Final Fantasy VII

Infobox VG
title = Final Fantasy VII


caption = North American box art
developer = Square
publisher = PlayStation
vgrelease|JP=Square|NA=SCE America|INT=Square|PAL=SCE Europe

Windows
Eidos Interactive
designer = Hironobu Sakaguchi
Yoshinori Kitase
writer = Yoshinori Kitase
Kazushige Nojima
artist = Tetsuya Nomura
Yusuke Naora
composer = Nobuo Uematsu
released = collapsible list|title=January 31, 1997|PlayStation
vgrelease|JP=January 31, 1997|NA=September 7, 1997|INT=October 2, 1997|EU=November 17, 1997|AUS=November 1997

Windows
vgrelease|NA=June 24, 1998|PAL=1998
modes = Single-player
genre = Console role-playing game
series = "Final Fantasy"
ratings = vgratings|ELSPA=11+|ESRB=T|OFLCA=G8+|PEGI=12+|USK=12+
platforms = PlayStation, Windows
media = 3 CD-ROMs (PS)
4 CD-ROMs (Windows)
requirements = Windows
166 MHz Pentium CPU, 32 MB RAM, 4X CD-ROM drive, DirectX 5.1 compatible sound and video card, 260 MB available hard disk space, Windows 95 or above (officially not compatible with 2000)
input = PlayStation controller (PS)
Keyboard or joystick (Windows)nihongo|"Final Fantasy VII"|ファイナルファンタジーVII|Fainaru Fantajī Sebun is a console role-playing game developed by Square (now Square Enix) and published by Sony Computer Entertainment as the seventh installment in the "Final Fantasy" series. It was released in 1997 for Sony's PlayStation and in 1998 for Microsoft's Windows-based personal computers. The game is the first in the series to use 3D computer graphics, featuring fully rendered characters on pre-rendered backgrounds.

Set in a dystopian world, "Final Fantasy VII"'s story centers on the powerful megacorporation Shinra, which is draining the life of the planet to use as an energy source. Players follow a young mercenary named Cloud Strife, who joins with several others to stop Shinra. Later in the story, the main antagonist, Sephiroth, develops a plan to summon a meteor with the intention of injuring the planet to a point where it would gather massive amounts of its life force in one spot. This would allow Sephiroth to collect all the life force and gain control of all living beings.

Development of "Final Fantasy VII" began in 1994 and the game was originally only intended for the SNES, but it was later moved to the Nintendo 64. As the system's cartridges lacked space, Square decided to release the game for Sony's PlayStation instead. The music was scored by "Final Fantasy" veteran Nobuo Uematsu, while the series' long-time character designer, Yoshitaka Amano, was replaced by Tetsuya Nomura.

The game was a major critical and commercial success, and remains arguably the most popular title in the series. As of December 2005, "Final Fantasy VII" has sold more than 9.8 million copies worldwide, earning it the position of the best-selling "Final Fantasy" title and the second-best-selling PlayStation game of all-time. The ongoing popularity of the title led Square Enix to produce a series of sequels and prequels under the collective title "Compilation of Final Fantasy VII".

Gameplay

Like previous installments of the "Final Fantasy" series, "Final Fantasy VII" consists of three basic gameplay modes: an overworld map, town and dungeon field maps, and a battle screen. The overworld map is a 3D model, featuring a scaled-down simplified version of the game's fictional worldcite book | year=1997 | editor=Square Electronic Arts | title=Final Fantasy VII North American instruction manual | pages=15, 44–46 | publisher=Sony computer entertainment|id=SCUS-94163] which the player navigates to travel between the game's locations. It is the first "Final Fantasy" game to have character models with fully-rendered polygons, rather than flat two-dimensional sprites. As with the preceding games in the series, the world map can be traversed by foot, chocobo (ostrich-like birds), airship, or submarine. On field maps, the game's three-dimensional playable characters are directed across realistically scaled environments, consisting of 2D pre-rendered backgrounds which represent locations such as towns or forests.cite web | author=Kasavin, Greg | date=1997-09-27 | title=Final Fantasy VII for PlayStation Review | url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/rpg/finalfantasy7/review.html | publisher=GameSpot | accessdate=2008-07-16] The battle screen is a 3D representation of an area, such as a building's interior or open grassland, in which the player commands the game's characters in battles against CPU-controlled enemies through a menu-driven interface. [cite book | year=1997 | editor=Square Electronic Arts | title=Final Fantasy VII North American instruction manual | pages=20–25 | publisher=Square Electronic Arts |id=SCUS-94163] While characters are super deformed on maps, the character models are more realistic and normal-scaled in combat.

Initially, the player is restricted to explore the city of Midgar, but as the game progresses, the entire world becomes accessible to the player. Progression through the game's storyline is largely developed by way of scripted sequences, although pre-rendered cinematic cut scenes sometimes also advance the story.

Combat

During its turn-based battle sequences, the game uses the same "Active Time Battle" (ATB) system designed by Hiroyuki Itō and first featured in "Final Fantasy IV". Unlike previous games in the series, which allow 4-5 playable characters to participate in battle, "Final Fantasy VII" allows only three characters to be in the party at any time.cite web | first=Jay |last=Boor | date=1997-09-03 | title=Final Fantasy VII Review | url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/150/150494p1.html | publisher=IGN | accessdate=2008-07-16]

"Final Fantasy VII"'s skill system is built around the use of materia, magical orbs that are placed in special slots on weapons and armor, allowing players to customize their characters' access to magic spells, summons, and special abilities. Magic and summon materia also make the characters physically weaker. In addition to their individual attributes, materia can be used together in a fixed number of ways to enhance their effects or produce other abilities. [cite book | year=1997 | editor=Square Electronic Arts | title=Final Fantasy VII North American instruction manual | pages=35 | publisher=Square Electronic Arts | id=SCUS-94163]

A modified form of "Final Fantasy VI"'s "Desperation Attacks" appears in "Final Fantasy VII" as the "Limit Break". Every playable character has a bar that gradually fills up when they suffer damage in battle. When the bar is completely filled, the character is able to unleash his or her Limit Break, a special attack which generally inflicts significantly more damage on enemies than normal attacks, or otherwise aids the party in battle.cite web|url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/870/870770p1.html|title=IGN Presents: The History of Final Fantasy VII|publisher=IGN|first=Rus|last=McLaughlin|date=2008-04-30|accessdate=2008-09-14] Unlike materia, which any character could use, each character has their own unique Limit Breaks. [cite web|url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/494/page_2.html|title=Guides: Final Fantasy VII &ndasg; Characters|publisher=IGN|first=Finn|last=White|accessdate=2008-09-14] In addition, elaborately animated summon spells were incorporated in the game, and are also present in future games in the series.

