FF7 Remake Part 3 Stays on UE4, Playable Now

Square Enix has finally shed light on a crucial development decision that will shape the final chapter of the beloved remake trilogy. Despite the allure of newer technology, the team has chosen to stick with Unreal Engine 4 for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3, and the reasoning behind this choice is more strategic than you might think.

Why Square Enix Said No to Unreal Engine 5

Director Naoki Hamaguchi addressed the elephant in the room during recent interviews, explaining why the development team decided against migrating to Unreal Engine 5. The answer boils down to familiarity and thousands of hours of customization work already invested in UE4.

“We used Unreal Engine 4, but made many modifications according to our needs. It’s more beneficial to use what we already know well and have adapted to our needs,” Hamaguchi stated.

This pragmatic approach helps avoid unforeseen development delays. Switching to Unreal Engine 5 would require retraining the entire team, optimizing all assets for the new engine, and spending considerable time debugging. When the final part of a beloved trilogy is at stake, that risk simply isn’t justified.

Development Progress is Right on Track

Fans have reason to celebrate: FF7 Remake Part 3 is already fully playable. The team has entered the polishing phase, focusing on optimization and perfecting every element. Hamaguchi shared that development follows the established schedule without delays.

The Title Has Been Decided

Creative Director Tetsuya Nomura has finalized the name for the trilogy’s final installment. The team narrowed the choice down to two options at Paris Games Week before Nomura made the final decision. While the official title remains under wraps, fans are speculating it could be something like “FF7 Resurrection” or “FF7 Reborn,” continuing the naming theme from Remake and Rebirth.

Key Features Coming to Part 3

The development team has revealed exciting details about gameplay additions:

• Queen’s Blood returns in an enhanced version with expanded mechanics
• Snowboarding gets a fresh interpretation integrated into the main storyline
• Simultaneous development across all platforms for optimized performance

Multiplatform Development Strategy

Square Enix is developing FF7 Remake Part 3 simultaneously for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. This approach demands meticulous optimization but ensures each version receives proper attention from day one.

Expected Release Window

Most analysts predict a launch in late 2026 or early-to-mid 2027. Considering Rebirth took approximately three years to develop and Part 3 can reuse many assets, the trilogy might conclude sooner than many expect. Square Enix’s decision to maintain UE4 throughout the trilogy demonstrates their commitment to delivering a polished, cohesive experience rather than chasing technological trends.