Is Rebirth Bloated or Are We Just Impatient?
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a colossal game. It’s a sprawling, ambitious adventure that can easily take over 100 hours to fully explore. But with that massive scale comes a polarizing question: Is it an epic masterpiece or a bloated, padded experience? The debate has been raging since the game’s release, with players pointing to sections like the minigame-heavy Costa del Sol as moments where the story grinds to a halt. Now, the game’s director, Naoki Hamaguchi, has offered his perspective, and it’s a bold one: He doesn’t think the game is too long; he thinks players are just too busy.
The Director’s Take: It’s Not the Game, It’s the Player
In a recent interview at Brazil Game Show 2025, Hamaguchi was asked directly about the criticism regarding the game’s pacing. His answer was refreshingly blunt. “I honestly don’t believe that they were longer than necessary,” he stated. “I feel like nowadays, players just have too much to do and too much to play; so they often feel the urge that something has to be concluded quickly.” It’s a striking argument. In an era of endless backlogs and countless new releases, Hamaguchi suggests that the problem isn’t the game’s content but our modern gaming habits. He believes Rebirth’s slower moments are intentional, designed to let players soak in the world, but that the pressure to constantly move on to the next big thing makes this feel like unnecessary padding to some.
A More Concise Finale on the Horizon?
Here’s where it gets interesting. While Hamaguchi defended Rebirth’s length, he also gave a tantalizing hint about the third and final game in the trilogy. He revealed that the team is working to strike a balance to ensure the final chapter “feels a bit more concise.” This isn’t necessarily a contradiction. Fans of the original 1997 game know that the narrative structure changes dramatically after the events at the Forgotten Capital (where Rebirth ends). The final section of the original game is a whirlwind of plot-heavy moments, with less of the open-world wandering that defined the middle act. A more concise, plot-driven experience for the finale would not only make sense narratively but would also address the very pacing concerns some players had with Rebirth.
The Balancing Act of a Remake
Ultimately, the Final Fantasy 7 Remake project is a massive balancing act. The developers are tasked with recreating a beloved classic, expanding its world and lore for a modern audience, and delivering a satisfying story that resonates with both old fans and new players. They are acutely aware that not every fan will be happy with the changes they’ve made. However, Hamaguchi’s comments show a clear vision. He stands by the deliberate pacing of Rebirth as a core part of its identity, while also acknowledging that the trilogy’s grand finale will require a different approach. It’s a sign that the team is thinking carefully about the story’s rhythm and is committed to ending the saga on a high note.
FAQs About the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Debate
What did the director of FF7 Rebirth say about its length?
Director Naoki Hamaguchi stated that he doesn’t believe the game is too long. He feels that modern players are often too busy and feel a constant urge to finish games quickly, which can make a deliberately paced game feel padded.
What are the main criticisms about the game’s pacing?
Some players feel the game has too much “padding” in the form of mandatory minigames and side content that halts the main story’s momentum, particularly in areas like Costa del Sol.
Will the third game in the trilogy also be very long?
Hamaguchi has indicated that the final game will be “more concise.” This aligns with the plot-heavy nature of the original game’s final act.
Is the development team aware of fan criticism?
Yes. The developers have stated they are aware of fans who are not happy with some of the changes made to the original story, but they are committed to their vision for the trilogy.
Why did the developers add so much new content?
The goal of the Remake trilogy is not just to recreate the original game but to expand upon its themes, world, and character backgrounds, offering a deeper narrative for both new and returning players.
What is Hamaguchi’s overall philosophy on the Remake project?
He has emphasized that the core themes of the original, particularly those surrounding life and death, have not been changed. Instead, the team has expanded on them to provide a richer, more detailed narrative experience.
Conclusion
The debate over Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s length is a fascinating reflection of modern gaming. Is the game too long, or are our attention spans too short? There’s no easy answer, and both sides have valid points. What’s clear is that Naoki Hamaguchi and his team have a strong, deliberate vision for this trilogy. They are crafting a saga on their own terms, and while they stand by the sprawling adventure of Rebirth, their promise of a more focused finale shows they know exactly where this epic story needs to go. The final act is coming, and it sounds like it will be all killer, no filler.