You’re probably tired of the cryptic tweets and the "no comment" interviews from Square Enix. I get it. We’ve been waiting for concrete news on the final fantasy new game landscape for what feels like an eternity. Honestly, the cycle of hype for this franchise has become its own mini-game. You wake up, check the forums, see a "leak" that’s just someone’s fan fiction, and go back to playing your 100-hour save file of Rebirth.
But there’s real movement happening under the hood.
We aren't just looking at one title. Square Enix is currently juggling the massive weight of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy's conclusion, the ongoing life support (and massive success) of Final Fantasy XIV, and the inevitable whispers of Final Fantasy XVII. It’s a lot. Square Enix President Takashi Kiryu recently shifted the company’s strategy toward "quality over quantity," which basically means they’re done with the experimental flops and are doubling down on the heavy hitters. This affects every single final fantasy new game currently in development.
The Reality of the Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. The third entry in the FFVII remake project is the most anticipated final fantasy new game on the horizon. Tetsuya Nomura has confirmed that the main story is already written. Think about that. The blueprint is done. They aren't guessing anymore; they are building.
The scale of Rebirth was frankly exhausting for some players. Navigating the Gongaga region? A nightmare for some, a joy for others. For Part 3, the developers have hinted at a "reimagined" world map to accommodate the Highwind. You remember the Highwind. That massive airship isn't just a fast-travel menu option this time. Creative Director Naoki Hamaguchi has stated in interviews that they want players to feel the same sense of freedom the original 1997 release gave when you finally took to the skies. That’s a massive technical hurdle.
It’s likely going to be a PS5—or more likely, a PS6—title.
Given the four-year gap between Remake and Rebirth, we are looking at 2027 or 2028. It’s a long wait. But the "Final Fantasy new game" itch won't just stay unscratched until then. We have to consider the PC ports. If you’re a PC gamer, you’re basically playing a different game of patience. Final Fantasy XVI finally made the jump, and Rebirth is inevitably next.
Why the "Multi-platform" Shift Matters
Square Enix recently admitted that Final Fantasy XVI and Rebirth didn't meet their initial lofty sales expectations. That’s not because the games were bad. They were great. It’s because the PlayStation 5 install base, while huge, is a walled garden.
The strategy for any final fantasy new game going forward has shifted. They are going multi-platform. Day one. This is a seismic shift for the series. For decades, Final Fantasy was the reason you bought a Sony console. Now? Square wants you playing on PC, Xbox, and whatever "Switch 2" or next-gen Nintendo hardware exists. This means the next mainline entry—the elusive Final Fantasy XVII—will likely be the first "global" launch the series has seen in years.
The Mystery of Final Fantasy XVII
Is it even real? Yes. Of course it is. Development on a mainline Final Fantasy usually begins shortly after the previous one enters its final stages.
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The big question is: who is making it?
Naoki Yoshida (Yoshi-P) has joked about wanting "someone younger" to take the reins for XVII. After his work on FFXIV and FFXVI, the man deserves a break. There’s a rumor—and keep in mind, it’s just a rumor—that the FFIX Remake team is actually a testing ground for younger directors who might take over the mainline series. If XVII goes back to a more "high fantasy" or "steampunk" aesthetic, it would be a direct response to the dark, medieval grit of XVI.
People want color. They want Moogles that don't look like cursed dolls. They want a party system that feels like a group of friends again.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Release Schedule
You’ll see YouTube thumbnails claiming "FF17 LEAKED RELEASE DATE." They’re lying.
Square Enix is notorious for "Development Hell," but they’ve gotten better. The shift to Unreal Engine 5 for many of their projects—a move away from their internal, finicky Luminous Engine—means they can iterate faster. But "faster" in AAA gaming still means five to six years. If XVI came out in 2023, don't expect XVII until 2028 at the earliest.
The Remake Rumor Mill: IX and X
We can't talk about a final fantasy new game without mentioning the "leaks" that won't die. The Nvidia GeForce Now leak from years ago has been almost 90% proven correct. Chrono Cross, God of War on PC, Kingdom Hearts IV—it was all there. And you know what else was on that list?
Final Fantasy IX Remake.
It is the worst-kept secret in gaming.
- It’s reportedly not a "triple-A" overhaul like FFVII.
- Think more along the lines of the Trials of Mana remake.
- Faithful, stylized, but not pushing the PS5 to its breaking point.
Then there is Final Fantasy X. With its 25th anniversary approaching in 2026, the whispers of a remake or a "X-3" project are getting louder. Honestly, a X-3 sounds like a disaster waiting to happen given how divisive the Will audio drama was, but a remake of Tidus and Yuna’s journey? That’s printing money.
Final Fantasy XIV: The Eternal Engine
While we hunt for a "new" game, the biggest one is already here. Dawntrail marked the beginning of a new era for the MMO. It’s essentially a "soft reboot" of the narrative arc. If you are looking for a final fantasy new game experience and you haven't touched XIV because it’s an MMO, you’re missing the best writing the series has had in twenty years.
The graphical update that launched with version 7.0 was just the beginning. The developers are future-proofing the game for the next decade. This is where the steady revenue comes from. This is what pays for the risky, single-player experiments.
The Combat Dilemma: Turn-Based vs. Action
This is the hill Final Fantasy fans love to die on.
Final Fantasy XVI was a full-blown character action game. FFVII Rebirth is a hybrid. What will the next final fantasy new game be? The internal data at Square Enix suggests that the hybrid model—Active Time Battle (ATB) with real-time movement—is the sweet spot. It satisfies the old-school tacticians and the new-gen button mashers.
Expect FFXVII to lean even harder into this. Total turn-based gameplay is likely relegated to the "HD-2D" spin-offs or the smaller remakes. It’s a bitter pill for some, but the "action-RPG" tag is what sells 10 million copies in a week.
How to Track Real News Without the Noise
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, stop following every "leaker" on X (formerly Twitter). Most of them are just aggregating guesses. Instead, keep an eye on these specific markers:
- Square Enix Financial Results: They often outline "pipeline" goals for the next three fiscal years.
- The Game Awards: This has become the de facto home for Final Fantasy trailers. If something is coming in 2026, we will see it in December 2025.
- The "Unreal" Connection: Watch for Square Enix job postings requiring Unreal Engine 5 experience in Tokyo’s Creative Business Unit I. That’s where the magic happens.
Practical Steps for the Waiting Fan
The wait for a final fantasy new game is a marathon, not a sprint.
- Play the Pixel Remasters: If you’re waiting for the next big thing, go back to the roots. FFVI still holds up as the best narrative in the series.
- Clear the Backlog: Most fans still haven't finished the DLC for FFXVI (The Rising Tide) or completed all the brutal combat sims in Rebirth. Do that first.
- Watch the "Naoki Yoshida" Method: Follow his interviews. He is the most transparent executive at the company. If he says they are focusing on one thing, believe him.
The future of Final Fantasy is weirdly bright, even if it's currently obscured by a cloud of corporate silence. We are moving toward an era of multi-platform accessibility and higher graphical fidelity, even if it means we have to wait a bit longer between entries. The "new game" is coming. It’s just taking the long way around the world map.
Actionable Insight: Check the official Square Enix "Press Center" once a month rather than relying on social media rumors. This is where high-resolution assets and official fact sheets are dropped first, often minutes before the trailers hit YouTube. If you want to speculate, do it based on the fiscal reports—follow the money, and you'll find the release dates.