The Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth promises a more in-depth exploration into the mind of the notorious antagonist, Sephiroth, as revealed by the game’s director, Naoki Hamaguchi. In this continuation by Square Enix, the lines between heroes and villains blur, uncovering previously unseen aspects of Sephiroth’s character. Players will soon gain a deeper understanding of one of the most iconic adversaries in the Final Fantasy universe.

Director Naoki Hamaguchi has hinted at how the soon-to-be-released Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will further expand the mythology of the original game by offering players a closer insight into the mindset of Sephiroth, the chief enemy. Recognized as one of the most unforgettable villains in the Final Fantasy series, and in the gaming world at large, Sephiroth was once the top warrior from Shinra’s SOLDIER program. His path dramatically changed upon discovering the distorted experiments that endowed him with extraordinary powers, leading him to seek the destruction of the planet he once vowed to protect.

In the 2020 Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Sephiroth emerged earlier than in the original 1997 classic. He first appeared tormenting the protagonist, Cloud Strife, in visions before engaging in the final boss fight outside the city of Midgar. Early promotional materials for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth suggest that Sephiroth will remain a significant threat in the sequel, appropriately so, as the part of the old Final Fantasy 7 that Rebirth adapts includes the famous flashback of his descent into darkness in the doomed town of Nibelheim.

According to director Naoki Hamaguchi, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will delve deeper into Sephiroth’s character, potentially evoking sympathy from players. In a recent interview with Game Informer, Hamaguchi discussed how players will witness the long-haired villain’s descent into evil. “Witnessing Sephiroth uncovering the truth and progressively sinking into darkness – as if falling from grace – and portraying this through his facial expressions truly evoked pity. In Rebirth, I believe players will not only grow closer and understand Cloud better, but also Sephiroth through this game to a greater extent.”

While Sephiroth’s role in the original Final Fantasy 7 primarily focused on his turn to villainy and the peril he posed to the planet, later Final Fantasy 7 projects extensively elaborated his backstory and showcased his life as a hero. For instance, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 revealed his earlier friendships with fellow SOLDIER members Angeal Hewley and Genesis Rhapsodos, while Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis offered gamers a glimpse into Sephiroth’s childhood and his relationship with his birth mother, Lucrecia Crescent.

Throughout Rebirth, I believe players will not only grow closer and understand Cloud better but also gain a much deeper insight into Sephiroth through this game.

Comments from Tetsuya Nomura, the creative director of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and descriptions of the game’s acts from the ESRB suggest that Rebirth will conclude with one of Sephiroth’s most notorious acts from the original Final Fantasy 7. However, it appears that players could gain a closer look into his dark mind, as implied by Naoki Hamaguchi’s words. Fans won’t have to wait too long to see the man behind the monster, as Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is set to release on PlayStation 5 on February 29, 2024.

Source: GameRant