Naoki Hamaguchi, the director ofFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth, recently confirmed that the game will not receive any downloadable content. Released in February 2024,Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthis the second installment in Square Enix’s reimagining of the beloved 1997 classic. With the team fully focused on the trilogy’s finale, fans eagerly await the conclusion of this ambitious project.
The decisionnot to include DLC inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthmay surprise some players, given how DLC has become a standard component of modern gaming. However,Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthhas garnered widespread acclaim, earning nominations for Game of the Year, Best Score and Music, and Best Narrative at The Game Awards 2024. The game’s success—highlighted by its expansive open world and fresh interpretation of iconic moments—has left players satisfied yet hungry for more. Unfortunately, those hoping for additional content to tide them over until the final installment will be left waiting.
The Upside: All Focus on Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3
The absence of DLC for the game suggests that Square Enix is dedicating all its resources tocompleting theFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthtrilogy. This decision could expedite the development of the final game, ideally minimizing the wait for players who are eager to see how this epic story concludes.
By skipping DLC, the development team avoids dividing its focus, enabling it to channel its efforts into creating a polished and expansive conclusion. With fans anticipating elementslike an explorable Highwind airshipand an even larger open world, the trilogy’s finale is expected to be an ambitious undertaking. Prioritizing the final chapter ensures that the team can deliver the scope and quality fans have come to expect.
The Drawbacks: A Long Wait Without Final Fantasy 7 Remake Content
On the other hand, the lack of DLC may feel like a missed opportunity for players emotionally invested in the story. DLC often serves as a bridge between major releases, offering additional gameplay and narrative morsels to sustain interest. For agame as iconic asFinal Fantasy 7, fans might have appreciated a smaller adventure or side story to deepen their connection to the world and characters.
Additionally, DLC provides studios a way to extend a game’s life cycle while generating extra revenue by repurposing existing assets. Considering the likely high production costs for theFinal Fantasy 7 Remaketrilogy, skipping DLC could leave potential profit untapped. However, this choice aligns with the belief that delivering a complete experience in the base game should take precedence.
A Video Game Trend Toward No DLC in RPGs
The decision to forgo DLC isn’t unique toFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Other majorgames likeDragon Age: The VeilguardandThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, have also adopted this approach. Developers have increasingly favored delivering a complete package with the base game, avoiding the perception that content is being withheld for post-launch monetization.
While this approach might disappoint players accustomed to DLC, it appeals to others who prefer the old-school philosophy of buying a game as a finished product. By forgoing additional content, these games hearken back to a time when players could fully experience a story without needing to purchase expansions.
DLC Expectations in Modern Gaming Culture
Modern players often expect DLC as part of the gaming experience, but it remains a double-edged sword. While it can enrich a game and extend its appeal, poorly executed DLC can frustrate players if it feels like essential content was cut from the base game.
ForFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the lack of DLCreinforces Square Enix’s commitment to delivering a complete narrative within the main release. This decision may disappoint fans hoping for more content in the interim, but it signals that the trilogy’s finale is receiving the full attention it deserves.
With no DLC planned,Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthstands as a testamentto a shift in gaming philosophy—one that prioritizes a complete, immersive experience over additional post-launch content. As the wait begins for the trilogy’s climactic conclusion, fans can rest assured that Square Enix is fully focused on delivering a satisfying end to this well-received remake.
