There’s a rare talent for making video game box art these days, covers which aren’t just instantly recognisable of the interactive property that they’re throwing at your ocular organs but can also stand the test of time. Final Fantasy is one such good example, a franchise whose most iconic covers have been nothing more than a simple white background with the game logo on it that also blends in some of Yoshitaka Amano’s sublime. Then there are the more graphic covers, such as Final Fantasy VII’s iconic 1997 retail art:
For Final Fantasy VII Remake, not much has changed in the graphic design department, as the official cover art has finally been revealed ahead of the game’s upcoming February 2020 release:
Nice. It’s a wonderful update, the core idea still holds up well and it;s beautifully rendered in a way that instantly screams Final Fantasy. Here’s the problem though: Unless my eyes are failing me, there isn’t a single mention on the cover of this being part one of the upcoming saga, what with Final Fantasy VII being an episodic game that is most likely going to play out over several years.
There may be a larger story at play, more narrative to chew on and a whole new way to play, but what’s coming will only comprise of the Midgar saga that started the Final Fantasy VII journey so many years ago. Heck, even Square Enix’s official blurb doesn’t make mention of this remake being part one of several:
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE is a reimagining of the iconic original game that re-defined the RPG genre, diving deeper into the world and its characters than ever before. The first game in the project will be set in the eclectic city of Midgar and presents a fully standalone gaming experience that provides a great starting point to the series.
Is it problematic? Absolutely, because while many a gamer may be aware of the fractured nature of this remake, there are those who have no inkling at all that they’re only getting a portion of the saga retold in a new format some two decades after the original game released. Disengenious perhaps, but something that can be easily remedied with a little bit of extra graphic design before this cover goes to the printing press:
Man I’m good at this. Give me money, Square Enix. Until then, here’s a new gallery of images to gaze upon as well:
Last Updated: September 25, 2019
Raptor Rants
September 25, 2019 at 13:52
Well obviously they are going to write them like this:
FInal Fantasy VII Remake
FIInal Fantasy VII Remake
Duh.
Yahtzee
September 25, 2019 at 14:11
“Not completely Final Fantasy 7 yet : Episode 1”
Pariah
September 25, 2019 at 14:11
Partial Fantasy 7?
Raptor Rants
September 25, 2019 at 14:11
Almost Final Fantasy 7
Yahtzee
September 25, 2019 at 14:11
I almost actual giggled in the office for that.
Raptor Rants
September 25, 2019 at 14:11
Episodic Fantasy 7
Raptor Rants
September 25, 2019 at 14:21
also yours needs to be comment of the week for sure
Pariah
September 25, 2019 at 14:21
I really like that multiple comments get credit now. There are sometimes so many great comments that it’s awesome to see more of them get the recognition they deserve.
Raptor Rants
September 25, 2019 at 14:21
No but this must be THE comment. Like seriously. Was good
Hammersteyn
September 25, 2019 at 14:31
You’d know how to handle a 7
Raptor Rants
September 25, 2019 at 15:03
*glares*
Raptor Rants
September 25, 2019 at 13:52
Well obviously they are going to write them like this:
FInal Fantasy VII Remake
FIInal Fantasy VII Remake
Duh.
Yahtzee
September 25, 2019 at 14:01
I kinda agree with the fallout. You can’t tell me there wont be a sale of this game where someone who once played the old FF7 back in 1999 is going to think “Hey cool, it’s a remake of FF7” and then be welcomed by a “to be continued” message 1/8 through the game.
It’s totally misleading, and being $80 a pop per episode/part is also predatory.
Pariah
September 25, 2019 at 14:01
That answers my question about as soon as I asked. Yeah, that’s predatory AF.
Raptor Rants
September 25, 2019 at 14:01
And $80 is above usual full game pricing too
Yahtzee
September 25, 2019 at 14:01
Nah. It’s normal price for consoles.
Raptor Rants
September 25, 2019 at 14:01
Ah yes of course. I’m used to 60 🙂
Yahtzee
September 25, 2019 at 14:01
And with the all mighty Steam, trading close to R11 per dollar, it’s even cheaper 😛
Pariah
September 25, 2019 at 14:11
Local pricing isn’t impacted by the dollar. That’s why it’s so much cheaper for us usually. Often half the dollar price.
Raptor Rants
September 25, 2019 at 14:11
Don’t tell em they are below exchange!
Captain JJ
September 25, 2019 at 14:41
Steam local pricing doesn’t trade against the dollar like that, you testicle. It’s pre-set suggestions based in Steam Creation which the publisher can use as a guide. Besides, Square Enix is one of the companies who like to ignore 3rd world pricing schemes.
Yahtzee
September 25, 2019 at 14:41
I never said it’s using that exact exchange you floppy donkey dick. It was an example.
Captain JJ
September 25, 2019 at 14:41
You leave my donkey alone.
