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Confession: I’ve never played FFVII

SolidChamp

SolidChamp

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
4,867
I was on the N64 side of the fence during the PS1 era, so I missed out on the JRPGs of the times and have only my fond memories of playing FFIV on the SNES to encapsulate my entire experience with the franchise.

I know FFVII is considered a classic masterpiece, but for some reason I never felt compelled to play it. It just seemed like one classic I was okay with missing out on.

But lately, with the release on the Switch and the upcoming remake, I'm wondering if I shouldn't try experiencing it in its original iteration. Which leads me to a very pressing question:

Should I play the original FFVII now? (On Switch) Has it aged well enough? Or should I just wait for the remake on PS4?
 
BarryFishFinger

BarryFishFinger

Member
Oct 27, 2017
7,530
Confession; I've never played a Final Fantasy game full stop. Literally nothing about them makes me want to play them. If the main design criteria was to put me off playing, they did a fabulous job.
 
Isayas

Isayas

Banned
Jun 10, 2018
2,729
Ok. I never know why people make threads like this? You are not missing out on anything really.
 
StarPhlox

StarPhlox

Member
Oct 25, 2017
4,417
Wisconsin
I played through it on Switch for the first time over the course of the last two weeks. The QOL improvements made it a breeze to take in the world and enjoy the story without ever grinding or doing random battles. I recommend it if you're just looking for context for the remake, which was my goal.
 
Seedy87

Seedy87

Member
Jan 4, 2018
255
Well, Final Fantasy VII Remake won't let you experience the whole game at first (seeing as it's divided into parts).

I think FFVII represented a genre-redefining moment, moving from 2D sprites to 3D character models/FMV cutscenes. If you think you have more hours to put into it on Switch then I'd say it would be worth it, but, if not, then maybe wait and play Remake as it releases in 'shorter' parts?
 
Qudi

Qudi

Member
Jul 26, 2018
5,330
Is it really a big deal? I never played a FF mainline game in my life. But im looking forward playing the remake next year.
 
blonded

blonded

Member
Oct 30, 2017
1,128
It was mindblowing in 1997. There's nothing special about it from a modern perspective.
 
Natasha Kerensky

Natasha Kerensky

Alt Account
Banned
Jul 18, 2019
262
Praha, CZ
How do you feel about playing older games? Are you okay with that? If you're good and okay with trying out older stuff, then you definitely should go for it, it's a masterpiece.
 
Dave

Dave

Member
Oct 26, 2017
1,338
I hadn't until fairly recently and I would highly recommend you do so, it is heartwarmingly excellent.
 
jobrro

jobrro

The Fallen
Nov 19, 2017
1,627
I've never played a Final Fantasy game. Bought FFXV a couple years back because of a price error... Hopefully will get to it before the end of the year.

Wouldn't mind visiting FFVII, but would probably make use of the cheesing features included in the recent releases (like level 100 or whatever there is).
 
cowbanana

cowbanana

Member
Feb 2, 2018
13,888
a Socialist Utopia
BarryFishFinger said:
Confession; I've never played a Final Fantasy game full stop. Literally nothing about them makes me want to play them. If the main design criteria was to put me off playing, they did a fabulous job.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

The same goes for me. The character designs/types alone have always been enough to put me off. The few clips I've seen from the 3D games have solidified that I've made the right choice. So much cringe.
 
wbloop

wbloop

Member
Oct 26, 2017
2,278
Germany
Me neither. I actually got seriously into FF until after XV, although I played VIII when I was a kid.

Bought the PS4 remaster for cheap a while ago, as well as X/X-2 HD and XII HD, but I'm still occupied with XIV. I still want to complete VII before the remake comes out, tho. God damn, that's a lot of time I need to sink into.
 
Glasfrut

Glasfrut

Avenger
Oct 27, 2017
3,552
You don't have to play everything. If there's something that caught your eye about it...play it. If not, don't (or wait for the remake).
 
GongagaSOLDIER

GongagaSOLDIER

Member
Oct 27, 2017
1,297
In 1997 it marked a genre-defining and pivotal moment for the landscape of JRPG games, especially in the West. Territories throughout Europe had not received the earlier entries in the series, so for many Europeans this was their first experience with Final Fantasy (and for many, both in Europe and the US, a first experience with JRPG games). The budget, use of FMVs, marketing and launch on the 'hot, new' console were all attractive. Couple that with a variety of gameplay scenarios (from battles, minigames, materia customisation), and at the the time genuinely shocking death of a core character, secret charcters, summons, scenarios and fights, exciting story and great music and the success of Final Fantasy VII and reverance that built around it perhaps shouldn't be too surprising. Nowadays a lot of the story beats have been spoilt before people even play the game and the once stunning 3D visuals and CG now show their roots. But the story is still great, the gameplay still rewarding and good QoL updates are present in the HD versions on modern platforms. If you have the time give it a go before the remake launches, it is still enjoyable even if it doesn't feel as groundbreaking to new players 22 years out.
 
