Nomura: We Work Hard To Make Something Better Than FFVII

Hey, know what we haven't heard about in a while? ...yeah, sorry, we gotta.

By now, most of us accept that despite over a decade of begging, the fans will not receive a remake of Final Fantasy VII. But it's always interesting to hear Square Enix executives address that topic.

Character designer Tetsuya Nomura dropped a few tidbits in the most recent Famitsu (as summarized at Gematsu), and after saying he considers Kitase "a worthy successor of Final Fantasy," he added the following quotes:

"The new Final Fantasy must overcome the Final Fantasy of the past."

"There are a lot of people who want a remake of Final Fantasy VII. However, new titles take precedence. We work our hardest to make something that might be even better than Final Fantasy VII."

Yes, well, that's nice and all, but when the majority of fans agree that you haven't managed to top yourself yet, we figured one might at least consider a remake. Ah, but the pipe dreams eventually must fade, yes? Maybe one of these days, we'll hear more about Final Fantasy Versus XIII and that'll satisfy some of the hungry/disappointed fans.

Tags: ffvii, final fantasy vii, ffvii remake, final fantasy vii remake, final fantasy series

5/16/2012 10:23:38 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (65 posts)

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Condemnedsoul23
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 10:34:26 AM
Reply

:-(

3 up, 0 down

frylock25
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 10:44:32 AM
Reply

"We work our hardest to make something that might be even better than Final Fantasy VII."

well you fail

Last edited by frylock25 on 5/16/2012 10:45:11 AM

22 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 10:55:27 AM
Reply

"The new Final Fantasy must overcome the Final Fantasy of the past."

"There are a lot of people who want a remake of Final Fantasy VII. However, new titles take precedence. We work our hardest to make something that might be even better than Final Fantasy VII."

Such a pity then that FFXIII was such a travesty compared to FFVII or FFVIII. SE need to put up, or shut up. All this hand waving and statement making is not giving JRPG fans of those older FF games find their current output any more attractive. If they are truly working to make something better than FFVII, why did they make FFXIII or FFXIII-2? Clearly they are *not* better than FFVII. If they were, the reviewers would agree, as would the players.

To me, this is simply more self serving PR from the Ivory Tower.

18 up, 0 down

Razov
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 11:12:46 AM

"The new Final Fantasy must overcome the Final Fantasy of the past."

We're still waiting for this to be true...

"There are a lot of people who want a remake of Final Fantasy VII. However, new titles take precedence. We work our hardest to make something that might be even better than Final Fantasy VII."

With there lack of good games since FF7. One would think they would take a look back and see what worked and what didn't. Instead of inventing something new for every iteration. I relish the day they make something better then FF7. Every RPG made by SE and every game company is compared to FF7.

You just think that SE would take a hint when fans have been telling them, please make us a game like FF7 or tell us about Versus. How many years has it been since FF7 and there still riding its coat tails milking it.

2 up, 0 down

kay Oss
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 12:32:07 PM

FFX13 and FFX12 can't even be compared to FF9 and to me that might be the worst of that generation's series.
You know how SE can trump FF7? Remake FF7 with better graphics.

0 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Friday, May 18, 2012 @ 9:32:12 AM

FFXII's story didn't really hold me, but the battle system and it's complexity was a winner. FFXII's only blunder is a relatively uninteresting story. Everything else about it was still complex and very "FF".

A gambit system or something like that would have REALLY helped FFXIII's battle system, that's for sure...

As for FFIX, that game was incredible as well, and shouldn't be underestimated by anyone. Great cast and Vivi?? One of the best FF characters of all time.

Last edited by Underdog15 on 5/18/2012 9:33:20 AM

0 up, 0 down

Havoc
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 10:59:35 AM
Reply

At some point you all must let this go.

6 up, 1 down

Highlander
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 11:09:35 AM

Is that your advice to Nomura? Because it sounds like it might fit him better... ;)

It also sounds like fine advice for him and SE on the topic of FFXIV and Final Fantasy Versus XIII...

9 up, 0 down

TheAgingHipster
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 11:11:18 AM

The dream will never die.