Plot

etting

The game's setting follows in the footsteps of "Final Fantasy VI" by presenting a world with considerably more advanced technology than the first five games in the series. Overall, the game's technology and society approximates that of near-future science fiction. [cite book | year=2001 | editor=Editors of Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine | title=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine August 2001; issue 47 | pages=16 | publisher=Ziff Davis] The world of "Final Fantasy VII", retroactively named "Gaia" but referred to in the game as "The Planet", is composed of three main land masses. The eastern continent features the city of Midgar, an industrial metropolis that serves as the headquarters of the Shinra Electric Power Company, a ruthless megacorporation operating as the "de facto" world government. Other locations on the continent are Junon, Shinra's major military base; Fort Condor, a fort with a huge condor covering up a Mako reactor on top of it; a chocobo ranch; and Kalm, a small town inspired by medieval Europe.

The western continent features most of the accessible areas, which include the Gold Saucer, an amusement park; Costa Del Sol, a seaside resort; Nibelheim, a town residing at the base of Mt. Nibel; Rocket Town, the location of Shinra's failed rocket launch; and a settlement called Cosmo Canyon. Wutai, a village inspired by pre-modern Japan and China, is located on a large island off the western continent. The tribe inhabiting Cosmo Canyon emphasize living in harmony with nature and dedicating causes to the planet's well-being.cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | pages=217 | language=Japanese|publisher=Square Enix|id=ISBN 4-7575-1520-0] Their settlement features an observatory and serves as a research facility for those who wish to participate in a philosophy known as the "Study of Planet Life", a lifestyle that encourages deference for nature and teaches that the planet has a life of its own. The northernmost continent is a heavily glaciated wasteland, and its few settlements include an excavation site; a ski resort; the mythical "City of the Ancients"; and the Northern Crater, where the game's climax takes place. There are also underwater locations accessible via submarine, such as a sunken plane transporter.

Characters

The nine main playable characters in "Final Fantasy VII" are Cloud Strife, an unsociable mercenary who claims to be a former 1st Class member of Shinra's SOLDIER unit; [Aeris: What rank were you? / Cloud: Rank? / Aeris: You know, in SOLDIER. / Cloud: Oh, I was... First Class. cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VII |developer=Square Co |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=PlayStation] Aeris Gainsborough, a flower merchant who has been pursued by Shinra's special operations unit Turks since childhood; [cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | pages=30 | language=Japanese | publisher=Square Enix | id=ISBN 4-7575-1520-0] Tifa Lockhart, a martial artist and childhood friend of Cloud's; Barret Wallace, the leader of the anti-Shinra rebel group AVALANCHE; Red XIII, a wise lion-like creature who was experimented on by Shinra scientists; Yuffie Kisaragi, a young materia thief and a skillful ninja; Cid Highwind, a pilot whose dreams of being the first man in outer space were crushed; [Shera: He pushed the Emergency Engine Shut Down switch, aborting the mission, to save my life. After that, the Space Program was cut back and the launch was canceled. cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VII |developer=Square Co |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=PlayStation] Cait Sith, a fortune-telling robotic cat who rides an animated moogle doll; [cite book | year=1997 | editor=Square Electronic Arts | title=Final Fantasy VII North American instruction manual | pages=11 | publisher=Square Electronic Arts|id=SCUS-94163] and Vincent Valentine, a former member of Shinra's Turks unit who was killed and brought back to life as an immortal. [cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | pages=46 | language=Japanese | publisher=Square Enix | id=ISBN 4-7575-1520-0] The game's main antagonist is Sephiroth, a former member of SOLDIER who reappears several years after disappearing in a battle in which he was concluded to have died. [cite book | year=1997 | editor=Square Electronic Arts | title=Final Fantasy VII North American instruction manual | pages=10 | publisher=Square Electronic Arts | id=SCUS-94163]

The game's character designer, Tetsuya Nomura, has expressed that "Final Fantasy VII" was hindered by graphical limitations, and as such his designs were very plain in comparison to his real style. Cloud's original design of slicked back black hair with no spikes was intended to serve as a contrast to Sephiroth's long, flowing silver hair. Nomura feared that such masculinity could prove to be unpopular with fans, and therefore he changed Cloud's design to feature a shock of spiky, bright blond hair. Tifa's outfit with her dark miniskirt was designed to contrast Aeris' long, pink dress. Vincent's character developed from horror researcher to detective, then to chemist, and finally to the figure of a former Turk with a tragic past. Nomura has indicated that Cid Highwind's fighting style resembles that of a Dragon Knight, a character class which was chosen because his last name is the same as that of two previous Dragon Knights featured in the "Final Fantasy" series, Ricard Highwind of "Final Fantasy II" and Kain Highwind of "Final Fantasy IV".

Due to their popularity, several characters from "Final Fantasy VII" have made cameo appearances in other Square Enix titles, most notably the fighting game "Ehrgeiz" and the popular "Final Fantasy"-Disney crossover series "Kingdom Hearts". Sephiroth remains one of the most popular villains in video game history, unanimously voted #1 by the staff of gaming publication "Electronic Gaming Monthly" in their "Top 10 Video Game Bosses" list in October 2005, [cite book | year=2005 | editor=Editors of EGM magazine | title=Electronic Gaming Monthly October, 2005 | pages=72–73 | publisher=Ziff Davis] and winning GameFAQs' best villain contest in spring of the same year. [cite web | title=Spring 2005: Got Villains? | url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/spr05 | publisher=GameFAQs | accessdate=2008-07-16]

