Ffvii Game Reviews

[Knuckles]

This thread is for members of SEF to leave a review on this FF game. Reviews must be a minimum of two paragraphs, contain likes and dislikes, and overall assessment, and a score out of 10. A link to your review and score will then be added to this first post, and all the scores will then be averaged to get the overall scoring.

Please do not post anything other than a review in this thread. For discussion, or more information, please check out the
Final Fantasy Game Reviews - Discussion Topic.

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Reviewers
Amaru - 10 / 10
Kukuk - 10 / 10
Emodrummer - 7.5 / 10
RandOm PersOn - 10 / 10


Average Score
9 / 10

[Knuckles]

'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

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[Kukuk]

I think im going to take a slighly different structure, but the end results will be the same ;)

Graphics - What can be said really? Althought not much to look at today, for its time it was a graphical powerhouse. This was the game thought to have pushed the playstation to its limits. With Beautifully rendered cinematics, it paved the way for more CGI cutscenes. I still look back (at least at the scenery) and im still amazed on what they did with it.
But its not all technical, right? This game has a hauntingly beautiful side to it as well. It draws you into this great world, and doesnt let go. Sometimes I find myself going back to an older location, just to take it all in B)
10/10

Sound - Quite simply amazing. Every hit is solid, every magic is enchanting, every tiny sound, perfect to match. The music puts you in the game, every character has their own theme, which really seems to fit their personallity. Every new location you find has its own music to go to it, and it fits, just as it does to the characters within it.
10/10

Gameplay - This is what keeps drawing you back for more. Theres always something to do. Collect more materia, level up your materia, get more equipment, ect., ect. The materia system works, it works so well in fact, you find yourself leveling up your materia, just to see what new effects it adds. Everything is calibrated just right, you dont take too much damage, you dont give too much damage, and you certainly dont spend 2 hours just to beat a boss (not going to name a game :P). With the various mini games, mainly in golden saucer, you almost never get bored. Between the Motorcycle minigame, all the way to the moogle minigame, theres always something to do!
10/10

Storyline - This is the arm behind FFVII's appeal. the game starts you out with a ragtag group of rebels, known as AVALANCHE. AVALANCHE is a group devoted to restoring the planet to its former state, full of rich "mako". Mako is the basis of what everybody lives their lives. It is a substance drained from the planet used to power, basicly, everything. But draining this is killing the planet (FF:SW Gaia Theory). It would seem in the begining your purpose is to destroy all the Maki reactors. But as you progress through the story, you find your purpose is to stop a man (Sephiroth) from summoning a metor to destroy the planet, essentially find the "promised land".
10/10

Final Thoughts - Fanboy? no, gamer. But millions of fans have shown that this is the type of game they want. This game is quite possibly the reason we have Final Fantasy outside of Japan. Fan or not, everyone can agree, this has had a huge impact on FF, and the gaming industry in general. Thats why im proud to present, my overall score
10/10 not based on average

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[Emodrummer]

From Terrorist to Hero...
Emodrummer's Review #2

It seems that I'll be the critic compared to you two.

Final Fantasy is a very complex and for some confusing game, but face it, the facts are well stated and very well thought of and the story is nothing short of an absolute master piece. The only reason this game may seem slightly confusing is because everything seems to be spread out alot, instead of feeding you the info all at once. Though, in my honest oppinion, I feel that the way Final Fantasy VII does it is absolutely realistic and incredible. The story starts you off as a character, whom is mysterious in the beginning yet powerful all the same. He joins a crew of terrorists whom go by the name of 'Avalanche', which leads him into a mass explosion at an Earth killing reactor and leaves him on a patch of flowers with a young, beautiful girl standing over him. Which then leads into a massive journey to saving her life, then the planet's life, and then taking revenge for her death as well as saving the planet for the evil villain known as Sephirtoh. Well that is the story in a nut shell, but through the game you can see yourself that it is beautifullly created and written and again, a master piece beyond imagination. This game is beyond anything of it's time in story line, and still there has yet to been a game to top it's incredible plot. Final Fantasy VII Stroyline Recieves 9/10

