FINAL FANTASY VII
- March 26, 2019
- Square Enix
- 45h median play time
The RPG that defined a generation finally receives a port on the last console thought possible.
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Get on PS StoreIn Final Fantasy VII, the world is controlled by the sinister Shinra Corporation, who harvest the planet's life energy for Mako power. Players follow Cloud Strife, a former Shinra SOLDIER turned mercenary, as he assists the rebel group Avalanche in their fight against Shinra, while also confronting his own lost past. This release is a port of the original game, featuring 3x speed mode, the option to turn off battle encounters, and battle enhancement options.
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Reviews
- story4,694 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of Final Fantasy VII is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and emotionally resonant narratives in gaming history, featuring complex themes of identity, loss, and environmentalism. Players are drawn into a richly detailed world filled with memorable characters, unexpected plot twists, and a compelling overarching conflict against the corrupt Shinra Corporation and the enigmatic villain Sephiroth. Despite its dated graphics and some translation issues, the game's storytelling continues to captivate both new and returning players, making it a timeless classic in the RPG genre.
“It was so fun to finally play this game after so many years of my father telling me bits of the story about this game when I was young; he would always tell me about the game's story when we were having long drives.”
“The game is incredible for its time, with phenomenal music, a beautiful world, captivating characters, and a riveting story.”
“The story is rich, it is topical, the characters are likeable (mostly), and the world is engaging and changing.”
“The graphics are trash (yes, even for the time), the story is virtually non-existent outside of Midgar and completely nonsensical besides, the villains and characters are garbage, the side quests and mini-games are horrid and useless for the most part, the localization is so poor that even with the Steam version's 'improved' script, most of the dialogue makes Google Translate sound like Shakespeare, and the gameplay is too easy and breaks completely if you even look at it with half a braincell.”
“The story lacks connective tissue. When events are not connected to each other, it makes the story seem more confusing than it actually is.”
“The story is convoluted and nonsensical, with characters that feel flat despite having backstories. The pacing is slow, and the plot twists often feel forced or poorly executed.”
- graphics2,289 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics of Final Fantasy VII are widely regarded as outdated, reflecting the game's 1997 origins with blocky character models and low-resolution backgrounds. While some players find charm in the retro aesthetic, many recommend using mods, such as the 7th Heaven mod manager, to enhance the visuals significantly, making the game more appealing to modern audiences. Despite the graphical limitations, the game's compelling story and gameplay continue to resonate with both nostalgic fans and new players alike.
“If you have a problem with the extremely dated graphics, the community tab has a ton of great guides for how to mod the game, which is extremely easy and makes the game look 100 times better.”
“With just a few graphics mods and gameplay tweaks, you can pretty much make FF7 feel like a modern game in all the right ways.”
“The graphics may not hold up beautifully today, but the art style and design of each of these characters certainly do.”
“The graphics are trash (yes, even for the time), the story is virtually non-existent outside of Midgar and completely nonsensical besides.”
“The graphics, now this is where people are going to be turned off almost immediately.”
“The graphics have really aged but the transition from the opening sequence from movie to real time is flawless.”
- music1,699 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in Final Fantasy VII is widely praised as one of its standout features, with many reviewers highlighting the iconic compositions by Nobuo Uematsu. The soundtrack is described as emotionally resonant, enhancing the game's narrative and atmosphere, with memorable tracks like "One-Winged Angel" and "Aerith's Theme" frequently mentioned. While some players noted that the original PC version suffered from inferior MIDI music, recent updates have restored the original PlayStation soundtrack, significantly improving the audio experience for modern players.
“The music in this game is absolutely amazing, with the main composer being none other than the legendary Nobuo Uematsu, who worked on basically all the Final Fantasy games except for some non-numbered ones and Final Fantasy XVI.”
“The soundtrack by Nobuo Uematsu is legendary in its own right, from the haunting piano of 'Aerith's Theme' to the adrenaline-pumping 'One-Winged Angel,' accompanying players through their emotional highs and lows.”
“The beautifully crafted environments, combined with Nobuo Uematsu's iconic soundtrack, create an immersive experience that draws players deeper into the game's atmosphere.”
“The music is pretty awful too.”
“The music in this game is also very unique, there are many references to this game's music even now in the modern gaming era and if you YouTube it, you can find remixes that use modern music generation technology against their instrumental capabilities, but you might prefer the old style even.”
“The music has been fixed, so no Eidos re-release midis will be found here.”
- gameplay1,434 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Final Fantasy VII is a blend of classic turn-based mechanics and innovative systems like the materia, which allows for deep customization of character abilities. While some players find the gameplay dated and simplistic compared to modern standards, many appreciate its strategic depth and the nostalgic charm it brings. Overall, the game offers a rich experience with engaging combat, memorable characters, and a compelling story, making it a classic in the RPG genre despite its graphical limitations.
“The gameplay still pulls through.”
“Gameplay, story, setting, writing; it's all there, and all so creative and original.”
“The gameplay is a perfect blend of traditional turn-based combat and innovative mechanics.”
“Good story and legendary status doesn't compensate for terrible gameplay.”