Transistor

Transistor

Outer Wilds Ventures Test Pilot
Administrator
Oct 25, 2017
37,258
Washington, D.C.
FFVII was the direct evolution of the 16-bit FF games. Because of that, it's a little rough around the edges, but it is one hell of a ride. I highly recommend it
 
Lylo

Lylo

Member
Oct 25, 2017
3,174
I never wanted to even try FFVII, i tried FFX and hated it, i played some FFXII and really liked it, even though i didn't go too far. I tried FFXV and hated it. That's my story with Final Fantasy.
 
Katana_Strikes

Katana_Strikes

Unshakable Resolve
Member
Oct 29, 2017
10,782
Yes, just play it. The newer version has some nice additions that help update it and make it more playable today. I think it holds up really well and fully enjoyed it all over again when they brought it out on PS4 but it's my fave game ever so not sure how it is for new players these days.
 
Yarbskoo

Yarbskoo

Member
Oct 27, 2017
2,980
You should play it. The remake is pretty much a completely different game and you won't see the end of the story for a long, long time.
 
Auberji

Auberji

Member
Oct 25, 2017
685
I hadn't till this year, I finished 9 earlier in the year too.

Switch version seems like a decent way to go from my experience at least, there were a lot of times I was using the fast forward honestly and I found that most of the games story is just kinda. well. a bit shit. There's some highlights and cool stuff but large chunks could be cut with little consequence to the point it feels bloated at times.

Bosses and stuff are neat though.
 
Dreamboum

Dreamboum

Member
Oct 28, 2017
22,892
cowbanana said:
The same goes for me. The character designs/types alone have always been enough to put me off. The few clips I've seen from the 3D games have solidified that I've made the right choice. So much cringe.
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Click to shrink...
You should play FFXII it's the most mature of them and it's actually well filmed and acted

 
thecaseace

thecaseace

Member
May 1, 2018
3,227
First it's not the end of the world, a lot of people haven't played it.

Second, the Switch version is a good one that is worth your time.
 
ffvorax

ffvorax

Member
Oct 27, 2017
3,855
I never played a 2D Metroid.
Oh this is not a confession thread?

Anyway, if you like jrpg then go for it, otherwise don't.

It's still a great game, and the new releases have the speed up, that helps.
 
Thrill_house

Thrill_house

Member
Oct 27, 2017
10,677
Yes, you can still have a great time with the game if you are interested. Just don't force yourself to play it.

These games are a product of their time and were big events at every release. Was the gold standard for cgi and visuals for years. Its kind of a "You had to be there" type thing in my opinion.
 
Worldshaker

Worldshaker

Member
Oct 28, 2017
3,958
Michigan
It's not the best Final Fantasy, but a lot of people have good memories of it.

If you have a PS4 or Switch you should look to catch it on sale. I think it's worth checking out for sub $20.
 
Aztorian

Aztorian

Member
Jan 3, 2018
1,456
Never played any FF game except for trying it out. Don't like them. Won't buy the FF7 remake either and I'm feeling fine. So, no. You are probably not missing out on anything.
 
Cactuar

Cactuar

Banned
Nov 30, 2018
5,878
SolidChamp said:
Should I play the original FFVII now? (On Switch) Has it aged well enough? Or should I just wait for the remake on PS4?
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Click to shrink...

When people ask this question (because everyone asks it due to Remake pulling in fans who may not be ready to play a 22 year old game), I tell them you should play the original first. You don't need to play it first, but you should. You will not get the same feelings playing the Remake as those of us who played FFVII day one in 1997, but at least by playing it first you can experience a tiny bit of that, as the more familiar you are with the OG that more fascinating the Remake will be.

I also suspect it might be a similar situation that happens with a lot of remakes in that if you never played the original and your first experience with the game is a high budget remake, then most likely you'll never be able to go back make it through the original version after that.
 
Dreamboum

Dreamboum

Member
Oct 28, 2017
22,892
cowbanana said:
I'll stick it on my Steam wishlist and see if I get time to dig in at some point. I guess I could try an FF game at some point and this one does seem to be highly regarded.

I see that it's also on the Switch, how is that version? Fine in portable mode?
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Yeah it's pretty great for me. It's not full res in portable mode though, but something like 576p but it didn't feel distracting to me. It's 30fps with 0 drops
 
Blackpuppy

Blackpuppy

Member
Oct 28, 2017
4,230
Hey OP, I'm currently playing FF7 on Switch. It's my first FF game ever played and only my 2nd jrpg (after Chrono Trigger).

It's a quaint and interesting game. The graphics are dated and the story is a bit silly at times. It's not as serious as the advertising would make you think.

However, I'm pretty sure I would have stopped this game soon after starting were it not for the 3x speed and the ability to turn off random battles. My god: step step step WHOOOOSH. Step step WHOOOOOSH. Step step step WHOOOOSH (proceeds to hit L3 and R3 together...)
 
nrtn

nrtn

Banned
Oct 31, 2017
1,562
StarPhlox said:
I played through it on Switch for the first time over the course of the last two weeks. The QOL improvements made it a breeze to take in the world and enjoy the story without ever grinding or doing random battles. I recommend it if you're just looking for context for the remake, which was my goal.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
How much time you took to beat it considering the QOL improvements? I wanna play it to get to know the story.
 
antitrop

antitrop

Member
Oct 25, 2017
12,653
I say it's the best game ever made and IGN says it's the most overrated. You have to make up your own mind, it's important enough to be worth having an opinion on.
 
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