Happy 8 Year US Anniversary, Final Fantasy VII!
- Thread starter TheJollyCorner
- Start date
8 Years already now? Brings a tear of joy to my eye. I also remember pre-ordering this game and getting that free tshirt. Heck, I still have that shirt and haven't worn it at all. Maybe it's worth something on eBay? Hah.
Anyways, I was going into third year university at the time and was poor as shit. I had to use my student loan to buy this game, but it was worth every fucking penny. I subsequently spent the next week skipping out on classes and playing this game.
I also remember reading through this issue of Gamefan where they had this whole FF7 blowout and was drooling over the pictures and couldn't believe the graphics.
Oh yeah, the advertisement for this game was insane! I recall watching SNL and seeing FF7 commercials on televison. Entire streetcars (public transit, the TTC in Toronto) would have been plastered with FF7 ads / posters. I wanted to grab one so bad.
Anyways, I was going into third year university at the time and was poor as shit. I had to use my student loan to buy this game, but it was worth every fucking penny. I subsequently spent the next week skipping out on classes and playing this game.
I also remember reading through this issue of Gamefan where they had this whole FF7 blowout and was drooling over the pictures and couldn't believe the graphics.
Oh yeah, the advertisement for this game was insane! I recall watching SNL and seeing FF7 commercials on televison. Entire streetcars (public transit, the TTC in Toronto) would have been plastered with FF7 ads / posters. I wanted to grab one so bad.
I didn't get this game until it became a Greatest Hit (got out of gaming for a couple of years), it was my second PS game, after SotN. I loved it to death. I was just amazed at the cutscenes showing all the different Weapons, and the story truly sucked me in. Right after I finished it, I accidentally erased my save, and sadly I haven't played through it again since. I really want to before Advent Children arrives.
Something interesting I own is a VHS tape that has interviews with Square employees, and a pretty decent "making of" story all about FFVII. It's probably 20-25 minutes long, with a huge game footage montage before the interviews, and then short previews for FF Tactics, Bushido Blade, and SaGa Frontier after that. It's still enjoyable to watch even today. I got it in the mail for free back then, I think because I was subscribed to Square's newsletter (Ogopogo Examiner).
Oh yeah, that videotape has all the commercials on it too.
Something interesting I own is a VHS tape that has interviews with Square employees, and a pretty decent "making of" story all about FFVII. It's probably 20-25 minutes long, with a huge game footage montage before the interviews, and then short previews for FF Tactics, Bushido Blade, and SaGa Frontier after that. It's still enjoyable to watch even today. I got it in the mail for free back then, I think because I was subscribed to Square's newsletter (Ogopogo Examiner).
Oh yeah, that videotape has all the commercials on it too.
Simo
Member
Final Fantasy VII TV Commercials.. 
http://gameads.gamepressure.com/tv_games_commercials.asp?SEARCH=Final+Fantasy+VII
I don't suppose anybody does have those old print ads to post do they?
http://gameads.gamepressure.com/tv_games_commercials.asp?SEARCH=Final+Fantasy+VII
I don't suppose anybody does have those old print ads to post do they?
TheJollyCorner
Member
I'm replaying FFVII in preparation for Advent Children. Man, it's been a long time.
TheJollyCorner
Member
Himuro said:Phht. FFVII is a game I play yearly.
for me that's FFVIII.
Back in '99, when there were already rumors of Square possibly making a FFVII remake for PS2, I decided I wouldn't play FFVII again until the remake version (which I figured would happen soon or later, regardless
). When Advent Children was announced in 2003, I figured I'd probably have to break my original plans and replay FFVII anyway.Two years later, here I am, preparing for Advent Children and Dirge of Cerberus.
AlphaSnake
...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
Yeah...FFVII was a Godsend. Loved it. Got it on day one. It was probably the one game that single-handidly buried the N64.
XMonkey said:
Uh, did you ever play FFVI/III?
