During the last holiday season, I found myself reflecting on the significant role that Final Fantasy VII has played in my life. I took the time to jot down some thoughts about it, pondering over its influence and importance. It stands out as a game that has left a profound and enduring impact on me, one that has significantly shaped my perception of what a video game can truly represent. It is one of the few games that I have made it a point to replay once every year or two as no matter how many times I play it the story and characters just never get old and I get the same enjoyment out of it as I did the very first time.
As I reminisce about the countless hours I’ve spent immersed in its world, I am filled with gratitude for the experience it has afforded me. I can affirmatively say that Final Fantasy VII is not only one of the most important video games in my personal journey, but it also stands as one of the greatest Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) ever created.
The game has carved out a unique niche for itself in the expansive pantheon of JRPGs and has even managed to break into more mainstream game genres. This is largely due to the inclusion of its iconic characters, Cloud and Sephiroth, in the Super Smash Bros. series, as well as numerous Final Fantasy characters in the Kingdom Hearts series. These crossovers have introduced the game to a broader audience, further solidifying its status in the gaming world.
Final Fantasy VII is more than just a standout title in its franchise. It serves as a seminal example that has significantly shaped the JRPG genre as a whole. Its innovative storytelling, immersive world-building, and complex characters have set a new standard for what players can expect from this genre.
The game stands as a testament to the creative prowess of its developers, showcasing their ability to weave a captivating narrative with engaging gameplay. It has set the bar high for subsequent titles, acting as a beacon that leads the way for the future development of the JRPG genre. It’s a beacon that illuminates the path of innovation and creativity, encouraging developers to push the boundaries of what is possible in a game. From the very first cutscene you know that Final Fantasy VII is going to be a cinematic and audio masterpiece, the video shifting from the train that Avalanche is riding on tho get to the reactor to the sweeping shots of Midgar juxtaposed with the theme of Final Fantasy VII playing in the background, players are
The subtle ingenuity of the boss encounter is that is shows both the technological aspect of the Shinra Corporation (the Mega Conglomerate that built the reactor you’re attempting to destroy) with the organic part of Nature (taking the form of a biological organism, namely the scorpion), which will be shown contrasted much more brazenly later in the game. It shows that Shinra has no regard for anything excepted itself and will bastardize anything in the name of profit.
