Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 still uses Unreal Engine 4 because "it's more beneficial to have something we're already familiar with," director Naoki Hamaguchi says

Following what seems to now be Square Enix tradition, the upcoming Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 will not use the notoriously problematic Unreal Engine 5. It'll stick to Unreal Engine 4 like its previous Remake installments, Remake Intergrade and Rebirth.

Game director Naoki Hamaguchi confirms as much in a new interview with Gamespot. "We've been using Unreal Engine 4, but we've made a lot of modifications to fit our needs," he explains. While, in 2024, Hamaguchi said it was "possible" that Square Enix devs would consider switching to the more modern Unreal Engine 5 for Part 3, he still seemed trepidatious about it.

"I think what our users want most right now is to deliver the final game in the series in a good form as soon as possible," he said at the time. "We'll think about it objectively and decide whether changing the environment will accelerate that, or whether it's best to make it all at once as it is."

So his new comments to Gamespot are aligned with his old ones – efficiency seems to have motivated Hamaguchi to choose Unreal Engine 4 again. He says, "It's more beneficial to have something we're already familiar with and have customized to fit our needs."

Understandable. Most fans don't even seem to want a reason why Square Enix plans to stay away from Unreal Engine 5, as one person in a related Resetera thread declares, "No explanation needed, king."

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 has "reached a stage where it's finally starting to match the vision I had for it," director teases, and the "new experience" is "almost complete."