Final Fantasy VII
A landmark role-playing game that popularized Japanese RPGs worldwide.
Final Fantasy VII is a role-playing game released in 1997, developed and published by Square for the PlayStation. It is the seventh main entry in the Final Fantasy series and the first in the main line to see a PAL release. The story centers on Cloud Strife, a mercenary who signs on with an eco-terrorist group called AVALANCHE. Their goal is to stop the Shinra Electric Power Company, a megacorporation that controls the world, from using the planet’s life essence as an energy source. As events unfold, Cloud and his companions pursue Sephiroth, a superhuman who intends to wound the planet and use its healing power to ascend to godhood. Along the way, Cloud forms bonds with his party, including Aerith Gainsborough, who holds the key to saving their world.
Development began in 1994, originally targeting the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. After delays and technical hurdles while experimenting with platforms like the Nintendo 64, Square moved production to the PlayStation, drawn by the advantages of the CD-ROM format. Many veteran Final Fantasy staff returned, including series creator and producer Hironobu Sakaguchi, director Yoshinori Kitase, and composer Nobuo Uematsu. This was the first game in the series to use full motion video and 3D computer graphics, with 3D character models placed over 2D pre-rendered backgrounds. While the core gameplay stayed similar to earlier entries, Final Fantasy VII introduced more science fiction elements and a more realistic presentation. The combined development and marketing budget was around 80 million dollars.
Final Fantasy VII was widely praised by critics and became a commercial success. Reviewers highlighted its graphics, gameplay, music, and story, though some criticized the original English localization. It is still regarded as a landmark title and one of the greatest and most influential games ever made. It won multiple Game of the Year awards and is credited with boosting PlayStation sales and popularizing Japanese role-playing games worldwide. Its success led to enhanced ports on various platforms, a multimedia subseries called the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII, and a high-definition remake trilogy: Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020), Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (2024), and Final Fantasy VII Revelation (2027).
Quick Facts
- Title
- Final Fantasy VII
- Developer
- SquarePorted to iOS and Android by D4 Enterprise. Ported to modern Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One by DotEmu.
- Publisher
- PlayStation · JP · Square · WW · Sony Computer Entertainment · Windows · Eidos Interactive · Later releases · Square Enix
- Director
- Yoshinori Kitase
- Producer
- Hironobu Sakaguchi
- Programmer
- Ken Narita
- Artist
- Yusuke Naora · Tetsuya Nomura
- Writer
- Yoshinori Kitase / Kazushige Nojima
- Composer
- Nobuo Uematsu
- Series
- Final Fantasy
- Platforms
- PlayStation · Windows · iOS · PlayStation 4 · Android · Nintendo Switch · Xbox One
- Genre
- Role-playing
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Development of Final Fantasy VII began in 1994, originally intended for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. After delays and technical difficulties with several platforms, most notably the Nintendo 64, Square moved production to the PlayStation, largely due to the advantages of the format. The game was the first in the series to use full motion video and 3D computer graphics, featuring 3D character models over 2D pre-rendered backgrounds. The combined development and marketing budget amounted to approximately 80 million.
The gameplay retains the Active Time Battle system from earlier entries, with characters exchanging moves on a battle screen. The game introduces Materia, orbs that can be added to equipment to provide magic spells, summonable monsters, commands, and statistical upgrades. Final Fantasy VII also features character-specific Limit Breaks, powerful commands that become available after a special gauge is charged by taking enemy attacks. The game includes three modes of play: the world map, field mode, and the battle screen.
Reader's Guide
Final Fantasy VII received widespread critical acclaim upon release and was a commercial success. Critics praised its graphics, gameplay, music, and story, though some criticism was directed at the original English localization. It is widely regarded as a landmark title and one of the greatest and most influential video games of all time. The game won numerous Game of the Year awards and is credited with boosting PlayStation sales and popularizing Japanese role-playing games worldwide. Its success led to enhanced ports on various platforms, a multimedia subseries called the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII, and a high-definition remake trilogy comprising Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020), Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (2024), and Final Fantasy VII Revelation (2027). The game's story and characters, particularly Cloud Strife, Aerith Gainsborough, and Sephiroth, have become iconic in video game culture.
Did You Know?
- Final Fantasy VII was the first game in the main series to have a PAL release.
- The combined development and marketing budget was approximately 80 million.
- The game introduced the Materia system for customizing characters.
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