I usually don't go in for computer RPGs; I come from the old school of D&D players where dice, cheetos, pencils, paper, coca-cola and a DM's imagination made for a far more immersive experience... but Final Fantasy VII is extraordinary.

Right off the bat, you'll notice the game's graphics. Square built the game with fully rendered 3D backgrounds and overlaid polygonal based characters on top. It's gorgeous. One of the best looking games anywhere to date. It pulled a "MYST" on me -- Final Fantasy VII sets a new precedent in computer game art and puts a muzzle on Nintendo's bragging rights: it would have been impossible to bring the game out for the Nintendo 64 and makes great use of the quite capable Sony PlayStation technology. The art conveys mood and contains wonderful, rich detail which rewards players in its own right.

But icing, no matter how delicious, does not a cake make. MYST, while revolutionary in its presentation stank when it came to game play. (Hey, this is my web page.) Final Fantasy strives to offer far more than MYST or other such "puzzle" based games. The game revolves around combat in which players may control up to three characters at a time and issue a variety of commands in a time-limited turn-based melee system. True to role playing form, characters improve in combat as they find and acquire new weapons, new magic (in the form of "materia" gems), and other varied skills. The enemies the game presents players are quite varied and vulnerable to different forms of attacks -- making the different tactics employed in combat quite interesting. In some cases, a respective attack may actually help an opponent! After just a few hours of play I found myself juggling "materia" and equipment in an attempt to anticipate the optimal configuration before entering a new area in the game.

In addition to combat, Final Fantasy VII's game play offers a range of puzzles and arcade-like action sequences which, so far, haven't repeated themselves. (I'm hoping to see a return of the motorcycle chase!) You'll need to figure out how to sneak by guards, how to roll barrels down on top of a street gang, and eventually will end up with Cloud, the main character, in a dress. Overall the game offers a wealth of play experiences and doesn't suffer from arbitrarily imposed puzzles or formulaic encounters.

Final Fantasy VII's plot compliments its extraordinary graphics and solid game play. While some players may be disappointed with the strictly linear progression of the story (complete with massive interludes of back story and details), I found the rich plot engaging. The story and its setting changes as you play and did hold my interest. I'm anxious to learn what happens next... a quality I think few computer games have ever accomplished. While players will be aware that they're on a train ride as far as plot goes, the plot in this game is so compelling that a linear progression is easily forgiven.

Overall Final Fantasy VII is a fantastic game and I recommend it whole heartedly. I could see someone buying a PlayStation for this game alone. (Well, this and Twisted Metal 1.)

Finally -- as you play you may be in need of some help. Don't go buy the $15 official guide book: check out the Imagine Games Network PSXPower special guide on Final Fantasy 7 for a pretty good online reference... and when PSXPower can't fill you in, GameSpot's FF7 Guide might help; but, for the best help anywhere, check out K. Megura's FAQ which he posts on his home page along with a ton of other game related info. His Final Fantasy 7 FAQ is amazingly complete and downloadable. He's a dedicated fan and it's great that the Internet has given him an opportunity to share the wealth of his efforts.

-- Scott
September 19, 1997.

"Scott's Addictions" are postings about the games I play as I play them. When a game captures my interest and becomes a front-burner favorite, I'll post a tidbit or two here for you fellow gamers to enjoy. I'll only post the best games of my crop. No ratings, just ravings. And I'm semi-agnostic: I love the Mac, tolerate my PC, and split time on the PlayStation and Nintendo 64.

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