The Official "How many parts?" Thread

[Shademp]

@LicoriceAllsorts Yes

 

[ForceStealer]

Not the Gold Saucer one, they're referring to the other side of the mountains and river north of North Corel.

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

I though they meant a materia mine was in the desert. Thanks!

 

[Smoothie King]

If they decide to go with more than 3 parts, they better make damn sure that Part 2 is as chock-full of content that a PS5 disk can handle. If it leaves any doubt whatsoever in players that they didn't include everything they could have then it will create a huge amount of bad will in their fanbase. I know I'll be upset. I won't be able to defend a shorter game simply because they wanted to get it out faster and release more titles in the future.

No matter how many parts this ends up being, every single entry has to be the absolute most that they can fit. In my little brain, I feel that a trilogy of games, two of which are on PS5, can adequately handle the amount of content that the FFVII story contains. Even 4 seems like a stretch but I'd be willing to hold out judgment and act in good faith. They've earned that trust with Part 1.

 

[Prism]

I’m just really curious how they’re going to handle the open exploration aspect of the post-Midgar game. It’s so crucial to the feel of the game (getting expanded freedom as you leave Midgar’s claustrophobic layout) that I can’t imagine they’re going to scrap it. But it would be really hard to execute properly if they keep the player in the 1:1 “true to life” scale which Remake presents - no overworld chibi characters to save them

 

[Eerie]

It's one of the things where I'm preparing myself for a not-so open world, since I'm really not sure about how they're going to handle that.

I also realised while reading @KindOfBlue that they're definitely going to separate two major events: Aerith's death and the Lifestream scene. The latter is a dev favourite, the first is a fan "favourite" (as in, cited as most impactful when citing FFVII OG). In the OG, Aerith's death was impactful for the player, and as a result, many didn't grasp the importance for Cloud and the story of the Lifestream scene. In Remake they have the possibility to separate those two events and make sure that everyone will grasp just how important for the whole story the Lifestream scene is. As I realised this, I just understood that not only are they going for 3 or 4 parts, but that these events won't happen in the same game - we will definitely end one part on Aerith's death, wherever it is if they move it, so that the Lifestream scene will be the big event of the next game.

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

What do you mean by The Lifestream Scene? To me that means the scene with Cloud and Tifa inside the lifestream, but that's already separated from Aerith's death by some hours of gameplay

 

[Eerie]

Not in the minds of players. What I mean is, if you ask what is the most important scene in FFVII to players, many will tell you Aerith's death was. However, I do not think this is true, and I think the devs think alike, as their most important scene is often the Lifestream scene. Because the two scenes are mere few hours apart, players don't put the weight they should on it - story-wise, it *is* the most important scene, we dive into Cloud's mind to find who is the real him. If you put those two scenes in two different games, like they can do with Remake, then they can be both important, and the players can focus on the Lifestream scene as they should, to grasp fully the story. This is one more reason, and a pretty important one, to separate those two scenes and not put them in the same game. Like this, both scenes can have the same impact on players.

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

That's obviously been your experience, but all I can say is, it hasn't been mine.

 

[KindOfBlue]

I imagine the overall abstract nature of the Lifestream scene also adds to its profoundness not being as immediately obvious namely for younger players but I would say overall the Aerith death scene is far and wide considered that scene.

On the other hand, since I already knew it would happen years before I actually played it, I think it put me in a better position to appreciate the Lifestream scene especially since it’s not nearly as heavily spoiled. I would think letting both scenes breathe in separate games would keep one from overshadowing the other? Not to mention whatever else they decide to add to the story.

 

[Eerie]

That's obviously been your experience, but all I can say is, it hasn't been mine.

I'm not talking about myself, since the Lifestream scene has been the most impactful for me. I'm talking about random fans talking on the internet, obviously. I'm talking about various articles about the game. Etc. This isn't about you or me, or many people who love that scene - it's because aside us, many, many, many people will only talk about Aerith's death.

 

[cold_spirit]

That's obviously been your experience, but all I can say is, it hasn't been mine.

I think the sentiment @Eerie has noticed is that the Lifestream sequence is overshadowed by Aerith's death scene in gaming culture. Personally I like the Lifestream sequence more, it's what made FFVII my favorite game, but both are amazing. However, if we're talking about gaming as a whole, Aerith's death scene is the defining moment of FFVII. It's the worst kept spoiler in gaming, the equivalent of knowing Darth Vader is Luke's father. Placing the Lifestream sequence in a separate game allows for some breathing room. If it's the highlight of a potential $60 experience and shown years after Aerith's death, the Lifestream sequence may gain a bit more widespread recognition as being the real best twist in FFVII imo.

 

[Smoothie King]

I’m just really curious how they’re going to handle the open exploration aspect of the post-Midgar game. It’s so crucial to the feel of the game (getting expanded freedom as you leave Midgar’s claustrophobic layout) that I can’t imagine they’re going to scrap it. But it would be really hard to execute properly if they keep the player in the 1:1 “true to life” scale which Remake presents - no overworld chibi characters to save them

I've thought about this myself. I think open zones that are limited geographically (mountains, water, etc) would be a good middle ground and representative of the original game. Something in line with, say, Seattle in TLOU2. The open world in FFXV was cool, but did anyone feel as if it was absolutely necessary in telling that story? I'm not sure I know the answer to that.

