Do You Need to Play Any Games Before Final Fantasy 7? No.
As a lifelong gamer and content creator focused on RPGs, I get asked this question a lot – and the answer is a definitive no. Final Fantasy 7 stands completely on its own with no requirement to play previous FF games or have familiarity with the franchise.
Sure, you may miss an occasional reference here and there, but FF7 features self-contained characters and storylines set in a distinct world that markedly pivoted from FF staples like crystals and castles towards a more dystopian science fiction setting.
Story Recap for FF7 Newcomers
Before we dive deeper into why this game made such an impact, here‘s a high-level recap of the story for those new to the world of Final Fantasy 7:
- Main Character: Cloud Strife, an ex-mercenary with a murky past now fighting against the evil Shinra megacorp.
- Supporting Characters: Aerith the flower girl. Barret the eco-terrorist leader. Tifa the martial artist. And many more colorful personalities.
- Main Conflict: Shinra‘s draining of the planet‘s lifeblood vs AVALANCHE‘s resistance. Also: Sephiroth, an insanely powerful swordsman tied to Cloud‘s past.
- Gameplay: A blend of exploration/interaction with NPCs and turn-based combat against enemies. Summon spectacular beasts during key battles.
Here‘s a quick snapshot of some key story moments new players can look forward to:
| Story Moment | Description |
|---|---|
| Bombing Mako Reactors | As Cloud, join AVALANCHE to bomb Shinra‘s Mako reactors draining the planet‘s life energy |
| Cross Dressing Quest | Cloud must disguise himself as a woman to infiltrate the Honey Bee Inn |
| Chocobo Racing | Breed chocobos and race them at Gold Saucer! |
| Summoning Iconic Beasts | Call upon mythic beasts like Ifrit the fire demon and Bahamut the dragon king |
| The Death of Aerith | A heartbreaking moment as a fan favorite character meets her demise |
As we‘ll analyze next, this game delivered an unprecedented cinematic spectacle for its time with humor, tragedy, and insane twists most fans vividly remember decades later.
What Made Final Fantasy 7 So Groundbreaking
As a gamer playing RPGs since the 8-bit NES-era, witnessing the cataclysmic impact of FF7‘s 1997 release was an unforgettable experience. This game shattered expectations of what stories video games could tell and the technical capabilities of then-new 3D consoles like the Sony PlayStation.
Some key innovations FF7 brought to the table:
- Cinematic Storytelling: Over 40 minutes of mindblowing (for the time) full motion CGI video sequences integrated with real-time cutscenes – enabling unprecedented storytelling.
- Emotional Depth: Believable characters featuring elaborate backstories, morally complex choices, fearsome villains, and gut-wrenching plot twists.
- Immersive 3D Worlds: Intricately detailed pre-rendered backdrops combined with real-time 3D battles. The sprawling metropolis of Midgar alone was a marvel to explore.
- Different Thematic Focus: A major tonal shift from medieval high fantasy elements towards cyberpunk and industrial dystopia dripping with atmosphere.
By today‘s standards, the stilted character models and LEGO-block hands look dated. But FF7‘s sheer ambition to push narrative and technical boundaries drastically elevated gaming storytelling for the era.
Here‘s how some of the iconic moments stacked up against prior FF titles:
| Gaming Milestone | Final Fantasy 7 Innovation |
|---|---|
| Summons | Longer, more visually impressive sequences like Ifrit emerging from hellfire |
| Villain Ambition | Prior baddies wanted power, riches etc. Sephiroth literally tries to become a God. |
| Combat Environments | Battles seamlessly transitioned between world map, pre-rendered, and real-time areas |
| Tragic Character Deaths | Beloved Aerith‘s shocking murder raised the dramatic stakes |
And not just among RPG‘s – FF7 frequently tops lists of most influential games across all genres for propelling gaming towards being a respectable artistic medium vs just "kid stuff".
How Final Fantasy 7 Compares to Other Titles In the Series
Among seasoned Final Fantasy veterans debating the best game in the series, Final Fantasy 7 (FF7) and Final Fantasy 10 (FFX) most often top the lists. Here‘s how they stack up:
| Game Aspect | Final Fantasy 7 | Final Fantasy 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Main Hero | Cloud Strife, an ex-mercenary with memory issues and a murky past | Tidus, a brash star athlete who awakens in a strange world |
| Breakout Character | Aerith Gainsborough, the sweet flower girl with a tragic twist | Yuna, a summoner on pilgrimmage with a big secret |
| Central Conflict | eco-terrorists AVALANCHE vs Shinra megacorp draining the planet | Sin, a monstrous entity tormenting world of Spira |
| Combat Style | Turn-based battles with swappable materia to customize skills | Conditional Turn-Based Battle system with character swapping |
| Notable Location | Midgar, an expansive dystopian city brimming with depth | Zanarkand, a towering metropolis full of light and spectacle |
| Music | "One Winged Angel" facing off against Sephiroth is legendary | "To Zanarkand" is a sweeping emotional piano theme |
Both games feature strong worldbuilding, impactful stories, great soundtracks, and strategic combat. For me, FF7 takes the edge with its cyberpunk setting, wealth of mini-games like snowboarding, more fully-realized summon beast lore, and villain Sephiroth towering over the proceedings. But fans can‘t go wrong with either title representing Final Fantasy at its pinnacle!
Conclusion: Now Is a Great Time to Play Final Fantasy 7
With Final Fantasy 7 Remake bringing this classic game back into the spotlight, now is an exciting time for both nostalgic fans and newcomers to experience the original FF7‘s epic saga.
Don‘t be intimidated if you‘ve never played a Final Fantasy before! FF7 still shines bright as a must-play genre exemplar noted for its cinematic presentation, emotional impact, and dynamic combat. Its recent resurgence opens the door for veteran and first-time gamers alike to discover (or revisit) one of gaming’s landmarks that constructed the foundation where triple-A titles stand today.
So source a copy, buckle up, and remember: no prerequisite games required and absolutely no spoilers as you enter this gateway to one of gaming’s most seminal adventures!