tory

"Final Fantasy VII" begins with Cloud joining AVALANCHE in a series of raids against the Mako reactors surrounding the city of Midgar. Although the first mission is successful, AVALANCHE is trapped at another reactor during a subsequent raid. The reactor explodes, launching Cloud from the upper levels of Midgar into the slums below. He lands on a flower bed, where he is formally introduced to Aeris. [Aeris: You okay? This is a church in the Sector 5 slums. [You] suddenly fell on top of me. You really gave me quite a scare. / Cloud: ...…I came crashing down? / Aeris: The roof and the flower bed must have broken your fall. You're lucky. cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VII |developer=Square Co |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=PlayStation] Prompted by the arrival of Shinra's Turks operatives sent to capture Aeris, Cloud agrees to be Aeris's bodyguard and defends her from the Turks. [Aeris: Say, Cloud. Have you ever been a bodyguard? You DO do everything, right? / Cloud: Yeah, that's right. / Aeris: Then, get me out of here. cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VII |developer=Square Co |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=PlayStation] After meeting up with Tifa in Sector 7, they infiltrate the mansion of crime boss Don Corneo. The party learns that Shinra has discovered the location of AVALANCHE's hideout and plans to collapse the upper plate of Sector 7 onto the slums below. [Don Corneo: Shinra's trying to crush a small rebel group called AVALANCHE, and want to infiltrate their hideout. And they're really going to crush them… literally. By breaking the support holding up the plate above them. / Tifa: Break the support!? / Don Corneo: You know what's going to happen? The plate'll go PING and everything's gonna go BAMMM!! I heard their hideout's in the Sector 7 Slums… cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VII |developer=Square Co |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=PlayStation] Shinra destroys Sector 7, killing its population and three members of AVALANCHE. The Turks capture Aeris, who is revealed to be the last surviving "Cetra", [Cloud: Why is Shinra after Aeris? / Elmyra: Aeris is an Ancient. The sole survivor. cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VII |developer=Square Co |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=PlayStation] a race closely attuned with the planet, and previously thought extinct. President Shinra believes Aeris can lead him to the "Promised Land", a mythical land of fertility, where he expects to find Mako energy. [President Shinra: She's the last surviving Ancient… Don't you know? They called themselves the Cetra, and lived thousands of years ago. Now they are just a forgotten page in history. / Red XIII: Cetra… That girl, is she a survivor of the Cetra? / President Shinra: Cetra, or the Ancients will show us the way to the 'Promised Land.' I'm expecting a lot out of her. / Red XIII: The Promised Land? Isn't that just a legend? / President Shinra: Even so, it's just too appealing to not to pursue. It's been said the Promised Land is very fertile. …If the land is fertile… / Barret: Then there's gotta be Mako! / President Shinra: Exactly. That is why our money sucking Mako Reactor is a necessity. The abundant Mako will just come out on its own. cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VII |developer=Square Co |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=PlayStation]

The remaining members of AVALANCHE infiltrate Shinra's headquarters to rescue Aeris. After freeing her and Red XIII, they escape when most of the personnel in the building—including President Shinra—are killed. Cloud suspects that Sepiroth, a man presumed to be dead, was behind the attack, suspicions confirmed by an executive who claims to have witnessed Sephiroth murder the president and state that he would never allow Shinra to claim the Promised Land. [Cloud: Did you see him? Did you see Sephiroth? / Palmer: Yeah, I saw him!! I saw him with my own eyes! / Cloud: You really saw him? / Palmer: Uh! Would I lie to you at a time like this!? And I heard his voice too! Um, he was saying something about not letting us have the Promised Land. cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VII |developer=Square Co |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=PlayStation] The party also learns that during Sephiroth's attack on Shinra, the headless body of a creature named "Jenova" disappeared from the building's research facility. [Cloud: …Did it get away? Jenova…? / Red XIII: Jenova Specimen… Looks like it went to the upper floor using that elevator for the specimens. cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VII |developer=Square Co |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=PlayStation] While the president's son, Rufus Shinra, assumes control of the company, AVALANCHE pursues Sephiroth across the planet, fearing his intentions for the Promised Land may be more destructive than Shinra's. The party is joined by Yuffie, Cait Sith, Vincent, and Cid. Each member of the group must come to terms with personal conflicts from their past. The full scope of Sephiroth's plan is eventually revealed: if the world is significantly damaged, the Lifestream within will gather in an attempt to heal the wound. Sephiroth intends to use a powerful spell called "Meteor" to fatally injure the planet, inciting a reaction in the Lifestream to safeguard the planet. Sephiroth would then merge with all of the planet's energy, allowing him to be reborn as a god and rule over the planet. [Aeris: How do you intend to become one with the Planet? / Sephiroth: It's simple. Once the Planet is hurt, it gathers Spirit Energy to heal the injury. The amount of energy gathered depends on the size of the injury. …What would happen if there was an injury that threatened the very life of the Planet? Think how much energy would be gathered! Ha ha ha. And at the center of that injury, will be me. All that boundless energy will be mine. By merging with all the energy of the Planet, I will become a new life form, a new existence. Melding with the Planet… I will cease to exist as I am now. Only to be reborn as a 'God' to rule over every soul. / Aeris: An injury powerful enough to destroy the Planet? Injure… the Planet? / Sephiroth: Behold that mural. The Ultimate Destructive Magic… Meteor. cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VII |developer=Square Co |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=PlayStation]

At an ancient temple created by the Cetra, AVALANCHE attempts to undermine Sephiroth's plot by claiming the Black Materia needed to activate Meteor, but Sephiroth displays a mysterious power over Cloud, forcing him to relinquish it. Fearing Sephiroth may cast Meteor, Aeris sets off to stop him on her own. AVALANCHE follows her to the northern continent, where they enter an ancient Cetra city. After finding Aeris praying to the planet for aid, Sephiroth begins affecting Cloud's behavior, and attempts to force him to kill her. Cloud resists Sephiroth's command, but Sephiroth appears and kills Aeris.cite book | year=2003 | editor=Editors of Edge magazine | title=Edge May 2003; issue 123 | pages=108–113 | publisher=Future Publishing] After laying her body to rest, the party resolves to defeat Sephiroth.

