Final Fantasy VII Remake will release on Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2 on January 22, 2026, and will include Streamlined Progression, essentially a super easy mode.
The update is also coming to PS5 and PC, where players can switch on tools that make progression faster.
Some long-time players see the feature as undermining the combat’s difficulty, but co-director Naoki Hamaguchi insists he’s confident it’s the right step for where the game is headed.
What Is Streamlined Progression In FF7 Remake?
This new mode is essentially a set of optional modifiers that let players focus on the story while bypassing the grind. With it turned on, you can:
- Keep HP and MP permanently full.
- Enter every fight with a full Limit and ATB gauge.
- Deal a flat 9,999 damage per attack.
- Remove instant-death effects from enemies.
- Cast spells and abilities without worrying about resources.
It is not an automatic easy mode as you can turn each assist on or off. Used completely, the journey drops from a 40–50 hour experience to under 10, or about 7–8 if you fast-forward through cutscenes.
Why Did Naoki Hamaguchi Push for These Features?
Hamaguchi says the idea grew out of modern play habits.
Players have busy schedules and often want to sample many games or catch up on a story without spending weeks grinding.
He even compared it to wanting “debug tools” so he could keep up with new releases himself.
When the team decided to bring Remake to new platforms five years after launch, it felt like the right moment to add these assists.
The game no longer feels new, and the last act is almost here. First-timers need an easy way to get up to speed, while returning fans appreciate a quick reminder of the story before the end.
Hamaguchi admits he knew this would stir backlash — and even some developers on his own team disliked the idea, calling it “sacrilegious.”
Still, he felt that “unless someone takes the initiative, it doesn’t happen.” In his view, player freedom matters more than preserving a single ‘correct’ way to play.
Will the Final Part of the Trilogy Launch With These Assists?
No, part 3 of the FF7 Remake trilogy will not include Streamlined Progression at release.
Hamaguchi believes adding these features on day one would hurt the experience for the fans who have been waiting years for the finale.
Spoilers could spread more quickly if some players rush through the game right away. They frame it as a tool to help revisit earlier entries, not a plan for how the journey wraps up.
Hamaguchi wants the finale to feel earned and challenging for those experiencing it fresh. The team insists that added choices don’t impact anyone who opts out.
If you want the traditional challenge, just leave the modifiers off. If life, time constraints, or accessibility needs make the grind tough, you can switch them on and enjoy the story.
Hamaguchi himself says he’d prefer if people still played normally, but he’d rather give them freedom to choose than lock them into one way of playing.
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