Square Enix's classic JRPG Final Fantasy VII is widely regarded as one of the best games of all time. But as the release of Final Fantasy VII Remake grows closer, it's becoming more apparent that many younger fans have never played the original.
It's hard for that younger generation to dig in, as Final Fantasy VII hasn't aged particularly well. However, what's special about the game isn't the graphics, but the story and how it shaped a generation of gaming.
Final Fantasy VII was the game that defined a generation of gamers that would later turn into creators. It was something different from the typical RPG, eschewing traditional fantasy tropes to tell a story set in a dark, steampunk world. While it already stood out among other titles, FFVII had the good fortune to release in an era where RPGs were few and far between.
The idea of the epic JRPG wasn't necessarily new for the time. Still, FFVII came out at the beginning of the PS1 era, just as console gaming was beginning to explode in popularity. Coming in at three discs, the game was shockingly large for the PS1. Beyond that, though, it was a game that marked an evolution of sort. In terms of story, FFVII had much darker themes, with twists unlike any other Final Fantasy (although the world ending halfway through Final Fantasy VI comes close). The critical difference is that FFVII's elements were sprinkled throughout the narrative structure, offering a greater balance of tone and a memorable cast of characters.
The story follows Cloud Strife, a mercenary who joins the eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE to stop a massive corporation from draining the planet's essence. Environmental issues were already a major topic in 1997, and in 2020 they're more relevant than ever. Seeing how the games handle these elements is incredibly interesting for fans new and old. In fact, fans of the original have already picked apart the short demo recently released to determine any significant changes.
There's another iconic PS1 franchise which may provide a strong case for revisiting the original before Remake drops. The two Resident Evil remakes had some interesting additions but ultimately were best enjoyed by fans familiar with the originals. New enemy types like the terrifying Crimson Head and updated puzzles kept new fans on their toes and pulled older fans right back in. Those remakes are the standard on how to remake something right. We're already seeing something similar with Final Fantasy VII, as Square Enix has already shown noticeable changes in surface level aspects. Even though the focus on the new game will probably be style and a realistic visual direction, Final Fantasy VII Remake proves to be a technological benchmark for how far gaming has progressed since 1997.
Overall, there are countless reasons to replay one of the most iconic RPGs ever made, whether you're a new or old fan. Replaying the original would make Remake that much more fun to play. It was a game that changed how we view RPG's structurally and in its narrative. Most of all, though, it can show how important a story was to an entire generation of creators. Final Fantasy VII has created a sphere of nostalgia that affects everything in the industry. To put it simply, this is a case where the pleasure of a fantastic game, with new story additions and characters, is a selling point on its own. So why wouldn't you play the original classic so that you can enjoy those additions to the fullest?