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[Mobius and pet octopus]

The characters are serviceable at best, but they do the job - it actually helps that they're so basic rather than overly texture mapped, they benefit in the same way Mario 64 does when viewed today.

The backgrounds are still gorgeous and drip atmosphere, the game itself holds up as one of the greats, and every time one of these threads pops up it makes me want to go and play it again.

I think games nowadays could learn a lesson or two about dialogue from FF7 because they somehow manage to keep dialogue in short but meaningful conversations. Unlike today with a game like dust, just for example, where I feel like there are entire 5-10 minutes of downtime just listening/reading conversations whenever I go into town.

Basically, I like the way the game was written and the characters still retain a good amount of depth to them despite having the option to change out characters for others which in many situations does change what the character may say.

 

[Yoshichan]

There's more to the game than the static backgrounds.

Look what he quoted.

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

It's a world with history, background and current events; every character has their own background stories.

JRPGs nowadays suck at building a world with so much depth - including the new FFs. I'm sad.

NieR,Trails in the Sky and Xeboblade are the best JRPGs this gen for this.

 

[Aureon]

Luckily, music is immortal.

 

[andymcc]

Holy shit at raziel's post.

I think the backgrounds still look great. Really inspired art direction, guess that was par the course for Square back then.

 

[Jimnymebob]

I've always loved the environments of the game, and I probably prefer the overworld models to the in battle ones- no idea if I'm in the minority with that though. As crazy as it sounds I'd be perfectly happy for a hypothetical remake to stick to the super deformed, low poly models on highly detailed backgrounds.

 

[GregLombardi]

Ummmmm yes and no.

I think generally the game holds its own -- and perhaps this is because I know exactly how to play it and beat it -- but for me on my recent play through it felt slightly more empty than I remember it. I'd knock it down a few tenths of a point over time. I don't feel like it holds up as well as something like Ocarina of Time which, still to this day, I discover things I didn't know about that game when playing it.

And as many people said -- the graphics are kind of painful.

FF7 is still a masterpiece in my book though.

 

[Itchy//Tasty]

Completely agree OP. I've NEVER wanted a remake, and I think the people who do may quickly change their minds when it eventually happens. At the very least, I'm glad we'll (hopefully) always have access to the magnificent original.

 

[Espada]

Holy shit at raziel's post.

I think the backgrounds still look great. Really inspired art direction, guess that was par the course for Square back then.

Yup, Squaresoft really nailed the atmosphere for VII. It's one of many reasons why I'm wary of a remake. They would invariably fail to match the original game's look and feel. I'm always impressed when I see VII's prerendered backgrounds. Masters of their craft for sure.

Anyways, I agree with the thread's assertion. Aside from the graphics and poor localization, the game is still excellent to this day. Little things like the comments the team makes when you first pick your party just outside of Midgar, hidden recruitable characters, weird Dolphin and military drill minigames, Seto's fate, the music... Bouncing between it and modern JRPGs like FFXIII is eye opening.

If they were ever going to do a remake, it should be in Bravely Default's style with the localization done by Alexander O. Smith (guy behind FFXII, FFT:WOTL, VS, etc.. translations). Everything else should be left alone.

 

[Earthpainting]

I'm hesitant to say it aged "well", let alone "extremely". The game is still perfectly playable, but its weaknesses have only become worse over time, while its strengths have eroded a bit.

The 3D visuals and CG cutscenes have obviously lost their impact. The pre-rendered backdrops still look OK for the most part, but I don't like navigating them. I can't tell if it's due to the collision maps, or the lack of analogue controls. The game has a very lacking localisation. It might have been OK in the 90s, but it as someone who didn't play it until much later, it's pretty jarring at times.

The biggest "problem" is one the game itself can't really help. The game's biggest moments have become part of gaming culture. I had them spoiled for me well in advance and I can only assume that my situation isn't uncommon for new players. Since the game's gameplay isn't crazy special, it kind of had to rely on these scenes. The fact that it was that popular and story-driven, makes it very difficult for new players to have a have an experience like you'd have had back in the day, no matter how much you let go of modern standards.

