RETROSPECTIVE: COMPILATION OF FFVII Last Order is an alternate telling of the Nibelheim incident and Zack and Cloud’s subsequent capture and escape, although with the advent of Crisis Core has since been ejected from the FFVII world’s ‘canon’ by events depicted in an actual Square Enix developed game.
On the Way to a Smile: Denzel’s Episode was included as a bonus with Advent Children Complete, and dove into the story of Denzel, a key character in Advent Children. Rounding out the Compilation are two novels written by series writer Kazushige Nojima. On the Way to a Smile focuses on various characters between the end of FFVII and beginning of Advent Children. It was originally released in episodes in various publications, but was eventually compiled into one singular book. Each episode is known as a ‘Case’ and includes stories from the perspectives of Denzel, Tifa, Barret, Yuffie, Red XIII, Sephiroth, Aerith, and even Rufus Shinra. The second novel, Lateral Biography Turks: The Kids are Alright occurs shortly before Advent Children and chronicles a new character by the name of Evan Townshend - a private detective living in the Midgar outer town of Edge. Throughout the story, Evan interacts with the Turks and other Shinra employees, eventually leading to a confrontation with Sephiroth remnant Kadaj. All these novels sadly remain Japanese-only.
“The compilation expands [FFVII’s] world to be an even more immersing and brilliant place.”
FFVII remains the pinnacle of the series for many, and the compilation expands its world to be an even more immersing and brilliant place. All has been quiet on the compilation for years - but many fans hope, rightly, that this story isn’t over. By Erren Van Duine [@ErrenVanDuine], US Editor of RPG Site and Owner of blog Nova Crystallis. [novacrystallis.com] [rpgsite.net]
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