Final Fantasy VII (psx: 1997): Reviews

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Final Fantasy VII


9.2

based on 20 reviews
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How did we calculate this?

based on 262 votes
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FILM:

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within

GAMES:

Cheat Code Central

Official Website

It seems that an evil power company called Shinra, Inc. has found a way to mine this life energy, draining it from the earth, and using it to control the universe. Fortunately, a resistance organization know as AVALANCHE, has vowed to put an end to Shinra's destructive practices. The story focuses on Cloud, an ex-soldier of Shinra, who teams up with AVALANCHE, and along the way, encounters some very mysterious and powerful allies who help him fight against the deadly creatures Shinra has created to protect its empire. You, as the game player, will decide their fate. [Squaresoft]

PUBLISHER:	Sony Computer Entertainment America
DEVELOPER:	Squaresoft
GENRE(S):	Role-Playing Game
PLAYERS:	1
ESRB RATING:	T (Teen)
RELEASE DATE:	June 1, 1997

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

The first PS one installment of Final Fantasy is still one of the best ever. [Mar 2002, p.34]

100

GameShark

Every aspect of the game is virtually flawless, from its movie inspired soundtrack, to the incredibly life-like FMV, to the detailed battle and Materia systems, to the boatload of simplistic and addictive mini-games. This is what RPG fans have been waiting for.

100

PSX Nation

This is *the* one game you must buy or otherwise youll never see the true power of the PlayStation.

100

All Game Guide

Each character, visual graphic, mini-game and every ounce of story has a depth so amplified that it will keep players engrossed for months.

Absolute Playstation

This is the current apex in RPG games. In fact it is probably one of the best OVERALL games ever created for ANY system.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Simply amazing, and even better than the Japanese version. They balanced out the fights and added a couple of Bosses and some extra footage to the game.

IGN

All in all, it is impossible to not recommend Final Fanatsy VII to anyone who is even vaguely interested in RPGs.

GameSpot

Never before have technology, playability, and narrative combined as well as in Final Fantasy VII.

TotalGames.net

Besides the high quality visuals, real time battle is the key element that is arousing unashamed geeks around the planet for Final Fantasy VII.

My Gamer

With beautiful music, graphics and dynamic gameplay Final Fantasy VII is a testament to the evolution of video games.

Gamestyle

You can play the game time and time again. Always finding something new, from a new piece of materia to a new place, to defeating the ultimate weapons. The story twists and turns all the time always keeping you guessing as to what will happen next.

GMR Magazine

Brought RPGs into the Western spotlight and contained the most debated plot twist of an era. [Feb 2003, p.97]

Thunderbolt

Without a doubt, FF7 is one of the top Final Fantasy games out there. It is also one of the best RPG adventures of all time.

Games Domain

Some of the best looking graphics and most involving storylines ever seen on a console.

netjak

I think the story sucks, but the game is excellent. The thing about Final Fantasy VII is, whether you like it or hate it, the merits of the game can always be argued very strongly from either point.

Gaming Maxx

The one drawback in my opinion would be the replay value, as many people would find it pointless to replay the entire game just for a few secrets, since the story is the main reason to play a game like this.

Game Revolution

Hundreds of hours of visually beautiful gameplay, but its frustrating incoherence will make many people cringe and put the game aside before they have even finished.

Cincinnati Enquirer

The cinematic sequences, which propel the story line, have an anime quality that is dark, foreboding and engrossing.

GameCritics

If Square Soft wants videogames to be compared equally to other forms of art, then they are going to have to gain that respect by producing a game that is more intellectually and culturally aware and not a game that is essentially a video game screaming for attention and respect.

Electric Playground

There is tons of RPG combat, which is a little too slow for some people and slowed even further by all of the spectacular but lengthy spell animations.

The average user rating for this game is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 262 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Ryan G. gave it a10:
The best Rpg ever. To this day, and its all in the story.

Jesse R. gave it a4:
The most overrated game ever. Lots of ADD-afflicted kids worship this game and refuse to try anything 2-D. This is sad.

Robert Y. gave it a9:
Perhaps not the best game of all time, but among the best. To respond to what was stated by Mike M., there are numerous flaws in his criticism. First -- the graphics were absolutely spectacular for being the beginning of the Playstation Era. I remember, after playing Final Fantasy VIII and IX, thinking back at how much "worse" the VII graphics were. However, upon playing VII again I realized my error. The fact is, they did absolutely amazing things with the resources they had. Second, regarding the characters. Mike's comments lead me to wonder if he played through the entire game, specifically to Disk 3. They do indeed start by presenting the characters as the usual stereotypes. However, through the game you find out more about each character, including some major things that make them anything but your ordinary "wooden, teen-programmed protagonists." Third, you call Sephiroth an "angst-ridden villain who we must accept as evil simply because he acts like it, with little discernible motivation." There are places you would get lynched for saying this. First, Sephiroth is perhaps one of the most complex villains of all time, because he is truly likable. In addition, his actions are clearly being influenced by an outside source (Jenova), which has an unknown degree of control over him. In addition, his relationship and history with the main character leave room for major psychological examination. I have written college papers on the subject of Sephiroth, and so I think we can drop the mistaken notion you seem to have that he is stereotypical. In addition, the primary struggle in the story is not "ultimate good versus ultimate evil." When truly examined (assuming you've played through the entire game), you can see that the primary conflict is the psychological conflict that the main character has with himself. Even the final battle can be viewed entirely as an allegory for a struggle inside his mind. "Good and evil" are not the sides presented. The "good" characters are clearly flawed, even somewhat villainous in their own ways. The "evil" characters are clearly gifted and most are very likable, despite being on the opposite side of the conflict. There were indeed more groundbreaking projects, similar deep stories, and these games should have a better reputation. This does not, however, diminish the amazing gameplay, graphics (yes, graphics), story, characters, and structure of this game. It's more than a "good JRPG." It's a great, universal RPG that is one of the most timeless classics we have seen in the genre.

Jason D gave it a10:
This game is a work of art... I played this game for 70 hours and I had a hard time fighting the final battle not because it was hard(if you can beat the ultimate weapons, Sephiroth is nothing) it was hard becasue I did not want the game to end,this is the only game i have ever played that made me mourn at the thought of it coming to an end. The graphics were outstanding... the best of its time period. if you dont agree prove it.... tell me a title to look at. But as I remeber it, games went from SNES/SAGA graphics to FF7. the story is the greatest but in my opinion the freedom of this game is what made it the most revolutionary game I have ever played. of the 70 hours of game play 10 hours were story the other 60 were free reign of an entire world with vehicals to navagate every inch of the planet sized map, with side quest and character development that you are FREE to explore or not THIS GAME IS THE BEST GAME I HAVE EVER PLAYED.

Brian gave it a10:
I have to agree with tyler. i got this game when it came out first and was absolutely blown away... 1997 i think. i cant see how it could be described as sub par - sub par to what ? what else was really comparible to ff7 at the time? out of every game ive ever played i still rate it no1- best game ive ever played and im sure alot of people would agree.

Mike S gave it a5:
How is anyone supposed to care about these characters? For being so storyline-driven, it's a very un-intriguing story.

Zechs M. gave it a10:
My favorite game of all time! totally deserves a 10!