The latest chapter in Square Enix’s Final Fantasy Ultimania series has landed, much to the delight of fans. The English edition of Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Material Ultimania Plus—a richly detailed visual guide focused on Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade—became available on November 19. Right now, you can snag a hardcover for just $31 on Amazon, a sweet deal down from its original $40 price tag. Prefer curling up with your Kindle? The digital version is set to release on December 24 and is available for pre-order at $25.
This sequel builds on the previous Final Fantasy 7 Remake Ultimania—note the omission of “Plus”—which was dedicated to the original FF7 Remake on PS4. Ultimania Plus shifts its focus to encompass the PS5 and PC versions, incorporating the Intermission story expansion. Inside, readers will find a treasure trove of commentary, art, maps, and previously unreleased insights into the base game.
For those unfamiliar with the Material Ultimania line, think of these books as printed love letters to the Final Fantasy universe. They serve as detailed wikis, mostly merging multiple games into a single volume. However, given the expansive nature of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, it’s in a league of its own.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Material Ultimania Plus provides a deep dive into the game’s development, showcasing a plethora of supplementary content such as cutscene storyboards, game scripts, and planning materials—all enriched by thoughtful commentary from the developers. The 224-page hardcover also offers gameplay walkthroughs with maps from Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Episode Intermission. If you’re looking to complete your collection, the earlier edition—Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Material Ultimania—is currently priced at a tempting $25.49, down from its original $40. This 336-page volume showcases an extensive array of production and CG art assets, from character models and illustrations to settings, accessories, weapons, and even enemies.
Square Enix’s Ultimania Archives are a must-see for ardent aficionados of the franchise’s classic chapters. Each hardcover book—spanning over 300 pages—delves into different eras: the first covers the NES and SNES eras (Final Fantasy 1-6), the second focuses on the PS1 golden age (Final Fantasy 7-9), and the third examines more modern titles (Final Fantasy 10-14). Packed with exclusive art and commentary, these books provide insights unavailable elsewhere.
Originally launched in Japan, the Ultimania series gradually makes its way to Western shores through translations, though some treasures remain elusive. Take, for instance, the Chrono Trigger Ultimania—it’s currently only available in Japanese. Meanwhile, the Kingdom Hearts Ultimania, which sheds light on the series before Kingdom Hearts 3, is in English and discounted at $25 on Amazon right now.
If your appetite for Final Fantasy 7 is insatiable, several official novels dive further into the universe, expanding on the lives and histories of beloved characters. Notably, “Traces of Two Pasts” delves into the backstories of Tifa and Aerith.
For a nostalgic trip, FF Dot, dedicated to pixel art from the Final Fantasy series, should not be missed. It contains intricate sprite sheets laying out the pixel compositions of characters, alongside classic maps and tools used in their creation, along with a special interview with Kazuko Shibuya, the artist behind the iconic pixels.
In other news, the Final Fantasy I-VI Collection Anniversary Edition made its comeback last month, reintroducing the sought-after Pixel Remaster series. Available at a significant discount for PlayStation users on Amazon, it’s a boon for collectors looking to relive the first six games. Nintendo Switch users also have the opportunity to acquire this collection, albeit at a slightly reduced price.
For those who cherish the visual artistry of the series, the deals on The Sky: The Art of Final Fantasy Box Set and Yoshitaka Amano: The Illustrated Biography are worth exploring. They pay homage to the astonishing artworks crafted by the original designer of Final Fantasy.
