The Game
The game’s “life-like” graphics certainly played a huge role in the number of sales, but as many gamers point out today, it struggles to deliver the life-like fidelity that was promised in ’97. So what was it?
Story, Gameplay, and Music.
The beauty of Final Fantasy VII’s story, while simple, is its ability to expand from a small, intimate conflict to a global catastrophe that threatens the fate of the planet. While not exactly Shakespeare, the game manages to elevate the traditional melodrama present in most JRPGs up to that point to bearable levels. The shining jewel of the game’s plot is Cloud’s identity crisis that brings forth earth-shattering realizations that forces players to reevaluate their interactions throughout the entirety of the game. This identity crisis serves as a solid through-line against the backdrop of the story.
However, story alone is not enough to carry a game’s weight. A game must be fun to play. Each entry in the Final Fantasy franchise shakes things up by introducing a new battle system. Final Fantasy VII’s combat revolved around the materia system.
In the world of the game, materia is the essence of life that manifests itself as spherical crystals that allow the user to cast magic. The more materia you give someone, the stronger they grow spiritually; which off-sets their weakened physical states, making them more susceptible to damage and death. The amount of materia you can load onto your party of three is determined by their weapons and armor, each with individual slots for the materia. But a nice twist to this formula is the addition of linked slots which allow players to pair two different materia.
Finally, what’s a lovely gift without a bow? Nobuo Uematsu, series composer, fashions the bow himself and places it with unmatched mastery. Final Fantasy VII’s score is easily the most recognizable among the entirety of the franchise, with its somber piano pieces and sweeping orchestrated trumpets that mark the arrival of the game’s villain. Say what you will about the game, but Uematsu masterful command of song allows Final Fantasy VII to transcend the digital realm.