If you found Zack’s story oddly sparse in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, you certainly aren’t alone. The mini-episode nature of them didn’t really do it any favors, either. They’d pop at often random points, last ten minutes, then leave. It wasn’t until right near the end of the story that they remotely picked up the pace, either.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation doesn’t sound like it’s repeating that choice. On the one hand, duh—it’s time to see the culmination of the Zack side of the equation one way or the other. On the other hand, it’s good to hear confirmation that there will be a considerably higher amount of Zack Fair, well, fare, moving forward.
Making Sense Of It All
There are some truly great interviews out there following Final Fantasy 7 Revelation’s reveal announcement. I personally recommend both parts of Automaton’s interview with trilogy co-director Naoki Hamaguchi. There’s plenty said in there that isn’t said elsewhere. But the same holds true for Hamaguchi’s chat with fellow publication Denfamico, and thanks to ever-helpful superfan @aitakimochi, we have a good summary of what was discussed.
Lots to dig into, but for the purposes of this particular article, let’s talk Zack. Via translation:
“There are some ‘slightly different elements’ between the original and the remake series. The previous game depicted the existence of ‘multiple timelines,’ but directly stating that in words would spoil the appeal, wouldn’t it? Zack plays that role again in this game, so his screen time is even greater than before, and he’s provided as an even more important part of the gameplay experience.”
I’m not sure “even greater” is much of a statement in and of itself when he had so relatively few in FF7 Rebirth, but that’s mincing words (translated words at that). The important part is that we’re already being told to expect him on a more routine basis, and specifically, in an “important role.” I don’t know that he really had one in Rebirth, by contrast; am I being too down on that? You decide. He certainly factored, but again, it wasn’t until the endgame that he really popped off at all.
“Zack is often talked about in overseas media, but his role in this FFVII remake series is to “tell the story of a slightly different worldview and setting from the original version through him.”
This part grabs me a bit more. We technically knew this already because that’s precisely how things go with Rebirth. But it seems like it’s going to be an expanded-upon element for Revelation which holds firm to that original idea. Perhaps that means more drastic changes from Zack’s perspective—like hopping across multiple world lines rather than hanging out in just the one. I reckon he’d have some interesting things to share with our main heroes should he chance to intersect with them again.
Also in the Denfamico interview, Hamaguchi-san mentions that guest party members will temporarily join the roster at certain points. That’s big, too! That’s reminiscent of, say, Final Fantasy 12. (We’ve seen it with Sonon in FF7 Remake’s DLC, but there hasn’t been much else like it since.)
“However, at key points in the game, just like in the previous game, Zack will make appearances, and other guest characters will join as playable characters, and these elements are incorporated into the story. That being said, the basic style is to thoroughly customize and control the main characters.”
So, don’t expect the game’s “FIT” system—which borrows traits from classic FF job classes—to apply to guests. Hey, that’s fair. But it’s cool to know that there will be guests. Who do you reckon that means?
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Director Says Tifa And Scarlet’s Slap Fight Gets The “Care It Deserves”
“This is definitely leading up to that moment.”
