Final Fantasy VII Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi has shed light on a long-standing mystery: the smell of our favorite feathered steeds. During a recent Q&A session with Game Informer, Hamaguchi revealed that Chocobo does not smell like chicken, as many would think. Instead, it’s a completely different animal.
According to the interview, Hamaguchi said that Chocobo smelled like horses. This may surprise players who pictured a more bird-like aroma, much like chickens or at least pigeons. However, Hamaguchi’s comparison seems to come from the Chocobo’s role as the series’ equivalent of horses, albeit with the ability to run on water and soar through the skies. I am not sure horses get their smell from being ridden, but I’m no scientist, and the director is right no matter what he says.
The interview delved further into other Chocobo-related curiosities. When asked how Red XIII, a four-legged feline-like creature, manages to ride a chocobo, Hamaguchi explained that Red XIII uses his paws to grip onto ropes. Apparently, Red XIII’s Chocobo riding skills are considered perfectly natural within the game’s world. I still don’t believe it.
Chocobo-centric revelations didn’t stop there. Square Enix previously disclosed the mechanics of catching Chocobos in the wild, and Hamaguchi confirmed that Chocobo chicks act as keystones for unlocking fast travel points.
Beyond Chocobos, the interview offered several intriguing tidbits about Rebirth’s narrative and world. Hamaguchi emphasized the game’s adherence to the original Final Fantasy VII storyline while acknowledging the inclusion of new elements. He also clarified that Zack Fair’s existence significantly impacts the game’s world, though Crisis Core is not considered canon due to Remake’s distinct universe. However, playing Crisis Core is still recommended for players seeking a deeper understanding of certain themes and characters.
In a lighter moment, Hamaguchi even divulged the secret to Cloud Strife’s gravity-defying hairstyle: an impressive one-third of a tube of hair gel. This had to be the wildest interview I’d ever seen. The questions were mostly “answer these fan theories” from the more obscure parts of Reddit.
Still, the hair and Chocobo smell questions were two that I’ve had for a very long time. To get some answers feels really gratifying.
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