The co-director of Final Fantasy 7 Remake has addressed the ongoing criticism surrounding the game’s new Streamlined Progression system, explaining the reasoning behind its addition. He stated that the main goal was to improve the overall player experience—especially for newcomers who might be intimidated by the game’s depth. He also shared how this feature could naturally fit into future installments of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, maintaining a balance between accessibility and challenge for all types of players.
Originally released in 2020 and expanded through FF7 Intergrade in 2021, Final Fantasy 7 Remake is now preparing for another major release on Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2 in January 2026. This version will introduce a brand-new feature called Streamlined Progression, allowing players to use simplified “cheats” to breeze through combat with ease.
The system includes five toggleable options — Full HP, Full MP, Full Limit Gauge, Full ATB Gauge, and 9,999 damage per attack. Each of these can be switched on or off individually, letting players customize their gameplay experience entirely to their liking. However, since its reveal, the feature has sparked mixed reactions within the fanbase — some praising its flexibility, others criticizing it for reducing the challenge.
In an interview with Automaton, co-director Naoki Hamaguchi openly admitted that he knew not everyone would appreciate the new feature — but he still strongly pushed for its inclusion. He explained that since Final Fantasy 7 Remake is now coming to new platforms, the team wanted to make the experience more accessible to newcomers who might otherwise feel overwhelmed.
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Hamaguchi also shared a personal perspective, saying that with so many major games being released so frequently, even he struggles to keep up with them all. “Sometimes I wish other games had debug or fast-forward options so I could experience more of their content,” he said with a laugh — and that very thought inspired the Streamlined Progression feature.
Hamaguchi clarified that the decision wasn’t made without considering veteran players’ opinions. He acknowledged that adding such a feature at a major game’s initial release might have caused backlash — or even led to early spoilers spreading online. However, since Final Fantasy 7 Remake originally launched in 2020, the development team felt that now was the right time to introduce it. Based on this reasoning, Hamaguchi hinted that the trilogy’s final chapter likely won’t feature Streamlined Progression at launch, and even Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth might still be too new to receive it anytime soon.
The Streamlined Progression system ultimately gives players complete freedom over how they experience the game. Those revisiting the title who want to skip repetitive grinding or avoid tough boss battles can toggle these options on, while players who prefer the original challenge can simply leave them off. Although some fans remain skeptical about its inclusion, one thing is certain — using the feature is entirely optional.
In the end, this addition reflects a thoughtful balance: it makes Final Fantasy 7 Remake more approachable for new players while preserving the thrill and difficulty that long-time fans cherish. It’s not just a new feature — it’s a statement from Square Enix that gaming should adapt to every kind of player, letting everyone enjoy the story in their own way.
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