Why Is Final Fantasy VII Revelation Still Using Unreal Engine 4 Instead of Unreal Engine 5

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FFVII Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi explains why the team stayed on Unreal Engine 4 and how it benefits the Spring 2027 release.

Final Fantasy VII Revelation, launching in Spring 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and the Microsoft Store, continues to build momentum as the final chapter of Square Enix’s remake trilogy. In a new interview with 4Gamer, director Naoki Hamaguchi explained why the team chose to continue development on Unreal Engine 4, despite Unreal Engine 5 being widely adopted across the industry.

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What Is Final Fantasy VII Revelation

Final Fantasy VII Revelation is the concluding entry in the modern remake trilogy that began with Final Fantasy VII Remake and continued with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. It expands the world, narrative, and systems of the original 1997 classic while delivering the trilogy’s final story arc.

The game will be available on:

  • PlayStation 5
  • Xbox Series X and Series S
  • Nintendo Switch 2
  • Steam
  • Epic Games Store
  • Microsoft Store

Why Did the Team Stay on Unreal Engine 4

Hamaguchi explained that the decision was rooted in efficiency, resource management, and development stability. The team has spent years customizing Unreal Engine 4 specifically for the remake trilogy, building tools, workflows, and proprietary systems that are deeply integrated into the engine.

Key reasons include:

  • The team’s existing expertise with Unreal Engine 4
  • Years of custom tool development
  • A desire to avoid production delays
  • The need to maintain consistent quality across the trilogy

Hamaguchi noted that while newer engines often imply better results, the priority was to deliver the game on schedule without sacrificing quality.

How Would Switching to Unreal Engine 5 Affect Development

According to Hamaguchi, switching to Unreal Engine 5 would have required:

  • Rebuilding internal tools
  • Rewriting custom systems
  • Reworking asset pipelines
  • Extending development time significantly

He emphasized that the team made the decision very early to avoid uncertainty or mid production changes. While some developers were interested in exploring Unreal Engine 5’s features, the cost of transitioning outweighed the benefits.

What Custom Technology Did the Team Build

Hamaguchi highlighted that the team has already created proprietary systems that replicate or approximate Unreal Engine 5 features. One example is a custom rendering solution developed during Final Fantasy VII Rebirth that offers capabilities similar to Nanite, Unreal Engine 5’s advanced geometry streaming technology.

This internal tech allows the team to achieve visual quality comparable to Unreal Engine 5 while retaining the stability of Unreal Engine 4.

How Did Fans React to the Latest Trailer

The director expressed gratitude for the positive reception to the trailer shown during Summer Game Fest 2026. Many viewers praised the game’s visuals, which Hamaguchi cited as proof that the team’s engine choice was justified.

He added that the studio has full confidence in the final product and hopes players will continue to trust the team’s experience, which spans multiple AAA projects beyond the remake trilogy.

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