Cloud, however, begins to doubt his ability to control his own actions. Influenced by Sephiroth, Cloud becomes suspicious of his memories and insists he is not a real human, but instead a specimen created from Jenova's genetic material by Professor Hojo. Jenova was an interstellar creature who crash landed on the planet roughly 2,000 years prior to the the game's events. Jenova had intended to infect all living organisms on the planet with a virus inducing insanity and monstrous transformations;cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | pages=210–215 | language=Japanese|publisher=Square Enix|id=ISBN 4-7575-1520-0] among its victims were most of the Cetra. Attempting to defend itself, the planet created giant monsters called "WEAPONs". The majority of humans fled rather than fight Jenova; however, a small group of Cetra survivors managed to defeat and confine Jenova. [Ifalna: A small number of the surviving Cetra defeated Jenova, and confined it. cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VII |developer=Square Co |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=PlayStation] Eventually, the remains of Jenova were unearthed by Professor Gast, a researcher for the Shinra Company. Mistaking the creature for a Cetra, Gast was given authorization to conduct an experiment to artificially produce a Cetra by combining cells from Jenova with the fetus of an unborn child. Sephiroth learned that he was the product of this experiment while on a Shinra mission in Cloud and Tifa's hometown, Nibelheim. He concluded that he was a Cetra who had been produced solely from Jenova's genetic material. He burned down Nibelheim, intending to kill all descendants of those he believed had abandoned his ancestors in the defense of the planet. Cloud confronted Sephiroth during this massacre, after which Sephiroth vanished under unknown circumstances and was presumed dead until his reappearance in the Shinra building. When AVALANCHE travels to the Northern Crater to confront Sephiroth, he tells Cloud that he was not in Nibelheim, showing him images of a SOLDIER with dark hair who occupies Cloud's place in his memories. [Cloud: Sephiroth! I know you're listening! I know what you want to say! That I wasn't in Nibelheim five years ago. That's it, isn't it? / Sephiroth: I see you finally understand. / Cloud: But, I want to ask you one thing. Why… why are you doing this? / Sephiroth: Ha, ha, ha…… I want to take you back to your real self. The one who gave me the Black Materia that day… Who would have ever thought a failed experiment would prove so useful? Hojo would die if he knew. / Cloud: Hojo!? What does he have to do with me!? / Sephiroth: Five years ago you were… …constructed by Hojo, piece by piece, right after Nibelheim was burnt. A puppet made up of vibrant Jenova cells, her knowledge, and the power of Mako. cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VII |developer=Square Co |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=PlayStation] With Tifa unable to refute Sephiroth's claims, Cloud surrenders the Black Materia to Sepiroth, allowing him to cast Meteor. This in turn results in the WEAPONs' awakening. During the earthquake that follows, Cloud is separated from his companions and falls into the Lifestream.

As the meteor summoned by Sephiroth slowly approaches the planet, the Shinra Company focuses its efforts on protecting humanity from the WEAPONs. [cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | pages=58 | language=Japanese | publisher=Square Enix | id=ISBN 4-7575-1520-0] Meanwhile, the members of AVALANCHE obtain Cid's airship, the "Highwind", and begin searching for Cloud. They find him in a catatonic state on a tropical resort where he washed up following the casting of Meteor. The WEAPONs' destructive activity causes the island to split open, depositing Cloud and Tifa into the Lifestream, where she reconstructs Cloud's memories and learns the truth about his past. It is revealed that Cloud never succeeded in joining SOLDIER, and that the dark-haired SOLDIER from his memories was actually Aeris's first boyfriend, Zack Fair. Zack, Tifa, and Cloud had fought Sepiroth during the latter's attack on Nibelheim. Although Tifa and Zack were defeated, Cloud and Sephiroth severely wounded one another. After decapitating Jenova, Sephiroth is thrown into the Lifestream by Cloud, taking the creature's head with him. Rather than dying, his body and consciousness were crystallized in Mako inside Jenova's crater.

Cloud and Zack were among the wounded survivors who were apprehended by Shinra as part of a cover-up of Sephiroth's massacre. Professor Hojo subjected these survivors to an experiment, performing the same enhancements given to SOLDIER members—a procedure which included Mako showers and the injection of Jenova cells. All but Zack entered a comatose state, and nearly five years later, Zack broke free from his confinement and took Cloud with him. However, the alien cells inhabiting Cloud's body also allowed Sephiroth to modulate his behavior. Moreover, the cells' ability to duplicate information allowed Cloud's mind to construct a false persona built around Zack's behavior, leading him to believe that he had been the 1st Class SOLDIER in Nibelheim. Zack was killed outside Midgar by Shinra soldiers after saving Cloud's life; during Zack's final moments, he tells Cloud to live both of their lives. Afterward, Tifa discovered Cloud, who was wearing Zach's SOLDIER uniform, and offered him a job with AVALANCHE.

After Cloud awakens, it is revealed that Aeris, in her final moments, was casting the spell "Holy" with the White Materia, the only means of opposing Meteor. Although she succeeded, Sephiroth had since prevented the spell from taking effect. Deciding to protect humanity from the WEAPONs before approaching Sephiroth, Shinra and AVALANCHE destroy the WEAPONs, although nearly all of Shinra's executives are killed in the process. Among the few survivors are Reeve Tuesti, who is revealed to be the repentant controller of Cait Sith, [cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | pages=57 | language=Japanese | publisher=Square Enix | id=ISBN 4-7575-1520-0] and Professor Hojo, who is revealed to be Sephiroth's biological father. He explains that he and his wife were assistants to Professor Gast, and offered up their unborn child as a test subject to research involving Jenova. [cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | pages=198 | language=Japanese | publisher=Square Enix | id=ISBN 4-7575-1520-0] After finding out that Hojo is trying to help Sephiroth gain mastery over the Lifestream, AVALANCHE kills him. Cloud tells his team to go find what they are fighting for, before they begin a final assault against Sephiroth. With each member of Cloud's group at peace with his or her past, the group travels through the Northern Crater to the planet's core. They defeat Sephiroth and free Holy, but the spell is unable to destroy Meteor alone. Selected as Meteor's target, Midgar is almost completely destroyed. However, the Lifestream rises from the planet to aid Holy in destroying the Meteor. [cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | pages=591 | language=Japanese | publisher=Square Enix | id=ISBN 4-7575-1520-0] During the epilogue, Red XIII runs through a canyon with two cubs at his side. He proceeds up a cliff-face, which reveals a lush land of greenery where Shinra's destroyed Midgar had once been.

