RETROSPECTIVE: FINAL FANTASY VII Originally Released: January 31 1997 Available On: PS1, PC, PSN (PS3, PSP, Vita) Key Staff: Hironobu Sakaguchi, Yoshinori Kitase, Tetsuya Nomura, Nobuo Uematsu, Kazushige Nojima, Yusuke Naora, Ken Narita, Masato Kato Article by: Erren Van Duine
L
et’s get it out of the way up top: Final Fantasy VII represented a turning point for the franchise. It’s also arguably the most popular FF to date. It singlehandedly propelled Squaresoft to superstardom - but that success didn’t come quickly or easily. Originally planned as a SNES title set in 1999 New York City, the game eventually landed on PlayStation, the team eager to use the emerging CD-ROM format due to its large storage capacity. With Sony’s backing and a 100 million dollar marketing campaign, FFVII went on to be one of the best-selling games of all time, and has since enjoyed multiple sequels and spin-offs. FFVII represents a technological leap, but does retain one major piece of 2D FF’s legacy - its battle system. The game makes use of the time-tested Active Time Battle system, simplifying affairs by limiting parties to a total of three characters which can be switched out at save points or on the overworld. All-new was Materia, magical orbs that allowed access to spells, summons and other abilities by placing them into slots on weapons and accessories. Materia could be found all over the world including at shops or in drops from defeated enemies. Another new feature was the Limit Break, a modified version of F F V I ’s d e s p e r a t i o n attack. Each character has a limit bar next to their normal ATB gauge that fills as a character takes damage. By completely filling it, a character can perform a powerful, unique and cinematic attack. FFVII once again places a large importance on the narrative and its colorful cast of characters as they adventure through the world. While it lacks FFV’s job system, it does well to give each character their own identity so players can pick and choose which they’d rather keep close across the different situations that arise during the story. As the game progresses, the player is given much freedom to explore and scripted scenes change slightly depending on who is with you.
24
Characterization is arguably FFVII’s strong point - though not just in its cast, but its world, too. FFVII begins with an unforgettable panning view of a vast industrialized city – a stark contrast to the steampunk town of Narshe that opened FFVI. This world is advanced much like our own. Not only do the people use items like cellphones, firearms, and cars, but they also face many real world problems. The city of Midgar, ran by the world-controlling Shinra Company, is the center of the world’s strife. Electric power is drawn from the very life force of the planet by Shinra - and is damaging it. As the world’s perpetual ruler, President Shinra further spreads darkness upon the land in the form of horrific experiments and other ill-conceived deeds. Enter AVALANCHE. Branded as terrorists, they lead a mission to bring a stop to Shinra’s wrong doings. Led by the often rash Barret Wallace, this rag-tag band of recruits hire a man by the name of Cloud Strife who claims to be a former SOLDIER First Class – an elite group within Shinra’s own ranks. The result is a high-octane opening that sees the cast carrying out a terrorist attack. It’s brave and bold - FFVII is more than a little bit punk. More missions follow, but don’t go to plan, leading Cloud into the path of Aerith, FF’s most famous heroine. Aerith is also being pursued by Shinra. She’s the last descendent of the Cetra - ancient people who were attuned to the planet. Shinra believe that only she can lead them to the Promised Land - a land of immense Mako energy that would bestow them with even greater power. Cloud agrees to protect her - and chases after her when she’s captured. The funny thing about FFVII is that all this is enough to be the entire plot of any other game - but in FFVII, this is just the introduction. It’s during the assault on Shinra headquarters to rescue Aerith that players first learn of Sephiroth - the game’s true antagonist.