Arguably the greatest RPG ever made, Final Fantasy VII begins with a gorgeous FMV sequence, showing off the city of Midgar before, with impressive seamlessness, the game transitions into actual gameplay. Cloud and Barret exit the train that pulls up and start kicking a**, as a means of getting players used to the game's combat system. As you make your way to the No. 1 Reactor to plant the bomb, security shows up in the form of the game's first boss: the Guard Scorpion. After easily dispatching it, a 10-minute countdown begins, and you must escape the reactor before that time expires. It's easy enough, and as you make it outside, the game again seamlessly returns to FMV, as we witness the reactor explode in a beautiful fireball. Cloud and co. then escape the area (but not before Cloud briefly meets flower girl Aeris), and after another few fights, end up aboard a train. Final Fantasy VII was the first game in the series for many gamers (due it being the first on the PlayStation), and what a way to introduce an entire generation of gamers to the franchise. With its marvelous presentation, brilliant characters and compelling (if confusing) story, FF7 kept us gripped from minute one until the very end.
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
