FINAL FANTASY VII

The RPG that defined a generation finally receives a port on the last console thought possible.

86%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

grinding, stability

98% User Score Based on 55,178 reviews

Critic Score 81%Based on 9 reviews

Platforms

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About

In 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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 33,917 reviews

story4.5k positive mentions

grinding519 negative mentions

Final Fantasy VII features a deeply emotional narrative with complex themes of identity, loss, and environmentalism, making it a timeless classic.
The game offers a rich gameplay experience with a blend of traditional turn-based mechanics and innovative systems, particularly the materia system, allowing for extensive character customization.
The iconic soundtrack by Nobuo Uematsu enhances the game's storytelling and atmosphere, with memorable compositions that resonate with players even decades after its release.

The graphics are widely regarded as outdated, with blocky character models and low-resolution backgrounds that can deter newcomers accustomed to modern visuals.
The game suffers from numerous stability issues, including glitches, crashes, and freezes, which can significantly hinder gameplay and frustrate players.
Critics have pointed out that the character development is inconsistent, with some characters lacking depth and the narrative becoming confusing at times.

story
9,403 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
50%
3%
The story of Final Fantasy VII is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and emotionally impactful narratives in gaming history, featuring complex themes of identity, loss, and environmentalism. Players are drawn into a richly woven tale that follows Cloud Strife and his companions as they battle against the oppressive Shinra Corporation and the enigmatic villain Sephiroth, with numerous plot twists and character developments that resonate deeply. Despite its outdated graphics and some translation issues, the game's storytelling, memorable characters, and unforgettable soundtrack continue to captivate both new and returning players.
- “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 story, characters, soundtrack are masterpieces.”
- “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 sidequests and minigames are horrid and useless for the most part, the localization is so dogshit that even with the steam version's 'improved' script, most of the dialogue makes Google Translate sound like Shakespeare, and the gameplay is piss easy and breaks completely if you even look at it with half a braincell; it makes FF8's draw/junction system look like a masterfully balanced system.”
- “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 a mess that keeps getting worse with every attempt by SE to regurgitate it through new releases, and the gameplay is interesting but suffers from pretty shaky balancing depending on how the player tackles the game.”
graphics
4,582 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
67%
12%
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 many players acknowledge the charm and nostalgia associated with these visuals, they can be a significant barrier for newcomers accustomed to modern graphics. However, the modding community offers various enhancements, such as the 7th Heaven mod, which can significantly improve the game's visual fidelity, making it more palatable for contemporary audiences. Overall, while the graphics may not hold up to today's standards, the game's compelling story and gameplay continue to resonate with players.
- “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 be dated, but the story and the gameplay are still fantastic, making it a must-play for any RPG fan.”
- “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 sidequests and minigames 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.”
- “The graphics, now this is where people are going to be turned off almost immediately.”
- “The graphics have not aged well; the pixelated battle backgrounds, while revolutionary for their time and still a nice touch today are not amazing visually, but in terms of the blocky and polygonal model appearances and the repetitive shrug, anger and disappointment animations used for nearly every character with a humanoid build, they're charming in a sense.”
music
3,402 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
47%
4%
The music in *Final Fantasy VII* is widely praised, particularly for its emotional depth and memorable compositions by Nobuo Uematsu, which enhance the game's storytelling and atmosphere. Many players highlight iconic tracks such as "One-Winged Angel" and "Aerith's Theme," noting that the soundtrack remains a significant aspect of the game's legacy, even decades after its release. While some criticisms exist regarding the initial MIDI quality in earlier PC versions, recent updates have restored the original PlayStation soundtrack, further solidifying its status as one of the best in video game history.
- “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.”
- “Each track enhances the experience, making the world of Final Fantasy VII feel alive, every piece of music tightly woven into the emotional fabric of the game.”
- “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.”
- “On top of this, the music is pretty awful too.”
- “They haven't produced it to make it sound somewhat musical.”
- “The music is downgraded to near-midi limitations, losing it's classic luster.”
gameplay
2,873 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
55%
4%
The gameplay of Final Fantasy VII is a blend of traditional turn-based mechanics and innovative systems, particularly the materia system, which allows for extensive character customization and strategic depth. While some players find the gameplay dated and occasionally tedious, especially with its reliance on random encounters and clunky mechanics, many appreciate its nostalgic charm and engaging story, which still resonate today. Overall, the game offers a rich experience with a mix of fun combat, exploration, and memorable characters, making it a classic in the RPG genre despite its age.
- “Great story, great gameplay, and surprisingly holds up okay graphics wise.”
- “The gameplay is a perfect blend of traditional turn-based combat and innovative mechanics.”
- “The strategic decision-making during battles, combined with the variety of enemies and bosses encountered, keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting throughout the adventure.”
- “Good story and legendary status doesn't compensate for dogshit gameplay.”
- “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 sidequests and minigames are horrid and useless for the most part, the localization is so dogshit that even with the steam version's 'improved' script, most of the dialogue makes Google Translate sound like Shakespeare, and the gameplay is piss easy and breaks completely if you even look at it with half a braincell; it makes FF8's draw/junction system look like a masterfully balanced system.”
- “Gameplay has aged absolutely horrendously.”
grinding
543 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
2%
96%
The grinding aspect of Final Fantasy VII receives 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 can become excessively grindy, especially in the late stages. Quality of life improvements in modern ports, such as speed-up features, help alleviate some of the frustration, but the overall sentiment suggests that grinding remains a significant and often tedious part of the experience.
