Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has been highly anticipated for its various new features, including the open world, Chocobo riding, and synergy attacks. However, one aspect that deserves attention is the introduction of dual quest versions. This feature centers around Red XIII, a late-game party member in the original Final Fantasy 7 Remake, who is now fully controllable in the sequel. Director Naoki Hamaguchi recently discussed this unique design approach, which aims to respect Red XIII’s pivotal personality change after visiting Cosmo Canyon.

Red XIII’s Story in the Original Final Fantasy 7

In the original Final Fantasy 7, Red XIII (real name Nanaki) starts off as a character wrapped in mystery. Over the course of the game, Cloud and the rest of the party visit Cosmo Canyon, the place where Red XIII was born. During this period, we learn not only his real name but also about his complex feelings towards his father and his people. This visit serves as a turning point, after which Red XIII pledges to become a warrior like his father, thereby affecting his character development and even his dialogue options for the rest of the game.

The Impact of Cosmo Canyon on Red XIII in Rebirth

Just as in the original game, Red XIII undergoes a transformation in his character after the events at Cosmo Canyon in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Director Naoki Hamaguchi shared in an interview that the area will once again serve as a pivotal point for the character. To accommodate this, the game features two versions of each quest. The first set of quests corresponds to Red XIII’s character before visiting Cosmo Canyon. The second set takes into account his transformation into Nanaki, thereby providing a richer experience for the player.

Naoki Hamaguchi’s Explanation

In a recent interview with Screen Rant, Hamaguchi said, “Considering that his [Red XIII’s] personality changes, we have designed all quests in the game to have a Red XIII and a Nanaki version.” This design choice confirms that the game developers are committed to preserving the story’s emotional weight while also adding depth to the role-playing experience. Hamaguchi further stated that this feature is designed to offer players the choice of when to visit Cosmo Canyon, giving them greater agency in unfolding Red XIII’s character arc.

The Implications for Gameplay

Not only does the dual quest system affect the narrative, but it also impacts the gameplay. Players will have to decide when to visit Cosmo Canyon, as the quests will be different before and after the character transformation. This adds a layer of strategic planning to the game and could significantly influence replay value. By presenting two versions of each quest, the game creates a more dynamic storyline that responds to character development, thereby enriching the overall experience.

Final Thoughts

The inclusion of dual quest versions in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth represents a commendable effort by the developers to deepen the role-playing experience. By offering quests that adapt to Red XIII’s character arc, the game promises not only to enrich the narrative but also to offer strategic layers to the gameplay. This feature sets a new precedent for character development in role-playing games and highlights the meticulous design efforts of the team behind Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

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