 

[Skellig Gra]

That's because the JRPG genre has barely evolved since then. Graphics have not aged well and outside the cut-scenes didn't even look good/run well for the time it was released.

 

[rjc571]

Battles run at 15 fps => It has not aged well

 

[warheat1990]

Its not even the best FF game

FFVI is the best in the series

 

[Morrigan Stark]

Always loved those pre-rendered backgrounds. Makes me want to replay it just for that. The popeye models looked like shit even back then, but the battle models were serviceable enough.

Raziel made a good post showing the graphic difference, but to be fair to FF6 he should have taken screenshots of the nicer looking areas, such as the train fight, the forest, and boss fights such as Atma Weapon or the statues, those still look good to me. I dare say the battle graphics look better in FF6 than 7, in fact.

Still the last good mainline FF game ever made, and that was 16 years ago. Sigh.

 

[Mobius and pet octopus]

Always loved those pre-rendered backgrounds. Makes me want to replay it just for that. The popeye models looked like shit even back then, but the battle models were serviceable enough.

Raziel made a good post showing the graphic difference, but to be fair to FF6 he should have taken screenshots of the nicer looking areas, such as the train fight, the forest, and boss fights such as Atma Weapon or the statues, those still look good to me. I dare say the battle graphics look better in FF6 than 7, in fact.

Still the last good mainline FF game ever made, and that was 16 years ago. Sigh.

That is crazy talk... ff9 + 10 are very good.

 

[DracoBlade]

ATTENTION: Currently playing ff7 for the first time. Shits good.

 

[Crunch King]

I agree that is has aged well, and firmly believe it doesn't need a remake.

Of course, how much of this is nostalgia talking... who knows?

 

[Ludist210]

And yeah, the materia system was the greatest thing ever.

I've got to disagree because it made everyone basically the same in battle aside from Limit Breaks. I like when characters get unique character abilities like in FFVI: Edgar used tools, Sabil used Blitzes, Terra could morph into an Esper. Here, everyone can steal, use enemy skills, double-cut, summon...you get the idea. I also didn't like you had to junction an All materia to a spell to use it on everyone, something you didn't have to do in other FF games. So really you had no incentive to swap out party members unless you just wanted a change in aesthetics (or a different Limit Break).

FFVII is a good game, but it's not great in my book. The materia system was part of my reasoning, although Junction/Draw in FFVIII was far worse.

 

[Morrigan Stark]

That is crazy talk... ff9 + 10 are very good.

I'll admit I barely gave 9 a chance (was still reeling with shock and disgust at how bad 8 was), but I lost interest quickly, and 10 was pretty much garbage.

I've got to disagree because it made everyone basically the same in battle aside from Limit Breaks. I like when characters get unique character abilities like in FFVI: Edgar used tools, Sabil used Blitzes, Terra could morph into an Esper. Here, everyone can steal, use enemy skills, double-cut, summon...you get the idea. I also didn't like you had to junction an All materia to a spell to use it on everyone, something you didn't have to do in other FF games. So really you had no incentive to swap out party members unless you just wanted a change in aesthetics (or a different Limit Break).

FFVII is a good game, but it's not great in my book. The materia system was part of my reasoning, although Junction/Draw in FFVIII was far worse.

I agree with this, I usually made a party of the cooler-looking characters rather than by their ability.

Spoiler

...Then again, okay, I sorta always used Shadow in my party because he was the coolest too, but it helped that Throw was very strong and Interceptor was neat... >_>

 

[Breakfast at Noon]

serious question.

does anyone else refuse to play ps1 and ps2 digital download games due to lack of trophies?
even if there was just 1 for completion.

i know this makes me sound a right sad prick lol but what insentive do i have to rebuy them.

 

[elyetis]

/pictures/

Didn't play ff7 for a long time, but don't we actually play those places with a completly different level of zoom than the one you are showing with those picture ?

 

[warheat1990]

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[Freshmaker]

I've replayed it multiple times as an adult and still think it's fantastic. It's not just nostalgia.

I think there's a certain bitterness in some over it being the most popular Final Fantasy. I'm not even positing that it's the best, but it shouldn't be cast off just because you like VI or IX better. VII is an exceptional game.