That's Shadow, Locke, and Terra from Final Fantasy VI, not Cloud.
And no, it was not a N64 demo. It was a SGI demo Square did to experiment with 3D to prepare for Final Fantasy VII on the Sony PlayStation. Square explains this in their own words on the G4 Final Fantasy Icons special. It had nothing to do with Nintendo at all.
Sony started courting developers in 1993 and early 1994 with the PlayStation and when Square saw the potential for the CD medium and the hardware they immediately made it their focus. Final Fantasy VII was a PlayStation project from day one.
Must be terra's blonde hair
images from http://www.fantasyanime.com
tiny movies
http://www.fantasyanime.com/finalfantasy/ff6/ffsgidemo1.zip
http://www.fantasyanime.com/finalfantasy/ff6/ffsgidemo2.zip
http://www.fantasyanime.com/finalfantasy/ff6/ffsgidemo3.zip
images from http://www.fantasyanime.com
tiny movies
http://www.fantasyanime.com/finalfantasy/ff6/ffsgidemo1.zip
http://www.fantasyanime.com/finalfantasy/ff6/ffsgidemo2.zip
http://www.fantasyanime.com/finalfantasy/ff6/ffsgidemo3.zip
Here's my FFVII timeline:
1. See the game at a friend's house when I was young. Seemed pretty damn cool.
2. Didn't own a PSX, so I played it at his house a bit.
3. Recieved the PC port for my birthday.
4. PC kept crashing at the end of disc1
5. Let a friend borrow it years later.
6. Get a new PC.
7. Years later, find that half of the discs (pc version = 4) are cracked up due to a chair accident.
So, no, I never finished the game. And at this point, I'm not very interested in RPGs.
1. See the game at a friend's house when I was young. Seemed pretty damn cool.
2. Didn't own a PSX, so I played it at his house a bit.
3. Recieved the PC port for my birthday.
4. PC kept crashing at the end of disc1
5. Let a friend borrow it years later.
6. Get a new PC.
7. Years later, find that half of the discs (pc version = 4) are cracked up due to a chair accident.
So, no, I never finished the game. And at this point, I'm not very interested in RPGs.
I remember seeing FFVII for the first time, I was never into RPG's I'd watch my older brother in his teens play all the SNES classics, like Lufia, Sword of Mana, FFIII and countless others.
So one time he too my with him to his bestfriends house, now close family friends, and they were playing some sort of console?... IT WAS A PSX!! lol and I seen the graphics of Cloud running around Midgar, and then the CG scenes at Junon and I was hooked
I saved for MONTHS, and in Christmas of 98 I got a PSX and the next day bought FFVII for 59.99CAD Till this day I love the game, I just wish Square would use the Materia system again or something close to it.
So one time he too my with him to his bestfriends house, now close family friends, and they were playing some sort of console?... IT WAS A PSX!! lol and I seen the graphics of Cloud running around Midgar, and then the CG scenes at Junon and I was hooked
I saved for MONTHS, and in Christmas of 98 I got a PSX and the next day bought FFVII for 59.99CAD
Till this day I love the game, I just wish Square would use the Materia system again or something close to it.I dug it back then. In retrospect and without the hype surrounding it all these years later, it's not quite as great as my nostalgia held it up to be. But I guess that's always the way it is.
Love the materia system and the music, though. I also really liked the whole mood the game struck toward the end with the meteor close to hitting the planet. I like that sort of near-apocalyptic feel.
Love the materia system and the music, though. I also really liked the whole mood the game struck toward the end with the meteor close to hitting the planet. I like that sort of near-apocalyptic feel.
Red Scarlet
Member
Hmm, nowhere where I lived at the time (Atlanta) released it earlier than the regular date, 9/7. Oh well, I had it in March anyway. Where all was it released 5 days early?
I showed the Japanese version and a couple of summons to some EB guys, and at least 3 decided they wanted to buy it when it came out.
