The next chapter of the Final Fantasy VII Remake saga finally has a title and a loose release window, marking the second in what will ultimately be a trilogy of games. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is currently set to hit PlayStation 5 next winter, and the first footage has arrived in an announcement trailer along with the launch of the Japanese website.

RELATED: Final Fantasy VII Marks 25th Anniversary with Messages from Tetsuya Nomura, Yoshinori Kitase

Check the trailer out in English and Japanese:

Here’s a message from creative director Tetsuya Nomura:

As revealed on the broadcast, there are currently four Final Fantasy VII projects being developed in parallel. Although each of the four titles plays a different role, they are all connected through the high-quality depictions of Final Fantasy VII‘s world and characters. As someone who was involved with the development of each and every one of the original titles, I deeply understand the vision and thoughts behind each project, and I am actively involved in the development process for all four titles.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is being designed so that people can enjoy this game whether they know the original game or not. In fact, new players might even enjoy starting their Final Fantasy VII journey with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Cloud and his friends embark on a new journey in this game, and I believe that the scenes that they witness after leaving Midgar will give players a fresh, new experience. I can’t wait to share the intention behind naming the first title, ‘Remake,’ and the second title, ‘Rebirth.’ In time, I hope to reveal what the third title will be called, and where this journey will ultimately lead.

The development of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth has been progressing rapidly since we adopted a new development structure. A title of this scale in which everything is interconnected even before production began is truly rare. In fact, some development has already begun on the third title. I myself have started on the development and am working towards the completion of the series.

We will work to deliver this title to fans with the same amount of enthusiasm from now until we reach the finish line. In the meantime, please enjoy the other 25th anniversary projects that further expand the world of Final Fantasy VII.

The official account also shared messages from director Naoki Hamaguchi:

I am overjoyed that we are able to announce Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and I feel a strong sense of duty to deliver the ultimate Final Fantasy VII experience to all the fans eagerly awaiting this game. The development has already entered full production and the team is highly motivated in putting everything together on the project and working to create a finished game. The Final Fantasy VII Remake project will be a three-part trilogy, but Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is much more than just one installment in the series. We are developing it with all of the passion and dedication needed to create an original game and plan to deliver the ultimate gameplay and world building experience. Trust me, it will be worth the wait!

And producer Yoshinori Kitase:

We have officially announced that the second title Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will be released next winter, approximately three years after the original Final Fantasy VII Remake released in April 2020. Three years may feel like a long time for all the fans who are eagerly awaiting the next game, but we want to offer the best experience possible and reassure everyone that development is proceeding at an astonishingly fast pace for such a large-scale HD title. Making the middle part of a trilogy has its own challenges, but there are plenty of classic second installments in the world of film that are defined by stunning story twists and deeper explorations of their characters. Often these second installments become a favorite amongst the fans. In the same vein, we are aiming to make Final Fantasy VII Rebirth an even more gripping and memorable experience than Final Fantasy VII Remake, so please wait a little longer while we finish up.

In the meantime, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is set to make its Steam debut on June 17, and the Steam version will be compatible with Steam Deck.

Source: Square Enix

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Joseph Luster is the Games and Web editor at Otaku USA Magazine and the Editor-in-Chief of Sci Fi Magazine. You can read his comics at subhumanzoids. Follow him on Twitter @Moldilox.