Official Final Fantasy VII Strategy Guide, Playstation Version (v. 1) [Paperback]

David Cassady (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 1997

With the Official Final Fantasy VII Strategy Guide gamers have the opportunity to save their world from an evil corporation which is siphoning off energy from the planet. Complete walkthroughs and all the maps help players navigate the game. Character descriptions, complete lists of items, monsters and magic and the revelation of all the secrets help players defeat the evil corporation. The ONLY Guide with COMPLETE Coverage of the American Game! Find over 350 full-color maps, ultimate weapons, extreme breaks, complete bestiary, walkthroughs, character bios, boss strategies, materia combinations, and more.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This Squaresoft-sanctioned book on one of the most highly anticipated console games ever does not disappoint. Those who have managed to obtain a copy of the game (descriptions of rioting and fighting upon the retail release of Final Fantasy IIV sound like sheer hyperbole, but probably aren't) will find plenty of helpful clues, maps, and general game play advice. Those less fortunate can at least take solace in--or further whet their appetites with--the hundreds of beautiful glossy screen shots that fill each chapter.

From the Back Cover

With the Official Final Fantasy VII Strategy Guide gamers have the opportunity to save their world from an evil corporation which is siphoning off energy from the planet. Complete walkthroughs and all the maps help players navigate the game. Character descriptions, complete lists of items, monsters and magic and the revelation of all the secrets help players defeat the evil corporation. The ONLY Guide with COMPLETE Coverage of the American Game! Find over 350 full-color maps, ultimate weapons, extreme breaks, complete bestiary, walkthroughs, character bios, boss strategies, materia combinations, and more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: BRADY GAMES; Sony Playstation edition (August 28, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566867142
• ISBN-13: 978-1566867146
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 7.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (310 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,563 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #50 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Language Nonfiction > French
  • #71 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Video & Electronic Games
  • #81 in Books > Computers & Technology > Games & Strategy Guides > Video Games

More About the Author

I'm nothing more than a guy that loves video games.

I managed a software store in Indianapolis when I encountered Brady's publisher. The company hired me to assist in developing their new line of video game strategy guides, which was a very limited assortment at the time. They had published on a few Electronic Arts sports titles for the Sega Genesis, Mortal Kombat, and Sonic the Hedgehog.

It was a very interesting time for our business. Strategy guides were transitioning from tiny booklets into full-size, full-color, magazine-like books. We had the opportunity to make a huge impact and try something very new and unique. I'm very thankful for the experience. It was simply an amazing opportunity.

"Virtua Racing" for the Sega Genesis was my first project as an author. It took a week to write and some of that time was spent sleeping on an office floor. It was not a book I wanted to write. Our publisher made it clear I didn't have a choice. As painful as that first project was, it shot my career down a completely unexpected path. It led to projects like Turok: Dinosaur Hunter and eventually, my favorite, Final Fantasy VII.

Final Fantasy had always been a favorite series since it released for the NES. VII proved to be a monstrous task. We had no idea what we were getting into at the time. Final Fantasy projects now require a team of authors, but I'm proud of what we accomplished given the resources available. It was a learning experience for everyone involved.

I continued to write for several years with Conan being my final project. It has been a wonderful ride and I met some amazing people along the way. The people at BradyGames really care about the products they produce. That is not something you find with every publisher.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent, as good as it gets, December 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Official Final Fantasy VII Strategy Guide, Playstation Version (v. 1) (Paperback)

I haven't seen the "Perfect Guide" by Versus, but I REALLY doubt it could be better than this one. I can't think of 1 thing this guide doesn't have except a list of Enemy Skills, which enemy you get them from, and what they do. However, they do list them in the Enemy List in the back. Other than that, this guide has everything, including all the Ultimate Weapons and Limit Breaks, every kind of Materia and useful combinations, a list of all the enemies, weapons, armors, and accessories, complete strategies to beating enemies, bosses, and mini-games, and anything else I might have missed...oh, yeah, and don't forget how to raise Chocobos and how to get the 4 special kinds. It really couldn't get better than this, and as far as the Enemy Skills go, if you don't like to keep looking in the back of the book, just go online and print a nice list out from a site. Even those skilled and experienced in the "Final Fantasy" series NEED to get a guide, preferably this one or the one by Versus (they make excellent guides, especially for the "Zelda" series), otherwise they'll miss all the secrets and things you would not be able to figure out by yourself. Trust me, GET THIS GUIDE and you'll be able to fully experience the fun of "Final Fantasy VII."

38 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THE definitive guide on Final Fantasy VII., August 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Final Fantasy VII Official Strategy Guide (Paperback)

One of the most anticipated RPGs ever, Final Fantasy VII is a classic game. A classic game deserves a classic strategy guide, and Brady Games' FF7 guide is nearly unbeatable. Whatever you're looking for or need help on, this book has it.

This version of the guide is especially for the PC version of FF7, but I have the PlayStation version and it works just fine with that too. The tips and tactics are solid, the screenshots crisp and clear, and the information on Materia and Chocobos contained in this book is invaluable for gamers ready to master Final Fantasy VII.

One complaint that gamers may have with the guide is that in some areas of the game, there isn't really much detail or tips to get you through. Overall, this may be a good thing, because it doesn't give away too much of the story, but for certain areas the guide may just say something along the lines of, "Find the exit, making sure to pick up the items along the way". However, this is the only real situation where this happens.

A consise, thick, and well-worth-your-money book, Brady Games' official Final Fantasy VII strategy guide (boy, that's a mouthful) is a must-have for fans of the game, and gamers who want to get the most bang for their buck.

--Darryl Da Silva

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not for the perfectionist, November 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Official Final Fantasy VII Strategy Guide, Playstation Version (v. 1) (Paperback)

I'll say that there are parts of the game that would be very difficult to clear without the book. I'll even say that it helps you play an *almost* perfect game. But it misses out on several points. First, the monster guide is in places incomplete or misprinted. My wife and I, through our own work, found out many things that the book just missed. Master Tonberry morphs into a ribbon. A very helpful fact that completely missed the editors. When I finally turn to the book, I'm looking for completeness, and this just fell short.