Final Fantasy VII Revelation will receive a physical release on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, but the disc will not contain the complete game. Players will need an internet connection to download part of the title, a decision that has renewed debate about what “physical” means for modern games.
The approach differs from the previous entries in the remake project. The first game and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth shipped across two discs: one for installation and another required for play. Revelation, meanwhile, will use its physical disc partly as a licence and delivery method, much like the game-key-card model used on Switch 2.
That creates a long-term preservation concern. If the downloaded data is removed from a console, restoring the complete game will depend on Sony’s or Microsoft’s network infrastructure. The issue is particularly sensitive while the industry considers Sony’s plan to stop new PlayStation disc releases in 2028.
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Why Square Enix chose a download
Director Naoki Hamaguchi previously said the team was still discussing the exact product lineup and was working towards a physical edition. That comment led some fans to expect a complete, multi-disc release for the finale of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy. Recently announced pre-orders instead confirmed that a download would be required.
In a later interview, Hamaguchi told IGN that the team had held extensive internal discussions about the physical editions. He said using the same disc capacity as Rebirth would have forced compromises to the game’s fidelity and quality.
Hamaguchi said the development team did not want to compromise the game. In his explanation, the practical alternative was a physical disc containing some sections while the remaining content was supplied digitally. He acknowledged that some players would be unhappy, but said he was pleased that a physical edition remained possible.
How large could the game be?
The exact compromises Hamaguchi referenced have not been explained. Rebirth required a very large installation, with a nearly 150GB install size. PS5 discs can hold up to 100GB, so a complete Revelation release might have required three discs or more if the game is substantially larger.
However, multiple-disc PS5 releases are supported. That means the explanation may relate to production costs, the timing of optimisation work, or the content planned for the first batch of discs rather than a strict technical limit. A multi-disc edition would also cost more to manufacture and ship.
Fans remain unconvinced
Hamaguchi’s explanation has not ended the criticism. A post about the decision on X received a community note arguing that PS5 games are not limited to one disc and that multiple-disc releases have already been used for large games. The note described the quality argument as a choice rather than a technical necessity.
For collectors, the situation highlights the importance of understanding whether a boxed game is complete before buying. The same consideration applies when comparing modern digital releases with dedicated arcade machines, bartop arcades and other self-contained gaming hardware.
Square Enix does not appear to be reversing course. With Final Fantasy VII Revelation scheduled for release on April 8, players will soon find out how much of the game is present on the disc and how much must be downloaded. The release is also expected before Sony’s planned end to new PlayStation disc releases in 2028.
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