Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi has once again praised Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, calling it his personal game of the year. The director said he would love to make a similar project, something smaller, focused, and deeply creative, if only he could step away from his current duties at Square Enix.

In an interview, Hamaguchi discussed how the rise of AA games has influenced his outlook on game development. He explained that many of these projects thrive because they concentrate on a single creative direction rather than aiming for large-scale complexity. Rising budgets in AAA production have made such freedom more difficult, as every feature now demands top-tier resources and high expectations from players.

The Challenge of AAA vs. AA Development

Hamaguchi noted that AAA games must maintain consistent quality across all aspects, from graphics to gameplay systems. He used Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth as an example of that scale, highlighting its wealth of mini-games, vehicles, tournaments, and hidden bosses. “Whatever direction you look at, every element must be of very high quality,” he said.

AA games, on the other hand, often channel all their attention into one defining feature. This narrower focus allows developers to take creative risks and polish one aspect until it shines. “AA games push one element to its limit,” Hamaguchi said. “That’s what makes them so special and inspiring.”

Supporting Smaller-Scale Projects

Although Hamaguchi continues to lead major titles at Square Enix, he remains supportive of smaller studios shaping the industry through innovation and passion. “If I get the chance to work with the people making these kinds of games, I’d love that,” he said. “It’s great for the industry, and I love seeing more of them appear.”

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is available on PlayStation 5, while Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 releases in 2025 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Game Pass.