4 up, 1 down

Havoc
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 11:14:31 AM

Its just that its been asked for, for so long and they just dont seem to care. But I guess everyone needs something to hope for.

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 1:36:39 PM

Would you let go of the desire to have a good game over a bad one?

5 up, 1 down

kay Oss
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 12:36:16 PM

We would let it go, but SE have not produce anything that worth while. If FFX13 was a epic as FF7, FF8, and FF10 us fans wouldnt be clamoring and requesting a game that is on par with FF7. For example, have anyone ever say please remake uncharted 1? NO because uncharted 2 and uncharted 3 was much better than the first. Same goes for the God of War series. Sometime its better not to fix something that isnt broken. SE try to be too innovative that they are making the noose tighter and tighter.

1 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Friday, May 18, 2012 @ 9:34:00 AM

Why no FFIX on that list? Or FFVI? or other FF's? FFIX was awesome. And Vivi is the best character in the whole FF series.

1 up, 0 down

ZenChichiri
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 11:04:11 AM
Reply

"If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all."

So Square, shut up until you say something we want to listen to.

5 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 11:09:53 AM

SE need to put up, or shut up.

6 up, 1 down

TheAgingHipster
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 11:11:44 AM
Reply

Excuse me while I go sit in the corner and cry.

4 up, 0 down

Ichigo40
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 11:16:31 AM
Reply

Oh how the mighty have fallen...
Hearing this makes me glad that I own 7, 8, & 9 on my PS3. Hopefully they'll make a HD version of 10 and give us the version of Versus 13 we are deeply hoping for.

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 1:37:43 PM

10 is getting the HD treatment, I just hope they pay attention to the high sales and understand that it's a blow stuck for turn-based combat.

2 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 1:58:17 PM

Anyone hear anything about FFX lately, by the way?

1 up, 0 down

Comic Shaman
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 11:33:34 AM
Reply

Huh. It sounds to me as if there has been some internal line in the sand drawn at Square. It's like they believe that if they go back and remake their old successful games (FFVII being the most outstanding candidate, but hardly the only one), they'll be admitting that their best days are behind them. They'll see it as some kind internal surrender to the idea that they've become creatively bankrupt.

That's how I read this statement, anyway. And I can see them not wanting to admit that.

On the other hand, I would love to see them realize that it's possible to grow by returning to your roots. If Square could somehow get past their increasing fixation on imitating Western success and reconnect with the essence of what once made them great, I think we could see a kind of rebirth.

10 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 1:39:42 PM

Nail on the head my friend.

3 up, 0 down

Fabi
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 12:10:14 PM
Reply

I love FF7 as much as the last guy but I'm one of those who doesn't think a remake is needed... I think the biggest charm of FF7 was what it was bringing to the table when it first came out. Just experiencing the characters, the story, the graphics, the locations, the music and the awesome CGI for the first time.

I pick up FF7 every few years and play it for a little, and while it's still very playable. I feel satisfied with what it gave me, when it gave it to me. I don't play it and go "ooohhh I wish I could see this scene in HD!"

I think I want to forever remember those characters as blocky and with no voices.

2 up, 2 down

Highlander
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 12:45:00 PM

Indeed, but not remaking FFVII doesn't mean that their current games should be lacking, but they are...

5 up, 0 down

shadowscorpio
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 1:02:49 PM

LIke Highlander said.

They say they want to surpass FF 7 with future Final Fantasy's but I have yet to see this in the slightest. FF 7 is a PSone game. We are all here during the life of the PS3, with the PS4 not too far off, still talking about FF 7 . A PS1 game.

Does anyone else see the problem here with SE?

5 up, 0 down

shadowscorpio
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 1:08:02 PM

Don't misunderstand. That's not to say that there haven't been great FF games made after FF7, but its clear that during this current gaming gen, the franchise has dwindled.

5 up, 0 down

Fabi
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 2:14:04 PM

I completely agree. I just could not get into FF13.

But I kinda also look at Square as something from the past. I don't think they will ever reach those levels again.

3 up, 0 down

karneli lll
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 1:05:42 PM
Reply

Why is there so much demand for a remake Nomura? Because current final fantasy games are underwhelming.