Development

Planning sessions for "Final Fantasy VII" began in 1994 after the release of "Final Fantasy VI". At the time, the game was planned to be another 2D project for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. [cite journal |author=Editors of Level magazine | year=2008 |month=May |title=Yoshinori Kitase interview |journal=Level |issue=25 |publisher=Reset Media |language=Swedish |accessdate=2008-08-11] Series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi intended the story to take place in modern New York City in the year 1999. Several of the staff members were working in parallel on "Chrono Trigger", and development for "Final Fantasy VII" was interrupted when the other project became important enough to require the help of Yoshinori Kitase and other designers. Some of the ideas originally considered for "Final Fantasy VII" ended up in "Chrono Trigger" instead. Other ideas, such as the New York setting and the sorceress character Edea, were kept unused until the later projects "Parasite Eve" and "Final Fantasy VIII" respectively. [cite journal |last=Bjarneby |first=Tobias |year=2006 |month=April |title=De missanpassade |journal=Level |issue=1 |pages=38–46 | publisher=Reset Media |language=Swedish|accessdate=2008-08-11] The original script of "Final Fantasy VII", which was written by Sakaguchi, was completely different from the finished product. Tetsuya Nomura recalled how Sakaguchi "wanted to do something like a detective story". The first part of the story involved a character named "Hot Blooded Detective Joe" who was in pursuit of the main characters. The main characters managed to blow up the city of Midgar, which had already been developed for the story. [cite web| title= FFVII Not Being Remade -- Nomura| publisher=IGN|author=IGN Staff|date=2007-06-04|accessdate=2008-04-15|url= http://ps3.ign.com/articles/793/793956p1.html]

Development of "Final Fantasy VII" resumed in late 1995,cite book | year=2003 | editor=Editors of Edge magazine | title=Edge May 2003; issue 123 | pages=108–113 | publisher=Future Publishing] and required the efforts of approximately 120 artists and programmers, using PowerAnimator and Softimage|3D software and a budget of more than US$30 million. [cite web | last=Vestal|first=Andrew | title=The History of Final Fantasy | url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/vgs/universal/finalfantasy_hs/sec1_7_2.html | publisher=GameSpot | accessdate=2008-07-16] "Final Fantasy VI"'s co-director and scenario writer, Kitase, returned to direct and co-write "Final Fantasy VII" and was concerned the franchise might be left behind if it did not catch up to the 3D computer graphics used in other games at the time.cite book | year=2005 | editor=Editors of Electronic Gaming Monthly | title=Electronic Gaming Monthly October 2005; issue 196 | pages=104|publisher=Ziff Davis] Production began after the making of a short, experimental tech demo called "Final Fantasy SGI" for Silicon Graphics, Inc. Onyx workstations. The demo featured polygon-based 3D renderings of characters from "Final Fantasy VI" in a real time battle.cite web | title=Final Fantasy SGI Demo | url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/ff/affw/ffsgi.html | publisher=RPGamer|accessdate=2008-07-16] This experiment led the development team to integrate these design mechanics into "Final Fantasy VII." However, as a result of the high quantity of memory storage required to implement the motion data, only the CD-ROM format would be able to suit the project's needs. Nintendo, for which Square had developed all previous titles in the "Final Fantasy" series, had decided to continue to use cartridges for its upcoming Nintendo 64 console. This eventually led to a dispute that resulted in Square ending its long, tumultuous, relationship with Nintendo, and Square announced on January 12, 1996 it would be developing "Final Fantasy VII" for Sony's PlayStation platform.cite web | last=Sutherland|first=Kenny| title=Elusions: Final Fantasy 64 | url=http://www.lostlevels.org/200510/ | publisher=Lost Levels | accessdate=2008-07-16]

The transition from 2D computer graphics to 3D environments overlaid on pre-rendered backgrounds was accompanied by a focus on a more realistic presentation. While the extra storage capacity and computer graphics gave the team the means to implement more than 40 minutes of full motion video movies, this innovation brought with it the added difficulty of ensuring that the inferiority of the in-game graphics in comparison to the full motion video sequences was not too obvious. Kitase has described the process of making the in-game environments as detailed as possible to be "a daunting task". The series' long-time character designer, Yoshitaka Amano, was busy opening art workshops and exhibitions in France and New York, which limited his involvement in the game. This issue was addressed by bringing Nomura on board as the project's main artist, while Amano aided in the design of the game's world map. Previously a monster designer for "Final Fantasy V", Nomura's style was more reminiscent of manga, and as such it was easier for the 3D designers to build the character models based on his artwork.

In early August 1996, a demonstration disc called "Square's Preview Extra" was released in Japan as a bonus pack-in with the PlayStation game "Tobal No. 1". The disc contained the earliest playable demo of "Final Fantasy VII" and previews of other upcoming games such as "Bushido Blade" and "SaGa Frontier". The demo allowed players to play through the first part of Midgar. However, there were some noticeable differences from the final version, namely that Aeris was not featured in the initial party and that the ability to use Summons had not yet been implemented. [cite video game|title=Square's Preview Extra |developer=Square Co |publisher=SquareSoft |date=1996-08-06 |platform=PlayStation |language=Japanese]

The game's release in North America was preceded by a massive three-month marketing campaign, which consisted of three 30-second television commercials on major networks, a holiday promotion with Pepsi, and printed ads in publications such as "Rolling Stone", "Details", "Spin", "Playboy" and comic books published by Marvel and DC. [cite web | month=August | year=1997 | url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1997_August_27/ai_19701566 | title=PlayStation's Final Fantasy VII Marketing Blitz Continues | publisher=Find Articles; originally published in Business Wire | accessdate=2008-07-16] Several additions to gameplay and story were made for the game's North American release, such as easier exchange of materia, arrows highlighting exits on field screens, and an extra cut scene, prompting a re-release in Japan under the title "Final Fantasy VII International". [cite web|url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/ff/ff7/ff7inter.html|title=Final Fantasy VII - International Version|publisher=RPGamer|accessdate=2008-09-14] In 1998, "Final Fantasy VII" was ported to Windows-based PCs. This re-release featured smoother graphics and fixed translation and spelling errors, as well as gameplay-related glitches. However, the PC version also suffered from its own bugs, including errors in the display of some full motion videos when rendering in hardware mode on certain graphics chipsets.cite web | last=Olafson|first=Peter | date=2000-11-24 | title=Review: Final Fantasy VII | url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/824/final-fantasy-vii/ | work=GamePro | accessdate=2008-07-16]

Audio

The music for "Final Fantasy VII" was composed by Nobuo Uematsu. Instead of recorded music and sound effects for the game, Uematsu opted for MIDIs, using the PlayStation's internal sound chip. "Final Fantasy VII" was the first game in the series to include a track with digitized vocals, "One-Winged Angel", which has been described as Uematsu's "most recognizable contribution" to the music of the "Final Fantasy" series.cite web| title= A Day in the Life of Final Fantasy's Nobuo Uematsu| author=Mielke, James| url= http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3166165| publisher= 1UP.com| date=2008-02-15| accessdate= 2008-08-05] Uematsu has said that the soundtrack has a feel of "realism", which prevented him from using "exorbitant, crazy music",cite web| title= Nobuo Uematsu Interview| url= http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q3-2000/070800b.html| publisher= RPGamer|date= 2000-07-08| accessdate= 2008-08-05]

