Fans of Final Fantasy 7 and collectors of physical games were met with mixed emotions this week upon learning that the final chapter of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, titled “Final Fantasy 7 Revelation,” will require additional downloads, despite being available in physical format. This decision, as explained by series director Naoki Hamaguchi, was made to avoid compromising the quality of the extensive gameplay to fit it solely on a disc.
The game’s physical version will be accessible on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch 2. Regardless of the platform, additional data downloads are necessary to begin playing, with the PS5 and Xbox versions containing one disc and the Switch variant using a Game-Key card.
In response to criticism, Naoki Hamaguchi commented in an online statement that while they understand the decision might not meet all expectations, maintaining the quality of the game was ultimately prioritised over delivering a complete on-disc experience. He acknowledges that the gaming industry is trending towards a disc-less environment, and thus, providing a physical edition still holds significance.
Fans have noted that previous entries in the series, such as Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, managed to include the full games across two discs. Some argue that Square Enix could have opted for this strategy once more with the new release.
This move comes amidst broader industry changes, particularly following Sony’s announcement of ceasing production of new PlayStation discs by 2028. The apprehension stirred by this decision continues to affect public perception, as evidenced during Sony’s recent State of Play presentation.
Reporting based on coverage first published by eurogamer.net.