Personally i dont care for a remake, just release versus 13 already

2 up, 0 down

kay Oss
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 12:43:11 PM

I have very low hope for Versus 13. It took years and many delays to release FF13 and it was an epic fail. I just feel like Versus 13 will follow the foot steps of FF13 unless they are making change to it due to the reception they've recieved from FF13. I hope this is the case.

0 up, 0 down

kraygen
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 1:06:11 PM
Reply

Odd how often they like to claim they are now listening to the fans and then they make statements like this.

5 up, 0 down

xenris
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 1:16:09 PM
Reply

He also said something like the future of Final Fantasy is in the hand of Kitase and that the fans should trust the direction he takes....

I just really want ffversus13 seriously. Its also funny that amazing RPGs that follow an old school formula are coming out and doing well. Xenoblade is quite excellent, the Last Story from what I hear is also excellent. Why the heck are they so afraid of making something new that is similar to the old final fantasy games?

Why don't they expiriment with a PSN/XBLA game that is like 20 bucks but is an oldschool RPG, with any new ideas they are interested in trying out?

I certainly don't think I will understand the hive mind behind Square enix -_-

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 1:41:28 PM

They are terrified of not getting the twitchy/simplistic/constant action crowd that never cared about Final Fantasy in the first place. Makes sense no?

3 up, 0 down

xenris
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 8:18:35 PM

Makes so much sense, I can't even wrap my head around it.

0 up, 0 down

Rogueagent01
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 1:32:05 PM
Reply

For me VIII was the only game that was better and since then they have slowly gone downhill with the FF franchise. I thought IXs story was good and the graphics were great, but the gameplay was awful and then X & X-2 just really disappointed me on all levels(other then Blitzball). I never played XI or XII as I didn't have a good ISP at the time and then this gens, well has anyone called them their favorite?

I've been playing Nier and I relly like that game so I see that they can still make good games its just that they forgot what FF was all about.

1 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 1:42:40 PM

Sadly, they only published Nier, had nothing to do with making it.

4 up, 0 down

Rogueagent01
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 1:53:40 PM

Ahh! That's why it is a good game, lol. I thought they made it.

2 up, 0 down

Russell Burrows
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 1:34:38 PM
Reply

Lets look on the bright side with 13-2 out of the way its 13-3 or hopefully VERSUS 13??

But who am I kidding??
Since its Shit Editors or SE for short the bet is we get -3 Lightning Goes Shopping for Handbags RPG then -4 Lightning Goes Shopping for Dresses RPG
Then -5 Serah Buys Shoes RPG.

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 1:51:32 PM
Reply

Here is one case where we can say that nostalgia has no foothold in our view of FFVII. It and other FFs are simply better games that better fit their audience than these most recent monstrosities that don't seem to be made with any existing demographics of gamers in mind.

It just doesn't make any sense. I know nothing about development, but I know if I was in charge of the decision making I could make a much better Final Fantasy than the last 2. And I think most fans believe the same thing.

The way I see it, it's kind of hard to mess up a Final Fantasy at this point. There's such a wealth of history to draw from, all that's really needed is a deep story and characters, a reinvention/refinement of progression elements, and a big amazing world. Bring that up to date with the current technology and you have a winner.

Somehow (thanks twitch crowd) these guys can't even do that. Shame on them.

2 up, 0 down

Russell Burrows
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 2:24:29 PM
Reply

Even the twitch crowd Developers are starting to create better integrated RPG elements into FPS Achoo, achoo, lots of Dust 5++ here, achoo.........

And this generation Bethesda did a better job creating an entertaining and long lasting game with RPG elements than SE did.

Oblivion, Fallout, Fallout Vegas over FFXIII

1 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 3:05:55 PM

...and Skyrim!

1 up, 0 down

Briar
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 3:09:11 PM
Reply

I don't think SE will ever win in regards to FFVII, but I admire them for continually trying to make better Final Fantasy games. I honestly didn't mind FF XIII or FF XII-2; sure they had their flaws but mistakes are always made when you are trying to craft new video game concepts.

