Square Enix recently announced that anyone buying the physical edition of Final Fantasy 7 Revelation—the final installment in the Remake trilogy—will be required to download additional data before starting the game, regardless of the platform they choose.
Online Requirement for Physical Release
Even collectors and fans who pick up a physical copy of Final Fantasy 7 Revelation must have an internet connection to install the game. Series director Naoki Hamaguchi explained this was driven by storage limitations on today’s consoles, which prevented the full experience from fitting onto a single disc or cartridge.
Addressing the situation in an online statement, Hamaguchi commented, “Each platform has limitations when it comes to physical media capacity, but we believed that compromising the quality of the final chapter in order to achieve a fully on-disc release would ultimately not be in the best interest of many fans.” He recognized that this approach might frustrate some players but noted, “in today’s market, where the industry is steadily moving toward a disc-less future, we believe there is real value in being able to offer a physical edition at all.”
Fans React to Single-Disc Limitation
The news has led to disappointment within a segment of the Final Fantasy 7 fanbase, especially collectors and those who prefer offline gameplay. Many have pointed out that the prior releases—Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth—were distributed over two discs to accommodate all game data. Critics argue that a multi-disc release could have avoided the need for a mandatory download in the trilogy’s final part.
Instead, Square Enix has chosen to package both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions on a single disc, and the Nintendo Switch 2 version on a Game-Key card. Nevertheless, each physical format will oblige players to download crucial extra content, rendering offline play at launch unachievable.
Debate Over Physical Game Ownership Intensifies
The controversy has reignited questions about the longevity of physical game media. Discussions have intensified since Sony’s announcement of plans to cease production of new PlayStation physical discs in 2028. Commentary from the player community during the latest State of Play events signals ongoing skepticism; some even say they will avoid buying any physical editions that require online downloads.
Although Hamaguchi and Square Enix stress that offering the complete experience—regardless of delivery method—remains their main aim, this change marks a step away from the classic appeal of complete, offline-accessible discs. Collectors and gamers with restricted internet connections may find the move disappointing, as it signals the end of universally playable offline physical editions.