Circulating is a huge announcement – the 22nd of January 2026 will mark the very release of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade onto Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Xbox app. However, this is not just any mere port – it has been fitted with streamlined progression features beneficial for new players.
These are big announcements for Xbox and Switch 2 owners who have been waiting years to play this modern classic. Given that the game was released initially as a 2020 PlayStation exclusive, the following year saw it receive an Intergrade treatment with enhanced visuals on PS5. Now, finally, after all these years, will come their chance on other platforms to really experience Cloud’s story in gorgeous HD.
Well, the drama inside the replies may just steal the limelight away from the game announcement. There’s apparently a concern about Square Enix employee Kate Cwynar, working as an English localization manager for Final Fantasy XIV and Dawntrail expansion. Plenty of people are asking for her to be fired on the grounds that she has reposted “violent political rhetoric” and has “celebrated assassination” against conservative figures.
Especially vocal has been one user named Grummz, calling the FFXIV forums a “dumpster fire” full of defenders of this behavior. Screenshots are continuing to get shared as the outrage grows, with calls for boycotts if Square Enix fails to address the issue. Things are heating up in those replies, with some supporters siding with firing the employee.
On the other hand, many are just thrilled that FF7 Remake might, at long last, be playable on their favorite platform. “Got it first on the PS4, then Intergrade for PS5, and now Switch 2 is calling my name” was a comment posted, and honestly, same, temptation to triple-dip is maleficent for an editor that good.
Concerns about how properly it will be ported to the Xbox are a different issue. User TONYX said an “if Square Enix sells a product inferior to PS5 on Xbox Series X, as happened with FF16, after so many years, it’s better that they don’t release anything.” That is some strong opinion there. After all, no one wants a compromised experience after laying so long.
And about those streamlined progression features mentioned in the tweet: could be huge. The original game had some pacing issues, so anything that smoothens out the experience is welcome. Probably something along the lines of optional difficulty settings or ways to speed through sections you’ve already mastered.
It’s crazy how a simple game announcement can say so much about where gaming culture is right now. You’ve got people excited about the game, some concerned about port quality, and then a whole separate drama about employee conduct. Gaming Twitter always delivers on mayhem.
January 2026 release date means Square Enix would have plenty of time to polish these versions. Being over a year away now is a good indicator that they’re probably going to spend time getting it right instead of rushing out a half-baked port. We should, therefore, expect all those PS5-version visual enhancements to transition properly.
Getting such titles releases that were till now mostly PlayStation exclusives is one big trend on Xbox. Final Fantasy XVI saw an Xbox release also, so actually, the company has started seriously looking at multiplatform releases.
The Switch 2 version is interesting as it’ll be the very first time this graphically demanding game gets on any Nintendo system. It’ll be a good testing ground of whatever Nintendo is cooking for their next system.
Well, for the most part, good news for select gaming circles who want to play great games on their preferred platforms. More options always mean better, and Final Fantasy VII Remake deserves to be enjoyed by as many people as possible.
For now, please excuse me as I try to figure out which platform I shall buy this on for the third time. Maybe Xbox for some achievements? Or perhaps Switch 2 for portability? Decisions, decisions…
