I think it was staring us in the face the whole time. They’ll release parts of the game episodically, of course, they will. But it won’t be what we think it’ll be. I theorized on what “episodic” meant in a certain post, but I’ll expand upon my thoughts here:
And who knows what story content they’ll put behind the old paywall. I’d understand a DLC on Barret’s search for Dyne in the prison. Maybe even Aerith’s travels to the forgotten city. Or what happened to the team when Tifa was unconscious…or “busy” with a certain spiky-haired blonde guy. But we better hope they don’t simply hide the other playable characters and their stories behind DLC, like episode Gladio/Prompto/Ignis.
They won’t simply hide the other playable characters and their stories behind DLC. But not recruiting Vincent and Yuffie will keep us from accessing certain area and side quests. They won’t have to worry about programming them in any of the FMVs. They’ll use in-game graphics and use the character models they already have.
They might, however, release Final Fantasy VII’s remake as one main narrative with branching episodes that fill out the story. Like what they’re doing with Final Fantasy XV (the test run). So then, this means no episode
- Midgar
- Gaia
- The Northern Crater
Whatever’s been floating around the internet. Just “full games” (one big game with several smaller games).
If we’re wondering about what certain characters in the party did off-screen, we’ll have to pay for it.
Sure, it wasn’t in the original story so it’s not necessary for we to play it if we don’t want. But we’ll shell out money to play it, of course, we will (I will). That’s what they’re banking on. That’s what made Final Fantasy XV a success, despite the incomplete story and bugs.
They probably won’t sell us an “Aerith Lives” DLC. Maybe we’ll get an episode giving us the impression we could resurrect her.
Consider Final Fantasy XV, while attempting to be a full game, provided character episodes. And the developers consider these episodes to be “full” games (not 20 to 40 hours worth, but full games nonetheless).
Imagine: after we defeat Ultimate Weapon, and it crashes into Cosmo Canyon, a DLC option will be available to us. This DLC will be Episode: Ancient Forest. This is the extent of the multiple episodes.
This doesn’t (necessarily) mean they’re going to release Final Fantasy VII the Remake as an incomplete game. Of course not. And I’m sure many of us are getting nervous, worrying about what we (and the developers) can’t control. But there’s no need to, it’s turning out fine, we’ll like it 🙂 at least I know I will.