Square Enix is rethinking exploration and storytelling in Final Fantasy VII Revelation, the final chapter of its remake trilogy, with summons returning to the open world instead of relying primarily on Chadley's VR simulator. During an interview with One More Game at Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show 2026, director Naoki Hamaguchi explained that the upcoming RPG will connect character development, major story revelations, and powerful summon materia more closely to exploration, addressing some of the feedback surrounding Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
One of the most significant changes involves how players obtain summons. Rather than unlocking powerful creatures predominantly through simulated battles, Revelation will encourage players to discover locations, complete related activities, and collect materials directly throughout the world. The legendary Knights of the Round will receive particular attention, with Hamaguchi confirming that its acquisition will involve an original storyline connected to Gilgamesh, building upon the character's appearances in Rebirth. The objective is to make obtaining these powerful allies feel like meaningful adventures rather than isolated combat challenges.
"We want players to get to know the summons more deeply through different kinds of content."
— Quote by: Naoki Hamaguchi, Game Director
Square Enix is also addressing criticism of Rebirth's extensive optional activities, which some players considered repetitive or disconnected from the main narrative. Revelation will feature a substantially larger world, but its side quests are being designed to provide stronger narrative connections and more rewarding discoveries. Hamaguchi explained that several lingering mysteries surrounding Cloud's identity and the events of the previous games will be resolved through gameplay progression, allowing players to experience important revelations instead of relying exclusively on lengthy explanatory cutscenes.
The return of the Highwind airship plays an important role in this expanded approach. Players will be able to travel across the planet with greater freedom, while upgraded Chocobos will unlock access to additional locations and exploration opportunities. Although air travel will make distant destinations easier to reach, discovering their secrets will still require environmental interaction, character encounters, and specific progression conditions. This approach is intended to preserve the sense of discovery without forcing players to spend excessive time traveling between objectives.
Combat is receiving additional flexibility through the new Function Integrated Tactical Suitwear (FITS) system, which introduces specialized roles including Warrior, Knight, Black Mage, and Summoner. The mechanic allows players to customize their preferred characters with different abilities and combat functions. Hamaguchi clarified that FITS was developed to expand the strategic possibilities established in Rebirth rather than compensate for Aerith's potentially reduced role. Her playable status remains unconfirmed, and the new system should not be interpreted as evidence of her absence.
According to Square Enix's official announcement, Final Fantasy VII Revelation launches on April 8, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. As the concluding installment of the trilogy, the game will bring Cloud and his companions toward their final confrontation with Sephiroth while attempting to resolve the narrative mysteries established throughout Remake and Rebirth.
Final Fantasy VII Revelation's renewed emphasis on meaningful exploration could be one of its most important improvements. Rebirth delivered an impressive open world, but its extensive checklist activities sometimes interrupted the momentum of an otherwise compelling story. Connecting summons, character development, and narrative discoveries directly to exploration could make the larger world feel more purposeful without sacrificing player freedom.
Returning powerful summons to the world is particularly encouraging for longtime Final Fantasy fans, as discovering legendary materia was one of the original game's most memorable elements. However, the real challenge will be balancing optional exploration with the central storyline, ensuring that players who prefer a more focused experience can still enjoy a satisfying conclusion. If Square Enix succeeds, Revelation could deliver the strongest combination of storytelling, exploration, and combat across the entire remake trilogy.
Should Final Fantasy VII Revelation completely abandon Chadley's VR summon battles in favor of traditional world exploration, or would you prefer a combination of both systems?
