Final Fantasy VII

by SquareSoft

• classic

Product Details

• ASIN: B00000JRSB
• Item Weight: 1 pounds
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: 1997
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1,395 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,332 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com

Long recognized as role-playing games par excellence, the Final Fantasy series gets a technological makeover in this installment (and series debut on the PlayStation). Shedding the two-dimensional graphics and limited sound capabilities of its predecessors, Final Fantasy VII features lush 3-D graphics, beautifully animated "movie" sequences, and soundtrack-quality music. Coupled with the game's intricate storyline, endearing characters, and immense yet highly imaginative world, these new advancements make for a quite an engrossing experience.

The story of Final Fantasy VII centers around a solider named Cloud Strife, who joins forces with Avalanche, a group of resistance fighters, to take down an evil mega-corporation known as Shinra. (The fate of the world hangs in the balance, of course.) Truly epic in scope, this four-disc game requires a considerable amount of time to complete---this reviewer gladly gave up over 80 hours of his life to finish it. But it's definitely a rewarding adventure that every PlayStation owner should consider undertaking, especially since it's now one of the low-priced "Greatest Hits" titles. --Joe Hon

Pros:

• Intricate and absorbing storyline with endearing characters
• Immense and highly imaginative game world
• Special battle system
• Beautifully animated movie sequences

Cons:

• Your friends and family may feel neglected

Product Description

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

113 of 133 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Out of the Dark Ages December 8, 2004

By Marc Ruby™ HALL OF FAMEVINE™ VOICE

Fun: 4.0 out of 5 stars   

I'm old enough to remember when RPGs weren't called RPGs. In those days the essence of the game was to move the players about a game board, fighting battles, collecting treasure, and finding clues. Origin's Ultima series was the grandparent of these games - immensely entertaining, but essentially two-dimensional. Among its heirs were the first games in the Final Fantasy line.

This was also a time when computer capabilities and capacity seemed to double every few months. Final Fantasy VII is the result of an inevitable synergy between technology and imagination. Players found themselves in a three-dimensional world where they could wander at will. They were playing with characters that were not only more animated and lifelike, but also had something that resembled personalities. In a very real sense, FFVII changed the gaming landscape, and RPGs reached a new level of credibility.

What is inside is the story of Cloud Strife; an ex-soldier turned mercenary who is drawn into the struggle between Avalanche, a revolutionary group, and Shinra, a rapacious company that is rapidly draining the resources of the planet. Starting out in the city Midgar the battle moves back and forth across the planet, as Cloud gathers team members, accessories and power. Everyone has a history, often mysterious, and an important role to play.

Eventually it becomes clear that the real enemy is a laboratory experiment gone horribly wrong. Shinra's effort to produce supermen has created Sephiroth, who has become one of the legendary villains of the gaming world. Physically beautiful, his mind has been ruined by his knowledge of what he is, and his goal has become the destruction of the world.

The plot is remarkably rich. Within the main story arc are many smaller stories that build the players understanding of the nature of each of the characters. There seem to be an unending number of weapons, powers, and monsters. More than enough material for many replays. The graphics are a bit primitive for our time, but were startling when this game first came out. As your imagination adapts to the imagery, the game becomes truly engaging on many levels. Final Fantasy VII is still one of the best of its genre, Whether you are a student of gaming or an aficionado, it belongs on your shelf.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars In the land of Gaming...Final Fantasy is king. April 20, 2001

By "clayford"

I doubt that there will ever be an equal to this epic game, Final Fantasy VII. It's the reason I became the gamer I am today!

Final Fantasy VII puts you in the shoes of a young man by the name of Cloud Strife. Starting off, you're simply a mercenary hired by a resistance force called Avalanche, whom are fighting against the earth-dominating orginization, Shinra. Progressing through the story, however, you find it goes much deeper than that. Throughout his adventure, Cloud strives to find the link between him and his arch enemy (but once friend) Sephiroth, what Shinra is planning for the world, and struggles to find where his emotions lie in a deep love triangle between his long-time friend Tifa, and the kind-hearted flower girl, Aeris. Of course, along the game there are many other characters and sub-missions that lead to different stories, but either way this game promises to leave a lasting impression.

The gameplay, much like the story, is simply amazing! As you progress through the game, you will find new Accesories (items such as rings, ear rings, ribbons, etc.), Armor, and Weapons. Depending on each items power, your overall strength for attacks, defense against attacks, magic effectiveness, and magic defense will increase; however, the true depth comes in the junction system. Each item you equip to yourself will give you junction blocks. These blocks are used to equip magic that you buy or find along your journey. Magic comes in many forms:Some increase stats, some heal, some are attacks, some are devastating monsters (called 'Summons') that unleash devastating attacks on all enemies, and some help you attain more items (such as the ability to 'Steal'). Junctioning magic can also lower stats, bringing more strategy into the game. Junction too much magic, and your character's overall hp (or 'health points', which decrease with each hit) will be minimized in the next battle. Junction to little, and your character will be to weak to inflict any useful damage on the enemy.

My final great aspect in this epic edition of this great series, is the music. The music in the game effects your overall emotions as you play, making the game look and feel even more amazing. I guarantee that after playing this game, you'll find yourself humming at least two of its tracks!

So in conclusion, this game is FLAWLESS! If you want something that will satisfy your gaming pleasure for many a day, this is it. Final Fantasy VII is quite possibly the best game ever made, and in my opinion is still unrivaled.

75 of 89 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate game cue 1! November 11, 1999

By A Customer

Durability: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

Final Fantasy 7...... If you haven't got a copy then either you don't have the playstation or you are plain nuts! The most impressive game to date although now overshadowed by FF8 this game has the greatest plot ever... The mystrious past of you Cloud Strife in a dark world chasing his memory of enemy Sephiroth who wants to ... (SNIP) I'll leave that to you... The graphics are amazing though a bit cartoony, and the battle system is easy to use, casting summon monstaers or slashing an opponent with your huge sword or maybe casting a magic spell, this game just shows how far the playstation can go and it's crammed into 3 massive discs... FF7 drops you straight into battle and the first thing you notice is the brilliant graphics, and this gets better during the FMV cut scenes and is even more shocking due to the Summon monsters who appear, once you see the graphics you think oh it must have a rubbish storyline and plot and a boring game with impossible to solve puzzles, but this is not true, Square known for their enthralling plots, have made one of the most shocking emotional plots inthe world, with you trying to find the truth of the past and about who the real enemy is, while numberous of sub games are given to you to keep you hooked, you can head to the Gold Sourcer and play on the arcade or go on a rollercoater ride, or snowboard at the icle inn or even breed chocobos. And the game just never lets you down in the emotion department, which thrills you with what should I do, traitors and love and hatred, also spying and confusion, this game is an atomic bomb covered in a shape of 3 discs, FF7 a must for all gamers...