Naoki Hamaguchi and the future of Final Fantasy: what does this mean for players?
Intelligence Summary
- Naoki Hamaguchi, director of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, is earning praise from fans and colleagues. What does it mean for the franchise?
In brief
- Naoki Hamaguchi is leading development on 'Revelation', the final part of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy.
- Naoki Yoshida, known for Final Fantasy XIV, recently praised Hamaguchi, fueling speculation about his role in the franchise.
- Fans hope Hamaguchi will also take the lead on Final Fantasy XVII.
GAME-scanner analysis
Naoki Hamaguchi has proven himself to be a strong director within the Final Fantasy franchise, especially with the successful Final Fantasy VII remake. His approach has blended traditional RPG elements with modern gameplay, breathing new life into the series. Praise from Naoki Yoshida, another influential figure at Square Enix, strengthens Hamaguchi’s position and suggests he could play a key role in future titles, including Final Fantasy XVII. This would be an important step for the franchise, which has faced inconsistencies in quality and reception in the past.
What does this mean for players?
For fans of the series, Hamaguchi’s involvement in future titles could be a sign of a more cohesive and high-quality direction for the franchise. Positive feedback from both players and developers may lead to a renewed focus on gameplay and story, which is crucial to the series’ appeal. The possibility that Hamaguchi could lead Final Fantasy XVII, as Yoshida has suggested, may also mean players can expect a title that stays true to the franchise’s core values while still introducing new innovations.
Timeline
July 2026: Hamaguchi is praised by Yoshida during an event, sparking speculation about his role in Final Fantasy XVII.
25 July 2026: 'Revelation' is announced as the final part of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy.
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Sources
Tweet van @aitaikimochiTweet van @aitaikimochiDid…Yoshi-P just hint that Hamaguchi is maybe working on FF17?? LOL Yoshi-P: I think it's one of the biggest compliments people were saying in the comments they wish Hamaguchi is making FF17. But you don't have to answer…! Hamaguchi: If I answer… Yoshi-P: No, no, don't! pic.twitter.com/7KaNpK67nM — ☆オードリーAudrey☆ (@aitaikimochi) July 26, 2026
Tweet van @Genki_JPNTweet van @Genki_JPNAfter two decades of ups and downs from Final Fantasy XIII , to Final Fantasy XV , to Final Fantasy XVI , some fans have been hoping for something more consistent from the franchise. And with the remake trilogy in particular, it feels like Hamaguchi and his team have nailed a decent hybrid of turn-based and real-time action combat, and found a good compromise between open world exploration and the traditional linear RPG adventure.