“The graphics are trash, the story is virtually non-existent outside of Midgar and completely nonsensical, the villains and characters are garbage, the side quests and mini-games are horrid and useless for the most part, and the gameplay is so easy that it breaks completely if you even look at it with half a braincell.”
“Gameplay has aged absolutely horrendously.”
- grinding271 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly when it comes to leveling up materia, acquiring limit breaks, and completing side quests. While some appreciate the depth and satisfaction of grinding for achievements and character optimization, others feel that the game could be excessively grindy, especially in the late stages. Quality of life improvements, such as speed-up features in modern ports, have been noted as helpful in alleviating some of the grind, but the overall sentiment suggests that grinding remains a significant part of the experience, often requiring a considerable time investment.
“Barring optional content that a player chooses to commit to, the game isn't grindy at all, either!”
“Also a huge plus in my opinion, there is absolutely no grinding; it is 40 hours of no grinding!”
“No grinding necessary to complete.”
“The end game becomes tedious and confusing.”
“The grinding is extremely repetitive; I recommend either playing the entire game with x2/x3 XP/AP mode on.”
“The amount of grinding VII expects from you to get 100% achievements is also not even near as bad as VIII and IX; they are much worse.”
- emotional246 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
Final Fantasy VII is widely praised for its deeply emotional narrative, exploring themes of loss, identity, and personal growth through a memorable cast of characters. Players often highlight the game's ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, from joy to heartbreak, particularly during pivotal moments like Aerith's death, which has left a lasting impact on the gaming community. The iconic soundtrack further enhances the emotional experience, making it a timeless classic that resonates with players across generations.
“Phenomenal game for its time and even now, with a heart-wrenching story of dealing with loss in so many different forms.”
“One of the most impactful moments in the game’s story, known to nearly every gamer even if they haven't played it, is the loss of Aerith, a pivotal event that sent emotional shockwaves through the gaming community.”
“The story is amazing, full of twists and heartfelt moments.”
“Most RPGs have a boring story in my opinion or non-engaging combat that just drones on through the game as you keep playing.”
“Then it evolves into a slightly less boring story about a different big bad guy with a bone to pick with said corporation, on a quest to basically become a god and wreak epic vengeance on the planet.”
“Well, you have the typical boring story with unlikeable characters.”
- humor156 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending intentional and unintentional comedic moments throughout its narrative. Players appreciate the quirky character interactions, absurd mini-games, and the contrast between serious themes and light-hearted dialogue, which often leads to genuine laughter. Overall, the game successfully balances its emotional depth with a rich sense of humor, making it a memorable experience for many.
“This game is freakin' hilarious.”
“Time and time again, the stakes of what's broadly going on around the player is contrasted by a lot of funny character interactions, especially from Cloud, who continues trying to appear very solemn but ends up just being really awkward and a bit in over his head.”
“The story is original and engrossing, and while at times, the dialogue can be a bit unintentionally humorous, it only adds to its charm.”
“Not funny when you're grinding and then poof.”
“Yes my friends, this game has an actual romance plot, and it's not funny; it's actually very interesting how things develop.”
- stability153 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 85 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of glitches, crashes, and freezes that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players have experienced game-breaking bugs, particularly related to save files and performance issues, making it frustrating for those unfamiliar with troubleshooting. While some users report smooth experiences, the overall consensus is that this version is a buggy port that can be unplayable at times.
“The PC version looks and runs great, and with good controller support, it's definitely worth picking up.”
“Finally, a version that is almost bug free and works great on newer systems and Windows 10.”
“Looks, plays, sounds and runs great!”
“To start off, this game is really old meaning there are still a lot of glitches.”
“There are an abundance of well-known glitches and bugs within the game that are not fixed with this version.”
“Game constantly freezes or crashes to desktop making it unplayable.”
- character development130 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
Character development in Final Fantasy VII is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, with many players highlighting the intricate backstories and relationships among the cast, particularly Cloud's interactions with Tifa and Aeris. While some characters, like Barret, experience a decline in development later in the game, the overall narrative is considered engaging and well-crafted, with significant growth for both main and minor characters. However, a few critiques mention inconsistencies and a lack of compelling arcs for certain characters, suggesting that while the game excels in character development, it is not without its flaws.
“Great care has been put into framing set pieces appropriately and into representing Cloud's character development as more of his story is revealed to the player and actively rewards paying attention to the small inconsistencies along the way.”
“The story makes you care so much for the characters and everything they're going through, and there's a lot of character development as they piece together the mysteries of the story.”
“An emotional story with good character development.”
“Apart from maybe Red XIII's brief arc in Cosmo Canyon, none of the character development thus far has compelled me to like or care what happens to any of them.”
“Barret seems like someone who would be very interesting, which is because he is... for 1/5th of the game, till you reach a certain town in which his character development kind of finishes and he becomes a much blander character the rest of the way through the game.”
“There were just not that many moments for character development even within the main story, and the side quests you do barely contribute much to the story either.”
- replayability96 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that both Diablo 4 and Final Fantasy VII offer exceptional replayability, driven by deep character progression systems, extensive side quests, and a vibrant modding community. Players appreciate the ability to explore different storylines and character choices, which significantly enhances the replay value. Overall, these games are celebrated for their engaging content and the potential for countless hours of gameplay, making them enduring favorites in their respective genres.
