Final Fantasy VII Revelation is set to serve as the third and final installment in the ambitious remake project first announced in 2015. However, this third part arrives at a challenging moment for the industry.

Although the game is expected to launch before Sony phases out physical media, with the company targeting 2028 as the end of disc-based production, Final Fantasy VII Revelation must still contend with the practical limitations of current optical storage.

The good news is that a physical edition will indeed be available and it will be possible to own all three chapters in tangible format. The drawback, however, is that the final installment will not be fully contained on its disc.

Final Fantasy VII Revelation Will Have a Physical Edition Without the Complete Game

During the State of Play, Square Enix unveiled the April 8 release date and additional details for Final Fantasy VII Revelation, confirming its arrival on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Switch 2.

While the company reassured fans that a physical version is in the works, it also clarified that a mandatory internet download will be required before the full RPG can be played.

For PS5 and Xbox Series X owners, Square Enix has warned that an active internet connection is essential to download the necessary files; without this step, the game will not launch even with the disc inserted.

On Switch 2, the title will be distributed as a Game-Key Card, with users advised to have at least 130 GB of free storage space available for installation.

Why Did Square Enix Opt for This Controversial Physical Format Approach?

Although the publisher has not offered a detailed explanation, the footage showcased so far points to a highly ambitious production. The Switch 2’s 130 GB requirement suggests that file sizes on PS5 and Xbox could be even larger, potentially exceeding the capacity of a single Blu-ray disc.

Rather than splitting the game across multiple discs, which is a more expensive manufacturing process that would reduce profit margins per unit sold, Square Enix appears to have chosen a single-disc physical release with the remainder of the data delivered via download.

This decision reflects a moment where the physical format continues to decline, even as dedicated fans advocate for preserving physical media.