I showed the Japanese version and a couple of summons to some EB guys, and at least 3 decided they wanted to buy it when it came out.
I bought my PSX for FFVII, at that point, I was a relative RPG newcomer I had freinds that were more seasoned RPG veterans, and I'd played a few RPGs during and before the 16-bit era, but I'd never owned a NES or SNES, so I'd missed out on all the Square RPG goodness untill early 1996, the first time I played Chrono Trigger. CT absolutely floored me, and pretty much transformed me into an instant Square fan. I remember I was browsing a PSX news-site (can't remember wich one, PSX Power I think, I was pretty vehemently anti-Sony at that point (they're a consumer electronics company lolz, they don't know thing one about gaming or gamers, and such, really, it was more misplaced bitterness about the Saturn's poor US performance, back when I still cared about system wars). Anyways...back on track, when the page loaded, before my eyes lay the most beautiful looking RPG (or any game at that time) I'd ever seen, after perusing a few screenshots, I went over to the Japanese official FFVII page and culled what info and concept art I could from it, and got some details on the story and battle system from a few sporadic fansites around the net. The second I saw the first screens of the game, I knew it was going to be an experience I'd never forget, and at that point, I KNEW I had to have a PSX and a copy of the game. I didn't really have any money of my own yet (I was only like, 14), so I had to wait till April 25, of 98 on my birthday to get a PSX and my copy of the game. I was simply awestruck at not only the unbeleivable visuals, but the sheer depth and attention to detail the game presented, it was light-years ahead of most of the RPGs of the 16-bit era (save FFIV wich was actually a deeper game in some respects). I'll never forget the first time I booted up my brand new PSX with my brand new copy of FFVII. FFVII+ starting a relationship with a girl that is, even to this day, one of my best freinds, made that day one of the most truly special days in my life (oh, yeah, and it was my birthday too ) 8 years have passed, and I've gone from a complete RPG neophyte to a...well...er...um...someone who has played lots of RPGs, and allthough the game hasn't really held up well in certain aspects (certain aspects of the story and dialogue sound trite and goofy now, 5 poly charecters with lotsa jaggies, and all the gorgeous pre-rendered backgrounds look very dithered and low-res on my new sdtv) it's still an experience I'll never forget, and the moments it did get it right, are forever seered into my consciousness. Upon discovering FFVII I went back and played every entry in the series and fell in love with nearly all of them (especially IV and later on VIII) by about 1999 or so I'd pretty much played Square's entire back-catalogue right down to Rad Racer ) Much like everyone else, some of my less RPG savvy freinds had already played it, and those who hadn't did, when they saw the game in action, I even had a few non RPG-savvy freinds who played Xenogears later on, most didn't really catch on to the genre though, but the fact that I could suddenly talk to any of them at lunch about a jrpg when none of my freinds even knew what a role-playing game was just blew my mind. I've never felt the same way about a game since, and I suppose some of it was due to age and naievity, but if I ever had to pick a time to be introduced to the universe of role-playing games, that era was it, not just for FFVII, but for all the great games it opened the doorway for in North America. Everyone is a neophyte at some point, and I can't think of a better time in history to be introduced to the rpg genre full-scale. In both the games released that year and the experiences in my real-world life (especially compared to the somewhat rocky road that would follow both in my later-teenage years), for once, the stars seemed to align. I think 1998 was the most perfect year in my life, and FFVII gave me some of the bestgame-related memories I've ever had.
