Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Sequel Sticks With Unreal Engine 4

Square Enix has officially confirmed key details about the upcoming conclusion to the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy. Alongside locking in the title for the third installment, the developer has revealed that the game will continue to use Unreal Engine 4 (UE4) rather than upgrading to Unreal Engine 5, despite the latter’s growing adoption across the gaming industry.

Consistency and predictability

The decision stems largely from practical development considerations. In recent interviews, Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 director Naoki Hamaguchi emphasized that the team has heavily customized UE4 over the years to meet the specific demands of the remake series. Transitioning to UE5 now would require significant reworking of the engine modifications already in place, which could disrupt workflows and delay production.

One major factor influencing the choice is familiarity. The development team has spent years refining their UE4 pipeline, tailoring it for the game’s complex combat systems, detailed character models, and expansive environments. Maintaining this established workflow allows the team to focus on polishing gameplay and narrative rather than adapting to a new engine, ensuring consistency with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and the original Final Fantasy VII Remake.

Additionally, UE4 provides stability and predictability for multi-platform optimization. With the third installment expected to release around 2027 on next-generation consoles, including the Nintendo Switch 2, using a known engine reduces the risk of performance issues and development bottlenecks. Hamaguchi noted that sticking with UE4 is ultimately a strategic choice to maintain a reliable production schedule and deliver a polished final product.

While Unreal Engine 5 offers advanced features such as Nanite geometry streaming and Lumen global illumination, which can dramatically enhance visual fidelity, Square Enix has prioritized refinement over bleeding-edge technology. The team's customized UE4 setup is already capable of delivering high-quality visuals that meet the series' standards, and this decision allows the developers to focus on storytelling, gameplay innovation, and world-building rather than technical migration challenges.

The choice also reflects a broader industry reality: many studios experience slowdowns when switching engines mid-project. By leveraging their existing expertise with UE4, Square Enix positions the game for a smoother development process while minimizing technical risk. For fans, this means the final chapter of the remake trilogy is likely to deliver a consistent visual and gameplay experience without compromising the series’ signature style.

Ultimately, the decision to continue with UE4 illustrates a careful balance between technological advancement and practical development needs. It emphasizes the team's focus on delivering a cohesive, polished conclusion to the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy while maintaining the tools and workflows that have proven successful throughout the series.

We will still have to wait for a while before we can play Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3, but Square Enix has confirmed that the final title of the game has already been chosen. However, it has not been revealed yet. Hopefuly, we will get to watch a video with footage of the game alongside the official reveal in a close future. Meanwhile, you can visit our comparator to get the Final Fantasy 7 Remake & Rebirth Twin Pack, which gives you access to the first two games in the trilogy at the best price.