The game's soundtrack was released on four Compact Discs.cite web | author=Schweitzer, Ben; Gann, Patrick | title=Final Fantasy VII OST | url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff7ost/index.html | publisher=RPGFan|accessdate=2008-07-16] One of the most notable pieces from the soundtrack is "Aeris' Theme", which is played after Aeris is killed by Sephiroth. It has become popular among fans, and has inspired several arrangements. [cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ffmorela/index.html|title=More Friends music from Final Fantasy ~Los Angeles Live 2005~|publisher=RPGFan|first=Patrick|last=Gann|accessdate=2008-10-08] A single-disc album of selected tracks from the Original Soundtrack and three arranged tracks, entitled "Final Fantasy VII Reunion Tracks", was released separately. [cite web | title=SQUARE ENIX MUSIC | url=http://na.square-enix.com/music/tunes/reunion.html | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20061109062521/http://na.square-enix.com/music/tunes/reunion.html | archivedate=2006-11-09 | publisher=Square Enix North America | accessdate=2008-07-16] "Piano Collections Final Fantasy VII", a piano arrangement of selected tracks, was released in 2003. [cite web | author=Gann, Patrick | title=Piano Collections Final Fantasy VII | url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff7piano/index.html | publisher=RPGFan | accessdate=2008-07-16] Several tracks from the game have been remixed in subsequent Square productions, including "Final Fantasy VII Advent Children" [cite web | last=Castro|first=Juan | title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children | url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/656/656519p1.html | publisher=IGN |date=2005-10-06| accessdate=2008-07-16] and "Kingdom Hearts". [cite web | author=Gann, Patrick | title=Kingdom Hearts -Final Mix- Additional Tracks | url=http://rpgfan.com/soundtracks/khfm/index.html | publisher=RPGFan | accessdate=2008-07-16]

Reception

"Final Fantasy VII" was both a critical and commercial success, and set several sales records. Within three days of its release in Japan, the game had sold 2.3 million copies. This popularity inspired thousands of retailers in North America to break street dates in September to meet public demand for the title. [cite web | month=September | year=1997 | url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1997_Sept_4/ai_19720780 | title=Retailers Nationwide Break Official Release Date of PlayStation's "Final Fantasy VII" Videogame | publisher=Find Articles; originally published in Business Wire | accessdate=2008-07-16] In the game's debut weekend in North America, it sold 330,000 copies, [cite web | month=September | year=1997 | url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1997_Sept_9/ai_19749216 | title=PlayStation's "Final Fantasy VII" Breaks Industry Records in Debut Weekend | publisher=Find Articles; originally published in Business Wire | accessdate=2008-07-16] and had reached sales of 500,000 units in less than three weeks. [cite web | month=September | year=1997 | url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1997_Sept_25/ai_19781799 | title=PlayStation's Final Fantasy VII Has Sold More Than Half a Million Copies to Date | publisher=Find Articles; originally published in Business Wire | accessdate=2008-07-16] The momentum built in the game's opening weeks continued for several months; Sony announced the game had sold one million copies on the continent by early December,cite web | date=1997-12-04 | url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1997_Dec_4/ai_20033866 | title=Final Fantasy VII For PlayStation Hits Million-Unit Mark; Latest Sell-Through Numbers Make Square's Final Fantasy VII Worldwide Best Seller | publisher=Find Articles; originally published in Business Wire | accessdate=2008-10-01] prompting business analyst Edward Williams from Monness, Crespi, Hardt & Co. to comment, "Sony redefined the role-playing game (RPG) category and expanded the conventional audience with the launch of "Final Fantasy VII". "Final Fantasy VII" has sold over 9.8 million copies worldwide as of December 2005, [cite web |url=http://na.square-enix.com/e306/titles/ccff7/ |title=Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- |accessdate=2008-07-16 |publisher=Square Enix] making it the highest-selling "Final Fantasy" title. "Gran Turismo" is the only game for the PlayStation which has shipped, but not necessarily sold, more units (10.85 million).cite press release |url=http://asia.playstation.com/eng_hk/index.php?q=node/1517 |title=Gran Turismo Series Shipment Exceeds 50 Million Units Worldwide |date=2008-05-09 |accessdate=2008-05-12 |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment] cite web |url=http://www.polyphony.co.jp/english/list.html |title="Gran Turismo" Series Software Title List |month=April | year=2008 |accessdate=2008-05-29 |publisher=Polyphony Digital]

Although Square's announcement that "Final Fantasy VII" would be produced for Sony rather than Nintendo and that it would not be based on the "Final Fantasy SGI" demo was initially met with discontent among gamers, the game continues to maintain a strong following. It placed second in the "Top 100 Favorite Games of All Time" poll by Japanese magazine "Famitsu" during March 2006, [cite web | author=Edge Staff | date=2006-03-03 | title=Japan Votes on All Time Top 100 | url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/japan-votes-all-time-top-100 | work=Edge | accessdate=2008-07-16] while users of the video game website GameFAQs voted "Final Fantasy VII" as the "Best Game Ever" [cite web | title=Fall 2005: 10-Year Anniversary Contest—The 10 Best Games Ever | url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/top10 | publisher=GameFAQs | accessdate=2008-07-16] in November 2005, a little more than one year after it won the site's "Best. Game. Ever." tournament in 2004. [cite web | title=Spring 2004: Best. Game. Ever. | url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/c04spr | publisher=GameFAQs | accessdate=2008-07-16]

