-part structure suggests that some characters could be introduced via different means. Adding heroes into the mix via Intermission-style DLCs, similarly to Yuffie, would be a great way to get players up to speed with their respective stories. This would not only make the approach to the final game flow more organically, it would also allow Square Enix to tackle Rebirth’s own narrative without having to worry about fitting every piece of the puzzle into the picture.
Expanded Final Fantasy 7 Characterization
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In a lot of respects, Final Fantasy 7 has grown so big that it’s almost become its own separate entity away from the franchise’s other mainline installments. The creation of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion suggests that Square Enix is fully aware of this phenomenon. If anything, the publisher seems to be set on making the distinct corner of the series even bigger going forward. Additional expansions that fit neatly into the gaps within the trilogy, would be the perfect way for it to continue down this path.
Even though Yuffie has been a beloved part of Final Fantasy 7’s lore since 1997, it’s just as fair to say that the Intermission DLC spotlighted in Intergrade pushed her characterization to all-new heights. With a three-part narrative arc on the cards for the game’s modern re-imagining, there’s going to be even more scope for Square Enix to give other characters the same spotlight treatment, whether they’re established favorites, or newcomers to Final Fantasy 7. With so much sheer potential out there, more Intermission experiences seem like a no-brainer for multiple reasons.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will be released Winter 2023 for PS5.