And here's where Final Fantasy went mainstream: Final Fantasy VII. Multiple discs, video cutscenes, a memorable death, and something called a PlayStation, made this the break-out installment in the series. It even spawned numerous spin-offs and a movie. FF VII was also the game which got the Roman numerals back on track.
At this point we wouldn't mind seeing a PS3 remake of Final Fantasy VII, which haunts the system and gamers since that silly tech demo at E3 2005. SquareEnix is bringing Final Fantasy IVback around with a graphics update for the DS. Shiva knows SquareEnix isn't opposed to rehashes. Who knows, we could see a PS3 remake -- at least it would be a system seller.
I don't normally take the time to comment here but I just feel like there are a ton of people whining and complaining about FF7 because "It's the cool thing to do." and everyone else seems to be complaining about it to. I don't know why that is, but I mean, I guess if you're coming back to it and playing it now, it obviously wouldn't have the impact it did back when it first came out, yes because of the graphics, but primarily because of how it changed the RPG genre and gave an effective example of how games can be used to express a narrative and gain an emotional reaction from people. It was something totally different in terms of presentation and I still regard it as my favorite game, personally. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, but whoever says this game is highly over-rated obviously didn't get the same experience I got from it back when it was released.
You never played FF6. Or, you never played FF6 until after you played FF7.
Was FF7 the first FF game you played? The first one I played to any length first was FF6, and it has remained my most favorite FF game ever. I get the feeling that alot of people who just love FF7 love it because it was their first FF game that they played for any length, and holds this place in their heart.
Now, don't get me wrong. FF7 is among the best RPGs ever. Just not as good as 6, and nowhere near Chrono Trigger.
I'm not so sure that people are talking out against FF7 because it's fashionable to do so. There is a small percentage of people who will hop on any "hate" bandwagon and ride along just because it's fun, but in this case I think most of the people posting on these boards really do have animosity for FF7.
I made a post the other day when the part 4 video was posted, giving my theory on why I think so many people love FF7 so much. I fully expected a flood of replies bashing me for saying anything negative about 7, but instead I've seen a lot of posts that reflect my opinion. Maybe there are a lot of us out there who loved the pre-7 Final Fantasy games, or maybe we're a small group who just happen to all read Joystiq.
Whatever the case, I don't think many people on here are saying bad things about FF7 just because it's hip to do so, I think they really mean what they say. I could write a whole paper on what I don't like about FF7 and how it negatively (in my opinion) impacted the industry. That would just be my personal opinion though, and everyone is entitled to theirs. My opinion seems pretty close to popular opinion right now though, which is why I'm inclined to believe that the anti-FF7 remarks made lately are genuine. I've been agreeing with almost every comment I've read today.
FF7 wasn't my first FF game, I had played FF4 in depth but I just didn't really attach to it like I did 7. I liked it, but no where near as much as 7. I liked 6 too, I just think that bringing stuff like FMV and the 3D models on pre-rendered backgrounds made a big deal in suspending disbelief at the time. The storyline was the most important to me. I really enjoyed that and the characters, but all of the other stuff being introduced really helped it along, I think. Chrono Trigger is also a great game, but I just prefer FF7. I'm sure some of it is nostalgia to that period of gaming (like the introduction of 3D through a large number of titles, and I know there were things on SNES like StarFox, but I'm saying at the point that was experience on PS and N64) but I still feel it's a solid game. I'm just ranting on now, and I know that nothing I can say will change anyone's mind, I just felt like expressing my opinion.