- “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.”
- “Tedious does not even begin to describe this game.”
- “The level progression for the materia is also tediously slow.”
emotional
492 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
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 heart-wrenching moments, particularly the iconic loss of Aerith, which resonates powerfully within the gaming community. The game's legendary soundtrack further enhances its emotional impact, making it a timeless classic that continues to evoke strong feelings and connections among players.
- “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 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.”
- “Most RPGs have a boring story in my opinion or non-engaging combat that just drones on through the game as you keep playing.”
- “Well, you have the typical boring story with unlikeable characters.”
- “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 (you start off weak, level and gear up, learn amazing spells and become super powerful, and kill god... format of every JRPG ever).”
humor
312 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in Final Fantasy VII 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. The game's charm is further enhanced by memorable characters and humorous scenarios, making it a beloved classic that continues to resonate with fans.
- “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, especially with some of the dialogue options you get in the first half of the game.”
- “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.”
stability
306 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
1%
85%
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 noted that the game runs well on certain systems, the overall consensus is that this port is plagued by stability issues, rendering it nearly unplayable for many.
- “Finally, a version that is almost bug free and works great on newer systems and Windows 10.”
- “The PC version looks and runs great, and with good controller support, it's definitely worth picking up.”
- “Classic game runs great and has optimized controller support, worth a purchase.”
- “To start off, this game is really old meaning there are still a lot of glitches.”
- “The game constantly freezes to the point where I have to restart my entire computer.”
- “Game constantly freezes or crashes to desktop making it unplayable.”
character development
260 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
51%
3%
Character development in Final Fantasy VII is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, with many players noting the strong 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 character arcs that reward player investment. However, critiques exist regarding certain characters' lack of growth and the sometimes confusing narrative, indicating a mix of strong and weaker elements in character development throughout the game.
- “Cloud's entire backstory, his dynamic with Tifa & Aeris, Barret's & Cait Sith's character development; the entire cast is pretty endearing and always developed in one way or another (be it side quest or main story progression).”
- “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.”
- “Amazing achievement in storytelling and world building, Final Fantasy VII is a game filled to the brink with action, intertwined with deep 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 cause 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.”
replayability
193 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
56%
2%
The reviews highlight an exceptional level of replayability across various games, particularly noting the extensive character progression, diverse side quests, and engaging modding communities that enhance the experience. Titles like Final Fantasy VII and Diablo 4 are frequently praised for their depth, allowing players to explore different storylines and character combinations, making them enticing for multiple playthroughs. Overall, players find that these games offer significant replay value, ensuring they remain enjoyable long after the initial experience.
- “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 game is hands down the best Final Fantasy in my opinion and is always replayable.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
192 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
48%
4%
The atmosphere of Final Fantasy VII is widely praised for its immersive and distinct qualities, characterized by a blend of dark, mechanical themes and emotional depth. Players are drawn into the game's world through its beautifully crafted environments and the iconic soundtrack by Nobuo Uematsu, which enhances the narrative and emotional connections to the characters. Despite its dated graphics, the game's atmosphere remains compelling, making it a memorable experience that resonates with both new and returning players.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “The original game leaves you more space to imagine the atmosphere, in my opinion, instead of dragging the story for three separate games.”
- “I felt that they were totally ruining the game's flow and atmosphere.”
- “When I was a kid this was my favorite game, but honestly when I bought it on Steam and played through, I got to say this game really sucks... graphics and music and atmosphere are very good but the gameplay is just absolutely terrible... absolutely unplayable in 2020...”
optimization
95 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
48%
25%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting smooth performance on modern systems, while others experience significant issues, particularly with controller support and frame rates. Many users note that the PC port lacks proper optimization, leading to problems such as poor controller functionality and performance inconsistencies, especially when using older hardware. Overall, while the game can run well on capable machines, it still requires substantial improvements to enhance the user experience.
- “No performance issues on new systems.”
- “It runs smoothly without any issues on my PC.”
- “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.”
monetization
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
2%
89%
The monetization aspect of the game has been heavily criticized as a blatant cash grab by Square Enix, with many reviewers expressing frustration over the perceived lack of value and the presence of intrusive advertising. Despite the game's nostalgic appeal and quality, players feel that the requirement to purchase an old title only to encounter additional monetization tactics undermines the experience. Overall, the sentiment is that the game should prioritize great content without the burden of microtransactions or excessive marketing.
- “It's a good reminder of what games should be: 100% great content, 0% microtransactions, and 0% hand-holding. There are deep and interesting build paths you can explore (materia, your team setup, etc.).”
- “[in-game purchases]: none”
- “[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.”
- “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.”
- “Gameplay aside, the issue here is really calling this a 'remaster', which seems to be more of a cash grab with minimal effort put in.”

81%Critics’ scoreBased on 9 critic reviews

Buy FINAL FANTASY VII

45h Median play time

78h Average play time

36h Main story

81h Completionist

17-90h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 140 analyzed playthroughs

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