The translations by @ShinraArch on X revealed interesting details about the development journey of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and the creative decisions behind the game. According to the latest translations from the FFVII Rebirth Ultimania, the original concept considered ending the game much earlier than its current conclusion. Scenario writer Kazushige Nojima initially considered the idea of concluding the game when Tifa falls into the Mako reactor in Gongaga.
"Using players' curiosity about what would happen to Aerith as a way to draw the story along felt like rather poor form."
Instead, he thought leaving Tifa's fate ambiguous could serve as a better hook for a potential third game.
The Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, originally planned as three separate parts, could have been extended further if Nojima's original idea had been realized. Thankfully, plans changed to avoid prolonging the speculation around Aerith's fate by several years.
Meanwhile, director Naoki Hamaguchi is facing challenges in deciding how to kick off the final installment. While a possible starting point could involve Cloud and his companions heading to Icicle Inn and the Great Cavity, Hamaguchi remains undecided on the best approach. This uncertainty raises questions about the game potentially diverging from the original plot, leaving fans curious about what surprises might await in the concluding chapter of the Remake trilogy.