This review contains spoilers
This game had a lot of expectations, some growing up saying the game has aged or some saying the game is still as great as it was when they first played it.
I came in mostly blind as everything I knew of FFVII had disappeared from my mind, but this game still stands even 25 years later.
To get the parts I didn't like out of the way, the gameplay overall was just not that enjoyable to me I understand there was some limitations and a desire to do something new but I really don't feel like it worked on me at all, but other than that I think every other element still works to this day.
The music has this sort of feeling to it, allowing for the player to really feel something whether it be the horror of Sephiroth's fall into madness or exploring a large new world on an airship, the game makes it so much more meaningful through the soundtrack.
The characters in the world of FFVII all have a moment to express themselves, no matter how big or small their role are. You even get some really good character writing in the form of the main pieces to this game's amazing story, Cloud and Sephiroth.
Cloud Strife, the character that leads the point of view this story gives the player, even if disc 1 doesn't do a lot for his character until the very end...from that point Cloud grows so much to even make people call him one of the greatest or most relatable main characters in gaming, a character that struggles with so many emotions like his own self doubt and pain yet puts on a prideful strong mask through most of the story.
Sephiroth, one of the greatest most iconic videogame villains who is hyped up through the game, with good reason.
This is one powerful, cool antagonist and the way FFVII decides to show us that for the first time is through it's best scene:
The burning of Nibelheim is my favorite moment in the game ( with Cloud's Lifestream section being really close or right next to it ) the build up to Sephiroth's first antagonistic act is just so perfect, the soundtrack brings tension and the pacing of the scene just strengthens it even more up to that very moment,
"Out of my way. I'm going to see my mother."
The perfect line to finally show why Sephiroth is one of the greatest antagonists ever made, as you continue through the section you get to see Sephiroth's power, burning down Cloud's hometown, Shinra is a minion compared to how fierce and brutal Sephiroth can and will be through the game to get what he desires the most.
And to finish off, the story is this game's strongest point, starting in the cyberpunk-ish Midgar
the world it creates is so great ( even if a bit annoying to travel sometimes ) in 1997 I imagine a world like FFVII delivers was pretty rare especially comparing it to previous Final Fantasy entries and the story that happens in this world is so fun and it continues leaving the player wanting more, can't really explain a 40 hour game in such a short quick spoiler review, so even if you know the plot twists, how the game ends.
The journey is still what makes this game worth playing today.
UPDATE: i need to reevaluate.
I came in mostly blind as everything I knew of FFVII had disappeared from my mind, but this game still stands even 25 years later.
To get the parts I didn't like out of the way, the gameplay overall was just not that enjoyable to me I understand there was some limitations and a desire to do something new but I really don't feel like it worked on me at all, but other than that I think every other element still works to this day.
The music has this sort of feeling to it, allowing for the player to really feel something whether it be the horror of Sephiroth's fall into madness or exploring a large new world on an airship, the game makes it so much more meaningful through the soundtrack.
The characters in the world of FFVII all have a moment to express themselves, no matter how big or small their role are. You even get some really good character writing in the form of the main pieces to this game's amazing story, Cloud and Sephiroth.
Cloud Strife, the character that leads the point of view this story gives the player, even if disc 1 doesn't do a lot for his character until the very end...from that point Cloud grows so much to even make people call him one of the greatest or most relatable main characters in gaming, a character that struggles with so many emotions like his own self doubt and pain yet puts on a prideful strong mask through most of the story.
Sephiroth, one of the greatest most iconic videogame villains who is hyped up through the game, with good reason.
This is one powerful, cool antagonist and the way FFVII decides to show us that for the first time is through it's best scene:
The burning of Nibelheim is my favorite moment in the game ( with Cloud's Lifestream section being really close or right next to it ) the build up to Sephiroth's first antagonistic act is just so perfect, the soundtrack brings tension and the pacing of the scene just strengthens it even more up to that very moment,
"Out of my way. I'm going to see my mother."
The perfect line to finally show why Sephiroth is one of the greatest antagonists ever made, as you continue through the section you get to see Sephiroth's power, burning down Cloud's hometown, Shinra is a minion compared to how fierce and brutal Sephiroth can and will be through the game to get what he desires the most.
And to finish off, the story is this game's strongest point, starting in the cyberpunk-ish Midgar
the world it creates is so great ( even if a bit annoying to travel sometimes ) in 1997 I imagine a world like FFVII delivers was pretty rare especially comparing it to previous Final Fantasy entries and the story that happens in this world is so fun and it continues leaving the player wanting more, can't really explain a 40 hour game in such a short quick spoiler review, so even if you know the plot twists, how the game ends.
The journey is still what makes this game worth playing today.
UPDATE: i need to reevaluate.