FF7 Director on Open World Fatigue Guides Players

When creating an open-world adventure, the temptation is to build something vast and sprawling. But as director Naoki Hamaguchi navigates the landscape of the Final Fantasy VII trilogy, he recognizes a critical battle: how to deliver expansive worlds without exhausting the player.

Hamaguchi understands the concept of open world fatigue, recognizing that while players crave freedom, they also need clear direction. This understanding is guiding the development of Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, positioning it as a careful balance between the established framework of the Remake and the freedom introduced in Rebirth.

The challenge for Rebirth, which features an expansive open world, was to manage that scale. Hamaguchi acknowledges that the world in Revelation is even larger than in Rebirth, making the necessity of effective guidance paramount.

“There are a lot of open world games out in the world right now, and the idea of open world fatigue is a very important concept to me,” Hamaguchi explains. He notes that while personal preference dictates perception, having been immersed in such games, he understands the frustration of being thrown into an environment without knowing where to begin or what to do.

This philosophy dictated the design of Revelation. Rather than relying on sheer size, the team focused on ensuring players always have the necessary guidance. The goal was to make exploring the larger world intuitive rather than overwhelming.

The design approach deliberately shifted from the previous installment. Where Final Fantasy 7 Remake funneled players forward with defined hubs, Rebirth embraced the open-world freedom. Now, in Revelation, that freedom is met with a commitment to clarity.

This approach extended to complex mechanics, such as the new Highwind and parachute system. Instead of simply dropping players into a location, the system relies on player memory. After opening the parachute, players must use their knowledge to ensure they land in the desired spot, which Hamaguchi views as another layer of guidance: direction without over-directing.

By applying this design philosophy, the development team ensured that players have all the necessary tools and information they need to enjoy the vastness of the world, making the journey through Final Fantasy 7 Revelation a truly guided adventure.