Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3: Title Locked, Development Progress Detailed, and Switch 2 Port Confirmed

LoVeRSaMa
LoVeRSaMa
January 26, 2026 at 3:24 PM · 4 min read
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3: Title Locked, Development Progress Detailed, and Switch 2 Port Confirmed

The long-awaited conclusion to Square Enix's ambitious Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy is taking definitive shape. Recent statements from the project's directors have revealed crucial details, from the finalization of the game's mysterious title to the strategic decision on its core technology. For a fanbase that has followed Cloud Strife's reimagined journey with bated breath, these updates are the first concrete signs that the saga's finale is being meticulously crafted.

The Name is Sealed: Finalizing the Trilogy's Conclusion

A significant and symbolic step in any project is the finalization of its title, and for the concluding chapter of this epic trilogy, the name now carries immense weight. Creative Director Tetsuya Nomura has confirmed that the official title for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 has been "locked." According to reports, Nomura made the final selection between two potential options, a process that was concluded following recent industry events.

This decision is far from trivial. The titles Remake and Rebirth were not merely descriptive; they carried deep narrative and thematic implications that recontextualized the original story. Fan speculation has run rampant with possibilities for the final name—Reunion, Reckoning, and Requiem are among the most popular theories, each hinting at a different tonal and philosophical conclusion to the saga. By locking the title, Nomura and his team signal that the narrative destination, core themes, and emotional arc for Cloud, Aerith, Sephiroth, and the rest of the party are now firmly established. It marks the point where broad vision transitions into focused execution, assuring fans that the story’s endgame is clearly defined.

Engine of Choice: Why Part 3 is Sticking with Unreal Engine 4

In an era where developers are rapidly adopting Unreal Engine 5, Square Enix's decision for Part 3 has raised eyebrows: the game will be built on a heavily customized version of Unreal Engine 4. This choice, however, is a calculated and pragmatic one rooted in development efficiency and creative consistency.

The rationale is clear. The team behind the Remake project has spent nearly a decade deeply modifying UE4 to create their specific hybrid of real-time action and strategic command-based combat, alongside the distinctive visual style that blends hyper-realistic textures with stylized character models. Switching to UE5 for the final installment would necessitate rebuilding these bespoke systems from the ground up or spending significant time porting them, potentially delaying the game and introducing new technical hurdles. By sticking with their tailored UE4 foundation, the developers can focus entirely on content creation, polish, and realizing the game's vision without the overhead of mastering a new toolset mid-project.

While some may express concern over "outdated" technology, the proof is in the performance. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth demonstrated that a highly customized UE4 can deliver vast, visually stunning environments and complex gameplay. For the team, the benefits of a familiar, stable, and purpose-built engine outweigh the marketing appeal of a newer version, ensuring a more polished and consistent conclusion to the trilogy.

State of Play: Development Progress and Vision Realization

Beyond titles and technology, the most encouraging news for fans is the tangible progress in development. Director Naoki Hamaguchi has revealed that the project has reached a "playable" state, with its core experience reportedly nearly complete. Furthermore, Hamaguchi noted that the project is finally starting to match his original vision—a statement that speaks volumes about the transition from pre-production and prototyping to a cohesive, functioning game.

In development terms, a "playable" build with a complete core experience means that the primary story scenarios, central gameplay mechanics, and key environments are implemented and functional from start to finish. Players could, in theory, journey from the game's opening to its credits. This milestone allows the team to shift focus to the phases that define a Final Fantasy experience: extensive polish, bug fixing, balancing the combat and progression systems, and fleshing out the rich side content, mini-games, and character episodes that give the world its depth. It suggests the heavy lifting on core systems is done, paving the way for refinement and expansion.

Expanding Platforms: The Nintendo Switch 2 Strategy

Square Enix is not just planning for the game's release but for its legacy and accessibility. The company has confirmed that development has officially begun on a Nintendo Switch 2 port for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3. This move is part of a clear, long-term strategy for the trilogy, running parallel to the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Switch 2 port, which is targeting a release in 2026.

This strategy makes considerable business and community sense. The successful release of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade on Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2 on January 23, 2026—noted for being well-optimized ports—demonstrates Square Enix's commitment and competency in bringing these demanding titles to diverse hardware. By ensuring Part 3 launches on Switch 2, Square Enix guarantees that an entire new ecosystem of players on Nintendo's next-generation console can experience the complete trilogy natively. It future-proofs the series and aligns with the industry-wide trend of major franchises being available across all major platforms, maximizing the audience for one of gaming's most significant modern narratives.

The latest updates for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 paint a picture of a project confidently moving toward its finale. From a finalized title that hints at a defined narrative conclusion to a deliberate engine choice favoring polish over novelty, Square Enix is prioritizing a consistent and high-quality end to the saga. With development reaching a critical playable stage and a clear multi-platform strategy that includes the Nintendo Switch 2, every decision appears methodical and player-focused. Together, these updates—a defined ending, a stable technical foundation, and expanded accessibility—suggest that Square Enix's primary goal is not just to finish the story, but to ensure its conclusion lands with the power and polish fans have waited decades to experience.

Tags: Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Square Enix, Game Development, Nintendo Switch 2, Unreal Engine

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