The gameplay, like most RPGs is based around the group of great, yet mysterious, well created, original heroes whom encounter and battle the likes of numerous different fiends and bosses. Though, you can't deny that this RPG has the most well thought up and most intriguing gameplay and the beautiful way it is used. The materia system allows every character to use the equipped magic or many other things that are melded in with it, which is going from great abilities such as 2x Attack to the strongest summon known to Final Fantasy, the Knights of the Round. The battle system, though is not overly quick which is a possible advantage yet nonetheless can make battles have a repetitive affect and well, just make some battles boring. Out of all the Final Fantasies created to date, this by far is probably the most diverse and even most difficult created. From some difficult challenges in battles, to a vast world that can sometimes leave you lost. This game's gameplay and overall chalenge is beyond that of most games and should be well praised by many. Though, it can get repetitive and is not the quickest battle system that has been seen. Final Fantasy VII Gamplay Recieves 8/10

It's no doubt that FFVII's developers had piles of fun and imagination when creating this incredibly vast game. From people in chicken suits hopping around a great amusment park, which is filled with an array of colours, and games -- to the ever expanding world of which you can travel through-out. This game almost seems to have it all. And obviously for the time, that all was beautifully designed. The character designs, are as well beautifully created and formed. The incredible CGI videos were well animated and designed, though porbably could've had a little work in some areas. The game's scenario in areas is quite amazing, yet the characters seem to have a blocky look about them making the game seem kinda comic like and in harsh terms kind of bothering, and obviously compared to these times the game looks like trash. Final Fantasy VII Graphics Recieves 6/10

Three words, One-winged Angel. That piece of music pretty much puts all other FF songs in their place, and shows that FFVII has the greatest and most well composed pieces of music in the history of S-E. We as well cannot forget the other theme songs, which are incredible in number, and of which hold great influence over the game, and seem to give it an even more compelling feel. Anyone who finishes FFVII, will not be disappointed with the music. Though sadly I cannot say the same for the SFX, which are utterly disgusting. From the dripping of water to certain sounds of movement, the game's sound effect are brutal, and it adds to the trashy feel that the blocky graphics seem to form. Personally, I think they just got lazy when it came to adding in the sound effects, I am lucky to say that they have much improove in the other FFs since then. Final Fantasy VII Sound Effects/Music Recieves 7/10

What can I say, the story is a master piece full of sorrow, mystery, evilness, yet ending with a heroic victory, in which I must admit is not overly difficult considering it is the final boss. Though the music is great even for this time the SFX dropped it's level down many notches, giving it a very trashy and almost annoying sound. The graphics I can't really complment on very much, they are blocky and trash as well, but I am assuming for the time they are decent. The scenarios and characters are well created and everything is beautifully tied in, making this game one of the most intriguing and compelleing FFs out of them all. Final Fantasy VII Overall Recieves 7.5/10

Recommended

[Rand0m Pers0n]

<div align="center">Saving the Planet from Two Different Sides</div>

My second Final Fantasy played and still my number one favorite. The Storyline began with a simple blonde just looking for a way to make cash with his skill. He seems like a silent type who doesn't care much for anything except himself, until he finds his childhood friend, and a young woman after an attack on another life draining machine. He encounters many friends along the way, in the most odd ways, from attacks in the forests, through rescue missions, to even opening a coffin and a simple talk. They say friends come in different shapes and sizes, they should have also added ways.

Sure, the graphics might've been abit similar to legos actually, but you can't blame them, being developed in the 1990s. But if you looked at it from another way, you might've discovered something else.

Each and every character's personality.

The characters, the emotions that seem to be poured into them, are amazing, breath taking even. If you even took away one of these characters from the game, you wouldn't have a game, you'd have a disaster, one character binds the whole thing together. Like a skyscraper; Take away one support beam, and the whole thing collapses right before your eyes.

