Final Fantasy VII

About Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VII launched on September 7, 1997 as a landmark adventure role-playing game developed by Square Product Development Division 1. This western release arrived with tweaks like streamlined menus and new cutscenes focusing on Cloud's past. Players can find it on PlayStation, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Portable. The story tracks mercenary Cloud Strife after he joins eco-terrorists AVALANCHE to fight the Shinra Electric Power Company. You follow Cloud as he moves from personal gain toward saving a planet drained of its lifeblood energy. This title stands as one of the most influential RPGs ever made, defining the genre for generations of gamers who want deep narratives and complex character arcs.

Gameplay

You control a party of four characters in real-time battles where you select commands from a menu. The Materia system lets you equip orbs containing spells or abilities to customize each character's loadout. You navigate a 3D world map to travel between locations while exploring towns and dungeons on foot. Combat requires managing MP and HP resources against enemies with varying health bars. The game features a single-player campaign where you switch control between party members during fights. Progression involves grinding levels to unlock stronger Materia or finding new equipment upgrades. You will spend significant time managing inventory slots and deciding which skills to assign to specific characters for optimal damage output or support.

What Players Think

Critics and players have rated this title highly over the years. Metacritic holds a score of 83 out of 100 while IGDB sits at 87.8 based on 1615 ratings. The community describes the experience as Story-Driven with 3 votes, followed by Emotional also getting 3 votes. Some users see it as Strategic with 2 votes or Cooperative with 4 votes. Current prices dip to $4.79 on GOG during historical lows. Achievements present a challenge for most since only 36 exist total. The average unlock rate sits at just 21.4%. One specific achievement called "Materia Overlord" remains the rarest with only 3.60% of players unlocking it. These numbers show a dedicated fanbase that appreciates the depth.

PlayPile's Take

This game is worth playing if you want a long single-player campaign with strong character development. The $4.79 price point on GOG makes it an easy buy for anyone curious about classic RPGs. You should expect to invest significant time since achievements are difficult and many players never reach the 21.4% average completion rate. The "Materia Overlord" achievement alone requires extensive grinding that not everyone enjoys. Fans of deep stories and tactical party management will find plenty to love here. Avoid this only if you prefer fast-paced action or short play sessions. It remains a solid choice for anyone who values narrative weight over speed.

Storyline

Final Fantasy VII follows the story of mercenary Cloud Strife, who is hired by the eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE led by Barret Wallace to help fight the mega-corporation Shinra Electric Power Company, who attempts to drain the planet's lifeblood as an energy source to further their profits. Apathetic to the cause, Cloud initially fights for personal gain, and for the promise he made to childhood friend Tifa Lockhart. Cloud eventually joins forces with many others to save the planet, which is threatened by Shinra and Cloud's nemesis Sephiroth, and discovers a reason to fight for a cause other than his own.