The short of it is this: If you liked the original Final Fantasy VII, but wished it had better graphics (along the lines of its sequel movie Advent Children) and a more fleshed out story, go get this game right now. While I have seen online a few complaints about some of the changes (most of which are in gameplay and additional story elements), I do not give them any credence. This game was exactly what I wanted it to be (with the exception of it being doled out in episodes that will be spread years apart).
Honestly, after its lengthy (about an hour) install, I booted up the game and just sat there listening to the opening music. Waves of peaceful nostalgia rolled over me, but I was almost afraid to hit start up the game itself. I need not have worried. Right from the reworked opening scene, it was clear that the team in charge of this had a deep reverence for the game, and better yet, a devotion to the spirit behind the game.
There are some parts that some people might not like. I should note that, as realistic as the new graphics are, this game is still a Japanese RPG at its heart. That means it holds true to some of those anime-style elements that are part of its DNA including provocatively dressed women and some rather effeminate men. To be blunt, people offended by crossdressing should probably not touch this game.
Even though the main characters and even many of the "extras" are developed in a much more realistic way, the villains are still almost cartoonish. Also, this remake doubles down on some of the stranger, metaphysical aspects of the first game, broadening on them to the point that I am not entirely sure what to expect from the future episodes. This game left me with a number of questions.
The game is also mostly "on rails." There are puzzles and a few spots where there are optional quests, but this follows the original in being a fairly linear game. In fact, it even reduces some of the party options that I remember the original having (including making one favorite character of mine completely under computer control), but it does so for the sake of a better story.
All that aside, this game affected me emotionally, beyond just the nostalgia aspect. In the original, you start as in an eco terrorist group who sets off a bomb, but it's done in a light-hearted "Luke blows up the Death Star" sort of way. World events in the past 23 years would have made a direct recreation difficult to swallow. This game shows the devastating effects of your opening actions (actions that are amplified by a diabolical plot) not only on the civilians you encounter, but on the characters themselves. It is tastefully and powerfully well done.
This game takes what was a few hours of content in the main game and fleshes out the story and details to give a solid 35-40 hours of content. Every side mission is worth exploring, not just for the in-game rewards, but for the character and world development that they bring. I found myself caring about side characters and even extras in ways that I did not expect.
The game itself holds true to elements of the original, but with modern, more action-based gameplay (although there is an option--which I did not explore--to play in "classic" mode). While I had a few issues with a few of the battles (and almost every battle is a challenge)--especially with targeting, I preferred this style to the original. I really felt like I was part of the action and like I accomplished something with each success.
It will be hard to wait another couple (or more) years for the next installment. Although the game is over, I have already started through it again on hard difficulty so that my characters and their weapons and materia are completely in preparation for the next game (assuming that there will be some sort of data transfer). I also am going to start a playthrough of the original again as it has been about two decades since I last played it and I would like to refresh in my mind what happens (especially since this one ends just as the characters leave Midgar).
I can only hope that the next episode is at least as good as this one.
Honestly, after its lengthy (about an hour) install, I booted up the game and just sat there listening to the opening music. Waves of peaceful nostalgia rolled over me, but I was almost afraid to hit start up the game itself. I need not have worried. Right from the reworked opening scene, it was clear that the team in charge of this had a deep reverence for the game, and better yet, a devotion to the spirit behind the game.
There are some parts that some people might not like. I should note that, as realistic as the new graphics are, this game is still a Japanese RPG at its heart. That means it holds true to some of those anime-style elements that are part of its DNA including provocatively dressed women and some rather effeminate men. To be blunt, people offended by crossdressing should probably not touch this game.
Even though the main characters and even many of the "extras" are developed in a much more realistic way, the villains are still almost cartoonish. Also, this remake doubles down on some of the stranger, metaphysical aspects of the first game, broadening on them to the point that I am not entirely sure what to expect from the future episodes. This game left me with a number of questions.
The game is also mostly "on rails." There are puzzles and a few spots where there are optional quests, but this follows the original in being a fairly linear game. In fact, it even reduces some of the party options that I remember the original having (including making one favorite character of mine completely under computer control), but it does so for the sake of a better story.
All that aside, this game affected me emotionally, beyond just the nostalgia aspect. In the original, you start as in an eco terrorist group who sets off a bomb, but it's done in a light-hearted "Luke blows up the Death Star" sort of way. World events in the past 23 years would have made a direct recreation difficult to swallow. This game shows the devastating effects of your opening actions (actions that are amplified by a diabolical plot) not only on the civilians you encounter, but on the characters themselves. It is tastefully and powerfully well done.
This game takes what was a few hours of content in the main game and fleshes out the story and details to give a solid 35-40 hours of content. Every side mission is worth exploring, not just for the in-game rewards, but for the character and world development that they bring. I found myself caring about side characters and even extras in ways that I did not expect.
The game itself holds true to elements of the original, but with modern, more action-based gameplay (although there is an option--which I did not explore--to play in "classic" mode). While I had a few issues with a few of the battles (and almost every battle is a challenge)--especially with targeting, I preferred this style to the original. I really felt like I was part of the action and like I accomplished something with each success.
It will be hard to wait another couple (or more) years for the next installment. Although the game is over, I have already started through it again on hard difficulty so that my characters and their weapons and materia are completely in preparation for the next game (assuming that there will be some sort of data transfer). I also am going to start a playthrough of the original again as it has been about two decades since I last played it and I would like to refresh in my mind what happens (especially since this one ends just as the characters leave Midgar).
I can only hope that the next episode is at least as good as this one.
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