The third and final installment of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy continues to generate questions among fans. Although its release is planned for spring 2027 on PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, Square Enix has yet to confirm whether the game will be released in physical format. Project director Naoki Hamaguchi has attempted to shed some light on the matter in several recent interviews, but his answers haven't completely dispelled the uncertainty.
Hamaguchi has acknowledged on multiple occasions that the decision regarding a physical edition of Revelation remains an internal debate within the company. Speaking to GamesRadar+ during the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival in Berlin, the creative director explained that the team is evaluating the range of SKU products and, for now, cannot promise anything definitive. However, he assured that they are working to ensure players can have "some kind of physical edition . "
Hamaguchi confirms that the physical edition of Revelation is still up in the air
The director has made it clear that internal discussions about the format are still ongoing. "We're still internally debating exactly what the Revelation product line will be," he stated. "So I can't say anything definitive at this time. But I am working to make the necessary preparations to allow us to have some kind of physical edition." These words, also reported by other outlets such as 3DJuegos and Vandal, reflect Square Enix's caution in a market that is increasingly leaning towards digital.
Hamaguchi joked that fans would "tear him to shreds" if there was ultimately no physical edition following his comments. Community pressure is evident, especially after Sony announced it would cease manufacturing PlayStation discs starting in January 2028, just a few months after the release of Revelation. Furthermore, Rockstar's move with Grand Theft Auto VI, which will be released as a boxed download code instead of a disc, has raised concerns among fans of the series.
The size problem and the alternatives on the table
One of the main obstacles to a traditional physical release is the game's enormous size . Both Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth required two discs in their physical versions, and Revelation promises to be even larger. According to several sources, the title could exceed 200 GB of storage, which would necessitate three discs or alternative solutions. Hamaguchi pointed out that each platform has its own limitations: on the Nintendo Switch 2, for example, cartridges have a capacity limit, while on other consoles, the content that fits on a single disc is also finite.
Faced with this situation, the director didn't rule out intermediate solutions such as a box containing a download code, the key cards already used by Nintendo for the Switch 2, or even a boot disc that downloads the rest of the content. "Perhaps there will be a box with the code inside, or activation cards like Nintendo's, or a boot disc, or something similar. I think there will always be something, and I hope that's the case," he stated. These options, while not what many fans would prefer, could be the only way to keep a tangible product in stores.
The director's personal opinion and the industry context
Beyond the technical limitations, Hamaguchi has shown his personal attachment to the physical format . In several interviews, he highlighted the "wonderful culture" of seeing fans bring physical copies to events like Fan Fest to have them signed by the developers. "I think it's a wonderful culture, and it would be a shame to lose it. I want it to continue," he stated. However, he acknowledges that the general industry trend is moving away from discs and toward digital downloads, something he observes both as a developer and as a fan.
The current situation isn't favorable for collectors. Sony's decision to halt disc production in 2028, coupled with Take-Two's commitment to a disc-less GTA 6, has set a precedent that could extend to other major releases. Although Revelation will arrive before then, the logistics of manufacturing and distributing multiple discs could lead Square Enix to opt for a hybrid solution. Hamaguchi hopes the company will strike a balance that satisfies players, but asks for patience until the final details are announced.
Final Fantasy VII Revelation will arrive in spring 2027 on all platforms, but the question of whether it will be available for purchase on a physical storefront remains unanswered. The director is working against the clock to ensure the physical tradition isn't lost, although the game's size, platform policies, and the industry's shift to digital make that goal an uphill battle. Fans will have to wait for future announcements to find out if they'll be able to get their hands on a box with discs, a code, or perhaps something else entirely.
