- Subject: Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3
- Key Update: The op-ed argues that FFVII Remake Part 3 should reduce or rework mini-games to improve gameplay and story focus.
- Status: Confirmed (game is officially in development, director mentioned mini-games will return).
- Last Verified: January 26, 2026
- Quick Answer: FFVII Remake Part 3 is expected to include mini-games, but excessive or poorly designed ones could disrupt the story and frustrate players like Rebirth.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 remains a complete mystery, but its release date could be announced soon. As someone who adores the series, I couldn't wait for its finale, but I am also worried that Part 3 continues to give us a myriad of mini-games that dilute the overall experience.
Having spent over 100 hours trying to Platinum Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, the mini-games are some of Rebirth’s worst aspects. Not only do they detract from the game’s overarching narrative about Sephiroth and Aerith, but it is also rife with tedium, especially when the harder mini-games arrive near the end.
In a recent Polygon interview with series director Naoki Hamaguchi, he mentioned that “mini-games will be a big part of Part 3,” and my only reaction was shock and fear.
At first, Rebirth’s mini-games were fun. Some of them, notably the Junon Parade and Queen’s Blood, were some of my favorites. I admit, I’ve spent an unhealthy amount of hours playing Rebirth’s GWENT-like card game on random NPCs. I even let out an audible laugh when I realized I was playing with a professional TCG player dog. Like Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, my Cloud Strife could never resist a round of Queen’s Blood.
By the time I hit the game’s 50-hour mark, things turn from fun to frustration real fast. The Golden Saucer, which could’ve been a fun place to unwind and play silly games, became a chore as I always had to reach the high score for Johnny’s trophy collection. As the completionist that I am, every mini-game in Rebirth was a challenge. Dueling with polygonal Sephiroth was a nightmare I wouldn’t even wish on my worst enemies. I spent hours learning attack patterns and tried to cheese the game using the infamous “pause and unpause” mechanic. It helped, sure, but one wrong move had me starting from scratch.
Perhaps Rebirth’s worst mini-game was Tifa’s crunch-off, which was probably designed to annoy us on purpose. The minuscule margin of error means you can’t make any mistakes; otherwise, you’d be 5 or 6 points behind Jules. It took me an entire day just to get a one-up on Jules, and after I beat the gym-bro, I turned off my console and went for a walk. Ironically, beating pre-nerf Radahn in Elden Ring was easier compared to this mess of a mini-game.
But before my blood continues to boil, hearing that Final Fantasy VII Part 3 will bring back mini-games primes me for anxiety and dread. I don’t want to see more Chadley and his usual antics, and I don’t want to hear the same EDM beat in a crunch-off mini-game.
If Remake Part 3 does promise more mini-games, Square Enix should take its feedback to heart and remove the least enjoyable. Better yet, reworking them by making it more fun rather than being a chore is a great first step.
If Square Enix decides to make Cloud’s snowboarding mini-game in Part 3 a ridiculous mess, then that’s going to be a disservice to the many fan complaints about its excessive side-content.
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