Final Fantasy VII - PS

Finually Flaud VII

  You know, I never understood why FF7 has received terrific praise and an almost life long legacy with the gamer community. Although, is FF7 really a good game? and if so, why? I never really got an acceptaple answer. Most of them where "IT'S THE BEST FINAL FANTASY EVER !!!". When I first played FF7, i enjoyed it.....then I became smart, and realized that there is nothing special about.

   Now don't get me wrong, I do love RPGs and the Final Fantasy series, it's just that there are better RPGs and FF games that came out before (and after) 7. Most of you (all 5 of you) who are reading this have probably read a blog I wrote which explains my dislike for FF7 (http://www.gamerevolution.com/blog/index.php?keyword=Final+Fantasy+VII), but later on, i realised that the stuff I wrote sounded more like some random forum ranting instead of an essay offering constructive criticsism.

   A good thing about 7 is that unlike previous Final Fantasies, the setting and presentation has a very cyber-punk look to it, unlike the stale and often cliched high fantasy presentation offered in many other Final Fantasy games (as well as JRPGs in general), but there's one thing that confuses me. The technology of fire-arms are present, but the majority of the playable characters choose to ignore using them. Instead they just use typical melee weapons (Tifa goes further down the line by using her bare fists). I can only assume that the reason Cloud is carrying a 6-foot sword that he can barely carry is because he is trying to mak it compensate for his small, unfufilling penis.

   Speaking of which, let's talk about the characters for a moment. In previous Final Fantasies, the character designs were very artistic and appealing, but in 7, they traded that style for a for a more mainstream anime look. In its early development, there were designs for Cloud, Red XIII, and Aeris (Aerith?) that look way better than their current models.

  I mentioned earlier that the materia system is a good concept on paper, but in practice, it isn't. I don't understand why people keep raving about it's materia system. It deemphasizes on individual characters and abilities. Basically, there really isn't anything distinct about the characters' abilities. Unlike in 6, where every each and every character had their own abilities.  Plus, they could also essentially learn pretty much every spell in the game (like in 7), but knowing how 7 didn't evolve well, it's a tragedy.

  7 also tries to break up the set- path of the story, by adding these mini-games. They aren't good at all. Especially the ones that are needed to progress the story (the bike racing, the SOLDIER marching dance). Actually, need isn't the right word, because you can still pass these without doing anything. The other mini-games (such as, the ones in the Golden Saucer) are jusrt boring and not fun. There are other Final Fantasies out there that have plot-breaking diversions and sid-quests that are alot better than that of 7, like 12's monster hunting missions, 8's Triple Triad, 9's Tetra Master, and 10's Blitzball.

  As for the story, It is pretty good, but it has been done better in other FF games. It's also very confusing. How confusing is it ? It's as (if not more) confusing than the Aqua Teen Hungerforce Movie. A majority of the confusion happens when you get near the end of the game, which has cloud now knowing that it wasn't him who was born in his home town...or something. The characters in 7, aren't as good as the ones in other FF games. There were more characters with more provacative stories in 6, while 9 had more charming characters (especially Vivi) than the ones in 7.

  I still don't know understand why that game got alot of praise. I'm guessing it's because of its graphical capabilities made people more focused on its graphics rather than the gameplay. If that isn't the case, then it's because to thousands (maybe millions), Final Fantasy VII was the first RPG they played, and to many, the first is the most memorable. If 7 wasn't the first RPG they played, then it's because many people were focused on the opinions of others (the ones who say that FF7 is the best game). And if that isn't true....than those who think that FF7 is the best game ever are just dumb (no offense Kingg5). So there you go, I know all of you are going to despise me for this, but oh well, that's life.