Square Enix Delists Original Final Fantasy VII Steam Port for Mysterious New Version

Square Enix dropped a bombshell announcement timed with Final Fantasy VII's 29th anniversary on 31 January 2026. The publisher confirmed through Steam that a "new version" of the 1997 RPG classic is coming to replace the 2013 port. But here's the catch: they've revealed almost nothing about what makes this version different.

The 2013 edition will be renamed "Final Fantasy VII – 2013 Edition" in users' libraries and pulled from sale once the new version launches. Existing owners get automatic access to both versions at no cost, but save data won't transfer between them. You'll need to start fresh if you want to try the updated release.

What's Actually Changing?

Square Enix describes the new port as delivering "an improved gameplay experience" but hasn't shared specifics. No feature list. No screenshots. No release date. The official Steam announcement raises more questions than it answers.

This vague approach has left the community speculating wildly. Will it include AI-upscaled graphics? Enhanced audio? Quality-of-life features? Nobody knows. The publisher's silence suggests they're either being deliberately cagey or haven't finalized details themselves.

The Modding Community Is Worried

For many players, the real Final Fantasy VII experience lives through mods. The 2013 Steam version serves as the foundation for massive overhaul projects like 7th Heaven, which lets users completely transform the game with HD textures, character models, and gameplay tweaks.

These mods work by intercepting the game's resource requests and supplying alternate files. Tools like 7th Heaven have spent over a decade building compatibility with the 2013 version's architecture. A new release means starting from scratch.

Square Enix acknowledged this concern obliquely, stating only that both versions will remain accessible in Steam libraries. Translation: if the new version breaks your mods, you'll still have the old one. Cold comfort for those hoping to use modern enhancements with whatever improvements the new port offers.

Timing Raises Eyebrows

The announcement arrived during a 60% discount on the original version, bringing the price down to $4.79 until 4 February. Some see this as Square Enix's way of getting the 2013 version into as many hands as possible before the switch. Others suspect the discount exists to clear inventory before the delisting.

Either way, the timing feels calculated. Why announce a mysterious replacement during a sale rather than wait until the new version is ready to show? Perhaps Square Enix wants to manage expectations or test the waters for reception.

Save Data Won't Transfer

Here's a practical concern that affects everyone: your progress doesn't carry over. Play 50 hours into the 2013 version, and switching to the new port means restarting from Midgar.

Square Enix confirmed saves remain separate between versions. The 2013 Edition keeps its own save files, while the new version uses its own system. This split suggests more than superficial changes under the hood, but again, Square Enix hasn't elaborated.

For completionists or those mid-playthrough, this creates a dilemma. Finish your current run on the old version or abandon progress to experience the new one?

Questions About Game Preservation

Delisting the 2013 version permanently removes a piece of gaming history from new buyers. Yes, existing owners retain access, but what about future players? What if the new version introduces problems or removes features?

The pattern feels familiar. When publishers release "definitive editions" the original often disappears. Grand Theft Auto and Dragon Quest XI both saw this treatment. The original versions become unavailable to purchase, forcing everyone onto the new release regardless of preference.

Some argue Square Enix should offer both versions indefinitely, letting players choose. Bundle them together if needed. The counter-argument suggests maintaining two separate products creates support headaches.

What This Means for Final Fantasy VII's Future

This Steam port saga unfolds while Square Enix pushes forward with the Remake trilogy. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade launched on Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S on 22 January 2026, expanding the modern reimagining to new platforms.

The original game's enduring popularity drives this multi-pronged approach. Over 15.3 million copies sold since 1997. Spin-offs, films, merchandise. A remake series spanning three standalone games. The IP prints money.

But treating the classic version with respect matters too. This isn't just another port. It's the game that defined JRPGs for Western audiences. Introduced players to Cloud, Sephiroth, and Aerith. Proved video games could tell complex, emotional stories.

The Bottom Line

Square Enix's announcement creates more confusion than clarity. A mysterious new port replacing a version that's worked fine for 13 years. No details on improvements. Save data incompatibility. The modding community left guessing.

The company deserves credit for making the new version free for existing owners. That's better than forcing players to rebuy. But the lack of transparency frustrates fans who want to know what they're getting.

Until Square Enix shares concrete information about this new port, speculation will fill the void. Smart money says to grab the 2013 version at $4.79 while the discount lasts. That way you're covered either way.

The new version might be brilliant. It might be disappointing. Right now, it's just a promise with no substance attached.