Critical response

VG Reviews
1UP = A+ [cite web | title=Final Fantasy VII Review | url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3111181&did=3 | publisher=1UP.com|author=1UP Staff|date=2000-01-01|accessdate=2008-07-16]
EGM = 9.5 out of 10
GSpot = 9.5 out of 10
IGN = 9.5 out of 10
GR = 92% [cite web | title=Final Fantasy VII Reviews | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/197341.asp?q=Final%20Fantasy%20VII | publisher=Game Rankings | accessdate=2008-07-16]
MC = 92 out of 100cite web | title=Final Fantasy VII (psx: 1997): Reviews | url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/psx/finalfantasy7?q=Final%20Fantasy%20VII | publisher=Metacritic | accessdate=2008-07-16] The game received extremely favorable reviews from critics. GameSpot commented that "never before have technology, playability, and narrative combined as well as in "Final Fantasy VII", expressing particular favor toward the game's graphics, audio, and story. IGN's Jay Boor insisted the game's graphics were "light years beyond anything ever seen on the PlayStation", and regarded its battle system as its strongest point. RPGamer praised the game's soundtrack both in variety and sheer volume, stating that "Uematsu has done his work exceptionally well" and "is perhaps at his best here". [cite web | author=Castomel | title=Final Fantasy VII—Review | url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/ff/ff7/reviews/ff7strev3.html | publisher=RPGamer | accessdate=2008-07-16] In January 2005, it was selected by "Electronic Gaming Monthly" as sixth on their list of "the 10 most important games … that helped redefine the industry since … 1989". Citing its "beautiful cut-scenes and a deep, introspective narrative", they claimed that "Square’s game was … the first RPG to surpass, instead of copy, movie-like storytelling." In late 2007, "Dengeki PlayStation" named "Final Fantasy VII" as the "best story", "best RPG", and "best overall game" in their retrospective awards feature about the original PlayStation. [cite web | author=Gantayat, Anoop | date=2007-11-22 | title=Nomura Talks FFXIII | url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/837/837350p1.html | publisher=IGN | accessdate=2008-07-16]

"Final Fantasy VII" has received negative criticism as well. GameSpy rated it seventh on their "25 Most Overrated Games" list in September 2003. [cite web | author=GameSpy Staff | title=Top 25 Most Overrated Games | url=http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/september03/25overrated/index20.shtml | publisher=GameSpy | accessdate=2008-07-16] "Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine" ("OPM") and GameSpot questioned the game's highly linear progression.cite book | year=2001 | editor=Kennedy, Sam; Steinman, Gary | title=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine August 2001; issue 47 | pages=98 | publisher=Ziff Davis] "OPM" considered the game's translation "a bit muddy" and felt the summon animations were "tedious". RPGamer said " [the game] is far from perfect", citing its translation as "packed with typos and other errors which further obscure what is already a very confusing plot". [cite web | last=Alley|first=Jake | title=Final Fantasy VII—Review | url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/ff/ff7/reviews/ff7strev1.html | publisher=RPGamer | accessdate=2008-07-16] "GamePro" also considered the Japanese-to-English translation a significant weakness in the game, and IGN regarded the option to use only three characters at a time as "the game's only shortcoming".

Following the Columbine High School massacre in 1999, several parents of the murdered children filed a US$5 billion lawsuit against companies that published and developed video games. Among the co-defendants were Eidos Interactive, publisher of the PC version of the game, who cited "Final Fantasy VII" as their offending contribution. [cite web | month=June | year=2001 | url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20010607/ai_n14390475 | title=School massacre families to sue creators of violent games | publisher=Find Articles; originally published in "The Independent" | accessdate=2008-07-16] In the end, the lawsuit was unsuccessful. [cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3146206|title=History of Videogame Lawsuits|publisher=1UP.com|first=Nadia|last=Oxford|date=2005-12-14|accessdate=2008-10-08]

Legacy

"Final Fantasy VII" is credited with allowing console role-playing games to find a place in markets outside Japan, and remains arguably the most popular title in the series. [cite video | date=2007-08-13 | url=http://www.gametrailers.com/player/23449.html | title=Final Fantasy Retrospective Part V | medium=GameTrailers.com feature | publisher=GameTrailers|accessdate=2008-07-16] [cite web | month=October | year=2003 | url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zd1up/is_200310/ai_ziff109006 | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070819111216/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zd1up/is_200310/ai_ziff109006 | archivedate=2007-08-19 | title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children | publisher=Find Articles; originally published in 1UP.com | accessdate=2006-08-10] [cite web | date=2006-08-29 | url=http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2006-08-29-dirge-of-cerberus_x.htm | title='Dirge of Cerberus' defies expectations, for better and worse | work=USA Today |first=Alex|last=Kraus| accessdate=2008-07-16] [cite web | url=http://uk.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/index.html | title=The Greatest Games of All Time | accessdate=2008-07-16|publisher=GameSpot|author=GameSpot Editorial Team] The game's popularity and open-ended nature also led director Kitase and scenario writer Nojima to establish a plot-related connection between "Final Fantasy VII" and "Final Fantasy X-2". The character Shinra from "Final Fantasy X-2" proposes the concept of extracting the life energy from within the planet Spira. Nojima has stated that Shinra and his proposal are a deliberate nod to the Shinra Company, and that he envisioned the events of "Final Fantasy X-2" as a prequel to those in "Final Fantasy VII". [cite book | year=2001 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy X Ultimania Ω | pages=191 | language=Japanese | publisher=DigiCube/Square Enix | id=ISBN 4-88787-021-3] It has also inspired an unofficial version of "Final Fantasy VII" for the Famicom by Chinese company Shenzhen Nanjing Technology.cite web|url= http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/final-fantasy-vii-ported-to-the-famicom-finally/|title=Final Fantasy VII ported to the Famicom. Finally! |accessdate=2008-02-22 |author=Orland, Kyle |date=2008-02-22|publisher=Joystiq] This port features the entire "Final Fantasy VII" game, sans a number of side quests, scaled back to 2D.

