Hamaguchi's 'Tough Game' Comment Casts Doubt on Xenogears Remake Amid FF7 Revelation Hype

Key points

• Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Final Fantasy VII Revelation, stated that remaking Xenogears would be 'a tough game to make,' suggesting it may not happen.
• Hamaguchi admitted he was unaware of a Xenogears reference in Revelation, attributing it to former staff members Toriyama and Nojima.
• Final Fantasy VII Revelation is scheduled to release on April 8, 2027, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.
• The game's download size is expected to be approximately 200GB, too large for physical discs, prompting Square Enix to commit to a physical product despite the digital nature of the release.
• Xenogears will become completely inaccessible when PS3 and PSP/PS Vita digital storefronts shut down in 2027.
• At Tokyo Game Show 2026, hands-on previews of Revelation showcased new 'FITS' job system mechanics and emphasized character banter and combat fluidity.

Background

Square Enix has faced scrutiny regarding its handling of classic titles, with rumors in August 2026 suggesting the company paused a nearly finished Final Fantasy IX remake to focus on new projects. This decision, combined with the lack of HD remasters for titles like Vagrant Story and Xenogears, has raised concerns about the preservation of the company's back catalog. The upcoming release of FF7 Revelation, the final chapter of the Remake trilogy, is seen as a major milestone, with developers aiming to pass the franchise to the next generation while maintaining respect for the original story.

How outlets are covering it

Kotaku emphasizes the potential loss of Xenogears, highlighting Hamaguchi's hesitation and the impending shutdown of digital storefronts as critical factors that may render the game unplayable. In contrast, GameSpot focuses on the practical implications of FF7 Revelation's massive 200GB download size, noting the storage challenges for players and Square Enix's commitment to providing a physical product despite the digital nature of the release. RPGFan provides a positive outlook on Revelation, praising its combat mechanics, character banter, and the new 'FITS' system, while Anime News Network offers a broader perspective on the game's development, noting Hamaguchi's efforts to balance story-driven elements with open-world content and address player feedback on mini-games and difficulty.

Why it matters

The statement by Hamaguchi regarding Xenogears highlights the ongoing tension between preserving classic games and focusing on new projects in the gaming industry. The impending shutdown of digital storefronts in 2027 threatens to make Xenogears inaccessible, raising concerns about the preservation of cultural artifacts in gaming. Meanwhile, the massive size and high expectations for FF7 Revelation underscore the industry's shift toward digital distribution and the challenges of balancing content volume with player accessibility. These developments reflect broader trends in how major publishers manage their back catalogs and engage with long-time fans.

What to watch

Fans are awaiting the release of Final Fantasy VII Revelation on April 8, 2027, and are monitoring Square Enix's announcements regarding any potential HD remasters or remakes of classic titles like Xenogears. The shutdown of PS3 and PSP/PS Vita digital storefronts in 2027 will likely prompt further discussions about the preservation of classic games. Additionally, the post-launch updates for Revelation, including streamlined progression features, will be closely watched to see how Square Enix addresses player feedback and enhances the game's accessibility.