Square Enix States the Obvious About Its Most Beloved RPG
Square Enix has once again declared its grand ambition for Final Fantasy 7, describing hopes that the saga will become “an IP with an ever-evolving future.” It’s a statement that sounds forward-thinking on paper — until you remember that Final Fantasy 7 has been evolving, expanding, remixed, and re-relEased almost continuously since 1997. As PC Gamer wryly pointed out, announcing plans for an ever-evolving franchise is a bit like promising that water will stay wet.
Still, the sentiment behind the statement matters. In an era where publishers routinely shelve legacy franchises, Square Enix is signaling that its mako-powered crown jewel isn’t going anywhere once the current remake trilogy wraps up.
A Franchise That Never Learned to Sit Still
Let’s take a quick walk down memory lane, because FF7’s “evolution” didn’t start yesterday:
The Compilation Era
Beginning in the mid-2000s, Square Enix transformed FF7 from a single legendary PS1 RPG into a full-blown multimedia universe. Advent Children (2005) brought Cloud and Sephiroth back in cinematic form, Dirge of Cerberus gave Vincent Valentine his own shooter, and Crisis Core delivered one of the PSP’s most treasured prequels. There were mobile spin-offs too — some more successful than others.
The Remake Trilogy
Then came the ambitious reimagining. Final Fantasy 7 Remake (2020) reinvented Midgar for a modern audience, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (2024) took Cloud and company across a sprawling open world, and the third, still-untitled installment is set to conclude the saga. Add in Ever Crisis on mobile and the short-lived battle royale The First Soldier, and it’s clear this train hasn’t paused at a single station in nearly three decades.
Why the Statement Still Matters
So why say it at all? Because the end of the remake trilogy looms, and fans have been quietly wondering what happens next. By framing FF7 as an evergreen, living IP, Square Enix is essentially confirming that the conclusion of the trilogy won’t be the conclusion of the franchise. Whether that means new genres, more multimedia projects, or — whisper it — a remake of the remake remains to be seen.
There’s also a commercial reality at play. Final Fantasy 7 remains one of the most recognizable brands in gaming, and Cloud Strife is arguably more iconic now than he was in 1997. As the old joke goes: everyone loves Cloud, and Square Enix knows it. Riding that affection with steady content is simply good business.
The Other Side of the Coin
Of course, constant expansion carries risks. Remake trilogy fatigue is real for some players, and not every spin-off has landed with audiences — The First Soldier’s shutdown proved that even FF7 branding isn’t bulletproof. The challenge for Square Enix won’t be keeping FF7 alive; it will be keeping it fresh. If the publisher can balance nostalgia with genuine surprises, the “ever-evolving future” might feel less like a marketing line and more like a promise kept.
Jump Into Midgar for Less
Want to experience (or relive) Cloud’s journey yourself? You can pick up Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and wallet gift cards for your favorite platform at TURGAME.com — often at prices that won’t require SOLDIER-level paychecks.
Source: PC Gamer