VIII and X are superior.

 

[Boogiepop]

I liked the game decently enough (probably would rate it somewhere in the middle of the series, but it's also important to note there that story's pretty low on my totem pole of important features in an RPG), but I honestly feel it's actually probably aged the worst out of the FF games. Of course there's the fact that it's just plain ugly a lot of the time (in particular, I think I'll always remember the scene with Cloud in the wheelchair that's supposed to look serious but ends up hilarious due to the graphics). Then there's the prerendered backgrounds, which can look nice at times but also REALLY weren't planned well for gameplay at times (and yes, you can turn on the arrows or whatever, but that doesn't really excuse some of the messy paths made for the sake of visuals over playability). And at least a couple of gimmicky battle things just plain didn't work as smoothly as they should've (though I'd have to replay again to confirm exactly why), with the boss that has the shields right before the dolphin section coming to mind. I'd also argue that the materia really needs to level up faster (I only first fully leveled one near the very end of the game, and I wasn't changing them around all over the place even), though that could be down to personal taste.

The biggest issue, though, is the frequent and rather poor minigames. The snowboarding game and (much as I'm sure it's a super cool moment in peoples' minds) the motorcycle section are way too long and bland in particular.

I still think it's a good game with a number of redeeming factors, but it could really, really use a nice remake to polish it up, at least in my mind.

 

[Silvawuff]

I think the backgrounds, game play, and music all hold up fantastic. The character models, however, do not.

 

[rezn0r]

VIII and X are superior.

agreed!

 

[andymcc]

That's because the JRPG genre has barely evolved since then.

Mechanically, FFVII's battle system is something that isn't so complicated that it couldn't have been handled on the SNES. The only evolution it really offers is in graphics/cutscenes.

 

[Skilletor]

Battles run at 15 fps => It has not aged well

Because that matters in a game where the only control you have over your characters is command prompts. It's still one of the quickest battle systems in the series.

 

[Vlade]

Suplexing a train is the best moment in gaming history.

 

[Skellig Gra]

Mechanically, FFVII's battle system is something that isn't so complicated that it couldn't have been handled on the SNES. The only evolution it really offers is in graphics/cutscenes.

Agreed. It is very simple but it really "works" IMO. It's one of my favorite systems they've used through the series.

 

[KHlover]

If you ignore the graphics, then yes.

serious question.

does anyone else refuse to play ps1 and ps2 digital download games due to lack of trophies?
even if there was just 1 for completion.

i know this makes me sound a right sad prick lol but what insentive do i have to rebuy them.

Idk, getting to enjoy the games again? Trophies influence my decision to buy classics by 0%

 

[MomoPufflet]

Remap the dpad to the analog stick on Vita! Problem solved!

Don't have a Vita? Well, there's your problem!


ProTip: Make the corners of the touch screen register as the action button and just rest your finger on the screen when you want to blaze through battle.

So I just tried and FFVII apparently doesn't support this sadly

I would love to be proven wrong but it doesn't seem to work.

 

[zkylon]

yup, I play it every now and then and it's always just fine

7 is still the best final fantasy for me

 

[jmdajr]

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Wonderful post

 

[Boogiepop]

Oh, almost forgot. I'll also always be a little upset with VII for dragging the party limit down to three and making that the standard.

 

[TheJollyCorner]

I think the backgrounds still look great. Really inspired art direction, guess that was par the course for Square back then.

Got progressively better as the gen progressed, IMO. Absolutely wonderful art directors/background designers.

FFVIII has my favorite pre-rendered backgrounds.

FFIX's were stunning, too.
FFVII's are unique, though. Each town has its own charm and so much went into tiny details. Just a joy to explore and look around.

I wouldn't be opposed to a next gen FF with world-maps and HD pre-rendered backgrounds. I wonder if it would be cheaper than what they have been doing with FFXIII and XV?

 

[Acquiescence]

.

You just won the thread. And that's why pre-rendered backgrounds >>>>> sprites in Final Fantasy games.