“The character progression system in Diablo 4 is a testament to its depth and replayability.”
“Beyond its main storyline, Final Fantasy VII offers a wealth of side quests and optional content that adds depth and replayability to the game.”
“When you look at all the variations of the story that can take place depending on the love interest routes you take, as well as the complexity of various storylines that you could miss entirely due to side quests, you end up with a game that has replay value that can last for decades.”
“This is a level of replayability which is not found in FF7.”
“Unless you are playing with a guide, there is no way you would find everything this game has to offer on the first playthrough, giving it a certain level of replay value.”
“Replay value is medium, as with most of the earlier FF games there's really only 1 path to take, you just get to choose which party members to use while doing it and how complete you want your experience to be.”
- atmosphere96 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Final Fantasy VII is widely praised for its immersive and distinct qualities, characterized by a blend of dark, steampunk aesthetics and emotional storytelling. Players are drawn into the game's world through its beautifully crafted environments and an iconic soundtrack by Nobuo Uematsu, which enhances the overall mood and emotional depth. Despite its dated graphics, the game's atmosphere remains compelling, making it a memorable experience that resonates with both new and returning players.
“The beautifully crafted environments, combined with Nobuo Uematsu's iconic soundtrack, create an immersive experience that draws players deeper into the game's atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere it creates and combination of Final Fantasy's steampunk/cyberpunk style really creates an experience you'll never get in any other game.”
“From the moment you step into the city of Midgar, the game's distinct atmosphere envelops you—an oppressive, mechanical society powered by the life force of the planet itself, creating an immediate sense of urgency and moral conflict.”
“I felt that they were totally ruining the game's flow and atmosphere.”
“Gameplay isn't great but the story and atmosphere and music are all some of the best in any game I've played.”
- optimization47 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 26 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting smooth performance on newer systems while others experience significant technical issues, particularly with controller support and frame rates. Many users criticize the PC port for being poorly optimized, leading to problems such as stuttering, unresponsive controls, and inadequate full-screen settings. Overall, while some players find it playable and enjoyable, the lack of proper optimization detracts from the experience for many others.
“No performance issues on new systems.”
“It runs smoothly on my PC, with factory stats, no difficult controls, and if you don't like the defaults you can easily edit them in the config settings.”
“Classic game runs great and has optimized controller support, worth a purchase.”
“I cannot believe Square Enix has the nerve to sell this poorly optimized garbage.”
“The controls on this game are not optimized for PC; it is almost unplayable.”
“However, this is a terrible PC port that somehow manages to have severe performance issues in a game over a decade old and comes with an onerous DRM system attached.”
- monetization17 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab by Square Enix, with many reviewers expressing frustration over the lack of genuine content and the presence of intrusive advertising. While some acknowledge the game's quality and nostalgic value, the overall sentiment is that the monetization strategy detracts from the experience, with calls to avoid supporting such practices.
“It's a good reminder of what games should be: 100% great content, 0% microtransactions, and 0% holding your hand like a toddler. There are deep and interesting build paths you can explore (materia, your team setup, etc.).”
“In-game purchases: none.”
“This game is a product of its time, and this PC port is nothing more than an attempt at a quick cash grab.”
“A lazy cash grab for people who don't know better.”
“It's a load of BS that one must purchase the 20-year-old game and then get bombarded with ads and irritation just to play it.”
Critic Reviews
Final Fantasy VII Review
Final Fantasy VII is the sort of game that speaks for itself, a touchstone of game design that played a large role in setting the standard of RPGs for years to come. It goes without saying that you should give Final Fantasy VII a shot if you consider yourself to be a fan of RPGs, as this is an experience unlike any other in many ways. With that being said, it’s also the sort of thing that has since been surpassed in almost every manner by games that took the concepts it introduced and expanded upon them in plenty of new and more interesting ways. Final Fantasy VII is a relic of its time, but that doesn’t mean it’s to be respected any less; if you can look past the obviously antiquated elements, this is a well-paced, engaging RPG that’s still fun to play today – it’s more than worthy of your time.
80%Final Fantasy VII Nintendo Switch Review
One of the defining games of the 90s is ported to the Switch with a few bells and whistles. Essential playing for newcomers and veterans.
80%Final Fantasy VII Review
Final Fantasy VII is a milestone in console RPGs in general, deserving to be played by all fans of the genre for its historic relevance. However, it has not aged quite as gracefully as others in some areas, which means it's not quite as timeless, like many games of its vintage, unfortunately. This is to do with the original game itself, of course, and not this release in particular, so anyone who already enjoyed it elsewhere won't enjoy it any less on Switch. What has to do with this release, though, is that, for a digital release of a game of that vintage, at the price it goes for on the eShop, the very minimum would be to deliver a product that is devoid of bugs, and Square Enix delivered a package that not only packs bugs already patched previously on other platforms, but which also introduces new ones to boot - and several weeks after its release, there is still no sign of any updates coming. This doesn't get in the way of the enjoyment, sure, but that is still inexcusable.
60%
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