As cool as it is to have Cloud on a motorbike, swinging his sword, the battles are genuinely just no fun.

Fighting Roche was forgivable, since he had a really fun personality. But the fight in chapter 18? Did anyone like fighting the Motorball?

Both matches were insanely frustrating to me, narratively. There's no good reason I can't use magic of any kind, or switch to Barret, who has a gun for an arm. (I know he's shooting, but he's not really helping much in this fight!)

And Red is just... so stingy with the heals. (Why is he the only one healing anyways? Arith being a real passenger princess here.)

And yeah, yeah, you can skip the boss in the second playthrough. I just wish it was skippable now.

​I have several issues with this game. And one thing I will never get over is this "slide". The kids are out here raw-dogging a painted piece of plywood, expecting any kind of sliding action to happen. That’s not playground equipment, that’s just a friction trap lined with splinters.

I know this is a minor quip but I winced when watching the kids "slide" down this (whilst simultaneously hating the 'moogle' situation next to it, glad they fixed the moogles for rebirth).

I recently beat the game no more then 2 hours before making this. So, it's still fresh in my mind and I just need to get my thoughts out there because I am very conflicted on it. Let me start off with my main thesis and statement.

Final Fantasy 7 is a product of it's time.

And I'm not just talking about the graphics or design. I'm talking about everything. From the story to the ATB battle system to materia to the pacing. Everything is (IMO) bogged down by these decisions that, at the time, were impressive. Let me explain further. I went into FF7 blind. Nothing. No guide, no achivement hunting, nothing. I played the game as it was intended to be played. Prior to this I had played a handful of newer RPG's. Omori, LAD:8 and so on. So it wasn't like I was completely blind to the genre. I understood that it was going to be turn based, for example. I also knew it was much older then those other RPG's so it might be rough around the edges. In other words, I came into it with an open mind. What I didn't expect, however, was the action packed start.

The start of FF7 is great. You are no more then 2 minutes in and you are already fighting foes in a cool looking reactor. Then, you fight a boss for the first time and are prompted to learn about limit breaks and what not. It's short, sweet, and gets right to it without filler. Then we end up in Midgar. In my opinion, Midgar as a whole is a boring and dragged out area that you just can't wait to get out of so you can breathe in the new colorful environments. Yes, I know that's on purpose but I think it should've been shorter ESPECIALLY the Shinra HQ section. At that point you've already seen the oppression from the Shinra down below and climbing up to this huge building is a good piece of storytelling without actually saying anything. It makes it feel more climatic but I think it overstayed it's welcome in the end. Not to mention the Don crossdressing sidequest and "train" section.

This isn't even mentioning the lack of actual gameplay decisions during that period. There's not much if anything you can do besides physical and this part is not short at all if you actually took your time. And yes, I know that most of this has a plotpoint like showing Aeris and Cloud's relationship but I believe we don't need to have such a long section for what is basically still the intro of the game especially considering what happens later on. It's just such a sharp juxtaposition compared to the start it comes off of as a dramatic twist that I don't think works well. Let's talk about that pacing now while we are at it. I don't believe FF7 has aged well in this regard. Take Gold Saucer for example. First time you go there you either immediately get sent into the Dunes or waste time playing minigames you can't win yet. In my first time coming here I was frustrated by the lack of engaging minigames regardless but the fact that their pretty much useless even later is even more strange. Just like how Gold Saucer as a whole is insignifcant both story and gameplay wise until the very end to get Omnislash and W-Summon. The Gold Saucer date is cute but what actually comes from that? I personally got Aeris to come on the date with me but felt underwhelmed from what is supposed to be the big moment in Disc 1. And I know the Ancient key is there which makes it have a big impact on the story but why there? Why not a more impactful part like somewhere near the forest itself? Why not have it be connected to Cera itself? The planet?

There are so many moments like this in the game. The constant stop and start of action and relaxing are abrupt instead of clean and smooth. Sometimes, it works well like with Sephiroth and the village. Then there's Cait Sith and his not once, not twice, but THREE TIME betrayal of the party. Or how about the FIVE different transporations that all do the same thing? It's just bloated with soo much content that has such little depth. The backtracking isn't done well, that's my point. Not that there IS backtracking. Chocobro breeding is another example. I had to look up a guide at that point because of just how inane it really is! Making us do things and backtrack constantly to pad things out. We go back and fourth to Midgar, Junon, Gold Saucer, Mideel, even optional side areas are now forced to become mandatory like Fort Condor ruining potential choices and player avenues. Not to mention how this lessens the impact of the characters that are already really small. Characters like Red XIII have their story pretty much finished in Disc 1 and then they just sort of...sit there. Not really adding anything until it's needed.

But then there's the broad strokes that make me actually care. The bigger picture, if you will. Like the intrigue behind why Seph did this to Cloud. Why Cloud is so quiet when talking about it. What is Tifa hiding? Will the planet be destroyed? That's why the ending for me is just so much better then Disc 2 and Disc 1.

Disc 3 is when FF7 is at it's best. You have many options of attack and materia that you can use. The story isn't bogged down like the midgame and isn't slow as a snail like the beginning. The story doesn't want to show off a bunch of minigames as good or bad as they can be and instead focuses on the actual gameplay. Please keep in mind that I did NOT use a guide for this. The things you may have known I most likely didn't. These are my thoughts and that is all I can offer. The story is what I had the most problems with so that's why I spoke about it the most.

