'An Experience Like No Other'
Written by Amaru
When starting a review on such a special game, it really is a struggle to know just where to start. Do you begin by highlighting the fact that nine years after it was first released, FFVII is still discussed and debated like no other RPG? Or do you begin by highlighting the fact that this game helped revolutionize RPGs to western audiences? Or by highlighting the fact that it is the Final Fantasy game that people would most want remade? Or further yet, that after so many years, what is hotly contended as the best has received not only a full CGI movie of events and characters after the game, but was chosen to present the technical capabilities of the PS3, has produced a spin-off third-person shooter starring one of the more popular characters, a snowboaring game for the mobile, and an upcoming PSP action-RPG?
Just where do you start? And how do you keep this brief? From what is barely touched on above, you can slowly begin to feel the grand scale that this game has somehow managed to achieve. So what makes this game so special? It is a question that has been asked my many fans of many other Final Fantasy games, and RPGs in general. It is a question that is of course, personal to every single person, and yet, a large host of fans share the sentiment that this game is indeed special.
We begin with what truly makes this game - the story. FFVII spins an intricute and delicate storyline, full of countless twists and intrigues, both on the surface and hidden within ... a pure masterclass in writing. Right from the onset, we are thrust into a rebel group trying to stop a large multi-global corporation from draining the planet of it's precious life-energy, and yet, we are soon propelled into a sequence of events that are far from expected. Such story elements as Shinra, Aeris, the Cetra, Sephiroth, Jenova, the lifestream, and even Cloud himself, bring events to such an unexpected yet powerful place.
Who was truly prepared, without prior knowledge, of Aeris' death? Of the Weapons? Of Cloud and Tifa's true past? Of Zack? That Barret once trusted Shinra? Of Sephiroth, Jenova and the Ancients? Of Hojo, Lucrecia and Vincent? The list is endless. The game continuously throws such revelations in the storyline, whilst continually building on all that has been presented before it. Though certain aspects of the game's storyline are debated till this day, the game contains so many hidden links and themes available to find within it, that it truly is up to the player to decide just how deep into the story they want to progress.
Which brings us nicely onto the characters. When you think of any character in a FF game, or any other RPG in general, many can be cast aside as a waste of time and space - just brought in to make up the numbers. This is clearly not the case with FFVII. Every character, from the main players to the secret characters, all have interwoven storylines that connect them with both the main story, and the sub-storylines within the game. Yuffie is connected through the Wutai Wars with Junon and Shinra, and Vincent even further with such high-class connections as Lucrecia and Hojo. Pure genius.
Of course, we then come to the battle system ... and what a battle system we have. From personal Limit Breaks which add excitement and enjoyment to battles, to an indepth interchangable Materia concept, with the adding and subtracting of abilities and summons, complex combinations, and the like! With such an array on display, there was always a new aspect to add to battles and fighting through random encounters.
So what are the major dislikes of this game? Sadly, being the first Final Fantasy on the Playstation, FFVII does not withstand the touch of time. It's somewhat glitchy 3D graphics are hard to play through after playing such advancements as FFX. This is of course, to be expected, and further fuels the need for a remake, to bring such a great game to a new generation, and all those who could not experience it before, because of it's graphics.
So, we come to a final conclusion about this game. I've probably written a lot, but then, I feel that this game deserves it, and I know I could have written a whole lot more. But let's bring this review to a close. FFVII boosts an impressive, and highly immersive storyline, with a wide variety of characters with indepth backgrounds and interconnectivity, both with each other, and the otherall storyline, a highly enjoyable and expansive battle system, and a magic / technology mesh honed to perfection.
No game is without some flaws, from minor to major ones, but FFVII truly is a remarkable game.
Score: 10 / 10