Final Fantasy 7 fans waiting for the trilogy’s conclusion got a major development update on December 7, 2025. Director Naoki Hamaguchi revealed in an interview with French YouTuber Julien Chieze that the core gameplay experience for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 is almost complete and has moved into the refining and polishing phase. This represents the most explicit confirmation of the game’s progress Square Enix has provided, suggesting Part 3 is further along than many players realized.
Hamaguchi stated that at this point, the core game experience is almost complete and the team is now in the phase of refining and polishing it. He emphasized the Highwind, the iconic airship from the original Final Fantasy 7, will be an important keyword for the third entry, suggesting expanded aerial exploration and gameplay mechanics. The director and Tetsuya Nomura have also narrowed the official title down to two candidates, with a final decision expected before the end of 2025.
What Does Core Gameplay Being Complete Mean
When a director says the core game experience is almost complete, that’s significant for understanding where development stands. This means the primary gameplay systems, combat mechanics, progression structures, and fundamental features are functionally implemented and working. The team has moved past the construction phase where they’re building new systems from scratch and entered the refinement stage where they optimize, balance, and improve what already exists.
The refining and polishing phase typically involves extensive playtesting, adjusting difficulty curves, fixing bugs, optimizing performance, improving animations, enhancing visual effects, and fine-tuning pacing. This stage can still take considerable time depending on the game’s scope, but it represents being past the point where major features might be cut or fundamental design decisions changed. For a project as massive as Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3, which needs to conclude the trilogy’s story while delivering satisfying gameplay, this polishing phase could easily span six to twelve months.
What This Suggests About Timeline
While Hamaguchi didn’t provide a release date or window, entering the polishing phase in late 2025 suggests a potential 2027 release could be realistic. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth launched in February 2024, roughly four years after Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s April 2020 release. However, Rebirth’s development included rebuilding for PlayStation 5 and creating substantial DLC content that won’t be repeated for Part 3.
Square Enix deliberately chose not to develop DLC for Rebirth specifically to expedite Part 3’s completion. If the gameplay is already entering final polishing by December 2025, a late 2026 or early 2027 launch seems plausible depending on how much additional content remains to be created beyond the core systems. Reddit users discussing the update have speculated that winter or spring 2027 could be achievable based on these development milestones.
The Highwind as Key Gameplay Element
Hamaguchi’s emphasis on the Highwind being an important keyword for Part 3 has generated massive excitement in the Final Fantasy community. In the original 1997 game, obtaining the Highwind airship opened up the world for exploration, allowing players to visit locations in any order and discover optional content. For the Remake trilogy’s conclusion, this presents both an opportunity and a design challenge.
The director revealed that introducing new gameplay related to the Highwind is a significant focus for the development team. They’re not just recreating the airship from the original but expanding what players can do with it. Speculation among fans includes potential aerial combat sequences similar to fighting Diamond Weapon in the original, minigames involving manning turrets on the ship’s sides, skydiving deployment to reach specific locations, and using the Highwind as a hub to launch various vehicles including Chocobos.
Open World Design Implications
Reddit discussions about the Highwind reveal fascinating possibilities for how Part 3’s world design might differ from Rebirth. User Goddamn_Grongigas suggested a perfected version of Final Fantasy X-2’s mission structure where most of the world becomes available relatively early, with story progression gated by player choice rather than linear paths. This would represent a significant evolution from Rebirth’s semi-open regions connected by the world map.
Having the Highwind available early could reduce the extensive walking segments players experienced in Rebirth while traveling between areas. Even if the actual playable world is smaller geographically than Rebirth’s massive map, the freedom to fly anywhere and the scale of aerial perspective could make it feel larger and more epic. This design philosophy would honor the original game’s structure while adapting it to modern open-world conventions.
The Title Narrowed to Two Options
Perhaps the most tantalizing detail from Hamaguchi’s interview is the confirmation that he and Tetsuya Nomura have narrowed Part 3’s official title down to two candidates, with a decision coming by the end of 2025. Given that it’s already December 9, this strongly suggests an announcement could happen at The Game Awards on December 11, just two days away.
The first two games established a naming convention that fans expect Part 3 to follow. Final Fantasy 7 Remake served as the foundation, while Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth emphasized new beginnings and divergence from the original timeline. Popular fan theories for Part 3’s title include Reunion, Redemption, Requiem, Resolution, or Revelation. Each would fit thematically with concluding Cloud’s journey and resolving the conflicts established across the trilogy.
The Game Awards Connection
Multiple pieces of circumstantial evidence point toward a Game Awards reveal. Square Enix posted calendar wallpaper in late November that highlighted December 12 specifically, which some fans interpreted as hinting at news following the December 11 Game Awards ceremony. The company has a storied history with the show, including revealing the PC version of Rebirth at the 2024 event.
The timing of Hamaguchi’s interview, coming just days before The Game Awards and mentioning that the title will be finalized by year’s end, feels too coincidental to dismiss. Square Enix wouldn’t narrow the title to two options and set an end-of-year deadline without having a specific reveal date in mind. The Game Awards represents the biggest gaming stage available, making it the perfect venue to announce the trilogy’s conclusion.
