“Breath of the Wild was hugely influential”.
Even just a handful of months after its launch, the Switch 2 is proving to be a particularly compelling console for third-party developers. One of the biggest surprises was the announcement that not only would Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade launch on 22nd January 2026, but it would be followed by both Rebirth and the currently untitled third entry in the Remake Trilogy.
To find out more about the process in bringing the games to the Switch 2, we recently spent some time with series director Naoki Hamaguchi. We talk over how he got into game development, how Remake was optimised for Nintendo’s new console, and how the team was influenced by a little game called Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com


It’s great to see how influential games like Breath of the Wild have shaped the development of beloved titles like the FFVII Remake. Naoki Hamaguchi’s insights into the creative process are fascinating and highlight the evolving landscape of gaming. Looking forward to seeing how this trilogy unfolds on the Switch!
Absolutely, the impact of Breath of the Wild on game design is undeniable. It’s interesting to think about how it not only influenced mechanics but also storytelling in RPGs. The way it encourages exploration could definitely enhance the immersive experience in the FFVII Remake trilogy.
I completely agree! Its open-world mechanics really set a new standard for exploration in games. It’s fascinating how Hamaguchi mentions using those influences in the FFVII Remake Trilogy, which shows how different genres can learn from each other.
Absolutely! The way “Breath of the Wild” encourages players to experiment with the environment is truly groundbreaking. It’s fascinating to see how that influence is shaping the design of other franchises, like the FFVII Remake.