It took ages, but Final Fantasy VII has arrived in the U.S., and it's every bit as glorious as fans have been praying for. This PlayStation role-playing game delivers on hype on all fronts, presenting a dramatic, sentimental tale guaranteed to grab you like a cinematic experience. The story follows the emotional unraveling of Cloud and Sephiroth's intertwined fates as they strive to free their minds from the evil Jenova. This adventure, so intense it had to be split among three discs, is not afraid to tackle mature themes including environmental destruction and governmental corruption - doing so with total elegance. The OK translation from its original Japanese text only occasionally blunts the impact of the serious tone.
This title shines brightly as a technical marvel. Its graphics are totally outstanding, certainly pushing the limits possible on Sony's 32-Bit machine with eye-popping polygons and pre-rendered backdrops that blend seamlessly with dazzling FMV. Battles move fast and fierce, making good use of the Active Time Battle (ATB) system to build suspense then finishing off with cathartic Limit Breaks. Moreover, the Materia mana system allows players to build custom spells and skill enhancements. FFVII feels comfortable and inviting even among casual games players, and those flashy battles will pull in even those skeptical of RPGs. The only real drawbacks here come in the form of repetitive summoning animations and a somewhat bland overworld map, but these hardly matter considering the sheer ambition and boldness represented by the complete package. Once again, Square succeeds in setting a new standard for role-players on console.
JET'S REMARK:
Nobuo Uematsu's musical compositions are the secret sauce which ties the whole presentation together in a beautiful bow. From Nibelheim's sad piano melodies to the energetic combat fanfare, all notes serve to boost the drama and add to the emotional impact.
Review Station Last Stop
Undeniably a must-own masterpiece for any PlayStation owner, Final Fantasy VII redefines not only RPGs, but the video game medium itself. Square brought their A-game from combat to storytelling. Too bad for Nintendo, eh?