It just confuses me how we have one end of the community shouting for SE to return to remakes, and asking for the formula not to be changed yet I see a lot of complaints on numerous websites how CoD is just the same thing over and over and over again.

It's hard to hit the middle ground, but I think they are making their way there and I'll continue to buy their products because I've enjoyed all Final Fantasies 6 - XII-2.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 3:38:32 PM

That was the beauty of the FF franchise, it was never the same thing over and over again, it was always a reinvention of the same concepts in a brand new world.

0 up, 0 down

SuMtOnE
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 3:53:56 PM
Reply

k fine no final fantasy 7. at least think bout Final Fantasy 6... that one is a MUST

1 up, 0 down

ZenChichiri
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 10:32:00 PM

I agree with you very much on this. A remake of FF6 would be so amazing. I can only imagine the opera scene in HD on a big TV.

0 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 4:01:02 PM
Reply

How big of a deal is the idea of a FFVII remake?

He makes this comment (a comment that for any other game would just be a side note in a much greater interview) and EVERY VIDEO GAME WEBSITE in the world covers it.

:p

The interview wasn't even about FFVII, yet it's the only part of the interview everyone cares about.

*sigh*

Last edited by Underdog15 on 5/16/2012 4:01:33 PM

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 5:10:22 PM
Reply

If that's the goal they probably shouldn't abandon their fans n'stuff.

2 up, 0 down

Clamedeus
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 6:11:15 PM
Reply

Well SE.. I don't know what to tell you, everything you have done thus far hasn't been working.

Take a good look in the mirror and step back to see what you are doing wrong, and maybe then you might pull out of this nightmare you are in.. maybe.

I love you SE (Mostly Square Soft) but you are breaking my <3.

Last edited by Clamedeus on 5/16/2012 6:13:01 PM

2 up, 0 down

Warrior Poet
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 6:54:53 PM
Reply

First they need to realize what made it good in the first place - they really have no idea.

0 up, 0 down

marcusfrommo
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 7:08:32 PM
Reply

NO FF7 GAME WILL RELEASE ON THE PS SYSTEM PERIOD. GET OVER IT. Please stop bringing this topic up.

Hey, the Gears of War coming to the ps3 topic hasn't been brought up in a while, let's talk about that. What? It's never going to happen? Then why bring it up?

As far as ff13 goes, it was effing awesome. A japanese action rpg game with all of that traditional cliched mini missions of "fetching and or finding items to adds you give 2 hoots about, or puzzle solving grinding castle or dungeon missions," completely taken out of the game for the most part. THANK YOU. Did I say thank you.

Now as far as ff13 2 goes, good grief, ff13 was visually groundbreaking. To me it rivaled gow3. Ff13 2 is a visually downgraded version of the previous one. I could go on, but I'm going to play, take care.

1 up, 6 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 8:05:11 PM

What are you an idiot?

4 up, 1 down

Pandacastro
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 10:14:13 PM

Yeah hes a idiot world.

3 up, 1 down

MrAnonymity
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 10:45:13 PM

Better change your name to Johnny, 'cause you just flamed on.

Really? I assume you're just trying to raise some hackles with that comment. Alas, if you are indeed serious... just... just leave. Begone. Vanish. Disappear. Etc...

1 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 11:03:46 PM

This is why I say 15-year-olds shouldn't ever play certain games.

4 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 9:55:00 AM

Marcus,

Every single video game website is commenting on this...

huh... it must be important to some people...

0 up, 0 down

frylock25
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 10:29:28 AM

oh by the way my gf says you must be gay for your avatar being a girls magazine.

0 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 12:02:28 PM

@fry

nonsense! I often stare at the cover of that magazine for a bit when standing at the checkout isle!

:p lol

0 up, 0 down

frylock25
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 3:17:19 PM

yea but staring at it and buying it so you can take it home with you are different. lol anyway it really was what my gf said. i was just passing along the comment lol

0 up, 0 down

Russell Burrows
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 3:23:10 AM
Reply

Its dependent on actual maturity level versus age level.

I.e. a Vocational Teacher trying to chide some 15 year old for missing some vocational orientation classes when the "student" asks the Teacher Yo teach what you make per month??