 

[SneakyStephan]

It really has
the backgrounds look amazing and interesting, the music is so beautiful and the materia system is still nothing short of awesome

The transitions from gameplay to cgi and he cgi mixed with real time is also really cool

 

[zkylon]

I wouldn't be opposed to a next gen FF with world-maps and HD pre-rendered backgrounds. I wonder if it would be cheaper than what they have been doing with FFXIII and XV?

maybe if they do minimal cutscenes and voiceacting

 

[FryHole]

I think games nowadays could learn a lesson or two about dialogue from FF7 because they somehow manage to keep dialogue in short but meaningful conversations. Unlike today with a game like dust, just for example, where I feel like there are entire 5-10 minutes of downtime just listening/reading conversations whenever I go into town.

Basically, I like the way the game was written and the characters still retain a good amount of depth to them despite having the option to change out characters for others which in many situations does change what the character may say.

I've said before (probably in our last FFVII thread) that I think JRPGs of that era may have actually benefited in some respects from the functional translations they received - previously I was making the point that it gave them an air of mystery through poorly clarified plot points that you were under the impression were still to be resolved. Going on from your point, you could probably also argue that another benefit was keeping things short and sweet. A bare bones translation that gets the message across is probably less frustrating than ploughing through window after window of admittedly well-written text or, god forbid, listening to someone's metaphysical ponderings in a cutscene.

 

[GregLombardi]

Suplexing a train is the best moment in gaming history.

Haha. Truth.

 

[Sapphire Dreams]

This is the first FF game I played and still one of the best JRPGs ever. It at least does world building extremely well that you know the world you are in and actually care for a lot of people in it. And exploring the overworld is extremely rewarding too.

 

[atbigelow]

It's unfortunate that you have to play the rest of FF8 to experience the great environment BGs. But at least you have analog control in that one.

 

[FryHole]

So I just tried and FFVII apparently doesn't support this sadly

I would love to be proven wrong but it doesn't seem to work.

The analogue stick? I think it does, though not in the sense that FFVII itself supports analogue control. But I'm pretty sure you can individually map 'Up' on the stick = "Up" on the dpad and so on.

 

[Onemic]

The graphics have aged horribly, but the game mechanics are still tight as hell.

FFVIII and FFIX have aged the best in terms of graphics. FFVIII still looks damn good on a Vita.

 

[SneakyStephan]

@ people who say it looks like shit, are you kidding me, what looks like shit about 2d pre rendered backgrounds?

You know what looks like shit, the blur and texture pop and post process vomit in most ps360 games

those games have already aged worse than ff7 has

 

[Joqu]

Those pre-rendered backgrounds look nice and all, but those pictures are zoomed out quite a bit. That's not what it will look like when playing the game and you guys know it.

Really, the PSX Final Fantasy games tend to look dreadful nowadays, especially VII. How I wish Square hadn't lost the original assets.

Overall IX has aged really well though, unlike VII. You can actually make that game look decent with the right filters.

 

[terrisus]

I thought Final Fantasy 7 was a horrible game when it came out, and still think it's one now.
In particular, the movies that play throughout the game are not only extremely boring, but serve as a jarring contrast to the rest of the game.

The core of the game is alright I suppose, but, it's extremely easy.
Still, it's hard to even try to enjoy that core with all the movies all over the place.

 

[MomoPufflet]

The analogue stick? I think it does, though not in the sense that FFVII itself supports analogue control. But I'm pretty sure you can individually map 'Up' on the stick = "Up" on the dpad and so on.

I mean, I couldn't even get the config screen to pull up on my Vita. I booted up FFVII and waited til I could control Cloud, then held the touchscreen and it doesn't seem to pull it up. I could be doing it wrong since I've never tried it before, but I copied what the Youtube vid I watched did and it seemed to be the right way.

 

[Gintoki313]

I played FF7 for the first time about 2 years ago, and I still thought it looked amazing. It's a PSX game, so it's not like I hopped into it expecting it looking like Uncharted. The enviornments looked great, and I liked the in-battle character models. The field character models, not so much.

At first it was hard to know where to go, but the select button saved me. Something I personally liked, is that you can literally use any party team and still beat the game. In most JRPG's nowadays, you usually need that 1 character in your party to even have a fighting chance. In this one, everyone can use every move so it's mostly up to you.