Square Enix’s decision to bring back 1997’s Final Fantasy 7 to modern gaming has proved to be very rewarding for the company. With the new remake being split into three parts, the studio has high hopes for its new trilogy, with Remake and Rebirth achieving commercial and critical success.
While the first title was developed for the PlayStation 4 with Intergrade being released for the PlayStation 5, Rebirth launched as a PS5 exclusive – a move that could open up new avenues for the studio to ensure the success of the third and final installment.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 Looks to Unreal Engine 5 for an Advantage
With the PS5’s improved capabilities and Unreal Engine 5’s (UE5) prowess at rendering outstanding visuals for gamers to enjoy, the developers may very well be considering a move from UE4 to deliver the best possible experience in the final installment of the trilogy.
Considering how detailed and visually striking Midgar was in Rebirth despite many players missing a 60fps framerate, moving over to UE5 might be a great decision for Square Enix, allowing it to bring a graphical overhaul and potential new gameplay mechanics to the final installment in its effort to revamp the original title for the current generation of consoles and gamers.
Aiming for the Clouds With Minimal Strife
A switch to UE5 could allow Square Enix to bring a more polished conclusion to Cloud Strife’s adventure and the inevitable battle with Sephiroth even as he seeks to stop the Black Meteor.
Fan reactions to a potential switch to UE5, however, indicate that Square Enix may want to exercise caution with the third part of its Remake trilogy.
Reactions to a speculative post on X (showcased below) point to many players urging caution on the part of the studio if it intends to bring the upcoming title out as fast as it can, which is significant considering the troubling development cycle on Rebirth.
Square Enix could switch to Unreal Engine 5 for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3. The company will explore whether changing engines would accelerate the game’s development.https://t.co/bwXSAUysva pic.twitter.com/wcxbIEqDrQ
— VGC (@VGC_News) August 14, 2024
One player was particularly pessimistic about switching over to a new engine on a game reportedly already in development.
In no world would switching engines entirely from one you have already been using actually save time.
— OpticalPrime38 (@IAmRandom30) August 14, 2024
Man I remember the days of SE being the pioneers of console gaming engine tech. Their projects really showed off what technical wizardry could do along with huge budgets
While time is only one factor to consider for the studio if it is indeed mulling over a switch to UE5, it would do well to pay attention to players’ opinions.
This will help it gauge an optimal release window and formulate a strategy that works if it decides to go ahead with the new engine for the final part of its Final Fantasy 7 Remake.
Could Square Enix take the plunge and port over to UE5? We’d love to know what you think the studio could do in the comments below!
