Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth boasts an impressive array of nearly 30 mini-games, with one standout being the brainchild of an internal team of dedicated card game enthusiasts.
In a conversation with Rolling Stone, Naoki Hamaguchi, the director of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, tantalizingly unveiled the plethora of mini-games awaiting players. These range from activities integral to the main storyline to ones accessible only during specific quests or in certain locations on the map.
Among these diversions lies “Queen’s Blood,” a card game meticulously crafted by a subset of the development team known for their fervent passion for card games.
“Within our development team, there existed a considerable number of individuals deeply entrenched in the world of card games,” shared Hamaguchi. “We assembled this group to delve into the intricacies of Queen’s Blood, discussing its rules and refining its development. I believe we’ve succeeded in crafting an experience that will greatly satisfy card game enthusiasts.”
Veteran RPG players, especially those within the Final Fantasy community, will find the inclusion of a card game as supplementary content familiar ground; reminiscent examples like Triple Triad from Final Fantasy 8 and Final Fantasy 14, as well as Tetra Master from Final Fantasy 9, readily come to mind.
However, the card game within Rebirth boasts a narrative depth that intertwines seamlessly with the broader storyline of the sequel.
“Queen’s Blood in Rebirth not only serves as a card game for players to enjoy but also unfolds an entire narrative backdrop. We delve into its origins, its historical significance, and its role within the universe of Final Fantasy VII,” explained Hamaguchi.
After much anticipation, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth makes its debut on PS5 on February 29, garnering critical acclaim with its Metacritic rating marking the series’ highest since 2000’s Final Fantasy 9. In our own review, we awarded it a stellar 4.5 out of 5 stars, describing it as “the epitome of the beloved RPG series.”