Final Fantasy VII classic RPG guide
Also known as: FF7, FFVII, Final Fantasy 7
Explore Final Fantasy VII, the 1997 PlayStation role-playing classic: its story, the Materia system, turn-based battles, Limit Breaks and tips for beginners.
- Type
- Video game
- Players
- 1
- First released
- 1997
- Developer
- Square
- Platforms
- PlayStation
Final Fantasy VII is a role-playing game developed by Square and released in 1997 for the original PlayStation. It follows Cloud Strife, a former soldier who joins a small rebel group called AVALANCHE in the city of Midgar. The group fights the Shinra company, which drains the planet's life energy to power the city. The story soon grows into a long journey across the world and a struggle against a powerful figure named Sephiroth. With its 3D graphics, cinematic scenes and emotional story, it brought Japanese role-playing games to a much wider international audience. The original came on three discs, and it was later rebuilt as a multi-part remake series for modern systems.
Our verdict
Final Fantasy VII is a landmark in game storytelling, with memorable characters, surprising turns and themes about identity and the environment. The Materia system lets you shape each character in your own way, which keeps battles interesting. Playing the original shows how much one game influenced the role-playing genre. If the old graphics feel too dated, the modern remake offers the same world in a new style.
What works
- A memorable story with a strong cast.
- Flexible and creative Materia system.
- Historic influence on the whole genre.
What does not
- Original translation and graphics show their age.
- Random battles can feel frequent.
How to play Final Fantasy VII
You explore towns and areas, talk to people and follow the story, then travel across a world map as the adventure opens up. Battles use the Active Time Battle system: each character has a gauge that fills over time, and when it is full you choose an action, such as attack, magic, item or a special skill. Enemies keep acting while you decide, which adds pressure. The heart of the game is Materia, coloured orbs that you place in slots on weapons and armour. Materia gives characters spells, summons and abilities, and it grows stronger with experience. Linked slots let you combine Materia for extra effects. When a character takes enough damage, a Limit gauge fills and allows a powerful Limit Break attack. Mini-games, such as snowboarding and chocobo racing, break up the main quest.
Tips for new players
- Swap Materia between characters freely; it is not locked to one person.
- Use linked slots to combine magic with support Materia such as All.
- Talk to everyone in towns; many side items and secrets are found that way.
- Save at every save point, especially before major story events.
Good for
Final Fantasy VII: common questions
Should I play the original Final Fantasy VII or the remake?
The original tells the full story in one game. The remake retells it over several modern games with action-based combat and new scenes.
What is Materia in Final Fantasy VII?
Materia are orbs placed in equipment slots. They give characters magic, summons and abilities, and they level up with use.
Do I need to play earlier Final Fantasy games first?
No. Each numbered Final Fantasy game has its own world and characters.
Final Fantasy VII belongs to its owners. Playdonya is not connected to them and does not sell this game; the cover is our own illustration.