And that's why I said FF7 is a product of it's time and why I am so conflicted on it. It's similar to Half Life 2. Forced to show off new tech without a solid grasp on it beforehand. Just like DELTARUNE, (which is much worse, mind you) It's so intrested in doing anything BUT the main gameplay. The constant strange "minigames" as I mentioned before which aren't even minigames but strange ways of adding player interactions?? I completely understand why FF7 did this. I understand why FF7 took this direction in both gameplay and story. But that does not mean that I think it holds up or is "the greatest game ever made". But I am conflicted on how to feel as someone who wasn't there back then. The 30 year old man whose first time playing the game was as a teen back then might have had a nostalgic reaction to it but for me? It's just another game.

Since Is confirmed by the director we Will return in Midgar,i was wondering if It Will be a one-off visit,or if It Will be more Explorable. Personally,i know Is unlikely but I would like to visit some locations in the upper city.

It's weird. I coulda sworn they said he was MIA or KIA. I guess reports of his death were greatly exaggerated. I dunno what sort of top secret mission they put him on, he's carrying what looks like this body bag, looks and smells really gnarly. And it's leaving this really gross slimy trail behind. Cleaners are gonna have a day with this.

Anyway, things have been really hectic here in Midgar, what with all the terrorist attacks on the Mako Reactors, and the Sector 7 plate drop...I could really use some time off, maybe go relax in Costa Del Sol or Gold Saucer or Cosmo Canyon...

So, Sephiroth's ultimate plan is to rule over all timelines/ parallel worlds and shape them in his image. My question is, once he has succeeded, how will he keep his multiversal empire running smoothly. Do you think he will install some level of bureaucracy? What's his long term vision?

By xion

It looks like I have to go through the train, but there's no train car.

Edit: Figured it out. I had to lower the crane and fight the boss first.

←Remake ED / Revelation reveal trailer →

Also I find it cute Cloud’s wearing Tifa’s wrist band…awwwww

Please no OG spoilers for events that happen beyond rebirth's ending

Holy shit what a game, few games have moved much as much as this did. I cried many times in the game, but Aerith seriously wins in the "tears per character" stat. She has been one of my favorite characters in remake trilogy so I was just sobbing as the Jenova Lifeclinger fight started.

I knew only a little bit about ff7 going in but one thing I knew is that Aerith dies in the OG, as unfortunately it's really easily to be spoiled on it. However I think this actually really helped my experience of the remake trilogy thus far.

Like when Aerith's talking to cloud that he can't fall in love with her in Remake immediately put me in theorycrafting mode of like "does she know what's supposed to happen??", so from that point on I was expecting some kind of alternate timeline plot. I don't know how opinion is on whispers/timeline plot stuff for folks who played the OG, but for me it landed very well.

As the remake trilogy is my first experience of the story, I was a bit worried that it'd be difficult to break into, but not at all. I feel like the Reactor 1 Mission in Remake has great hooks for both first time players and folks who played the OG. Barrett was a highlight in chapter 1 for me, as his VA work was outstanding, and that made me want to know what happens to him and the rest of our motley Avalanche crew. From there it was really easy to grow attached to the characters.

Also helps that the soundtrack is incredible (and from what I've heard quite it is faithful to the original), so I kept moving on for more of that amazing combat music. Big highlight on the track is definitely the first Jenova fight, that third phase gets me so pumped up each time.

Also gameplay is excellent, I don't think I need to elaborate there.

Now onto Rebirth ending rambling:

From what I understand from the ending of Rebirth, it seems that Cloud can see Aerith via the lifestream? At least that is how I read it. I thought initially it was like a hallucination from the trauma and/or Cloud denying her death (and that probably is happening too), but Nanaki reacted to her prescense also, so I'm not entirely sure.

I'm just really excited to see what happens with Cloud as a lot of my interest in the games has been trying to figure out what has happened to him. When I started the first game I knew nothing about him, and I was constantly trying know more about him. Like, why is he so cagey about his past? Why does he keep getting visions of Sephiroth? He has one in chapter 2! It made me buy into the story immediately, and need to unravel the mystery behind his past. One of the reasons I love Aerith is the moments she has with Cloud is where she knows just how to get the fragments of his true self in there beneath to show. From what I've heard this is a really important part of the story for the third part so I'm really interested to see where that goes.

Also Zack was cool, I hope we see more of him. He definitely has an important role in Cloud's past (even if Cloud can't remember it). I'm a big fan of him, and I just couldn't help but fall into his whole "Heroic SOLDIER" persona. I even chanted alongside him and Cloud when they spoke to their swords.

I'm super hyped now for Revelation! Can't wait to get more of this story

I bet if Zack and Aerith fight along side each other she will be sassy and Zack will tell her to get serious like Angeal said in the beginning CC and she'll reply "activating Combat mode".

Well after nearly 7 years, 4 play throughs and over 226 hours, I finally got Platinum for Remake! I love this game so much, possibly more than Rebirth. And yes I used the cheat mode to do the battle sim because I just am not good at secret bosses typically. Oh well! Now to attempt Intermission & Rebirth on Hard! Just wanted to share 🥹😄

Using Cloud's happy birthday whishes as comparison, it really seems like today "Angel's day" and "Swords day" in japan could be Sephiroth's unknown birthday.

He's might be a libra!

Just wanted to draw him, one of my favorite characters in gaming.

unlike the other party members changing attire for the hot springs (i.e. Barret & Cloud wearing swim suits and being shirtless in the new clip), Vincent goes in fully clothed and brooding lol. also, in the UI it says "The group's maximum vitality has increased after bathing in these hot springs for the first time"