One thing that I think should be of paramount importance is that the story evolves naturally. I would gladly trade the open world of an Elder Scrolls game for a tighter narrative. They will make whatever areas we get to explore absolutely gorgeous. Lush greens, rugged terrain. If it's large enough to give one a sense of wonder looking around, I think that will suffice. From a storytelling perspective, I don't feel it is a necessity to be able to traverse an entirely open world once you step foot out of Midgar. Just like in any other visual medium, there are tricks that can replicate that same feeling. It just has to feel a lot bigger than Midgar. That's what they have to nail.

 

[Obsidian Fire]

I think the big thing to nail will be the feeling of "openness" in the zones and... different SE departments have known how to get the feeling for years without a true "open world". Parts of FFXII, the one big grinding zone of FFXIII, just about anything in FFXIV that isn't a dungeon (in particular, Dravanian Hinterlands, Azim Steppe, Ill Mheg)... all those areas feel wide and open and center around cool looking geological/architectural set-pieces while having mobs roaming around.

The one thing that worries me is people feeling "confined" by grinding in map zones when the story doesn't push them out of the area like the Remake's story structure does. Stay too long in one zone and no matter how big the area is, the seams at the edge of it get more noticeable. Also, it' a very old game style and would require and abstraction of the overworld to act as a hub between locations. It doesn't have the "shiny new game design" feel the Remake has been pushing.

 

[Littlewing]

But I have no idea, I have a feeling that this generations Final fantasy is going to mostly be the remake? But then maybe that’s not true but just since 13 they spent all this time making sequels to it that generation but then they’re already releasing FF16, knows? I guess there will be at least 3, the 2nd one will be the rest of the storyline, the 3rd will be the last half of the main storyline then open world side quests and exploration. How any sidequests could they possibly add of eliciting monsters for NPCs? I’m sure there will be lots of them, just not that many to spend like 5 gajjilion discs.

They could always add more story elements I mean I kind of seriously get weekly episodic anime vibes from this first instalment, maybe they would stretch the game out to be like a full length anime like Trigun or full metal alchemist, cowboy bebop, and there’s all this hunger on going encompassing storyline like way more added content, it can you do that with an RPG? Like will people want to play that long and would it stop being an rpg after some point?

Like I mean, are we talking seasons here? You’d think there would have to be more gameplay elements on top of vehicles there would be dungeons and things to collect, but the gameplay doesn’t really allow for that.

 

[cold_spirit]

On exploration and openness...

Preference: Modern world map system. Weather and day/night mechanics. Enemies visible on the map, warp to a battle area on contact. The world feels connected.

Expectation: Towns and the journey between them are split up by chapters. Each chapter is a new area. Basically exactly how Remake is now. Gets the job done.

Worst fear: Level select system a la Final Fantasy XIII-2's Historia Crux. Choosing areas from a menu sucks. Feels disconnected, no attachment to the wider world.

 

[msia2k75]

On exploration and openness...

Preference: Modern world map system. Weather and day/night mechanics. Enemies visible on the map, warp to a battle area on contact. The world feels connected.

Expectation: Towns and the journey between them are split up by chapters. Each chapter is a new area. Basically exactly how Remake is now. Gets the job done.

Worst fear: Level select system a la Final Fantasy XIII-2's Historia Crux. Choosing areas from a menu sucks. Feels disconnected, no attachment to the world.

View attachment 8805

A Motomu Toriyama game in sum... yikes!

 

[cold_spirit]

While appreciating the amazing fanart below, I realized that five of the OG's nine playable characters will be featured in Remake once Intergrade releases. This confounds me.

I previously speculated that Part 2 will end in Gongaga, Part 3 at the Northern Crater, and Part 4 at Meteorfall. I liked this because the gameplay would've iterated nicely over the series. Part 1 introduces four playable characters, Part 2 would've added three new characters and remixed the previous four, Part 3 would've added two new characters and remixed the previous seven, and Part 4 would've remixed all nine. However, Intergrade throws this all out of whack.

If I continue to be an advocate for Part 2 ending at Gongaga, then do I also believe Red XIII and Cait Sith are enough to make Part 2's gameplay fresh and exciting? Honestly, seems a bit lacking. Maybe remixing the previous five characters and adding team attacks (like we see with Yuffie and Sonon in Intergrade) would be enough, but I don't know. I also believe it's in Square's best interest to get all nine playable characters on screen as soon as possible. Just from an advertising and merchandising perspective. So yeah, there's a lot to consider.

Does the announcement of Intergrade have anyone else rethinking their part speculation?

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1369721335211978753

 

[Wol]

A Motomu Toriyama game in sum... yikes!

Kingdom Hearts says hi.

 

[Smoothie King]

While appreciating the amazing fanart below, I realized that five of the OG's nine playable characters will be featured in Remake once Intergrade releases. This confounds me.

