How FF7 Remake Part 2 Should Implement Open World Exploration

After the spectacular climax of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 1, the main heroes of the story – Cloud Strife, Barret Wallace, Tifa Lockhart, Aerith Gainsborough, and Red XII – escaped from the the dystopian metropolis of Midgar out into the larger world of Gaia. As anticipation builds for the Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2, many are wondering how developers at Square Enix will adapt the open world travel and exploration iconic to the original FF7. Will it be be like the open world travel in Final Fantasy XV, or will it take another form entirely?

Much like in the first part of the original Final Fantasy 7, the gameplay of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 1 is very linear, with the main characters moving from zone to zone in the sprawling metropolis of Midgar and sabotaging the planet-corroding Mako Reactors of the immensely powerful Shinra Corporation. After a climactic sequences where Aerith is rescued from Shinra HQ, the game’s heroes venture out into the larger world, wandering across the continents of Gaia in search of renegade super-soldier Sephiroth.

Many have fond memories of the open world exploration in the original Final Fantasy 7, which gave players the freedom to encounter plot events, complete sub-quests, and recruit new party members at their own pace (or out of order). How, though, will the developers of Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2 port the the open world mechanics of a turn-based battle RPG over to real-time gameplay where monsters can’t just randomly pop up out of nowhere? Here are a few possibilities:

FF7 Remake 2 Should Let Players Switch Rosters At Vehicles & Campsites

The most “completely new” game in the Final Fantasy franchise, Final Fantasy XV, built a large portion of its gameplay around road trip-style travel, where the main cast of characters navigated the open world on foot, on Chocobos, then via car, then via flying car. Additionally, the main characters in FFXV would recover health and level up after camping for the night or checking into hotels, which would net players various bonuses depending on the food they cooked and the activities they got up to.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2’s gameplay could easily adapt the travel mechanics of Final Fantasy XV to its own open world by adding one major twist:  vehicles and campgrounds would be the spots where players change up their front-line party roster. To keep this feature convenient, developers could also add a fast-travel option that lets players instantly return to the nearest campsite or parking spot.

FF7 Remake Part 2 Should Change Up Random Encounters

Random encounters, a long-running staple of the Final Fantasy games, can be both exciting and frustrating. There’s a thrill to never knowing when enemies will strike, but sometimes players just want to get back to town without getting ambushed every twenty seconds. To give players more control over how much combat they endure during open world exploration, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 should update key gameplay elements from the the original FF7 – for instance, lowered encounter rates if a player walks through certain terrain or travels in a vehicle. Additionally, players should have the ability to sneak past wandering patrols of monsters if they move carefully. Certain party members, like Red XIII or Yuffie the Ninja, should be more proficient than others at avoiding enemy attention.

FF7 Remake Part 2 Should Let Players Summon Vehicles During Big Fights

Big summons in Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 1 are spectacular ways to change the course of a battle, letting players use conjured godlike spirits that unleash frightful attacks upon foes – and more importantly, take the pressure off the front-line party members. This begs a question: if the main characters can weaponize ancient spirits, why can’t they also weaponize the vehicles they’re driving in? The ability to summon vehicles mid-combat would add a new dimension to outdoor battles in Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2, letting player ram enemies with their vehicles and allowing back-up party members take potshots out the windows.

About The Author