Square Enix Artist Explores Final Fantasy VII 3D Assets’ Modernization for Rebirth

The Final Fantasy VII Rebirth remake brings back beloved characters with remarkable visual transformations, improving upon the original game through modern console iterations, advanced textures, realistic facial animations, and detailed character modeling.

The visual transformation of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is remarkable, surpassing even the pre-rendered cutscenes of the original game.
The use of higher polygon counts on modern consoles allows for more detailed and expressive character models, bringing beloved characters like Cloud to life.
The attention to detail in rendering features like hair, fur, and facial expressions adds a new level of realism and emotion to the game.

The transformation of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s visuals has been nothing short of remarkable. The game’s modern console iteration brings back the beloved characters and world from the 1997 original with a level of realism that surpasses even the pre-rendered cutscenes of yesteryear. To delve deeper into the technological advancements that have shaped this remake, we spoke with Dai Suzuki, the main character modeler and lead character artist at Square Enix.

Suzuki begins by highlighting the importance of capturing Cloud’s iconic hairstyle and gigantic sword, as they are integral parts of his identity. In fact, creating Cloud’s hair alone accounted for half of the total polygon count for his character model. With the shift to the PS5 hardware in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the team had the freedom to utilize a higher polygon count, resulting in even more detailed and expressive visuals.

Moving on to other characters, Suzuki explains how Red XIII and Cait Sith’s fur was meticulously rendered using hair cards. The flow and placement of these cards were crucial in capturing the unique characteristics of these creatures. While their blocky appearances in the original version had their charm, the remade versions make you want to reach out and pet the adorable Cait Sith.

Facial animations play a significant role in conveying emotions, and Suzuki emphasizes the importance of polygons in achieving realistic facial expressions. Unlike the relatively expressionless faces in the original game, Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth allow for more powerful emotive portrayals.

Even weapons have received a polygon boost, with the Buster Sword featuring intricate detailing around the materia slots and leather handle wrap. The materia itself also contributes to the overall polygon count, with approximately 1,000 polygons dedicated to the two slots.

When it comes to monsters, Suzuki highlights Midgardsormr as an example. The addition of numerous spikes along its body enhances its menacing silhouette and effectively conveys the potential damage it can inflict on players.

Suzuki also sheds light on the varying polygon counts in the game. The smallest count belongs to an inconspicuous box used as a dummy model, while the largest count is attributed to the battleship Relnikha, which Scarlett rides. The attention to detail in the battleship’s interior, treating it as a character rather than a mere background element, contributes to its massive polygon count.

Reflecting on the future of game development, Suzuki ponders the possibility of hardware capable of effortlessly running high-poly models with over 10 million polygons. While uncertain about the practicality, he remains optimistic about the evolution of hardware.

In conclusion, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s visual enhancements are a testament to the advancements in technology over the past three decades. Through increased polygon counts and attention to detail, Square Enix has breathed new life into this beloved classic.

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Background Information

About Square Enix:

Square Enix is a well-known Japanese video game developer and publisher formed in 1986. The company has a significant presence in the gaming industry and is famous for producing popular video game franchises, including Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Kingdom Hearts. Square Enix is recognized for its contributions to the role-playing game (RPG) genre and its commitment to creating immersive and visually stunning gaming experiences.