Final Fantasy VII: A Landmark in RPG History
When Square (now Square Enix) released Final Fantasy VII in 1997, it didn’t just launch another entry in a successful franchise—it redefined what video games could be. As the seventh installment in the long-running Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy VII (FFVII) brought role-playing games (RPGs) into the mainstream, setting new benchmarks in storytelling, visuals, and emotional impact. Over two decades later, it remains a cultural icon, celebrated through remakes, spin-offs, and legions of devoted fans.
This article explores the legacy, story, gameplay mechanics, characters, development history, and cultural impact of Final Fantasy VII, showcasing why it continues to stand as one of the most influential and beloved games of all time.
Origins and Development
Prior to FFVII, the Final Fantasy series was primarily associated with 2D graphics and Nintendo consoles. However, with the advent of more powerful hardware, Square took a bold leap by developing the next game for Sony’s PlayStation. This decision was monumental. By moving to CDs instead of cartridges, Square gained vastly more storage space—enabling them to include high-quality pre-rendered backgrounds, cinematic cutscenes, and a more immersive world.
Development began in 1994 and involved an enormous team for the time—over 100 people, a rarity in the industry back then. The game reportedly cost over $40 million to develop, making it the most expensive video game project up to that point. The production spanned years, and with it came technical innovation, including the use of cutting-edge 3D graphics and the iconic CGI cinematics that would define the PlayStation era.
Plot Summary: A Dark Tale of Corporate Greed and Identity
Set in the dystopian world of Gaia, Final Fantasy VII begins in the sprawling, industrial metropolis of Midgar. The city is controlled by the Shinra Electric Power Company, a sinister mega-corporation that extracts “Mako” energy from the planet, effectively draining its life force. You play as Cloud Strife, a former elite soldier turned mercenary, who is initially hired by the eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE to sabotage Shinra’s Mako reactors.
What starts as a straightforward mission quickly spirals into a vast, globe-spanning narrative filled with unexpected twists. The story delves into deep themes—environmental destruction, corporate exploitation, personal trauma, and identity. Cloud’s mysterious past becomes a central focus, as players uncover his ties to Sephiroth, the game’s antagonist.
Sephiroth himself is one of the most iconic villains in gaming history: a genetically enhanced super-soldier who discovers his origins as part of a twisted experiment. Believing himself to be the rightful heir to the planet, Sephiroth seeks to destroy humanity and become a godlike being. His plans culminate in the summoning of Meteor, a cataclysmic force that threatens to annihilate the planet.
Characters: A Memorable Cast
One of FFVII’s greatest strengths is its cast of unforgettable characters, each with a rich backstory and development arc:
* Cloud Strife – The conflicted hero whose journey of self-discovery and redemption lies at the heart of the story.
* Tifa Lockhart – Cloud’s childhood friend, a fierce martial artist who brings emotional grounding to the team.
* Aerith Gainsborough – A mysterious flower girl with ancient heritage. Her gentle demeanor and tragic fate form one of gaming’s most emotional moments.
* Barret Wallace – The leader of AVALANCHE, driven by the loss of his family and a desire to save the planet.
* Red XIII – A talking beast with a wise soul and a mysterious lineage.
* Cid Highwind – A foul-mouthed pilot with dreams of space exploration and a heart of gold.
* Vincent Valentine – A brooding former Turk with a tragic past and ties to the main villain.
* Yuffie Kisaragi – A ninja and materia thief from the land of Wutai, bringing comic relief and chaos to the group.
Each character is deeply written, with optional side quests and dialogues that build on their backstories and personalities. This level of character development was unprecedented at the time and remains a gold standard in RPG design.
Gameplay Mechanics and Innovations
FFVII built upon traditional JRPG mechanics while introducing numerous innovations that elevated the genre. The core gameplay loop involved exploration, turn-based combat, and narrative progression, but it added a level of polish and customization that was revolutionary.
