Final Fantasy 7 Remake director calls PS5 Pro "mid-range", with PC as his "lead platform"

Final Fantasy 7 Remake director Naoki Hamaguchi spoke to Automaton, addressing concerns about a new multi-platform strategy. Discussing the trilogy’s conclusion, he stressed that developing for lower-end systems won’t impact other platforms. However, PlayStation fans may find the studio's prioritizing of PC gaming surprising.

How is Square Enix courting PC gamers?

Hamaguchi considers PCs the “highest-end gaming environment”, where titles can offer the best quality visuals. He noted that at launch, many gamers found that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on desktops and laptops looked superior to the PS5 version. That was intentional, as the developers created assets for the most powerful CPUs and GPUs.

In the interview, the Square Enix veteran classifies the PS5 and PS5 Pro as “mid-range platforms.” Texture sizes and polygon counts may be significantly less on the consoles. The Switch 2 and Steam Deck are more challenging, but details are scaled down to some extent even on Sony’s flagship hardware.

Square Enix’s embracing of PC gaming isn’t entirely based on technical limitations. Hamaguchi explains that the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy saw a sales boost thanks to Steam and the Epic Games Store. With the largest potential player base, he views it as logical to cater to these gamers.

Final Fantasy PlayStation exclusivity is no more

For the director, PC ports are no longer a way to expand audiences long after a game debuts. That’s contrary to how the publisher handled releases in the past. When the first part of the trilogy appeared in 2020, it was a PlayStation exclusive for the PS4. The PS5 and the PC would see the upgraded Remake Integrade in 2021.

Rebirth had a shorter exclusivity window before it reached PC marketplaces. As Square Enix's relationship with PlayStation has evolved, rumors suggest that Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 will ship day one on all platforms. This approach could benefit the company, but some fans may feel a bit slighted. Final Fantasy games have generated the most revenue on Sony’s hardware.

Even if the PC is the ultimate showcase for Part 3, Hamaguchi has assigned teams to ensure that each port meets expectations. Hopefully, PS5 owners won’t suffer from frame rate drops or the blurry graphics experienced with its predecessor. With the help of PSSR upscaling, the PS5 Pro enhanced version improved visuals.