The Final Fantasy 7 Remake is one the most hotly anticipated PS4 games on the horizon, but fans are still none the wiser on when the release date will be.
The FF7 revival was first announced back at E3 2015, with the title coming to the PS4 first.
This announcement was followed up with the first in-game footage shown during PSX 2015, but since then official new details have been thin on the ground.
Fans had been hoping that there would be a fresh information blowout last year as Final Fantasy 7 celebrated its 20th anniversary.
However, apart from a few new screenshots, fresh information on the Final Fantasy 7 Remake dried up in 2017 as development moved in-house.
But 2018 has kicked off with some shock claims about the Final Fantasy 7 Remake.
Alleged leaks about the Final Fantasy 7 Remake from someone claiming to be a former Square Enix employee have emerged.
The alleged leaker has made a host of claims about the upcoming PS4 title, some that will be welcomed by fans and some that will shock them.
It’s already been confirmed that the Final Fantasy 7 Remake will be released in separate episodes.
And it’s been claimed the first episode of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake will be released in early 2019.
The alleged leaker said the first episode could even be released before 2019, and that the Final Fantasy 7 Remake would be released in three episodes.
This is the same amount of PlayStation One discs the original Final Fantasy 7 game had to be divided across.
Square Enix had already said they would reveal release dates for some major upcoming games before E3 2018.
So a timeline for an announcement before June 2018, and then a release date in late 2018 or early 2019 does tally up.
However, while a late 2018 release date for episode one of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake would delight fans, there are things they could be unhappy about.
The leaker claims the first episode of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake would end at the point the Tiny Bronco is stolen in the original game.
If true, this is significant for one big reason.
In the original version of Final Fantasy 7, the Tiny Bronco is stolen before the end of the first disc.
It would mean that Square Enix would be saving one of the most heartbreaking moments in video game history for the second episode of the remake.
For some fans, this would give them longer with a much loved character – for others, it would just prolong the agony.
At this point, it’s important to note the source of this leak is from notorious internet message board 4chan (via SegmentNext).
The site does not have the best track record for hosting reliable leaks, so it’s best take to these leaks with a huge pinch of salt.
The alleged leaker also claimed that episode two of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake will end when Cloud and his comrades return to Midgar.
In the original game, this occurs towards the end of disc two just before the third and final disc begins.
The leaker also claimed the Final Fantasy 7 Remake will be structured between a modern open-world title and a retro game with a world map.
When players move between locations, the camera will gradually zoom out and the speed of movement will increase.
This is meant to give the player the impression they’re navigating through a classic world map.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake players will also use Cloud’s motorcycle to travel between locations.
The leaker also claims that the size of certain locations has been altered.
For instance, Midgar will allegedly be much bigger than in the original.
While these rumours are interesting, they are – for the time being – just that, rumours.
And when Square Enix does reveal more information on the Final Fantasy 7 Remake, you can be sure Express.co.uk will bring it to you as and when it happens.