Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 just got its biggest development update in months, and the news is better than fans could have hoped for. During a recent Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis anniversary livestream, director Tetsuya Nomura dropped some serious hints about what’s coming next for both the highly anticipated trilogy conclusion and Kingdom Hearts 4.
Square Enix has been relatively quiet about their biggest upcoming projects, leaving fans wondering if development was hitting roadblocks. Those concerns can officially be put to rest.
Development is Moving Forward Smoothly
Nomura was crystal clear about the current status of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 during the livestream. “It is going very smoothly,” he confirmed. “The release timing has been decided and we are progressing according to schedule, so please rest assured and wait.”
This update comes at a perfect time. It’s been over a year since Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth launched in February 2024, and fans have been hungry for any news about the trilogy’s conclusion. The development team has been working on Part 3 since at least June 2022, giving them plenty of time to build on the foundation established by the first two games.
What makes this update even more encouraging is that much of the groundwork is already complete. Unlike the first two games, Part 3 won’t need to establish new gameplay systems or build core mechanics from scratch. The team has spent years perfecting their approach, and they’re now applying that expertise to deliver the final chapter.
The Announcement Timing Has Been Decided
Here’s where things get really interesting for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 fans. Nomura specifically mentioned that “the announcement timing has been decided.” This suggests we won’t be waiting much longer for an official reveal.
Industry insiders and fans have been speculating about potential announcement windows. With the original Final Fantasy VII’s 30th anniversary approaching in January 2027, many expect Square Enix to time major reveals around that milestone. A formal announcement could realistically happen anywhere from late 2025 to early 2026, building momentum toward a 2027 release.
The timing makes strategic sense. Square Enix would want to give themselves adequate marketing runway while capitalizing on the anniversary buzz. Plus, announcing too early could overshadow their other upcoming releases.
Kingdom Hearts 4 is Also On Track
Nomura didn’t forget about Kingdom Hearts fans during his update. “Kingdom Hearts IV is likewise steadily moving forward according to schedule,” he confirmed, asking fans to “please look forward to it.”
This franchise has had a more challenging development cycle. Kingdom Hearts 4 was first announced back in April 2022, but updates have been scarce since then. The most substantial news came in May 2025 when Square Enix shared new screenshots and reassured fans that development was continuing.
The game represents a soft reset for the series, building on Sora’s adventure from Kingdom Hearts 3 while potentially attracting new players. However, creating original storylines and securing Disney partnerships likely makes this project more complex than the Final Fantasy 7 remakes.
What This Means for Release Timelines
Based on Nomura’s comments and industry patterns, here’s what we can reasonably expect:
- Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 announcement: Late 2025 or early 2026
- Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 release: 2027 (likely around the 30th anniversary)
- Kingdom Hearts 4 announcement: Potentially 2026
- Kingdom Hearts 4 release: 2026-2028 window
The Final Fantasy 7 timeline seems more concrete because the team has established workflows and can reuse assets from previous games. Many locations from Part 3 already exist in some form, and the story outline has been completed since late 2024.
Kingdom Hearts 4 faces different challenges. Creating entirely new Disney worlds requires additional approvals and coordination. The game also needs to establish fresh storylines rather than adapting existing material like the Final Fantasy 7 remakes.
Why These Updates Matter
Nomura’s comments represent the most substantial Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 news we’ve received in months. After periods of radio silence, fans needed reassurance that their most anticipated games were still priorities for Square Enix.
The confirmation that release schedules are set and development is smooth suggests both projects have moved beyond early development phases. This isn’t just corporate speak – it’s a concrete update from someone directly overseeing both productions.
For Final Fantasy 7 fans specifically, this update confirms that the trilogy conclusion remains on track for what many expect will be a 2027 release. The 30th anniversary timing would be perfect for closing out this ambitious remake project that began in 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 be announced officially?
Tetsuya Nomura confirmed that the announcement timing has been decided, but didn’t provide specific dates. Based on development timelines and the original game’s 30th anniversary in 2027, an announcement could come in late 2025 or early 2026.
Is Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 still releasing in 2027?
While no official release date has been confirmed, industry speculation points to 2027 as the target year. This would coincide with the original Final Fantasy VII’s 30th anniversary and gives the team adequate development time.
What’s the current status of Kingdom Hearts 4 development?
Nomura confirmed that Kingdom Hearts 4 is progressing according to schedule. The game was announced in 2022 and received new screenshots in May 2025, suggesting steady progress despite limited public updates.
Will Kingdom Hearts 4 release before Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3?
Based on current information, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 seems more likely to release first, potentially in 2027. Kingdom Hearts 4 faces more complex development challenges and could arrive anywhere from 2026 to 2028.
Why has there been so little news about these games recently?
Square Enix tends to keep quiet during active development phases, only sharing updates at major milestones. Both games are in production rather than marketing phases, which explains the limited communication until now.
Are both games still PlayStation exclusives?
Square Enix hasn’t announced platform details for either Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 or Kingdom Hearts 4. Previous games in both series have eventually expanded to multiple platforms, but initial exclusivity deals may still apply.
How long will Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 be compared to the previous games?
No official length has been announced, but the game will need to cover significant story content to conclude the trilogy. Expect a substantial experience similar in scope to Rebirth, possibly with some reused locations to streamline development.
Looking Ahead
These development updates mark a turning point for both franchises. Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 appears to be moving steadily toward what could be a 2027 release, while Kingdom Hearts 4 continues progressing despite its more complex development requirements.
For fans who’ve been following these projects since their announcements, Nomura’s comments provide the reassurance they’ve been seeking. Both games remain active priorities for Square Enix, with concrete timelines and smooth development processes.
The next major milestone will likely be formal announcements for both titles. When those arrive, we’ll finally get our first real look at how these ambitious projects are shaping up after years of development.