Now get to work on that remake Sqeenix [/end gushing]
) 8 years have passed, and I've gone from a complete RPG neophyte to a...well...er...um...someone who has played lots of RPGs, and allthough the game hasn't really held up well in certain aspects (certain aspects of the story and dialogue sound trite and goofy now, 5 poly charecters with lotsa jaggies, and all the gorgeous pre-rendered backgrounds look very dithered and low-res on my new sdtv) it's still an experience I'll never forget, and the moments it did get it right, are forever seered into my consciousness. Upon discovering FFVII I went back and played every entry in the series and fell in love with nearly all of them (especially IV and later on VIII) by about 1999 or so I'd pretty much played Square's entire back-catalogue right down to Rad Racer ) Much like everyone else, some of my less RPG savvy freinds had already played it, and those who hadn't did, when they saw the game in action, I even had a few non RPG-savvy freinds who played Xenogears later on, most didn't really catch on to the genre though, but the fact that I could suddenly talk to any of them at lunch about a jrpg when none of my freinds even knew what a role-playing game was just blew my mind. I've never felt the same way about a game since, and I suppose some of it was due to age and naievity, but if I ever had to pick a time to be introduced to the universe of role-playing games, that era was it, not just for FFVII, but for all the great games it opened the doorway for in North America. Everyone is a neophyte at some point, and I can't think of a better time in history to be introduced to the rpg genre full-scale. In both the games released that year and the experiences in my real-world life (especially compared to the somewhat rocky road that would follow both in my later-teenage years), for once, the stars seemed to align. I think 1998 was the most perfect year in my life, and FFVII gave me some of the bestgame-related memories I've ever had. Now get to work on that remake Sqeenix [/end gushing]
Ahhh FFVII. What a historic game. Pretty much changed the direction of the gaming industry on its own. Only a few games in history have done that.
However, FFVI, VIII, IX, X, and Tactics were better. Of course, I didn't get caught up in all the hype as my first playthrough was in 2002.
However, FFVI, VIII, IX, X, and Tactics were better. Of course, I didn't get caught up in all the hype as my first playthrough was in 2002.
jett said:
They showed it off at SIGGRAPH; the complete video is included on some Japanese making of PSX disc. Though it's historic, it is also really badly paced and boring, I wanted to fast-forward through most of it. It definitely served as the base for the battle scenes tho.
Played it at launch but didn't like it...Then years later, circa 2002 bought it and nearly beat it. Arrived at Sephiroth and stopped playing...pretty much like I did with FFX and Shin...
My brother has been playing this game since 1998...and I think he also ended at the caves before Sephiroth.
Curious...
My brother has been playing this game since 1998...and I think he also ended at the caves before Sephiroth.
Curious...
Doom_Bringer
Banned
8 years ago I didn't even know what Final Fantasy was! I bought the game sometime in 1998 and got hooked.
Baron Aloha
A Shining Example
I will always remember FFVII just because of all the content the game had. The game was ahead of its time in that regard IMO. I remember using the strategy guide to unlock all of the secrects after I beat it. When I beat it the first time I didn't have Vincent or KOTR and a couple other summons.
Does anyone else remember that Versus Books strategy guide? What a fantastic guide!
I wish they were still around. They made some great guides (FFVII, Shenmue, RE2, Tekken 3, OOT, etc)
Does anyone else remember that Versus Books strategy guide? What a fantastic guide!
I wish they were still around. They made some great guides (FFVII, Shenmue, RE2, Tekken 3, OOT, etc)
VisionaryQuest0
Member
I only really knew of Final Fantasy by name only. Played just a little of FFVI on the SNES at a friends house, but I wasn't a big RPG guy then. Of course it was known as FFIII here in the US so when I heard about FFVII I was one of the people who were trying to figure out what happened to the other four.
I was sucked into the hype for the game just like everybody else out there since it was pretty much considered the next coming of Jesus to videogame freaks. Bought the game day one and to this day it is STILL one of my favorite games of all times. The story, the graphics, the gameplay. Everything. I couldn't put this game down to save my life. I consider it one of the most perfect games ever made.
I've now played and love all the other games in the series but none of them hold a candle to VII quality wise.
I was sucked into the hype for the game just like everybody else out there since it was pretty much considered the next coming of Jesus to videogame freaks. Bought the game day one and to this day it is STILL one of my favorite games of all times. The story, the graphics, the gameplay. Everything. I couldn't put this game down to save my life. I consider it one of the most perfect games ever made.
