Matt Maiorano's Back-From-The-Grave Video Game Review: Final Fantasy VII (1959 hits)
Category: GeneralLabels: BFTG
Rating: 1.75 on 32 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Matt Maiorano (View user info) at 2005-01-22 19:09:07 EST
Other BFTG reviews by Matt Maiorano:
Interview With The Vampire - http://www.ubersite.com/m/33901
Goosebumps - http://www.ubersite.com/m/34149
Salute Your Shorts - http://www.ubersite.com/m/34347
Duck Hunt - http://www.ubersite.com/m/34463
Ren & Stimpy - http://www.ubersite.com/m/35103
Gremlins 2 - http://www.ubersite.com/m/35848
Bomberman 2 - http://www.ubersite.com/m/36959
World Class Track Meet - http://www.ubersite.com/m/37590
Willy Wonka - http://www.ubersite.com/m/38127
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It is argued that Final Fantasy VII is probably THE best in the FF series. Of course, it is argued (by me) that Final Fantasy VI comes in a close second, but that's only because Kefka could not match the badassitude of Sephiroth. That, and the fact that Final Fantasy X can't come in second because it was far too easy, and a bit too short. Although, it doesn't change the fact that FFX was a damn amazing game.
OVERVIEW: A giant energy manufacturing company known as Shinra Inc. is harvesting the sheer life energy of the Planet as a simple fossil fuel, known as Mako and Materia. However, this substance, like all other fuels, is finite in supply, and the Planet's lifeforce is being drained. Though aware of the harmful effects, they function without remorse.
While there is a LOT more to this game plot-wise, I think that's a pretty good summary (at least without giving away anything).
Unfortunately, when this game came out, I owned an N64 and did not have any means to play it. When I heard that it came out for the PC, however, I immediately bought it. And I was not disappointed.
For its time, the graphics were nothing short of amazing. The cutscenes were beautifully done, and the magic system was unique compared to all of the others in the FF series. The battle system, though, was the real kicker. FFVII introduced a new camera feature, where you can watch the battle from all different angles. Not only that, but characters could interact with the monsters for the first time (ie: actually see the characters run up and hit the monster, and vice versa).
Most of all, Limit Breaks were the new feature that made battles that much more exciting. Finding Cloud's Omnislash made the game worth playing, as it was probably the most visually impressive move in the game (I never saw Aeris' Great Gospel, but I heard it was sweet).
I've just recently started playing the game again, and I can still say that it hasn't lost its edge. The difficulty is just right, the plot is excellent, the music is fantastic..... the list goes on. I can't say I have any problems with this game, except for the less-than-impressive ending. I mean, it was GOOD. It just wasn't as great as it could have been.
I'm sure that many of you FFVII fans out there are going to be pleased to hear about the upcoming movie sequel, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. A semi-decent trailer can be found here: http://games.softpedia.com/progDownload/Final-Fantasy-VII-Advent-Children-Trailer-Download-5624.html
Although, I did find a VERY impressive 4 1/2 minute trailer, I can't quite remember where. You can view other trailers in Flash format here: http://www.square-enix.co.jp/dvd/ff7ac/
Personally, I'm shitting my pants in anticipation for this one to come out. Because of drawbacks, however, the movie won't be released in Japan until probably around Spring of this year (even though it was expected to come out in the Summer of '04). This means that it's going to take an obscene amount of time for the US version to come out. In other words, don't expect it until around the Summer of '06.
GAMEPLAY: 10/10
MUSIC: 11/10
GRAPHICS: 10/10
PLOT: 10/10
Sephiroth Bonus: +3
OVERALL: A fantabulous 14/10!!
Play it for old-time's sake.
User Reviews
Submitted by Zeglamancer (user info) at 2007-07-30 23:56:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You're not a gamer if you dislike this game.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-11-17 06:37:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
FFVII is the greatest game ever. Ever.
Submitted by cshape (user info) at 2005-07-08 07:34:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by spedmonkey (user info) at 2005-07-04 02:06:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 more for the best game EVAR.
Submitted by zakalwe (user info) at 2005-07-03 21:48:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
ahhh, the hours I spent breeding a gold chocobo. which led to the hours I spent watching Knights of the Round again and again and again.
Submitted by simple_catalyst (user info) at 2005-07-03 14:51:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
sorry, FFI will always be my fave.
Submitted by Vomit (user info) at 2005-01-23 13:44:41 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I fucking hate schlongy...that is all.
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2005-01-23 13:34:29 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I was once a Final Fantasy junkie.
The hours I spent on that game..
Submitted by Circe (user info) at 2005-01-23 03:55:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Breeding fucking chocobos.
