During a highly anticipated panel at PAX West, the creative minds behind the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy pulled back the curtain on the upcoming conclusion to the massive multi-part project. Game director Naoki Hamaguchi and battle director Teruki Endo took the stage to offer fans a comprehensive deep dive into Final Fantasy 7 Revelation. The presentation provided extensive new details regarding the integration of fan-favorite characters Cid Highwind and Vincent Valentine, the mechanics of the brand-new FITS combat system, and a heartfelt plea to the community regarding the game’s secretive narrative conclusion.
The panel served as a major showcase for how Square Enix intends to cap off the ambitious modern retelling of the classic 1997 PlayStation RPG. As the trilogy approaches its final chapter, the development team is focusing heavily on expanding tactical depth, refining character-specific combat identities, and delivering an emotional payoff that resonates deeply with players who have followed the journey for years.
Final Fantasy 7 Devs Deep-Dive Into the FITS System and New Playable Characters
The combat system in Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is shaping up to be the most dynamic and versatile in the entire trilogy, largely thanks to the inclusion of Cid and Vincent alongside the introduction of the innovative FITS system. Teruki Endo walked the PAX West audience through these mechanics, demonstrating how player choice and character specialization will drastically alter moment-to-moment gameplay.
Cid Highwind steps into the fray wielding a magical lance that grants him exceptional crowd-control capabilities, allowing him to impale multiple opponents simultaneously. Furthermore, Cid is designed as an aerial combat specialist. His offensive output increases significantly while he is airborne, setting him apart from other melee-focused party members and providing players with a dedicated option for targeting flying foes and executing punishing aerial combos.
Vincent Valentine offers a distinct combat flavor centered around mid-range gunplay. However, his versatility extends into close-quarters combat through his signature Galian Beast transformation. This mechanic allows Vincent to unleash a relentless barrage of physical melee attacks at any given moment, shifting fluidly between firearm suppression and ferocious beast-mode assaults.
Complementing these new character additions is the FITS system, a major new mechanical framework that assigns specialized traits to party members, heavily influencing their overall battle style. Divided into four distinct categories, the FITS system allows players to tailor characters to specific roles within the active party.
The Warrior FITS is tailored for offensive playstyles, encouraging aggressive combat tactics and expanding access to signature character abilities. Conversely, the Knight FITS functions as a defensive specialization focused on party support. Characters utilizing the Knight FITS can draw enemy attention away from vulnerable allies while absorbing heavy incoming damage and retaliating with powerful blows.
For magical prowess, the Black Mage FITS acts as an offensive specialization that enables players to cast powerful elemental spells in rapid succession. Meanwhile, the Summoner FITS unlocks advanced Summon Commands, granting players unprecedented control over their summoned entities to execute devastating, synchronized attacks.
Adding a layer of cosmetic customization, the developers confirmed that choosing a specific FITS will alter a character’s default outfit to match their combat specialization. However, Square Enix has ensured that players are not locked into these visual changes, confirming that character skins can be customized freely regardless of which FITS specialty is selected for battle.
As the panel neared its conclusion, director Naoki Hamaguchi shifted the focus from mechanics to the emotional weight of the overarching journey. Reflecting on the years-long experience that fans have shared throughout the development and release of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, Hamaguchi addressed the upcoming conclusion and offered advice on how players should approach the game’s climax.
With the third and final title set to answer lingering mysteries and resolve the massive narrative arcs built up across previous entries, Hamaguchi made a passionate point about avoiding spoilers and experiencing the story organically.
"And that’s why, at the very end, rather than having us as developers explain the answers, we would love for players to receive them on their own as their own personal experience," Hamaguchi told the audience. "The reunions we’ve built up throughout the trilogy, the bonds with our companions, and the final resolve. All of this leads to this moment — the third title. We truly hope that you all experience these final moments while carrying in your hearts the journey and the feelings that you’ve built up along the way."
A presentation slide shown during the panel echoed this sentiment, directly stating a desire for players to experience the climax as something personal rather than something explained to them secondhand by outside sources.
Final Fantasy VII Revelation is scheduled to launch worldwide on April 8, 2027, releasing for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series S.