I've now played and love all the other games in the series but none of them hold a candle to VII quality wise.
Wow, I can't believe it's been 8 years... I remember it coming out (I thought it was September 7th) the day before 11th grade, I've never wanted a game so much in my life. Back then the FF series was like my favorite video game series. I had recently finished FF2j and was up to the final dungeon of 3j at around that time. The summer between the import release and the domestic release was the longest summer of my life... preordered months in advance, got the PlayStation Underground demo, played that like once a day. School started and the days were HELL trying to get through the day so I could come home and sit in front of the TV and play. The hype was so full on, aside from a bunch of jealous losers with their lame N64s and their lame James Bond games, everybody dug the game. Hell, even my English teacher was talking to the class about the game since her sons were big gamers. Man, the memories. But 7 was probably the last FF I truly, truly loved. well I'll admit to liking 10 more than I should (or more than most RPG fans do) 
Baron Aloha said:
I have that Versus Guide. I really don't see what the big deal about it is though (I have the Brady guide too) other than the fact that it gave precise recipes for Chocobo breeding.
I do like the layout, etc., but I might be forgetting something else important about it.
Back when US FFII was on the SNES (and I couldn't have been more than 8 years old then), I didn't yet have any gaming systems. So my friend Dale used to come over and we would play some of his games - F-Zero, Street Fighter II, Mario Kart, SMB or the like. But he would never let me play FFII for some reason, I think he was afraid I would mess up his save file. So one day I suddenly bolted from the dinner table, locked myself in my room with his SNES and played the game for about two hours while he tried to break in. :lol
Fast-forward to the PSX era. I got mine a little late, because I held on to the Genesis/Sega CD for an embarrassingly long time and stopped playing games for a little while after that once-venerable system faded from the marketplace. When I finally got a PSX, I think it was Christmas of '97, I also got a passel of games which included FFVII. Good times, good times.
What struck me more than anything else was how 'adult' it seemed - no knights in shining armor or fairies or anything. The environment in Midgar was starkly urban, and the poverty was palpable. I really got the sense of being confined in a city that most of the residents would never leave, as long as they lived. When I finally got out and set out for Kalm, that was exciting. Everything was new to me, and I relished it. I was in awe at every step of the way for the entire story, and when I beat the game I wanted more - so I started again, and this time maxed out my characters in the Mideel forest, while getting most of the items on the way. Then I started again and maxed all my characters out in the North Cave, bred an entire stable full of Gold Chocobos, and built up an arsenal of Master Materia. Then I did it all again at least twice more.
No other game has ever replicated the formula. It is simply magic.
Fast-forward to the PSX era. I got mine a little late, because I held on to the Genesis/Sega CD for an embarrassingly long time and stopped playing games for a little while after that once-venerable system faded from the marketplace. When I finally got a PSX, I think it was Christmas of '97, I also got a passel of games which included FFVII. Good times, good times.
What struck me more than anything else was how 'adult' it seemed - no knights in shining armor or fairies or anything. The environment in Midgar was starkly urban, and the poverty was palpable. I really got the sense of being confined in a city that most of the residents would never leave, as long as they lived. When I finally got out and set out for Kalm, that was exciting. Everything was new to me, and I relished it. I was in awe at every step of the way for the entire story, and when I beat the game I wanted more - so I started again, and this time maxed out my characters in the Mideel forest, while getting most of the items on the way. Then I started again and maxed all my characters out in the North Cave, bred an entire stable full of Gold Chocobos, and built up an arsenal of Master Materia. Then I did it all again at least twice more.
No other game has ever replicated the formula. It is simply magic.
BuckRobotron
Member
I didn't play the game until a year-and-a-half ago. Still enjoyed it despite the obvious age, partly because it had a lot more (and interesting) summons than expected.
