FINAL FANTASY VII (2013 Steam Version)

Midgar’s steel skyline, choking slums, and humming Mako reactors make an unforgettable opening for one of the defining Japanese RPGs of its era. You play Cloud Strife, a mercenary and former Shinra SOLDIER drawn into AVALANCHE’s campaign against the corporation draining the planet’s life energy. What begins as a sabotage mission grows into a far-reaching story of political exploitation, personal trauma, ancient history, and a famously dangerous rival. The 2013 Steam version preserves the original’s blocky character models and pre-rendered backdrops, so its appeal rests on atmosphere, music, and storytelling rather than modern presentation.

Combat uses the classic Active Time Battle system: party members act when their gauges fill, mixing physical attacks, spells, summons, items, and special Limit Breaks. Materia is the key progression mechanic, letting you slot magical or support orbs into weapons and armor to customize every character, link effects, and gradually unlock stronger abilities. Outside battle, Cloud’s party crosses a surprisingly broad world filled with towns, hidden items, optional bosses, minigames, and side content ranging from chocobo breeding to arena challenges. Difficulty is generally approachable, although a few late-game encounters reward experimentation with Materia combinations and a willingness to grind.

Its greatest strength is the way intimate character drama sits beside absurdly large-scale fantasy spectacle, all anchored by Nobuo Uematsu’s exceptional soundtrack. The fixed-camera scenes and angular visuals show their age, but they also give the game a distinct visual identity that newer remakes deliberately reinterpret rather than replace. Steam’s release includes useful modern conveniences such as achievements, cloud saving, and optional boosters, though it remains fundamentally the original 1997 experience rather than the action-focused remake. Fans of Chrono Trigger, older Persona, or story-heavy JRPGs should find plenty to love, while newcomers who can accept dated interfaces and pacing still get a landmark adventure.