Before the name-change, Squaresoft seemed to have put a lot of thought into the storyline. Just playing the first few hours of the game.... You're hooked into a web of questions looking for answers, and the only way to find them is to continue playing, continue going through lies and truths about the characters and the hardships they face. Sometimes, it'll seem like it really did happen, and then, at other times, you know it's just what it is. A fantasy. The storyline was bound to have a few tear-jerkers, whether some people would like to admit it or not. One's past, another's death, someone else's struggle to help their friend, another to help the dying planet and to stop the company destroying it. The lies behind what someone had thought they knew all along, and a single dream being shattered as a young woman was killed, by the man who had lost his sanity to a few books, and horrifying experiments found on an adventure in SOLDIER.

The sound effects and music, had to be my favorite next to the characters and storyline. I loved how they could do so much with so little just a couple years back. It's suprising on some points but then again, it is Squaresoft. It actually sounds like their running, actual gunfire at times, and the rain, so much rain to almost drown everything from what I heard. When I character attacked a monster, priceless. I've taken a liking to the music of Final Fantasy VII so much, I'm actually learning it on the piano by ear. The battle theme, One Winged Angel, Boss Themes, the music just really set the scene.

Gameplay was awesome, how you had so many choices to choose from sometimes, and the suprises you encountered along with the consequences. Really liked it. They could jump, climb, talk, run, all those things add their little touch to the game in my opinion.

Well, I laughed, I fell silent, I grew frustrated, I smiled, I played, and I finished the game. The storyline had me playing almost everyday after, before school, and on the weekends. I have to say, they did a great job on this game. Today, Squaresoft is Square-Enix. But everytime I turn on my PLaystation2 and put in Final Fantasy VII I see Squaresoft and that's what I remember it as. Everything's weaved together in a little web of lies, deceit, betrayal, joy, friendship, love, loneliness, and more. So, in overall, I'd have to give the game 10/10. =)

Oh, and also, if you haven't played this game or finished it...

NOW[/b]

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[Kynes]

Review

So I'm gonna start by sayin that from what I read above i can assume that few of u have played ff8,9 or 10 before playing ff7 so i just wanna say that if thats so im gonna disregarde ur comments on the graphics and other comments i found funny :).

Storyline:

I see that we all agree that FF7 has undoubtably the best storyline ever writen for any console or pc game period. What i think makes the story soo great is the fact that u how should i say this people die, one of the main characters dies at the beginning of the game. So when u continue to play the game u play with a kind of thirst for vengace. Although Aeris dies she is present throughout the whole game as i kind of guardian angel :). I just wanted to emphasise this about Aeris cause like i said even though she dies she is one of the Three main characters in the game. I see no need to say anithing else abot the storyline cause u guyz have everything else covered.

Graphics:

For its time FF7 was the most graphicaly advanced game with awesome animations, backrounds and colours. If u played any other ff like 8,9,10 before u played ff7 u could never feel this cause compared to them ff7 is graphicaly inferior( which to me is only normal cause people learn from their mistakes :) ). I don't about u guyz but for me it was fun playin as a midget :P

Gameplay:

For those who think that the final boss in ff7 is easy, well in all ff they r not that difficult to beat, I just wanna say this: FF has never been about thoughness, the point is to finish and see the story end, they way things end up, not worrying or spending hours n hours wonderin how to beat the final boss. It is all perfectly timed so when u reach the final boss u r strong enough to beat him without a lot of lvling up and stuff. All the extra summons and weapons and items r just so u can enjoy playin the game longer than it takes :).
The battle system is unique. It is interesting to me that they've mannaged to allways come up with an interesting battle system (except for ff9 where they didnt think at all :) ). The rest about the BS is mentioned above so i dont wanna repeat.

Sound:

One of the gratest soundtracks ever made period. The Sound effects durrring the game r also amazing surprising u at every corner. I dont know ... when i hear One winged angel i get goosebumps, later when i played kingdom hearts and heard it when i fought Sephiroth i think tears came from my eyes

Final Thought:

This game was , is and will be the gratest rpg or better yet best game from any type and for any kind of console and pc game, and the thought of it being remade saddens me cause it would ruin the great memories i have from it. things that were once made should stay that way.


Mark: 100/100
:) 10/10

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