With Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII out on the market and the Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster making headlines in the summer, we are wondering when will be the right time for director Yoshinori Kitase to make plans for a remake of the series' most popular storyline, Final Fantasy VII.
Director Yoshinari Kitase discussed his intentions on making a Final Fantasy VII remake to Eurogamer. Director Yoshinari Kitase admitted that he "would love" create a HD remake of FFVII. "I won't rule out the possibility, but it would take a lot to make it happen" Kitase says. The Director cited some issues concerning budget and staff availability given the epic possibility of the game itself.
"I can honestly tell you I would love to do that, If you simply ask me if I personally would like to do that, yes I would. Definitely. There's no lie about it. But you must believe me when I say it would take a lot to happen."
The development time required to recreate the world would likely rival even Final Fantasy XV at this point. But Kitase also explained there's another reason he hasn't pursued a remake of the game: he's not actually motivated enough to do it, as it would be such a huge commitment.
He stated: "Even if I casually say I would like to do that, because it would be a huge project I would have to motivate myself to the level that I really am prepared to take on this huge responsibility. I don't know if those three things will happen simultaneously. It has to tick lots of very big boxes...."
"But should I ever take it on, it would have to be the biggest project I've done. My life work. So I would have to be as highly motivated as that to end up with something I'm very happy with. It's a huge thing for me."
Considering the technical limitations of original software, FFVII would have to be entirely remade from scratch for current consoles, which also begs the question as to exactly which console generation the game would be released for. There are many unknowns still, but the discussion of HD remakes of modern classics has Final Fantasy fans excited and hopeful. It has previously been rumoured that Final Fantasy XII could also receive an HD treatment if Final Fantasy X/X-2 are successful, though Square Enix has stated that it has "no plans" for the project.
