Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth Sales and Trilogy Conclusion

Recent reports indicate a positive shift in the commercial performance of Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth, alleviating initial worries surrounding its sales figures. Naoki Hamaguchi, the game's director, has provided reassuring updates, confirming that the title is now performing robustly across both PlayStation 5 and PC platforms. Furthermore, the progression of the third and concluding part of the Remake series is well underway, with significant portions already playable and the overall direction firmly established. This encouraging development follows a period of scrutiny after Square Enix's financial disclosures highlighted weaker-than-anticipated sales for some of its major releases.

Initially, concerns arose following a financial report from Square Enix in May 2024, which revealed that both Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth and Final Fantasy 16 had not met sales expectations. This report was published prior to the release of the PC versions of these games, with FF16 launching on PC in September 2024 and Rebirth in January 2025. The delay in bringing these titles to PC, often many months after their console debuts, has been a notable strategy for Square Enix, a practice less common among non-first-party developers.

Director Naoki Hamaguchi recently engaged with Automaton, offering a candid perspective on the sales trajectory of Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth. He explicitly stated that the game's sales on both PS5 and PC have seen a significant improvement, effectively addressing the prior underperformance outlined in the company's financial report. His comments serve to allay fears among the fan base regarding the future of the ambitious Remake trilogy.

Hamaguchi's assurance extends to the ongoing development of the third game in the series. He emphasized that the production is advancing at an excellent pace, with many elements of the game already in a playable state. This indicates that the core framework and artistic direction are solidified, and the development team is now focused on refining the experience to meet high-quality standards. This news is particularly significant given the financial context that preceded it, highlighting a turnaround in the commercial viability of the project.

Square Enix's strategy concerning platform exclusivity and release timing has been a point of discussion. The company has historically opted for timed console exclusivity, a decision that, in the past, has sometimes led to staggered releases across different platforms. For instance, the original Final Fantasy 7 Remake became an Epic Store exclusive 20 months post its PS4 launch, followed by a Steam release six months later. This approach, while perhaps intended to maximize initial console sales, has been questioned in an increasingly multiplatform gaming landscape.

However, there appears to be a strategic re-evaluation within Square Enix. Following the financial insights of last May, the company has pledged to aggressively pursue a new multiplatform business strategy. This shift is specifically designed to better cater to PC users, suggesting a move towards more simultaneous releases across various platforms. Such a change would likely involve launching major titles, like the upcoming conclusion to the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, on PC at the same time as their console counterparts, potentially boosting sales and accessibility for a wider audience.

The improved sales performance of Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth, coupled with the positive progress on the next installment, signifies a crucial period for the franchise. It underscores the continued anticipation for the Remake saga and Square Enix's evolving approach to game releases. The commitment to a refined multiplatform strategy suggests a future where PC players may no longer face significant delays in experiencing major Final Fantasy titles.