Much like Starfield, the game may have been revealed far too early, and release dates/windows that are given over a year in advance tend not to stick. Although there is no reason to lose all hope, it would be wise for fans to not have too high expectations that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will release in winter 2023. A delay does not always spell bad news, however, as it gives developers a chance to improve their product, which only benefits gamers.
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The Long Wait For Starfield
Although it used to do a summer reveal followed by a fall release, Bethesda has developed a reputation for confirming/revealing games years in advance, like Starfield, The Elder Scrolls 6, and even Fallout 5. While this may be useful for some gamers, as it keeps them updated on the studio’s release schedule, it comes with some big downsides. Most notably, games revealed early, especially when speculative release dates are also announced, tend to face numerous delays. This has left some Bethesda fans wishing that the studio would keep its lips sealed until it had a more concrete idea of when its upcoming games will be ready.
The habit of Bethesda revealing games far too early has been seen with Starfield, which is a highly anticipated science fiction game from the studio. Gamers got their first glimpse of the game during 2018’s E3 event, and it immediately drew eyes with its promise of space exploration and interstellar adventures. The idea of a “Skyrim in space” game captured imaginations, and though gamers only had a brief teaser to work with, excitement was already high.
Gamers would then have to wait until 2021 before they would get an in-depth look at the game, along with a release date. The game was initially slated to drop on November 11, 2022, which is a noteworthy date, as it would align with The Elder Scrolls 5’s eleventh anniversary. Unfortunately, the game has been delayed, and gamers will now have to wait until early 2023 before they can experience Todd Howard’s space adventure. Delays are not unheard of in gaming, and they occur quite routinely. However, Starfield’s delay stung a little more, as players have been waiting for it for years and knew when it would release far in advance.
Will Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Get Delayed?
Square Enix released Final Fantasy 7 Remake in 2020, and it was met with positive reception thanks to the way it re-imagines the classic 1997 game and adapts it to a modern gaming landscape. The project of remaking Final Fantasy 7 has been split across a trilogy, with the second entry, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, next in line to be released. It is set to be a PS5 exclusive, and the game’s announcement trailer illustrates that it will be yet another cinematic adventure from the franchise.
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Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is scheduled for a year-end 2023 release, and it is quite surprising that its release window had been revealed so early. Like Starfield, there is a very good chance that the upcoming remake will find itself delayed and pushed into 2024. Delays would be nothing new for the Final Fantasy series, as fans will remember the rough development Final Fantasy 15 went through before it finally hit shelves. However, things could be different this time around, as creative director Tetsuya Nomura has stated that development has already begun on the third part of the trilogy, which suggests that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s development is on track.
If Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth ends up getting delayed, it will not be too much of a blow to fans, as they can still expect Final Fantasy 16 to release in 2023 on PS5. The game is set in Valisthea, and players will be introduced to characters such as Clive Rosfield, who embarks on a quest for revenge, and Joshua Rosfield, who is Clive’s younger brother. It will be a monumental year for Final Fantasy fans if both titles manage to drop in 2023, though if Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth gets delayed, Final Fantasy 16 will be more than able to carry the year. A Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth delay will not spell disaster for Square Enix either, as it has other big titles to release in 2023, including Forspoken which, thanks to delays, is now set to release on January 24. The game will take players to the fantasy land of Athia where Frey Holland will have to master magic and defeat the Tantas to find her way back home.
The Benefits of Delays
Although delays can be disappointing, they do come with some benefits. Most importantly, they allow developers to spend more time improving gameplay, ironing out bugs, and ensuring that gamers get the best experience possible on release. It may require gamers to have a little patience, but the result is usually worth it. With a game that is as anticipated as Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, a wait that is a tad longer than initially expected is a fair price to ensure that the game serves as a worthy successor to Final Fantasy 7 Remake.
Thanks to several delays from studios around the world, 2023 appears to be a year filled with headlining titles. Gamers can expect big games like Hogwarts Legacy, Starfield, and Forspoken, which were all initially meant to release in 2022. If these games are better for their delays, the same could be said of FF7 Rebirth if it happens.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is scheduled to release in winter 2023 on PS5.
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