Yahtzee
September 25, 2019 at 14:41
Make me Jan.
Captain JJ
September 25, 2019 at 14:41
Harder pappa Hoffman
Pariah
September 25, 2019 at 14:01
So this is actually the first I’m hearing of the episodic nature of this. Are each of these going to be full-priced games?
CrAiGiSh
September 25, 2019 at 14:01
Will wait got the “COMPLETE EDITION”.
This breaking it up into parts, has ruined it for me personally.
Raptor Rants
September 25, 2019 at 14:11
Final Fantasy: How not to do episodic games VII
Pariah
September 25, 2019 at 14:11
This is the one time where consulting a Hitman may actually be the right move.
Yahtzee
September 25, 2019 at 14:11
It’s a good thing I waved goodbye to the people on the hype train when I saw that release video showing that kak combat and the episodic part.
Raptor Rants
September 25, 2019 at 14:11
The Doomtrain?
Yahtzee
September 25, 2019 at 14:21
It’s FF6 where you can suplex a train.
Pariah
September 25, 2019 at 14:21
I just had an image of you hanging off the side of a train with one arm, waving with the other as you let go, only to watch the train dive into the gulf where there once was a bridge all while laughing gleefully at the folly of fools.
Yahtzee
September 25, 2019 at 14:21
Yea it’s amazing how badly my gaming life got spoiled since I now have access to so much data before a game comes out.
Admiral Chief
September 25, 2019 at 14:21
Yes, we defer to you for all things VII related
Raptor Rants
September 25, 2019 at 14:21
DARNIT!
Pariah
September 25, 2019 at 14:21
LOOOOOOOOOOL
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 25, 2019 at 14:31
Final Fantasy VII-3: Lightning Returns.
Yahtzee
September 25, 2019 at 14:41
I hope you stub your little toe against a fooking dinner table tonight.
Pariah
September 25, 2019 at 14:41
*sigh*
Raptor Rants
September 25, 2019 at 15:32
GG
SagatatiaRZA
September 25, 2019 at 14:30
It is episodic but each episode is a full 40+ hour Final Fantasy game. You pay for a full game and you get a full game. Not exactly a $20 Telltale game.
Pariah
September 25, 2019 at 14:31
So that’s a fair point. The only problem I have with this logic is that this is a remake of an original game. The original was not episodic. This being episodic and having no indication as such is a problem. It’s deceitful to consumers who may see this in store and purchase based off their nostalgia, which is a good portion of the market. If this was a new entry in the franchise, your reasoning becomes a lot more viable.
SagatatiaRZA
September 26, 2019 at 01:10
I mean I get you (and this is also a reply aimed at Raptor Rants) but I suggest you guys go watch some of Maximillian Dood’s videos who is a notable FF7 super fan and listen to the conversations he had with devs about this. This should set your mind at ease. Also, I can’t imagine in this day and age that somebody who is old enough to be a FFVII superfan somehow wouldn’t know about the episodic nature of this game. They are making these fully fledged games and listening to the devs they CLEARLY have the interests of superfans in mind. They are making this a love letter and adding so much new content that their intention is to make more good shit, not mislead anybody. I think their choice to not mention “PART 1” in the title is because it isn’t just a partial game. It is more like “this here is a full game, later there will be sequels”. That’s my take. Regardless, go watch Max’s videos. It seriously inspires confidence.
Raptor Rants
September 25, 2019 at 14:31
If I’m not mistaking the Midgar section was only around 6 hours playthrough time?
Pariah
September 25, 2019 at 14:31
Oh shit if that’s the case… Fucking hell, Squeenix…
Raptor Rants
September 25, 2019 at 14:51
Still not the point. A great game can be told in 4 hours or less at full price.
What the issue here is, is that the original game was a single game and now it’s episodic and the original fans aren’t happy about that. It makes sense why folk would be unhappy. If I wanted this game I’d want the full game that I played. Not part of it.
Yahtzee
September 25, 2019 at 14:41
4 if you rush it.
Admiral Chief
September 25, 2019 at 14:41
I’m sure you’d find a way to….extend…your game by an hour
Yahtzee
September 25, 2019 at 14:51
If he uses a PS4 he should be able to since they dont have SSD’s and the load times are long…oh wait. He never won that PS4.
Admiral Chief
September 25, 2019 at 14:51
HAH
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 25, 2019 at 14:51
https://media.giphy.com/media/vSSdLSLbGIXio/giphy.gif
Raptor Rants
September 25, 2019 at 15:03
Wow
Admiral Chief
September 25, 2019 at 15:14
https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/medium/poster/images/artworkimages/medium/1/1-wow-owen-wilson-cika-rahayu.jpg
Raptor Rants
September 25, 2019 at 15:14
woah
Captain JJ
September 25, 2019 at 14:41
I didn’t even know it was episodic. Either way, I will do what I did with Hitman. Wait until you can get them all in a bundle for $15