A new Square Enix trademark filing has given fans hope that a Final Fantasy 7 game starring Zack Fair could be on the horizon, whether it's a Crisis Core remake, a new title, or simply indication that his role will be significantly greater in a new FF7 Remake release. For those unfamiliar with Zack Fair, he's a SOLDIER, 1st Class that plays a significant role in developing the Final Fantasy 7 story prior to when it takes place within the original game and the remake.
Zack Fair rose to new heights in popularity after his starring role in PSP classic Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7, a prequel game that ends just before the start of Final Fantasy 7 and helps fill in some of the blanks about the in-game universe's inner machinations. Zack's role in the Final Fantasy 7 franchise has always been significant even when he's a supporting character, and his role in mentoring Cloud and standing up to the injustices of Shinra. Crisis Core scored pretty well upon its release and sold millions of units worldwide, but its status as a PSP title limited its mainstream exposure and made it difficult for all FF7 fans to play.
In a report from Gematsu, it was revealed Square Enix recently filed for a few different Final Fantasy 7-related trademarks: "The First Soldier," which likely refers to Sephiroth, and "Ever Crisis," which seems like it could be referencing Crisis Core. The trademark was made on December 17, 2020, and was soon followed by one more: the Shinra Electric Power Company logo, which was reportedly trademarked on December 22.
While the trademarks don't conclusively prove anything, they at least provide a glimpse at possible directions for Final Fantasy - and, likely, Final Fantasy 7 specifically - moving forward. While there are other spin-offs that remakes could feasibly involve, like Before Crisis, a Crisis Core remake or sequel would make the most sense given where the franchise currently stands. The ending of FF7 Remake suggests Zack Fair will be a bigger player moving forward, and it wouldn't be surprising if that justified either a remake of the game he stars in or a sequel that further explores his character.
Of course, there are other possibilities for "Ever Crisis" and what it means for Square Enix. The trademark could also be for a subtitle of the next Final Fantasy 7 Remake part, for instance, which wouldn't be that big a surprise, again because of how the first part ends. Whatever happens moving forward, however, FF7 clearly remains a big part of Square Enix plans moving forward - and, hopefully, that means Zack Fair is also a major part of some of those plans, too.
Source: Gematsu