At the recent Taipei Game Show 2024, our team was honored to be invited by Bandai Namco & Square Enix for an interview with Motomu Toriyama, the director, and Teruki Endo, the combat director of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. In the interview, we, along with media representatives from different parts of Asia, delved into different facets of the game, covering aspects such as its content and combat system.

The following transcript is translated from Chinese and has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

1. The all-new Synergy Abilities have been introduced for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Could you please share the initial development concept for these abilities? Also, can these abilities be utilized in both Action and Classic control modes?

Actually, we had conceptualized this during the development of Final Fantasy VII Remake, but it wasn't completed at that time. So, one of our main goals this time is to focus on making the Synergy Abilities happen. We hope that during battles, players can experience character interactions similar to the story's narrative, where multiple characters will work together. As for the controls, the Synergy system is available in both Action and Classic modes. However, in Classic mode, it becomes an automatic operation, and players can intervene at any time to take control themselves.

2. Will the timeline of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth intersect with the timeline of Zack's resurrection? If so, how will the narrative shape the character Alice, who exists in both timelines as the female lead?

Sorry but we cannot disclose any information regarding the story right now, as this is the part that players are most eager to explore.

3. Did the decision to include the "LOVELESS" musical in the Gold Saucer draw inspiration from the opera scene in Final Fantasy VI? Is this storyline considered a main plot or a side plot, and what impact will it have on the overall story development?

The opera scene in Final Fantasy VI is indeed iconic, so when conceptualizing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, we did refer to past works. However, rather than being influenced by Final Fantasy VI, the intention was to recreate elements related to "LOVELESS" mentioned in the original work. Furthermore, this segment is part of the main storyline and is associated with character affinity. Still, it won't significantly impact the subsequent development of the overall story.

4. Will there be a need to change discs during the gameplay of the physical version of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, considering it comes with a dual-disc setup?

There will be an installation process involving both discs, so, no, there won't be a need to switch discs during gameplay. By the way, it's worth mentioning that the effort to structure the content onto these two discs was quite substantial. In fact, the originally planned content could have easily fitted into a third disc...

5. Many people felt surprised after witnessing the ending of the previous game. Without revealing any spoilers, could you give us a hint about the emotions one might experience after seeing the ending of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth?

It's a bit challenging to answer that question without giving away details, but aside from the main storyline, this time there are various rich elements and content to explore. I hope everyone can eagerly anticipate and look forward to it.

6. In the previous promotional footage, we noticed that Red XIII can also ride a chocobo. However, due to its unique body structure, its riding posture appears awkward. Why was the decision made to allow Red XIII to ride a chocobo, and will this riding animation be carried over to the final version?

We did consider the option of letting Red XIII run on its own, which might be faster and more convenient than a chocobo. However, since Red XIII is a member of the party, we wanted it to be able to ride a chocobo along with the other members. That's why we specifically designed it this way. Additionally, for those who have played the original game, you might be aware that Red XIII has a little secret. In Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, you will witness various different aspects of Red XIII, so please look forward to it!

7. Will the Synergy Abilities between characters be available from the beginning of the game, or do players need to complete tasks or progress through the story to unlock them?

The Synergy Abilities system itself will be open from the early stages of the game, and players can choose these abilities through the skill tree. It important to note that some skills will require completing side quests to unlock.

8. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is set to introduce a vast world map. How does the development team balance the experience between the main and side quests?

The world map in this game is extensive, and the main quests related to the story are essential tasks that players must undertake, thus the game will provide guidance for players. As for side quests and other exploration content, they are distributed accross the in-game world in various towns and regions. Players have the freedom to choose whether or not to complete these side quests. It's worth noting that, in addition to the main quests, side quests also feature rich animated sequences, and some minigames are exclusively accessible through side quests.

9. With less than a month left until the game is released, is there a plan to release a demo version?

We provided a playable demo at the Taipei Game Show this time. As for an online downloadable demo, please stay tuned for more information.

10. How did the collaboration between Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Apex Legends come about?

The collaboration was facilitated because there are many Apex Legends players in our team, and coincidentally, the Apex Legends team also has many fans of Final Fantasy VII. Both parties expressed interest in creating content together, leading to the realization of this remarkable collaboration.

11. What are the differences between Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and its predecessor, Final Fantasy VII Remake, and which aspects have been improved based on player feedback?

This time, the combat system has been expanded further, offering a broader range of actions and providing players with more freedom to choose different ways to engage in battles. The characters that appeared in the previous game have also undergone adjustments in the new installment, not simply being replicated, providing players who have experienced the previous game with a fresh gaming experience. Some expansions in the mentioned combat system were inspired by player feedback.

Regarding the story, the most significant difference is the inclusion of a world map in Rebirth. The previous game was confined to the city of Midgar, but in the current installment, players have the freedom to explore a vast world, embarking on a series of adventurous journeys.

12. In the original game, Yuffie and Vincent were optional recruitable characters. Will Final Fantasy VII Rebirth retain this setup? Also, will there be additional development for characters who were not particularly significant in the original game, similar to what was done in the previous installment?

Firstly, in the original game, recruiting these characters had specific conditions, such as answering Yuffie's questions to have her join. In Rebirth, we have retained this response mechanism and will make their inclusion into the party feel more natural. As for the character Vincent, he won't be a playable character, but we've preserved his distinctive and enigmatic qualities.

Meanwhile, some characters that were not highly significant in the original game will indeed have enhanced roles in Rebirth. Some characters from the previous installment will make a return, and there will also be entirely new characters introduced that were not present in the original.

13. How long is the estimated completion time for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth?

If focusing solely on the main storyline, it is estimated to take around 40 hours. However, for those aiming to complete all the side content, the playtime is expected to easily surpass 100 hours. During our testing, the team was also surprised by the extensive content. This might be the most voluminous installment in the history of the Final Fantasy VII series.

14. To use the Synergy Abilities, three characters in the party must meet specific conditions together, which means that players have to switch control between all three of them. Why was it designed this way?

The design is primarily intended to encourage players to enjoy using all the characters in their party during battles, creating a genuine sense of "synergy". However, for players who may not be adept at action-oriented gameplay, we have provided specific Materia that, when equipped, automatically triggers the conditions for these abilities.

15. The world of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is even more expansive and open than the original. Will the sequence of completing missions be different from the original?

The recommended sequence for the main storyline aligns completely with the original and won't have situations where the order is reversed. However, since Rebirth uses a chapter system for storytelling, there will be some elements different from the original. As a result, whether or not players have experienced the original, they can still enjoy a sense of freshness and excitement.

Message from the directors:

This time, our dedicated development team has poured their utmost effort into creating this game. The combat system incorporates innovative elements, and we eagerly anticipate everyone's hands-on experience. Furthermore, this edition introduces numerous exploration elements. The iconic mountain and ocean Chocobos from the original game will also make appearances, each offering a unique gameplay style. We hope you are all excited and eagerly looking forward to it!