The Game Awards capped off an incredible year of gaming, and now that it’s over, all eyes turn to next year. While 2023 may be hard to beat, there are plenty of 2024 releases to look forward to, including the Matthew McConaughey-led EXODUS, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, and Black Myth: Wukong. But Final Fantasy VII Rebirth looks to be an early frontrunner for the coveted Game of the Year trophy.
During the ceremony, host Geoff Keighley announced the “Most Anticipated Game” category. And while every award had steep competition, this category in particular could’ve swung in any direction. Nominated were Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Hades II (the sequel to 2020’s game-of-the-year contender), Star Wars Outlaws (Ubisoft’s massive open-world adventure), Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (the next installment in the beloved Yakuza series), and Tekken 8 (the first Tekken game in nearly ten years). However, none of them could stop Final Fantasy VII Rebirth from taking home the prized statue.
The Game Awards Crowns Final Fantasy VII Rebirth as 2024’s Most Anticipated Game
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will be the second installment in Square Enix’s remake trilogy of the critically acclaimed game. Originally released in 1997, the seventh installment in the Final Fantasy series cemented its place in video game history as one of the best role-playing games ever. With the remakes, Square Enix brings an updated version of the stories of Cloud, Tifa, Sephiroth, and Aerith to modern audiences, rebuilding the RPG from the ground up with modern graphics.
Adding to the hype, The Game Awards’ segment on Final Fantasy VII Rebirth continued, announcing and performing the game’s theme song as Square Enix unveiled a new trailer. “No Promise Kept” features the return of legendary composer Nobuo Uematsu, who’s worked on nearly every series installment, including Final Fantasy VII Remake. Acclaimed musician Loren Allred then took the Game Awards stage to perform the theme as the trailer played.
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You can check out the brand-new trailer for the next chapter of the FFVII remake saga below.
In 2020, Final Fantasy VII Remake received immense critical praise, earning it six nominations at The Game Awards, including “Game of the Year.” Although it ultimately lost to The Last of Us Part II, fans couldn’t wait for the remake trilogy’s next installment. Two years later, Square Enix announced Rebirth, its sequel, showcasing the first gameplay trailer at Keighley’s Summer Game Fest in 2023.
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Although it hasn’t been a long wait between installments, fans clearly can’t wait for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, earning it the award show’s Most Anticipated trophy. It’s arguably next year’s biggest release, and without any other titans, like this year’s Baldurs Gate III, competing against it, Rebirth could be on the fast track to 2024’s Game of the Year award.
About Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Release Date: February 29, 2024
Series: Final Fantasy
Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: PlayStation 5
Genre: Action-RPG
Synopsis: A new, standalone adventure set across a vast and vibrant planet, FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH sees Cloud, Tifa, Barret, Aerith, and Red XIII escape from the dystopian city of Midgar into the wide world beyond. To hunt down Sephiroth, a haunting figure from Cloud’s past bent on ruling the planet, these unlikely heroes join forces with new companions like the spirited ninja operative Yuffie and the wisecracking, feline-shaped robot Cait Sith. Lead these characters into battle to overcome their fates. Explore classic locales reimagined in dazzling detail. Encounter dozens of hours of rewarding side quests, fiend hunts, mini-games, and rich stories of the planet’s people and cultures.
Are you excited about Final Fantasy VII Rebirth? What did you think about The Game Awards? Is there another 2024 game you’re anticipating more? Let us know your thoughts on The Illuminerdi’s social media.
SOURCE: Square Enix
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