Final Fantasy meets Zelda? Yes, please

Square Enix announced Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on April 18, 2024, introducing a new open-world exploration mechanic inspired by The Legend of Zelda series. The game, developed by Square Enix's Creative Business Unit I, features a vast world map that players can traverse on foot or via the new Chocobo mount system, offering a departure from the more linear progression of previous Final Fantasy titles. This open-world design allows for emergent gameplay and side quests, with Square Enix stating that over 100 hours of content are available for players who wish to explore every nook and cranny. The game's director, Naoki Hamaguchi, highlighted that the expanded world is intended to provide a sense of freedom and discovery akin to Nintendo's acclaimed Zelda titles, encouraging players to engage with the environment and its inhabitants. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second installment in the Final Fantasy VII Remake project, following the 2020 release of Final Fantasy VII Remake, and is scheduled for a PlayStation 5 exclusive launch in early 2025. Early previews suggest that the game will retain the action-RPG combat system from its predecessor while integrating these new exploration elements.