CosmicGroinPull
Member
I played it a year after FF8. Since I got introduced to RPGs through FF8, I couldn't empathise with FF7's characters due to the style. Just thought it was okay.
AlphaSnake
...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
I want my fucking remake!
Sapiens
Member
I remember playing Wild Arms, and then playing Suikoden months before FF7 came out. Not to say that WA and Suikoden are bad games (not at all), but going from those to FF7 a mere few months later was AMAZING.
As much as the true worth and quality of FF7 is constantly brought to attention, few games can surpass that feeling that it gave you. Just really fun.
As much as the true worth and quality of FF7 is constantly brought to attention, few games can surpass that feeling that it gave you. Just really fun.
AssMan said:
The soundtrack was VERY effect.
Even know if I listen to pieces of the soundtrack I am instantly pulled back to which scenario surrounded that.
IMO one of the most effective uses of soundtrack was the use of J-E-N-O-V-A(?) during the Jenova boss fight just after Aerith was just killed. For some reason it was just so different....
I mean with most RPGs if I play the soundtrack it pulls me back.. but something about FFVII... even to this day those pieces really stick out....
and my mouth hit the FLOOR when Sephiroth cast Super Nova for the first time.
The funny thing is, I DO NOT remember hearing ANY hype, AT ALL, about FFVII. Maybe it was mentioned once or twice to me, but I sure as hell don't remember seeing any commercials, ads, or being at all interested in it. I did not experience any of the hype, I already played plenty of RPGs, as well. And when I picked it up in 1998, well, I experienced it. And I must say, it is THE single most overrated game in the history of this industry. The script was absolutely horrible, and the plot presented itself as a confusing mess at times in an attempt to look deep and mysterious. The graphics were horrible (yes, I said it, the graphics were horrible. That's what I thought, and that's STILL what I think). Mainly because of the SHITTIEST MODELS IN THE HISTORY OF GAMING.
I thought Aeris was a slut (still do), Cloud was stupid (especially when his real past is revealed.), and Sephiroth was just, well, from the first time you run into him on the Junon ship, and he says "Time...is...now," I knew he'd have stupid dialogue and act all evil and somewhat crazy like Kefka in FFVI.
It was a fun game, like all the FFs are, but when it comes to FFs, it's one of the worst.
I thought Aeris was a slut (still do), Cloud was stupid (especially when his real past is revealed.), and Sephiroth was just, well, from the first time you run into him on the Junon ship, and he says "Time...is...now," I knew he'd have stupid dialogue and act all evil and somewhat crazy like Kefka in FFVI.
It was a fun game, like all the FFs are, but when it comes to FFs, it's one of the worst.
TheJollyCorner
Member
You are ruining my party! STOOOOOOOP!
Prince of Space
Banned
Been a while since I've seen it, but I don't remember the Icons episode even mentioning the FFVI tech demo. :\ManaByte said:
HomerSimpson-Man
Member
I will forever and always love FFVII, haters can go take a pipe up the ass!
Give me my damn freakin' remake already Square, and stop it with the damn cock teasing!!
Give me my damn freakin' remake already Square, and stop it with the damn cock teasing!!
GaimeGuy said:
Then you must've been living under a rock, because SCEA published FFVII in the US and they plasted ads all over TV:
http://gameads.gamepressure.com/tv_game_commercial.asp?ID=1127
Hell, this one ran almost non-stop:
http://gameads.gamepressure.com/tv_game_commercial.asp?ID=1126
"If he fails...you can always hit...the reset button!"
Red Scarlet
Member
GaimeGuy said:
I think the poster you quoted is talking about the orchestrated version of the overworld song that is on the Reunion soundtrack.
Lots of people like Aerith's theme for a variety of reasons, such as the beginning sounding vaguely familiar to the opening of the opera in 6, the fact that she dies, and that the song only plays in the game three times, all of them pretty sad points in the game.
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