Teacher: five grand per month before taxes.
Student: thats nice but I make that per day playing tennis.

Student:Yo, teach let me give ya some vocational orientation tennis lessons this Saturday.

1 up, 1 down

___________
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 6:01:59 AM
Reply

what does working hard have to do with making good games?
you could work 24 hours a day 7 days a week that is not going to magically turn a crap game into a bad one!
$Es problem is there in the mindset that westerners dont play eastern styled games, which is a massive load of sh*t!
one day they will wake up and smell the coffee, one day they will realise that worldwide people want JRPGs not only in asia, but by then it will be too late!

as the saying goes you dont realise what you have till you loose it!

1 up, 0 down

Highlander
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 10:19:11 AM

LOL! great point. that's like every time Crytek or someone says that they are pushing the PS3 to it's limits or using every cycle, I feel compelled to point out that a simple No Op loop will use every cycle, and you can easily code something in a massively inefficient manner that pegs both CPU and GPU to the maximum performance they can handle, and yet still does nothing of note with all that work.

No disrespect to anyone, working hard is working hard. but the quality of the work matters as much as, or more than, the degree of effort put into producing it.

1 up, 0 down

Bariikade
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 11:19:15 AM
Reply

Its strange. We give companys like Square Enix money for there products yet when we ask them for a revamped version of one of their earlier successes(which by the way involves us giving them more money) they say no. It must be nice having all the power...

0 up, 0 down

saintaqua
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 11:25:19 AM
Reply

Hmmm...I think I remember hearing a bout a game back in my childhood called Final Fantasy Versus XIII...or is it just my imagination? It was so long ago all those X's and I's's start to blur...

0 up, 0 down

Jotun
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 12:34:59 PM
Reply

This would be great is they didn't already hypocritize this statement with the announcement of FFX-remake. This statement doesn't hide the truth from those of us who understand this industry.

They won't remake FFVII because they'd have to put in as much work as they would in a new title to make it look up-to-date and add stuff. FFX is easy because the graphics were already close enough to next gen that they won't be doing much except sharpening up the resolution, sound, and perhaps adding a couple of things.

The bottom line is that they want all the revenue without all the work. Yet another reason all their remakes are handhelds. Handheld games are vastly more simple(and cheaper) to develop.

Last edited by Jotun on 5/17/2012 12:36:39 PM

0 up, 0 down

PHOENIXZERO
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 5:51:15 PM

Pretty much, it's basically a given that the assets for FFX were already created at a high resolution and scaled down to fit the PS2's capabilities. It also doesn't hurt that FFX was the original "corridor FF" I swear you could navigate most of that game by just holding up.

0 up, 0 down

PHOENIXZERO
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 5:47:25 PM
Reply

Final Fantasy VII.... So sick of FFVII remake crap that's been going on now for over a decade, so many people consider it the "best FF evar" and that's fine but for many the only reason it's held in so high regard is that it either introduced (or reintroduced) them to the series or the genre itself. It was the game that I bought a PS1 for back in September 1997 but holy crap it's beyond time to move on, we've had this "FF7" remake stuff since the PS2 teaser with the Squall/Rinoa dance scene from FFVIII and I swear the ONLY reason this stuff ever actually started was because of the blocky characters as opposed the visual improvements primarily made by 8 to the over world version of the characters.. Maybe if Square-Enix stopped trying to make the "next Final Fantasy VII" they could actually produce a steady stream of quality RPGs without them all seeming to go into development hell and maybe even revive neglected, yet popular series without screwing them up... Okay that's way too much to ask for when it comes to SE.

0 up, 1 down

Senergized
Friday, May 18, 2012 @ 7:49:43 AM
Reply

You know what Final Fantasy VII and VII were probably the best titles before Square merged with Enix.. Don't get wrong I enjoyed Final Fantasy X but lost direction afterwards... Ever since the creator of Final Fantasy Hironobu Sakaguchi left I guess the later titles started to not be as good as its predecessors.... Anyone tried Hironobu Sakaguchi's The Last Story on Wii... it's playing and it brings back memories of the old Final Fantasy style but with more playability.. but hey that's my 5 cents...

1 up, 0 down

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