Fan favorite Final Fantasy VII character, Vincent Valentine, got a bit of spotlight in the launch date reveal trailer for Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll get the chance to control the hockey-haired ex-Turk. Square-Enix has stated in a Q&A posted by Game Informer that, while Vincent will join the party, he will be relegated to the sidelines.
This isn’t the first time a beloved Final Fantasy VII character got held teasingly out of reach. Red XIII joined the party at the tail end of Final Fantasy VII: Remake, but was unplayable there. It’s assumed that this is going to be a similar case for Vincent.
This choice is somewhat interesting since Vincent was popular enough to get his own spin-off in 2006 with Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII. I have to wonder if Vincent’s introduction will be made in the latter half of the game and if he’ll be playable in the final game of the remake trilogy.
I don’t have strong feelings for Vincent, one way or the other. It’s been so long that I don’t remember my final party setup in my last playthrough of Final Fantasy VII, but I’m pretty sure Vincent wasn’t in it. That’s a bit strange since I lust for vampires, and Vincent has the look. I think what torpedoed my enthusiasm for him is the fact that he has no motivation in the original narrative. Then again, many prominent characters had no motivation for risking their neck. Buncha damned do-gooders.
The real question for me is if Cait Sith will be a playable character.
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth launches on PS5 on February 29, 2024.