The full motion video sequences and computer graphics presented in "Final Fantasy VII" would allow Sakaguchi to begin production of the first "Final Fantasy" film, "". [cite book | year=2001 | editor=Kennedy, Sam & Steinman, Gary | title=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine August 2001; issue 47 | pages=90 | publisher=Ziff Davis] The game also introduced settings dominantly suffused with modern-to-advanced technology into the "Final Fantasy" series, a theme continued by "Final Fantasy VIII" and "The Spirits Within". [cite web | title=Behind The Game The Creators | url=http://www.square-enix-usa.com/games/FFX/btg/creators.html#1 | publisher=Square Enix North America | accessdate=2008-07-16] [cite web | last=Oliver|first=Glen | date=2001-07-11 | url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/301/301291p1.html | title=Review of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within | publisher=IGN | accessdate=2008-07-16] Re-releases of Square games in Japan with bonus features would occur frequently after the release of "Final Fantasy VII International". Later titles that would be re-released as international versions include "Final Fantasy X" (as "International"), [cite web | last=Witham|first=Joseph | title=Final Fantasy X International Europe Bound | url=http://rpgamer.com/news/Q1-2002/031602a.html | publisher=RPGamer | accessdate=2008-07-16] "Final Fantasy X-2" (as "International + Last Mission"), [cite web | author=Dunham, Jeremy | date=2003-11-24 | title=Final Fantasy X-2 Developer Interview | url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/442/442025p1.html | publisher=IGN | accessdate=2008-07-16] "Kingdom Hearts" (as "Final Mix"), [cite web | author=IGN Staff | date=2002-11-21 | title=Kingdom Hearts Final Mix Images | url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/378/378221p1.html | publisher=IGN | accessdate=2008-07-16] "Kingdom Hearts II" (as "Final Mix+"), [cite web| language = Japanese| title = 『キングダム ハーツII ファイナル ミックス』に新要素が!!| url = http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/2007/03/23/104,1174620771,68873,0,0.html| work= Famitsu| date = 2007-03-24| accessdate = 2008-07-16] and "Final Fantasy XII" (as "International Zodiac Job System"). [cite web| date=2007-05-14| title= Square Enix Party Press Conference Announcement| publisher=Square Enix | url=http://www.square-enix.com/na/company/press/2007/0514_3/ | accessdate=2007-07-14]

Related media and merchandise

"Compilation of Final Fantasy VII" is the formal title for a series of games and animated features based in the world and story of "Final Fantasy VII". The series consists of several titles across various platforms, all of which are extensions of the original story. [cite web|url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/560/560944p1.html|title=New Final Fantasy VII For PSP|publisher=IGN|first=Anoop|last=Gantayat|date=2004-10-27|accessdate=2008-09-15] The first title in the "Compilation" is the mobile game ', which is a prequel focusing on the Turks six years preceding the original game. [cite web | last=Gantayat|first=Anoop | date=2004-05-27 | title=Before Crisis FF7 Details | url=http://wireless.ign.com/articles/519/519385p1.html | publisher=IGN | accessdate=2008-10-08] The CGI film sequel "Final Fantasy VII Advent Children" was the first title announced in the series, but it was the second to be released. It is set two years after the conclusion of "Final Fantasy VII". Special editions of the film included ', an original video animation that recounts the destruction of Nibelheim. [cite book | year=2006 | editor=Watanabe, Yukari | title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children - Reunion Files - | pages=95 | language=Japanese | publisher=SoftBank | id=ISBN 4-7973-3498-3] ' and its mobile phone counterpart, ', are third-person shooters. [cite web | last=Dunham|first=Jeremy | date=2006-08-11 | url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/724/724990p1.html | title=Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII Review | publisher=IGN | accessdate=2008-10-08] "Dirge of Cerberus" is set three years after the events of "Final Fantasy VII". The most recent title in the "Compilation" is the PlayStation Portable game "", an action role-playing game that revolves around Zack's past. [cite web | author=IGN Staff | date=2006-05-17 | title=Crisis Core FFVII Update | url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/709/709034p1.html | publisher=IGN | accessdate=2008-10-08]

Although not under the "Compilation" label, two novellas set within "Final Fantasy VII"'s continuity have been produced, as well as a mobile game. The first of the two novellas, "Maiden who Travels the Planet", follows Aerith's journey in the Lifestream after her death at the hands of Sephiroth, taking place concurrently with the second half of "Final Fantasy VII". [cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | pages=572 | language=Japanese | publisher=Square Enix | id=ISBN 4-7575-1520-0] The second novella, "On the Way to a Smile", is a three part story based on the events that immediately followed the end of the game, with one part narrated from Tifa's perspective, one narrated from Barret's perspective, and the other narrated from that of a boy named Denzel, orphaned after Shinra crushed Sector 7. [cite book | year=2005 | editor=V-Jump | title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Prologue | pages=3 | language=Japanese | publisher=Shueisha | id=ISBN 4-08-779339-7] These short stories have been released in North America in the "Limited Edition Collector's Set" of "Final Fantasy VII Advent Children" as "The Novel" under the names "Barret", "Denzel", and "Tifa". "Final Fantasy VII Snowboarding" is a mobile port of the snowboard minigame featured in "Final Fantasy VII". [cite web | last=Buchanan|first=Levi | date=2005-03-10 | title=Final Fantasy VII Snowboarding | url=http://wireless.ign.com/articles/594/594902p1.html | publisher=IGN | accessdate=2008-07-16] It contains different tracks than the original minigame. [cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/mobile/sports/finalfantasy7snowboarding/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review|title=Final Fantasy VII Snowboarding Review|publisher=GameSpot|first=Steve|last=Palley|date=2005-04-05|accessdate=2008-09-17] The game is downloadable on V CAST-compatible mobile phones, and was first made available in 2005 in Japan and North America. [cite web|url=http://www.square-enix.com/na/company/press/2005/03142005/|title=Square Enix Brings Final Fantasy® VII Snowboarding and Musashi® Mobile Samurai 3D Titles to V CAST from Verizon Wireless|publisher=Square Enix|date=2005-03-14|accessdate=2008-09-17]

It has been speculated that the "Compilation" will also include an enhanced remake of the original "Final Fantasy VII" for the PlayStation 3. This speculation was sparked at the 2005 E3 by the release of a tech demo featuring the opening sequence of "Final Fantasy VII" recreated using PlayStation 3's graphical capabilities.cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | pages=571 | language=Japanese | publisher=Square Enix | id=ISBN 4-7575-1520-0] However, Square Enix president Yōichi Wada has explained that the presentation was intended only for technological demonstration purposes, [cite web | last=Allen|first=Jason | date=2005-05-16 | title=E3 2005: Eyes-on the Final Fantasy VII Tech Demo | url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/614/614859p1.html | publisher=IGN | accessdate=2008-07-16] and an official statement from the company said that they had not announced such a project. [cite web | last=Dunham|first=Jeremy | date=2006-05-23 | title=Square Enix Responds to PS3 FF7 Rumors | url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/709/709775p1.html | publisher=IGN | accessdate=2008-07-16]

References

External links

*
* [http://na.square-enix.com/games/ff7/ Square Enix's official "Final Fantasy VII" website]
*FFwiki|Final_Fantasy_VII|"Final Fantasy VII"