Final Fantasy VII Rebirth arrives on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store on January 23rd, ending its PS5 exclusivity and opening the door to a wider player base and, inevitably, the modding community. Director Naoki Hamaguchi addressed the modding potential in a recent interview with the Epic Games website, expressing support for creative modding while also urging restraint.
While Square Enix has no official mod support planned, Hamaguchi acknowledged and welcomed the modding community’s contributions. He did, however, make a specific request: “We ask modders not to create or install anything offensive or inappropriate.”
Alt text: Aerith Gainsborough in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Given the popularity of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth‘s female characters, the nature of Hamaguchi’s concerns is understandable. The previous installment, Final Fantasy VII Remake, saw a surge of mods after its PC release, ranging from cosmetic changes like Cloud’s Kingdom Hearts costume to gameplay tweaks and, yes, modifications to character models like Tifa and Aerith. Similar mods for Rebirth are almost a certainty.
It’s likely that some of the more risqué mods from Remake will find their way to Rebirth despite Hamaguchi’s plea. While this request may go unheeded by some, the director’s desire to maintain a certain level of decorum is understandable. Ultimately, players have the choice to engage with or avoid these mods, preserving the intended game experience if they prefer.
A New Chapter, a Familiar Story, and the Future of the Remake
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth represents the second chapter in the remake trilogy, reimagining the original Final Fantasy VII narrative. While the core storyline remains, significant changes have been implemented, such as an expanded role for Zack Fair.
Alt text: Cloud Strife battles an enemy in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
The third and final chapter currently lacks a release date, though some preliminary details have surfaced. Intriguing questions remain: how much will the ending deviate from the source material? Will elements from other Final Fantasy VII projects be integrated? These answers will likely remain elusive for some time.
From PS5 to PC: A Wider Audience Awaits
The PC release of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth marks a significant milestone, bringing the game to a larger audience and offering a new platform for creative expression through modding. While the modding community’s potential is acknowledged and celebrated, the director’s cautionary words remind us of the importance of responsible content creation. The future of modding for Rebirth remains to be seen, but the conversation has begun.