Submitted by maiorano84 (user info) at 2005-01-23 02:46:11 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Ulfgabe - I was aware of the FFVI attacks, but the difference between those and the ones in FFVII were:
a) You had no control over when you could execute those attacks in FFVI
b) Your limit break meter builds with every hit you receive
c) You can 'equip' different limit breaks later in FFVII
So as you can see, they're really quite different. I would highly suggest playing the game.
Submitted by chipolatte (user info) at 2005-01-22 23:25:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
2 more..
One for each of Tifa's huge titties.
Submitted by chipolatte (user info) at 2005-01-22 23:24:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
MY GOD, I gave this a one? Jesus Christ, fuck me!
Submitted by UlfGabe (user info) at 2005-01-22 22:58:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
"Limit Breaks were the new feature that made battles that much more exciting."
if by limit breaks you mean "when character A is low on HP, they can execute cool attacks" it was in FFVI.
+2 for review
-2, i never bought this game
+0 for statement.
Submitted by Circe (user info) at 2005-01-22 22:42:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Oh god.. memories...
The freaking HOURS I spent running around that damned fair.. getting the perfect wig, the silk dress.. just so that fat guy whose name I can't remember anymore would try and have sex with me..
Drifting around in that fucking airship, hunting that damned black thing...
Or, shit, that battle on the beach outside the village, against that massive water monster thing that kept hitting me with those bubbles that just suck the life out of you.. I must have died a hundred times against that fucker...
250 hours of gameplay, because I wanted the levels and hp maxed out and ALL the limit breaks...
And I was even worse with IX. VIII was too easy, though Seifer was as sexy as fuck..
What?
Oh god, shoot me.
Submitted by runninginplace (user info) at 2005-01-22 22:13:22 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
best game ever.
Submitted by Herpes (user info) at 2005-01-22 21:48:02 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Holy fucksticks... I was playing this earlier.
I'd never played it before today (stop laughing and calling me a fucking loser), so my little brother made me sit down and play. I liked FFX, and he says I'll absolutely love this one.
I think I'll go play in a few minutes.
Submitted by DonkeyOnTheEdge (user info) at 2005-01-22 21:10:15 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I submit that Battle Toads vs. Ninja Turtles was the best game ever. Then again, I never played FF VII
Submitted by Sassmasterr (user info) at 2005-01-22 21:01:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
i could never afford that...need the money to buy more jose cuervo. that's better than any video game!
Submitted by chipolatte (user info) at 2005-01-22 20:55:49 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I can honestly say that playing this game is one of those defining childhood memories that still makes me wistful for my younger years. I can't stress how much I absolutely adore this game.
Submitted by Durae (user info) at 2005-01-22 20:45:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I liked 9 better.
Submitted by spedmonkey (user info) at 2005-01-22 20:44:25 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I should go back an replay that. One of my friends could beat it in, no exaggeration, 8 hours. It was insane to watch.
Submitted by DancingHobo (user info) at 2005-01-22 20:41:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by lush (user info) at 2005-01-22 20:22:26 (#)
Ranking: 2
Arguably the best game ever.
---------------------------------
That could be said about a lot of square games from the 90's.
Here's an interesting link
http://www.gamespot.com/psp/rpg/crisiscorefinalfantasyvii/news_6111574.html
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2005-01-22 20:40:12 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
Hey bud. Did you know that Video Games are gay and people who play them ad nauseum are geeks?
I read that somewhere. I probably wrote it, too.
Submitted by JMG114 (user info) at 2005-01-22 20:36:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
The game to which all other games ought to be compared. A sum total masterpiece.
Submitted by lush (user info) at 2005-01-22 20:22:26 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Arguably the best game ever.
Submitted by G_Nonny (user info) at 2005-01-22 19:42:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
This game was never in the grave and never will be. It's an all time classic.
Submitted by metroidkillah (user info) at 2005-01-22 19:40:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Wow, you are a GEEK. But that's cool.
Never played FFVII myself, as I never had the opportunity; but I really, REALLY wanna.
Submitted by Dustbrother (user info) at 2005-01-22 19:36:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I'd bone Cloud in the ass.
...
Bone him good.
Submitted by darko (user info) at 2005-01-22 19:26:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Nope. Final fantasy 9 was alot better than people thought, but it suffered due to the fact that it was released for the playstation right after playstation 2 came out. But it was a better game than 7, better cutscenes, and above all it didn't have a CRAPPY ENDING.
Submitted by Disektor (user info) at 2005-01-22 19:15:50 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Yes, one of the best games ever.
Submitted by Pentameter (user info) at 2005-01-22 19:15:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Jesus Christ, I would give you a +2 billion for this post, if we had such a rating.
One of the best games ever made. EVER.
Submitted by DJMattB241 (user info) at 2005-01-22 19:14:07 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment Needed.
Rock the fuck on.