Materia System
The Materia system is a unique magic and skill customization mechanic. Materia are magical orbs that can be slotted into weapons and armor. Different types of Materia include:
* Magic Materia (e.g., Fire, Cure)
* Support Materia (e.g., All, Elemental)
* Command Materia (e.g., Steal, Sense)
* Summon Materia (e.g., Ifrit, Bahamut)
This system allowed deep customization, with players able to tailor each character’s role in battle to suit their play style.
ATB System
Combat used the Active Time Battle (ATB) system, a hybrid of real-time and turn-based mechanics. Each character’s action bar filled at a pace determined by their stats, creating dynamic and strategic battles.
Limit Breaks
Each character had powerful “Limit Breaks,” super attacks that charged up as they took damage. These cinematic, high-damage moves became signature moments in combat and were often vital in tough battles.
Graphics and Cinematics
For its time, Final Fantasy VII was a visual marvel. Though the in-game character models were blocky, the game’s cinematic cutscenes, pre-rendered backgrounds, and use of 3D combat models were groundbreaking. The use of full-motion video (FMV) was a major step forward, allowing the game to convey dramatic scenes with movie-like flair. From the opening sequence in Midgar to Aerith’s death at the Forgotten Capital, the visuals served to heighten the emotional resonance of the story.
Music and Sound Design
Nobuo Uematsu’s score for Final Fantasy VII is nothing short of legendary. The soundtrack features dozens of memorable tracks, from the haunting “Aerith’s Theme” to the pulse-pounding “Those Who Fight Further.” The music does an extraordinary job of reinforcing the emotional tone of each scene. Even with the PlayStation’s audio limitations, the soundtrack delivered stirring melodies that remain iconic today.
One standout track, “One-Winged Angel,” serves as Sephiroth’s final battle theme and is notable for being the first track in the series to incorporate Latin choral vocals—a rarity in gaming music at the time.
Reception and Legacy
Upon release, Final Fantasy VII received universal acclaim. Critics praised its ambitious story, characters, and production values. It sold over 10 million copies on the original PlayStation and is credited with bringing Japanese RPGs into the Western mainstream. It also helped establish the PlayStation as a dominant gaming console, cementing Sony's place in the gaming industry.
The game’s impact cannot be overstated. It has inspired multiple spin-offs, including:
* Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (prequel on PSP)
* Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII (a shooter spin-off)
* Advent Children (a CGI film sequel)
* Before Crisis (a Japan-only mobile game)
Final Fantasy VII Remake
In 2020, Square Enix released Final Fantasy VII Remake, a reimagining of the original game using modern technology. Rather than a 1:1 remake, the game expands the Midgar portion into a full-length title with real-time combat, voice acting, and a deeper narrative. It successfully balances nostalgia with innovation, appealing to longtime fans while attracting new audiences.
The remake project is episodic, with the second installment, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, releasing in 2024. These titles further flesh out the world and explore new narrative threads, turning FFVII into a multi-part epic for a new generation.
Cultural Impact
Few games have had the cultural impact of Final Fantasy VII. It broke sales records, inspired fan art, cosplay, novels, music covers, and has been cited as a reason many people became game developers. Aerith’s death scene remains one of gaming’s most emotional moments, and Sephiroth is still considered among the greatest villains in entertainment history.
Beyond the numbers and nostalgia, FFVII changed perceptions about what video games could be. It proved that games could tell mature, emotionally resonant stories, rivaling those of books and films. It also pioneered many trends that have become standard—cinematic storytelling, epic soundtracks, character-driven plots, and visual spectacle.
Conclusion
Final Fantasy VII is more than just a game—it’s a landmark moment in video game history. It combined innovative gameplay, a compelling narrative, unforgettable characters, and cutting-edge technology to create an experience that resonates to this day. Whether you played it in 1997 or discovered it through the remake, FFVII continues to captivate and inspire.
As the remake saga unfolds, new layers of the story will be revealed, but the heart of Final Fantasy VII —its message of hope, identity, and the fight to protect the planet—remains timeless.