Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VII is arguably the most prolific game released on the PlayStation console over its lifespan. The game has sold more than 10 million copies to date and was hailed as a massive commercial success, spawning several spin off games, the latest being released in 2008 (11 years after the original), and even a feature film.

It is also the biggest selling game in the Final Fantasy series beating 11 other games to date.

The game was also used as a technical demonstration for the PS3, fuelling rumours that the game will be remade for the PS3, with Square Enix recently confirming it is more a case of when as opposed to if.

The most iconic scene from the PlayStation era?

Plot & Influences

The plot is centred around the main protagonist, Cloud Strife, and his story as he joins a terrorist group, AVALANCHE, who set out to destroy the reactors that are powering the city of Midgar. These reactors are the tools of the Shinra. Corp. who refuse to realise the damage they are doing to the planet with their energy farming.

The first few hours of the game are based around this story of the rebels, then Shinra decide to destroy the sector of the city that the rebels are using as their base. This leads to a large battle to save the sector which ultimately fails. The remaining members of AVALANCHE then go to the Shinra headquarters to avenge their fallen comrades, when the man who is at number one on all the Greatest Gaming Villains polls shows up (no introduction required).

This leads to a journey across the world of Gaia during which Cloud's story is revealed and things get a bit confusing (first time around anyway).

After meeting numerous new friends (and losing some others, how could he!) and seeing Cloud go crazy, he finally pulls himself together and there is a final showdown with Sephiroth and the game ends there.

The story continues in Advent Children (look I enjoyed it ok?).

What is fun about this game?

• The story is very good. It makes the player want to continue for as long they possibly can, just to get the next tiny part of the story. The story is definately one of the strongest in a game in my opinion. If the opportunity to replay the whole game on the PS3 came along I would definately take up the chance, just to be able to enjoy that epic story again.

• The game was the first to use the Active Time Battle system, a first for a Square RPG, which keeps the speed of the battle sections of the game up. The slow speed of the battle sections in the preceeding games was one of the problems that stopped them from reaching the heady heights of FFVII.

• The Materia system is a great addition to the game. It is great for beginners but it also has a lot of finer points to keep the advanced player interested. Finding new Materia is also a great feature of the game as it allows a measured level of progression. Only the best players will have the best materia in the game (as they are either from very difficult bosses or require a lot of effort to acquire).

• The characters in the story, while serious and with very well developed backgrounds and characteristics, also have several funny moments. The game not taking itself too seriously is a great asset as it can be quite a black story at some points, so the light comedy gives the player a much needed break after some of the harsher pieces of the story.

• The audio for the game is spot on. With one of the greatest scores ever created for a video game, composed by Nobuo Uematsu, it fits the game perfectly and you could argue that the music and sound effects contribute to the atmosphere of the game as much as the video and story themselves. Not many games can boast that as an accolade. Would that final battle have been as well celebrated and loved without the sound of "One Winged Angel" playing in the background? Not a chance!

Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VII

Intro on PlayStation

Intro on PS3

Remastered on the PS3 as a "Technical Demo"

Gameplay

That moment that changed games forever…

The Evil One

The Evil One (Crisis Core version)