Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VII drops you into the gritty, industrial city of Midgar, where a ragtag group of ecoterrorists called AVALANCHE is fighting against the mega corporation Shinra, which is sucking the planet dry of its life energy (called Mako). You play as Cloud Strife, a broody ex SOLDIER with a massive sword and a past he’d rather forget. What starts as a simple mission to blow up a Mako reactor spirals into a globe trotting adventure to stop Sephiroth, a legendary war hero turned supervillain, from destroying the planet with a meteor. Along the way, Cloud and his crew, including the fiery Barrett, the sweet Aerith (who’s got her own secrets), and the rebellious Tifa, uncover dark conspiracies, face personal demons, and wrestle with themes of identity, loss, and redemption.
GAME DATASHEET | |
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Name | Final Fantasy VII |
Genre | JRPG |
Console | PS1, PS4 PC, iOS, Android, Switch, Xbox One |
Released | 1997 |
Developer | SQUARE ENIX |
Publisher | SQUARE ENIX |
Language | Japanese | English | Spanish | French | Italian | German |
PC STEAM ENGLISH RETRANSLATION | |
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Released | 2015 |
Updated | 2020 |
Author | ProjectXsent GreenGoblin |
SPANISH RETRANSLATION | |
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Released | 2019 |
Updated | 2020 |
Group | Traducciones XT Tradusquare |
FRENCH NÉO-MIDGAR RETRANSLATION | |
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Released | 2008 |
Updated | 2024 |
Group | Néo-Midgar |
ITALIAN RETRANSLATION | |
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Released | 2012 |
Group | SadNES cITy Translations |
GERMAN RETRANSLATION | |
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Released | 2014 |
Group | Cebix |
The game blends traditional JRPG turn based combat with the innovative Active Time Battle system, which keeps fights dynamic. The Materia system is where FFVII really shines, you slot these magic orbs into your gear to customize abilities, spells, and stat boosts, giving you tons of flexibility in how you build your party. The pacing is mostly solid, though some sections (like the infamous Temple of the Ancients) can feel sluggish. Mini-games, from chocobo racing to snowboarding, add variety but can be hit or miss. The translation is… rough at times, but the core gameplay holds up surprisingly well, even if the graphics are dated by today’s standards.
FFVII’s narrative is wild, mixing cyberpunk dystopia with high fantasy and existential philosophy. Cloud’s arc, especially his fractured memories and the reveal about his past, is gripping, and Sephiroth remains one of gaming’s most iconic villains. Aerith’s fate is still a gut punch decades later, and side characters like Vincent (a vampire-ish ex-Turk) and Yuffie (a klepto ninja) add flavor. That said, the plot gets convoluted near the end (Nova Crystallis? Jenova cells?), and some twists feel rushed. But the emotional beats land hard, and the themes of environmentalism and human connection stay relevant.
Nobuo Uematsu’s soundtrack is legendary. From the haunting Aerith’s theme to the adrenaline pumping One Winged Angel, the music elevates every scene. Midgar’s oppressive slums contrast beautifully with the open world beyond, and while the blocky PS1 graphics haven’t aged gracefully, the art direction, like the eerie beauty of the Forgotten Capital still carries weight. The pre-rendered backgrounds ooze charm.
FFVII wasn’t just a game, it was a cultural phenomenon. It brought JRPGs to the mainstream West, redefined storytelling in games, and spawned spin-offs, movies, and the ongoing remake series. Its influence is everywhere, from its cinematic approach to its morally gray characters. Some elements feel dated now (random encounters, slow text boxes), but its ambition and heart keep it timeless.
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