Director Naoki Hamaguchi reveals expansive connections in upcoming game, fueling fan speculation
Category: Arts & Culture
On August 4, 2026, Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Final Fantasy VII Revelations, confirmed that the upcoming game will connect multiple spin-offs from the Final Fantasy VII universe, including the animated film Advent Children. In an interview with YouTuber Ashif during the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival in Berlin, Hamaguchi acknowledged the extensive fan theories surrounding the game’s narrative and its relationship to other titles in the franchise.
"I see a great deal of that discussion. I've seen a lot of people discussing and speculating off the back of interviews with myself and with Kitase-san, 'Is the ending of this going to connect to Advent Children?'" Hamaguchi stated. He did not confirm specific connections but expressed hope that players would look forward to discovering how the game ties into the broader lore.
The director emphasized that the game will incorporate elements from several titles, including Dirge of Cerberus, Crisis Core, and Advent Children. "We're talking about Advent Children, we're talking about Dirge of Cerberus, Crisis Core. And we want to bring all of those in and make sure we're not leaving those out," he explained.
Hamaguchi's comments have sparked considerable debate within the gaming community, especially following similar remarks made by other developers involved in the Remake trilogy. On August 1, 2026, he reiterated to Automaton that the Remake series is a new overarching universe that encompasses various spin-offs of the original game. He stated, "We’re not denying the possibility of the ending tying into FFVII AC, but rather, we’re saying that FFVII AC has just been incorporated into the overarching FFVII remake series, including the ending."
This approach marks a departure from the traditional storytelling seen in the original game, as it aims to create a more integrated narrative experience. Producer Yoshinori Kitase previously confirmed to Eurogamer that the Remake series will link with Advent Children as part of the canon, ensuring that the developments in the new games align with the established lore. "The developments will not go wildly out in a way that will not add up to Advent Children in the end," Kitase said.
Fans have expressed mixed feelings about this direction, with some lamenting the shift away from the original storyline in favor of a more expansive narrative that includes various properties. Others remain cautiously optimistic about how this integration will affect the beloved characters like Cloud Strife, Tifa, and Barret.
In June, Hamaguchi elaborated on the theme of Revelation’s ending, stating that players would have the ability to shape the narrative, but would eventually arrive at a singular ending. "The idea is to kind of change the approach and the depth of these story moments for these characters in this final chapter," he noted.
Set to release in spring 2027, Final Fantasy VII Revelations will be available on multiple platforms, including Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. The game is expected to be the climactic entry in the Remake trilogy, where Cloud and his companions face an impending apocalypse, racing against time to stop the destructive magic known as Meteor.
New listings found on the Epic Games Store suggest that Square Enix may also plan multiple downloadable content (DLC) expansions for Revelation. According to data from EpicDB, there could be nine DLC packs alongside a "Story Expansion Pass." These listings, which include pre-order bonuses and Premium Edition content, are not officially confirmed by Square Enix, leading some to speculate about their authenticity.
Hamaguchi has hinted at the potential for post-launch content, indicating that if fans express enough interest, expansions focused on the extended universe might be developed. This aligns with the precedent set by Final Fantasy VII Remake, which featured an Intergrade DLC focused on the character Yuffie.
As anticipation builds for Final Fantasy VII Revelations, fans are eager to see how the game will weave together decades of storytelling from the Final Fantasy VII universe. With the promise of a more interconnected narrative and the possibility of additional content post-launch, the future of this beloved franchise looks promising.
As the release date approaches, players are encouraged to keep an eye on updates from Square Enix, as the director hopes that fans will discover the intricacies of the expanded universe when they finally play Revelation.