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Final Fantasy VII

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Final Fantasy VII is a landmark role-playing video game.

FFVIInomuracastdesigns
FFVIInomuracastdesigns

Developed and published by Square, it arrived in 1997 for the PlayStation. It stands as the seventh main entry in the long-running Final Fantasy series. This title is considered one of the most influential video games ever made. It helped popularize Japanese role-playing games, often called JRPGs, across the entire world. The game's massive success also helped boost sales for the PlayStation console.

FF7 background
FF7 background

The story takes place on a world known as the Planet, or Gaia. The setting is a science fiction world defined by industrial technology. A massive corporation called the Shinra Electric Power Company dominates society. Shinra drains the Lifestream, which is the spiritual energy of the Planet, to create Mako energy. This process weakens the Planet and threatens all life. A group called AVALANCHE acts as eco-terrorists to stop Shinra. The protagonist, Cloud Strife, is a mercenary who joins this fight. He and his allies eventually face Sephiroth, a superhuman seeking to become a god.

Players interact with the game through three distinct modes of play. First is the world map, a grand 3D scale of the Planet. This map shows towns, ruins, and various environments. Natural barriers like mountains or deserts can block travel. Players can use vehicles or ride creatures called Chocobos to cross these gaps. Second is field mode, where players navigate fully scaled areas. In this mode, players explore environments, talk to characters, and visit shops or inns. Field mode was the first in the series to use a three-dimensional space.

FFVIIbattleexample
FFVIIbattleexample

The third mode is the battle screen, where combat occurs. The game uses a system called Active Time Battle, or ATB. In this system, characters have a time gauge that fills up. When the gauge is full, the player must choose a command. These commands include attacking, casting magic, or using items. Characters also have special moves called Limit Breaks. These powerful actions are only available after a character's gauge charges from taking damage. Players can also use Materia to customize their characters. Materia are small orbs that provide magic, summons, or statistical upgrades when attached to equipment.

Developing this game was a complex and difficult process. Work began in 1994, originally intended for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The team experimented with several platforms, including the Nintendo 64. Due to technical difficulties and platform advantages, Square moved production to the PlayStation. This move allowed the team to use 3D computer graphics. The game featured 3D character models placed over 2D pre-rendered backgrounds. This was the first game in the series to use full motion video. The total budget for development and marketing was approximately 80 million.

Many veteran creators returned to lead the project. Hironobu Sakaguchi served as the series creator and producer. Yoshinori Kitase acted as the director. Nobuo Uematsu was the composer responsible for the music.

Nobuo Uematsu
Nobuo Uematsu

The game received widespread critical acclaim upon its release. Critics praised the graphics, the story, and the gameplay. While there was some criticism regarding the original English localization, the game won numerous Game of the Year awards. Its impact was so great that it led to a multimedia subseries called the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII.

The legacy of Final Fantasy VII continues through modern technology. There is currently a high definition remake trilogy in progress. This includes Final Fantasy VII Remake, released in 2020, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, released in 2024. The game's music remains famous and is often performed in live symphonic concerts.

Video Games Live 2009 FFVII
Video Games Live 2009 FFVII

This enduring popularity shows how the game changed the landscape of interactive storytelling. It remains a central point of study for the history of digital art and gaming.

The narrative also explores deep themes of identity and environmentalism. The plot involves the history of the Cetra, an ancient tribe connected to the Lifestream. It also touches on the nature of life through the study of Jenova, a hostile extraterrestrial life-form. These complex elements helped elevate the game beyond simple entertainment. By blending science fiction with high fantasy, Square created a unique world. This blend helped define the aesthetic of many games that followed in its footsteps.

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FFVIInomuracastdesigns.JPG
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File:FF7 background.gif
FF7 background.gif
File:Nobuo Uematsu.jpg
Nobuo Uematsu.jpg
File:Video Games Live 2009 FFVII.jpg
Video Games Live 2009 FFVII.jpg
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