I previously speculated that Part 2 will end in Gongaga, Part 3 at the Northern Crater, and Part 4 at Meteorfall. I liked this because the gameplay would've iterated nicely over the series. Part 1 introduces four playable characters, Part 2 would've added three new characters and remixed the previous four, Part 3 would've added two new characters and remixed the previous seven, and Part 4 would've remixed all nine. However, Intergrade throws this all out of whack.

If I continue to be an advocate for Part 2 ending at Gongaga, then do I also believe Red XIII and Cait Sith are enough to make Part 2's gameplay fresh and exciting? Honestly, seems a bit lacking. Maybe remixing the previous five characters and adding team attacks (like we see with Yuffie and Sonon in Intergrade) would be enough, but I don't know. I also believe it's in Square's best interest to get all nine playable characters on screen as soon as possible. Just from an advertising and merchandising perspective. So yeah, there's a lot to consider.

Does the announcement of Intergrade have anyone else rethinking their part speculation?

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1369721335211978753

I don't think there is a prayer that this thing ends at Gongaga. With the PS5's superior storage and performance, I don't see any reason why we can't have Part 2 finish after the Forgotten Capital. Cloud and company looking up at the snowy mountains the way they looked out onto the world from the end of the Midgar highway at the end of Part 1. That's my hope, anyway. If you look at the amount of unique areas/chapters in Part 1, it's somewhat comparable to the rest of disk 1. Not quite as large, but we are also dealing with superior hardware now. It's nothing they can't do. And look at how quickly they were able to get Part 1 finished after they brought everything in house. Call me naive but I think these installments are going to be substantial games from a content POV.

Also, I am all in on Intergrade-esque DLC mixed in-between the releases of the main parts. As long as they tell side stories that don't impact the overall story, I'm in. Give me Cid and Barrett going on a late night beer and cigarette run while I wait for Part 3.

 

[KindOfBlue]

I don't think there is a prayer that this thing ends at Gongaga. With the PS5's superior storage and performance, I don't see any reason why we can't have Part 2 finish after the Forgotten Capital. Cloud and company looking up at the snowy mountains the way they looked out onto the world from the end of the Midgar highway at the end of Part 1. That's my hope, anyway. If you look at the amount of unique areas/chapters in Part 1, it's somewhat comparable to the rest of disk 1. Not quite as large, but we are also dealing with superior hardware now. It's nothing they can't do. And look at how quickly they were able to get Part 1 finished after they brought everything in house. Call me naive but I think these installments are going to be substantial games from a content POV.

Also, I am all in on Intergrade-esque DLC mixed in-between the releases of the main parts. As long as they tell side stories that don't impact the overall story, I'm in. Give me Cid and Barrett going on a late night beer and cigarette run while I wait for Part 3.

Yeah, my guess is if they go for three parts, there will be a pretty heavy wait until part 2 comes out but maybe not as long for part 3 after it

 

[Roger]

I don't think there is a prayer that this thing ends at Gongaga. With the PS5's superior storage and performance, I don't see any reason why we can't have Part 2 finish after the Forgotten Capital. Cloud and company looking up at the snowy mountains the way they looked out onto the world from the end of the Midgar highway at the end of Part 1. That's my hope, anyway. If you look at the amount of unique areas/chapters in Part 1, it's somewhat comparable to the rest of disk 1. Not quite as large, but we are also dealing with superior hardware now. It's nothing they can't do. And look at how quickly they were able to get Part 1 finished after they brought everything in house. Call me naive but I think these installments are going to be substantial games from a content POV.

Also, I am all in on Intergrade-esque DLC mixed in-between the releases of the main parts. As long as they tell side stories that don't impact the overall story, I'm in. Give me Cid and Barrett going on a late night beer and cigarette run while I wait for Part 3.

While yes, the PS5 is powerful enough, the amount of unique areas that Part 2 would cover in any event eclipses Part 1. Part 1 is nothing but city, the same city over and over again, with reusable textures and lighting conditions. For Part 2 we are covering anything and everything that isn't that, different grasslands, different small towns, swamps, farms, various caves, various mountain ranges, a whole nother city, forests, beaches, deserts and if indeed we get to the Northern Continent, snowlands.

 

[LNK]

I still think it'll be a trilogy

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

While yes, the PS5 is powerful enough, the amount of unique areas that Part 2 would cover in any event eclipses Part 1. Part 1 is nothing but city, the same city over and over again, with reusable textures and lighting conditions. For Part 2 we are covering anything and everything that isn't that, different grasslands, different small towns, swamps, farms, various caves, various mountain ranges, a whole nother city, forests, beaches, deserts and if indeed we get to the Northern Continent, snowlands.

But since they didn't reuse assets between sectors, even though they could have, isn't that somewhat comparable?

 

[Sephiroth Crescent]

We'll be lucky if we get to Neo Nibelheim by Vol. II.

On the roster thing, I think they could surprise us with some Turks/Rufus playable section or something crazy, like some Corneo Business minigame.



Not really.