With the release of Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- in Japan, Compilation of Final Fantasy VII should be complete. Many people think the entire Compilation was unnecessary, some think the original is overrated, and some, like me, think it's a mostly good thing. But in any case, this is a response to this post over on LiveJournal's Crisis Core community.
Final Fantasy VII and the rumored remake...
First, I've gotta confess that I only recently finished VII. I was seven when it came out, and only started playing games in 1998 with Pokemon. Zelda came in 2000. Therefore, a few of my opinions concerning the graphics and storyline differ from those who have been long-term fans of it. With that said, VII still ranks higher than most of the games I have played.
I can see why people (such as a friend of mine) say Final Fantasy VII is overrated. It was the first 3D Final Fantasy, so of course it was well-received. Ocarina of Time was the same way. That isn't saying that they were successful only because of their graphics, it's just a note on how they were initially received. And despite similarly awesome Final Fantasy games that came before and after it, VII is the one (at least before XII) usually referred to in comparison to other games. However, I still think it deserves the accolades it has received, and this is why.
The story and characters of VII are amazing. The overall story is simple: save the planet from the crazed pretty-boy trying to destroy it. But it's deeper than that. Cloud isn't your average, confident hero. He's a wreck, mentally and emotionally. While other heroes would get through their problems and be confident enough to deliver the obligatory feel-good message, VII delayed it until Advent Children. (Why not leave it out altogether, Squeenix?) The others have their own issues, as RPG characters will, but they are together enough to help him through the ending.
Another major thing with the characters is how easily you can get into the story and identify with them. I think Cloud's mental insecurity and confusion is a part of that. You, the player, are confused about what's going on. He doesn't know either, so he's easy to sympathize and identify with. A few other Final Fantasies (mostly XII, but X as well) haven't been that easy to get into, at least for me. XII's political intrigue and Vaan's annoying personality kept me from liking it too much. And I kept laughing during the serious moments of X. ("Hey, look, a town was destroyed by Sin! That's hilarious!!")
I believe a remake of VII would be a good thing for the people like me who were unable to play it back then. It would also clear up any mistranslation issues and give the fangirls (a.k.a. me) something new to squeal over. As long as it stays absolutely true to the original, bring it on, Squeenix.
Advent Children and On The Way To A Smile - movie and novella
I hate to make this analogy, but Advent Children is the Paris Hilton of the Compilation - pretty, but not much point to it. That's not to say I don't love it, because I really do. It did bring Cloud's story to a close, resolved the whole "what happened after Meteorfall" issue, and brought everyone back for a spectacular battle that occurred for no good reason. Because really, who needs plot anyway?
On the Way to A Smile was just more backstory, but it was well-written backstory. I especially liked Case of Denzel, because when I saw him in Advent Children, I was thinking, "Hey, it's a young Roxas clone!" I don't know how many people have read them, but it'd definitely worth the time.
Dirge of Cerberus - PS2
Okay, this is the only part of the Compilation I have major problems with. Not with Vincent's story, although I don't really like him that much. The thing I have to say about this to Squeenix is this - STICK WITH WHAT YOU KNOW!
Shooters are nice if they're well executed. Shooters are not nice if they're clumsily done in an attempt to cash in on Advent Children's popularity. I'm sure they had the best of intentions with it, but it's like playing Shadow the Hedgehog - an angsty guy with a gun looking to resolve him genetically engineered past. This is the one where I agree that the Compilation is a cash-in on VII's success.
Last Order and Before Crisis - anime OVA and cellphone
Nothing much to say about either of these, really. Last Order is a different perspective on the experimentation on Cloud and Zack, their escape, and Zack's (*sob*) death. Plus the Turks from Before Crisis got a cameo. The difference in the events are a part of Cloud's crazy personality, and I'll probably rant more about that later.
I really don't have an opinion on Before Crisis, as I have never played it (the whole 'cellphones' and 'in Japan' thing is a bit of a problem), but it just seems a little pointless. Of course, it does establish the origins of AVALANCHE, but they could've easily put that in the Ultimania Omega guide. Since it probably won't come out in America, I suppose it doesn't really matter much to the Compilation here.
Crisis Core - PSP
Four words - I want this game! If I could understand more than a few words of Japanese, I'd have preordered it from Japan, but my skills are sadly lacking. The FMV's I've seen (i.e. all of them) are amazing, and the story is something that I actually wanted to see. In VII, Zack is an enigma. He dies, Cloud snaps and takes on his life, and that's the last we see of him. Last Order expanded on him and his personality, but this is like...wow. I love Zack. I'll probably talk about him later, but suffice it to say that I believe this time, Squeenix made a title that's more than a cash-in, but a good game on its own.
In Conclusion... (woot!)
Yes, the Compilation is, for some fans, too much. For others, like me, all this extra information is a godsend. Sometimes (most of the time, actually), the game isn't enough. It's the little stories before and afterwards that make a universe complete, and for the most part, Squeenix has done a good job with this one.
The Girl in the Zelda Hat will be covering Final Fantasy for a while until I get Phantom Hourglass!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
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