Final Fantasy VII (psx: 1997): Reviews

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Final Fantasy VII


9.2

based on 20 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 252 votes
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FILM:

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within

GAMES:

Cheat Code Central

Official Website

It seems that an evil power company called Shinra, Inc. has found a way to mine this life energy, draining it from the earth, and using it to control the universe. Fortunately, a resistance organization know as AVALANCHE, has vowed to put an end to Shinra's destructive practices. The story focuses on Cloud, an ex-soldier of Shinra, who teams up with AVALANCHE, and along the way, encounters some very mysterious and powerful allies who help him fight against the deadly creatures Shinra has created to protect its empire. You, as the game player, will decide their fate. [Squaresoft]

PUBLISHER:	Sony Computer Entertainment America
DEVELOPER:	Squaresoft
GENRE(S):	Role-Playing Game
PLAYERS:	1
ESRB RATING:	T (Teen)
RELEASE DATE:	June 1, 1997

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

The first PS one installment of Final Fantasy is still one of the best ever. [Mar 2002, p.34]

100

GameShark

Every aspect of the game is virtually flawless, from its movie inspired soundtrack, to the incredibly life-like FMV, to the detailed battle and Materia systems, to the boatload of simplistic and addictive mini-games. This is what RPG fans have been waiting for.

100

PSX Nation

This is *the* one game you must buy or otherwise youll never see the true power of the PlayStation.

100

All Game Guide

Each character, visual graphic, mini-game and every ounce of story has a depth so amplified that it will keep players engrossed for months.

Absolute Playstation

This is the current apex in RPG games. In fact it is probably one of the best OVERALL games ever created for ANY system.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Simply amazing, and even better than the Japanese version. They balanced out the fights and added a couple of Bosses and some extra footage to the game.

IGN

All in all, it is impossible to not recommend Final Fanatsy VII to anyone who is even vaguely interested in RPGs.

GameSpot

Never before have technology, playability, and narrative combined as well as in Final Fantasy VII.

TotalGames.net

Besides the high quality visuals, real time battle is the key element that is arousing unashamed geeks around the planet for Final Fantasy VII.

My Gamer

With beautiful music, graphics and dynamic gameplay Final Fantasy VII is a testament to the evolution of video games.

Gamestyle

You can play the game time and time again. Always finding something new, from a new piece of materia to a new place, to defeating the ultimate weapons. The story twists and turns all the time always keeping you guessing as to what will happen next.

GMR Magazine

Brought RPGs into the Western spotlight and contained the most debated plot twist of an era. [Feb 2003, p.97]

Thunderbolt

Without a doubt, FF7 is one of the top Final Fantasy games out there. It is also one of the best RPG adventures of all time.

Games Domain

Some of the best looking graphics and most involving storylines ever seen on a console.

netjak

I think the story sucks, but the game is excellent. The thing about Final Fantasy VII is, whether you like it or hate it, the merits of the game can always be argued very strongly from either point.

Gaming Maxx

The one drawback in my opinion would be the replay value, as many people would find it pointless to replay the entire game just for a few secrets, since the story is the main reason to play a game like this.

Game Revolution

Hundreds of hours of visually beautiful gameplay, but its frustrating incoherence will make many people cringe and put the game aside before they have even finished.

Cincinnati Enquirer

The cinematic sequences, which propel the story line, have an anime quality that is dark, foreboding and engrossing.

GameCritics

If Square Soft wants videogames to be compared equally to other forms of art, then they are going to have to gain that respect by producing a game that is more intellectually and culturally aware and not a game that is essentially a video game screaming for attention and respect.

Electric Playground

There is tons of RPG combat, which is a little too slow for some people and slowed even further by all of the spectacular but lengthy spell animations.

The average user rating for this game is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 252 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Tyler B. gave it a10:
I don't know why someone was complaining about grahpics of this game it came out at the birth of PS1 (it didn't even have analog controls)...he must be a 5 year old who doesn't appreciate where games come from. This IS Final Fantasy. Compelling story, revolutionary combat systems (when it was made), and an excellent game to be the first 3D final fantasy. It is an unforgettable experience from the first time you go into the land of Midgar.

Mike M. gave it a6:
Heralded by a generation of people to which this was their first "deep" game, Final Fantasy VII is merely a marvel of marketing, timing, and demographics. There were, by far, more engrossing games before and since - and though it succeeds on many fronts as a good JRPG, it is by no means one of the best games ever made. The graphics were especially sub-par for the time (especially if you consider the fact that I first saw it on the PC), the story follows the typical JRPG notion of 'ultimate good versus ultimate evil, with confusing allegorical twists', and employs wooden, teen-programmd protagonists... And not to mention an androgynous, randomly angst-ridden villain who we must accept as evil simply because he acts like it, with little discernible motivation. A good JRPG, but in the end, that's not saying much.

Rafiqy T. gave it a10:
best game ever all you nay sayers are crazy. it came out in 1997 our only other option was an over head look on a 2mm figure. the story is deep, the game play is great and the music is awesome! so all of you people who were not part of the target audience just shut up and accept it as the BEST GAME EVER!!!

Phil M. gave it a10:
This game, along with FFVIII are both the best games I've ever played in my life. The inconsistent art style is probably the only thing holding this game back. Everything else is just so perfect, such an immersive game.

sconway 321 gave it a9:
This game is fantastic. The story is MINDBLOWING, the characters are brilliant and gameplay is great fun. The only reason I don't give this game 10 is because it felt dated and had bad graphics. But you learn to put these faults aside and enjoy the game. One of my most favourite games.

Martin B. gave it a10:
Easily my favorite RPG ever. Its scope and epic-ness is only matched or surpassed by a handful of other games. Those who criticize the graphics need only realize this game was released more than a decade ago(1997).

Cloud S. gave it a10:
The very definition of gaming as an art.