Final Fantasy VII: Revelation director aims to avoid 'open world fatigue'
Final Fantasy VII: Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi discussed the game's larger world and the strategy to prevent player disorientation in open-world environments.
Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, has spoken about the game's design philosophy, specifically aiming to mitigate "open world fatigue" prevalent in modern gaming. In an interview with Eurogamer, Hamaguchi stated that players need clear guidance on what to do and where to go.
Hamaguchi shared personal experiences of feeling lost in large open worlds, while also acknowledging the allure of such expansive environments. He emphasized as a creator the importance of providing players with sufficient direction to navigate and understand objectives.
The world of Final Fantasy VII: Revelation is noted to be larger than that of Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. The development team has focused on player guidance to ensure that while exploration is encouraged, players do not become disoriented, allowing them to enjoy the game's content without frustration.
The game's airship, the Highwind, allows players to jump and land anywhere on the map using a parachute. This mechanic involves an initial jump and parachute deployment, followed by selecting a landing zone. Visual cues for objectives are visible from a distance but disappear closer to the ground, which Hamaguchi cited as an example of guiding players without excessive intervention.