Naoki Hamaguchi's influence on Final Fantasy VII and the possibility of Final Fantasy XVII
Intelligence Summary
- Naoki Hamaguchi, director of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, is praised by Naoki Yoshida. What could this mean for the franchise's future?
In brief
- Naoki Hamaguchi is the driving force behind 'Revelation', the final part of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy.
- Naoki Yoshida has recently praised Hamaguchi, fueling speculation about his future role in the franchise.
- Fans hope Hamaguchi will take the lead on Final Fantasy XVII, which could bring a more cohesive future for the series.
GAME-scanner analysis
Naoki Hamaguchi has proven his worth as a director with the successful Final Fantasy VII remake, blending traditional RPG elements with modern gameplay. Recent praise from Naoki Yoshida, a key figure at Square Enix, strengthens Hamaguchi's position and suggests he could play a crucial role in future titles, including possibly Final Fantasy XVII. This is highly significant for the franchise, which has experienced inconsistencies in quality in the past. Hamaguchi's involvement could signal a new direction that stays true to the series' core values while still leaving room for innovation.
What does this mean for players?
For fans of the series, Hamaguchi's involvement in future titles could be a sign of a more consistent and high-quality direction. Positive feedback from both players and developers may lead to a renewed focus on gameplay and story, which is essential to the franchise's appeal. The possibility of Hamaguchi leading Final Fantasy XVII could also mean players can expect a title that delivers both nostalgia and fresh ideas.
Timeline
July 2026: Yoshida praises Hamaguchi during an event, sparking speculation about his role in Final Fantasy XVII.
25 July 2026: 'Revelation' is announced as the final part of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy.
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Sources
Tweet van @aitaikimochiTweet van @aitaikimochiDid…Yoshi-P just hint that Hamaguchi is maybe working on FF17?? LOL Yoshi-P: I think it's one of the biggest compliments people were saying in the comments they wish Hamaguchi is making FF17. But you don't have to answer…! Hamaguchi: If I answer… Yoshi-P: No, no, don't! pic.twitter.com/7KaNpK67nM — ☆オードリーAudrey☆ (@aitaikimochi) July 26, 2026
Tweet van @Genki_JPNTweet van @Genki_JPNAfter two decades of ups and downs from Final Fantasy XIII , to Final Fantasy XV , to Final Fantasy XVI , some fans have been hoping for something more consistent from the franchise. And with the remake trilogy in particular, it feels like Hamaguchi and his team have nailed a decent hybrid of turn-based and real-time action combat, and found a good compromise between open world exploration and the traditional linear RPG adventure.
Tweet van @FF_XIV_ENTweet van @FF_XIV_ENPresenting a FINAL FANTASY XIV x FINAL FANTASY VII Remake crossover: Beyond the Lifestream—the Evercold raid series developed in collaboration with @finalfantasyvii ! pic.twitter.com/wzkPKFpQky — FINAL FANTASY XIV (@FF_XIV_EN) July 25, 2026
Tweet van @JamieCharlesEl1Tweet van @JamieCharlesEl1Presenting a FINAL FANTASY XIV x FINAL FANTASY VII Remake crossover: Beyond the Lifestream—the Evercold raid series developed in collaboration with @finalfantasyvii ! pic.twitter.com/wzkPKFpQky — FINAL FANTASY XIV (@FF_XIV_EN) July 25, 2026