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Final Fantasy 7 Revelation adds optional auto-levelling amid difficulty debate
Developed over time first seen 2 months ago
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation will include an optional feature that automatically raises characters to the recommended level when they are underpowered for a story section. Director Naoki Hamaguchi said the system responds to players who struggled with earlier games because they did not want to grind through side quests, but it has provoked debate over whether the game is removing too much challenge.
Supporters view the option as a useful accessibility feature for players primarily interested in the narrative, while critics argue that levelling, exploration and overcoming difficulty are central to the role-playing experience. Revelation is planned as a large open-world game with extensive side content, and completionists are expected to need at least 100 hours; players will be able to explore by foot, Chocobo or airship.
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In short
- Optional automatic levelling supports players focused on the story.
- Critics say it removes challenge and RPG progression.
- Completionists may need at least 100 hours.
How this story developed
- 2 months ago At Tokyo Game Show 2026, director Naoki Hamaguchi formally announced the automatic levelling system, intensifying criticism of Revelation’s approach despite its planned 100-hour open world and extensive side content.
- 2 months ago The feature was subsequently framed as an accessibility option for players who prioritise the narrative, while opponents argued that bypassing grinding, exploration and difficult encounters removed too much of the game’s challenge.
- 2 months ago Final Fantasy 7 Revelation was reported to include an optional system that automatically brings underpowered characters up to the recommended level for story battles, prompting concerns that it would weaken the role-playing experience.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The auto-levelling feature represents a thoughtful accessibility tool that respects player autonomy by remaining optional. Many players value Final Fantasy primarily for its narrative, characters and world-building, and grinding through mandatory side quests creates a genuine barrier to their enjoyment. Modern game design increasingly recognises that different players have different needs and limited time, and accommodating story-focused players alongside completionists—who will still have 100+ hours of content to explore—represents inclusive design that doesn't diminish the experience for anyone.
The case against
Levelling progression, challenge and the earned satisfaction of overcoming difficulty are foundational to the role-playing experience. When characters automatically reach recommended levels, the sense of growth becomes hollow, exploration loses its purpose as a means to become stronger, and meaningful victory requires genuine struggle. The open-world design already allows natural progression through side content; auto-levelling risks trivialising the game's intentional difficulty design and undermining the core mechanics that make RPGs emotionally resonant for players who value mastery and challenge.
Explained simply
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is an upcoming role-playing game from the Final Fantasy franchise, one of the video gaming industry's most recognisable series. The new entry is adding an optional feature that automatically raises characters to the suggested level for each part of the story, meaning players do not need to repeatedly fight weaker enemies to gain strength.
The feature was announced by the game's director at Tokyo Game Show 2026 in response to feedback from players who struggled in previous games by falling too far behind in power. However, the announcement has divided gaming communities, with some welcoming it as a way to focus on narrative rather than repetitive combat, whilst others argue it removes the challenge that has traditionally defined the genre and the sense of achievement that comes from overcoming difficult encounters.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is expected to offer a substantial experience lasting over 100 hours for players completing all content, including optional side quests and exploration. This scale highlights why the levelling debate matters: the game allows different players to choose their preferred experience, but there is disagreement about whether removing difficulty barriers serves the spirit of the adventure.
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Originally published by IGN as “Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Will Include Option to Let Players Automatically Level Up Their Characters, but Not Everyone Is Happy About It”.