No video game captures the true effect of an epic adventure more than Final Fantasy VII. In actuality it transcends the genre to become a work of fiction comparable to Homer's revered tales or triumph and conflict, The Illiad and the Odyssey. The story focuses on the development of a character who meets and is assisted by other characters within the environment of a world stricken with the disease of human greed. A scientific propagation of the union of the spirit of the planet and mankind produces a deeply troubled being that fights to maintain his sense of humanity while succumbing to the planet's whims. When he discovers his true origin he lashes out at the very planet he is a part of and becomes the catyalist for many of the events in this story. This conflict defines the nature of his existence and the hero must clash with this pervasive evil force. Even the hero himself must fight his own internal demons to maintain steadfast toward becoming the savior of that which he also is a part of. His mind proves to be a vault of fascaded memories that are unveiled only when he unites with the Lifestream. After coming to terms with the truth he actualizes the fruition of his goal and a woman's prayer is answered.
What makes this game most memorable is the way in which it evokes emotional response from the player. There is an avenue of interactivity that defines the way characters perceive the hero, and through player initiated responses the relationship that forms between some of the characters seem quite real. Independantly, the characters themselves exhibit distinct personalities that make them easily recognizable. There are instances where fear, suspense, triumph, sadness, and awe are created within mind of the player, and this factor coupled with the way it integrates the element of culture and society makes it a masterpiece that is unrivaled by any game ever created thus far. Final Fantasy VII can appeal to children, teenagers, and adults by breaking the boundaries that most games immediately set.
Final Fantasy VII maintains lasting playability. From start to finish it keeps the player interested even though it is an extremely lengthy and involving RPG. When fighting enemies and increasing character levels gets monotonous there are others games within the game that can break any boredom that may arise. A giant amusement park, although part of the setting, also becomes a place where the player can interact with different types of games that are not neccessarily role-playing. There is a snowboarding game that requires quite a lot of skill to master, and can challenge any player. There is a Road Rash-like motorcycle game that requires nimble thumbs and sharp wits to accumulate a good score. An underwater submarine simulation is an interesting added element that the creators of Final Fantasy VII added to enhance the depth of playability. For racing fans, there is a unique approach to the idea personified with ostrich-like birds called chocobos. The player controls how well his or her chocobo does by feeding it and creating new breeds that can supercede its parents and the competition. The reward for all this comes in the form of useful items to add to the party's inventory as well as points that can be used to play more games at the amusement park. The player must become flexible to these changes in format, and is rewarded for mastery. Truly the challenge never ends in Final Fantasy VII.
The graphical detail in the battles scenes, the CGI movies, and the rendered backgrounds show that 32 bit can compete with 64. The attention paid to detail and overall quality is evident throughout every aspect of the game. It's the graphics that will awe a first time player, and keep him or her interested to the very end. Transitions from setting to screenplay are flawless and smooth. Few games accomplish the level of depth that Final Fantasy VII exhibits.
Like previous Final Fantasy games the music sets the mood of the environments the characters interact with, the emotional states of the characters, and the drama of the story itself. It's the music that sets the emotion of the scene and its the music that will capture the essense of the epic.
A great game like this one shines brillantly above the competition and becomes a model for all those that follow after. It unifies the elements of a movie, a novel, and a video game into a single interactive experience that can captivate an imaginative mind. Though the development of the plot and the portrayal of the characters Final Fantasy VII creates a lasting impression on anyone and shows that video games are more than just fighting and destroying. In an era when violence in recreational software is a strong issue debated by both parents and legislature this game manages to maintain player interest without degrading itself excessively. It might be Final Fantasy VII that rebounds slumping Playstation sales and raises the bar for the genre of video role-playing games. Overall, it is a game that must been seen to be believed, and played to be experienced.