Development Philosophy Changes
Hamaguchi has been transparent about learning from Rebirth’s reception and adjusting Part 3 accordingly. In an October 2025 interview with IGN, he acknowledged that some players felt Rebirth was longer than necessary with its extensive side content and mini-games. While defending Rebirth’s design as intentional, he confirmed the team is striking a balance for Part 3 to make the experience feel more concise.
This doesn’t necessarily mean Part 3 will be shorter in absolute hours, but rather that story arcs will be told and spread out more efficiently. The decision to eliminate DLC development for Rebirth specifically to accelerate Part 3’s release reflects Square Enix prioritizing completing the trilogy over extending individual entries. Fans appreciate this approach, as the four-year gaps between releases test patience even for dedicated Final Fantasy enthusiasts.
Rebirth’s Performance and Part 3 Funding
One concern that emerged in 2024 was Square Enix’s admission that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth did not meet sales expectations upon its initial PlayStation 5-exclusive launch. However, Hamaguchi reassured fans in recent interviews that Rebirth has been doing very well on both PC and PlayStation 5 since the PC version released. The game’s success across platforms has allowed the team to channel resources into creating a high-quality third installment.
Co-director Tetsuya Nomura similarly acknowledged hearing fans’ cries for updates on Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 and happily reported that development was progressing really smoothly. These statements from multiple key figures suggest Square Enix remains fully committed to the trilogy despite earlier sales concerns and that Part 3 has adequate budget and resources to reach the finish line with quality intact.
Other Inspirations and Influences
In the same interview with Julien Chieze, Hamaguchi discussed various games that have inspired his work on the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy. He mentioned The Witcher series and Fable as influences, interesting choices given those franchises’ approaches to player choice and consequence. Most recently, he expressed excitement about Ghost of Yotei, the upcoming sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, admitting he can’t wait to get home to continue playing it.
These influences suggest Hamaguchi is constantly studying how other developers handle open-world design, player agency, and narrative delivery. For someone who was inspired to become a developer after playing Final Fantasy VI in 1994, seeing him continue learning from modern games while directing one of gaming’s most ambitious remake projects demonstrates the passion driving Part 3’s development.
FAQs
When will Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 release?
No official release date has been announced. However, with core gameplay nearly complete as of December 2025 and entering the polishing phase, a 2027 release seems increasingly plausible. Some fans speculate late 2026 could be possible, but early to mid-2027 appears more realistic given the scope.
What will Final Fantasy 7 Part 3 be called?
The official title hasn’t been revealed. Director Naoki Hamaguchi confirmed he and Tetsuya Nomura have narrowed it to two candidates with a decision coming by the end of 2025. Popular fan theories include Reunion, Requiem, Redemption, or Resolution.
Will Part 3 be revealed at The Game Awards 2025?
Not officially confirmed, but the timing strongly suggests it. The title is being finalized by year-end, The Game Awards airs December 11, and Square Enix has history with the show. Many fans expect at least a title reveal if not a full trailer.
What role will the Highwind play in Part 3?
Director Hamaguchi emphasized the Highwind is an important keyword for Part 3, with new gameplay features being developed around the iconic airship. This likely includes expanded exploration, aerial mechanics, and potentially combat sequences not present in previous entries.
Will Part 3 be shorter than Rebirth?
Not necessarily shorter in total hours, but more concise in pacing. Hamaguchi acknowledged feedback that Rebirth felt longer than necessary and stated Part 3 will strike a better balance in how story arcs are told to ensure a more efficient experience.
Is Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 the last game?
Yes, Part 3 is confirmed as the trilogy’s conclusion. It will complete Cloud’s story and resolve the conflicts established across all three games, covering the remaining narrative from the original Final Fantasy 7.
What platforms will Part 3 release on?
Not officially announced, but PlayStation 5 is guaranteed given the trilogy’s history. PC seems likely given Rebirth’s PC release success. Whether it launches simultaneously on both platforms or follows the timed PlayStation exclusivity model remains unclear.
How long was the gap between Remake and Rebirth?
Final Fantasy 7 Remake launched in April 2020, while Rebirth released in February 2024, approximately four years apart. However, Part 3’s development timeline may be shorter since Square Enix chose not to create DLC for Rebirth specifically to expedite the finale.
Conclusion
Naoki Hamaguchi’s development update represents the clearest picture yet of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3’s progress. With core gameplay nearly complete and the team focused on polishing, the finish line is finally visible for a trilogy that began over five years ago. The emphasis on the Highwind promises exciting new gameplay possibilities that could define Part 3’s identity within the series, while the imminent title reveal suggests fans won’t wait much longer for official news. Whether the announcement comes at The Game Awards on December 11 or through another venue, the combination of gameplay completion, title finalization, and strategic timing all point toward major news arriving soon. For Final Fantasy 7 fans who have invested hundreds of hours across Remake and Rebirth, knowing that Cloud’s journey toward its epic conclusion is entering final development stages brings both excitement and relief. The wait continues, but at least now we know roughly how far along the road we’ve traveled.