Final Fantasy VII (7) Overrated & Overhyped

[BushidoSkeleton]

I loved it when it was first released but I tried to replay it recently and it had ages horribly.

[redhand78]

I'm a newcomer to the forums but no stranger to the Final Fantasy series. As far as my opinion on seven goes I thought, when I first played it, that it was an excellent game. Loved the graphics (best for their day), loved the game play (innovative for its day), and the cast of characters were my second favorite of the series (with the cast from IV being my favorites probably because it was the first Final Fantasy I played).

After playing seven though I realized there were plot inconsistencies that I found rather glaring, probably because many of the story elements were changed half way through development. First off is the famous (or infamous) fact that it was obvious that Aeris was supposed to be resurrected at some point. The big hint here is you cannot get her ultimate weapon until after she's dead (unless you had the Game Shark and cheated your second time through ).

Second was the fact that during the whole first part of the story it builds to the "big" revelation that Cloud and Sephiroth are brothers and they turned out not to be. I actually liked that, Cloud and Sephi being brothers would have been just too Luke Skywalker/Darth Vader.

Third, Cloud not being a member of SOLDIER was, in my opinion, something they put in just to have a plot twist. I found it unnecessary and poorly handled as they never satisfactorily explained why Cloud could do the things he could do. Unless you find the whole bathing in the same materia residue as Sephiroth acceptable, in which case all I can say is "meh, whatever floats your boat."

I know there were other elements that changed mid stream I just don't remember them right now. However, those three criticisms aside, I still think the game is excellent, especially considering when it came out. Furthermore, I think that a lot of the bad mouthing going on today comes from gamers looking at Final Fantasy VII through the lens of 2011 and not through the lens of 1997.

[Ultra NHD]

Because to me it brought a lot of concepts into the FF games. It was also first in 3d i think, so it was a big step in it's time

[Rideout89]

Because it really was the RPG of its kind to set the ball rolling. Plus, it has huge swords, large breasts, and Bahamut Zero, what else do you need?

[kmonmoy]

I think it's because of the story that the VII is famous for.

[Myrodis19]

Honestly compared to all the other Final Fantasy games excluding 1-2 this game is way down the line for best characters and best story. For example in my opinion 4 had the greatest story out of all of them, had the best characters as well. I loved Cecil and his battles with his brainwashed friend, i loved the twists and turns of the old man mage and such and i do not think 7 cam close to that. Now FF6 was better because of the large number of chaaracters, excluding maybe two of them they all had a part in the story, a story that was often tragic and sad, i will never forget that you could actually permanately loose Shadow from your team. FF8 was more emotional, and i like the fact that it had the dual story with Laguna made it much more interesting, and when you got to a certain part it was a wow factor. FF9 returned to the classic setting, had a likeable main character, and i love the fact that a Black Mage the traditional one is on your main team. The story was also emotional and the main bad guy was really cool. 10 was just a wow thing as well and in my opinion had the most realistic MC ever

As for CLoud himself he is a very static character he doesnt change that much through the story, id more so call him a piece of cardboard.

[† Ferocia Coutura]

Wow. Dude, except for the thing about 4 (nothing againts it, I just didn't care for it) I agree with you almost completely. I agree with Cloud being static, and I would add unnappealing to his description. I also agree COMPLETELY about X. One of THE BEST MC's ever.

[kbrown]

Over-hyped or underrated, no matter what people's opinions are it's safe to say FF7 was the most popular game in the series. Frankly, I don't believe you can compare ANY Final Fantasy game to another. They were all unique in their own way. Thanks to the spins-offs like DOC, FF:AC, FF7:CC, and cameo appearances from cast members in other games like FFT and KH, the FF7 world continues to get recognition and is one of the reasons it remains so popular compared to other titles in the FF series.

[NoirRoex]

I almost all of the final fantasy series (except 13). I think the plot in Final Fantasy VII was great and easy to follow. I think besides the characters and storyline that helps a lot. For example, Final Fantasy XIII was filled up with new references and words that you had to learn in order to enter that world, it made it a bit of a turn off. If you didn't catch on quickly in the beginning, chances were you weren't going to get most of the plot. (Now that I think about it, the fact that you had to read all that crap back then also might have helped in that regard because the dialogue is progressing at the pace you want). Understanding the references and words made it easier to understand the characters, which were very developed and not too extreme. Each character had a history we had to explore in order to move the game along. That of course helps the storyline and vice versa.

[Reaper178]

The game was a pioneer for modern rpg's. Hell it was the first game ever to have cutscenes. Sure by todays standards their are many better rpg's but compare it to the games of its time, it was genius work.

[maingan]

its mainly overrated because for one everyone adores cloud striffe secondly it was on of the first big rpg style game that you cant beat in a day unless u spend all day doing it and know the secret shit in it

[renovalentine]

I used to think the same thing people used to big and hype it up to the point i thought it could not deliver but after leaving midgar i soon realised what was so good about it the characters are truly amazing and the story is an excellent story and the game play is spot on this all leads to a very addictive gaming experience. So overrated? No. Over-hyped? Maybe.

[KalicWinter]

Final Fantasy VII is the best!! IT RULES!! My favorite game. I've played it over and over and over since it first came out and I'm still not tired of it. Awesome game all around.

[sese]

I'll never forget the soundtrack of when you first get control of Cloud. Sent shivers down my spine still does. Me and my buds would have contests to see if we could beat the game in a weekend. Great game still waiting for that feeling again.

[animefan2k10]

I have to admit that the music and story in Final Fantasy 7 is what caught my attention