FFVII Remake: Anybody else get chills...

On 06/16/2015 at 01:28 AM by VisuaLIES

...when the opening theme started up? After years of ports, teases, and mediocre spinoffs (Crisis Core excluded), SquareEnix has finally done it. Well, they've announced that they're going to do it: remake Final Fantasy VII, far and away the most popular entry in the series. Personally, I fell in love with the game many years ago on PSone. But over time those feelings were tempered by newer and flashier Final Fantasies, and I found myself entertaining arguments from the game's detractors: that it was overrated because of its popularity, that it wasn't perfect even back then and certainly hadn't aged well, and that FFVI did everything first and better. But as they say, the heart wants what it wants, and the anticipation I felt as this reveal unfolded reminded me of the impact the original game had on me years ago.

When the announcement began, I didn't even want to hope it was real. The presenter hinted at a long-awaited game and FFVII's iconic green "lifestream" flashed on the monitors, but I kept telling myself, they're trolling us. Remember last year? This could be for that Star Ocean sequel. And then the music hit, I recognized the famous Midgar train station, and Barrett and Cloud walked into view. And the word "REMAKE" appeared, as if to assure me, and everyone else who was still skeptical, that yes, this is the real deal. And for a brief moment, the world stopped.

Now, I know we're a long way off from an actual release. SquareEnix likes to bite off more than it can chew and announce blockbuster games before they've begun any real development work. We're still waiting for Final Fantasy vs. XIII XV, which was announced in 2006, and we're currently at 10 years and counting since the last numbered Kindom Hearts sequel, so I don't expect to see this remake for at least 5 years, and that's being optimistic. We also don't know if any changes to the story or gameplay in an attempt to modernize it will actually be a good thing. Most Final Fantasy games these days kind of play themselves, so I would hope that FFVII will offer more direct control over each party member. But worrying about those things can be left for another day.

Final Fantasy VII is being remade, and I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight.

Casey Curran Staff Writer

06/16/2015 at 01:45 AM

Interesting fact: January 31, 2017 (the 20th anniversary of the game) is on a Tuesday (aka when every game not made by Nintendo comes out). So if I was a betting man......

VisuaLIES

06/16/2015 at 01:52 AM

Seems kind of soon... but I'd take it!

Cary Woodham

06/16/2015 at 07:48 AM

There are two kinds of people in this world, those who like FF6 better, and those who like FF7 better. I'm a FF6 man, myself. I would just explode if they remade that. :)

06/16/2015 at 09:40 AM

I think they should remake VI as well. I played that one when it was released as part of Final Fantasy Anthology, and it showed me that many of the things that I thought were groundbreaking in VII were already in VI. However, VII was my introduction to the series, and I still love its characters, story, and world design, so I am excited to see it remade with current technology.

mothman

06/16/2015 at 08:47 AM

I was sort of excited until the realization kicked it that it wasn't really a game yet. I think 5 years sounds about right given past performance. We'll probably see it on the PS 5.

06/16/2015 at 09:46 AM

No! It has to be the best looking thing on PS4, not a ho-hum looking game on PS5! Incidentally, I think XV looks incredible considering it began development as a PS3 game. I realize now that it kind of spoiled me. I watched The Last Guardian trailer (which I am also highly anticipating) and kept thinking that it looked very dated. All those years in development and a shift to more powerful hardware, and they didn't bother to improve the graphics. I'll still get it of course, but it pales (graphically) to the other PS4 games they showed.

06/16/2015 at 05:52 PM

Oh I'd love to see it come out for PS4 and hopefully PC since I don't have a PS4 yet but I'm just doubtful it's going to happen that fast.

Machocruz

06/16/2015 at 11:58 AM

I got chills when I realized it was going to revitalize all the nostalgic fanboys whose first RPG was FF7 and think it's the greatest thing ever. Gonna hear about that for another 20 years.

No, but it's cool. I wish they'd beef up the combat system though: 4-man battle party with formations, larger monster groups, more importance on buffs. That old simplistic JRPG combat doesn't do it for me anymore, not after been playing classic CRPGs and Shin Megami Tensei games, which have more depth.

Last Guardian still looks great. What it lacks in pure technical prowess it makes up for in a singular and cohesive visual style, making it stand out among the pot-luck fantasy settings rampant in video games.

06/16/2015 at 11:49 PM

Hey, I resemble that remark! Yeah, it has flaws, but like I said, the feelings of nostalgia are stronger than rational thought lol. I'm just gonna embrace it. I'd like to see 2 battle systems in the remake. Keep the original for purists, update it for a modern audience, and let the player pick one. Otherwise people on both sides will cry. Actually I don't know if that can be avoided anyway.

F1r3inth3H0L3

06/16/2015 at 07:16 PM

FFVII is my second favorite game of all time only to Metal Gear Solid. I loved this game so much and am ecstatic that it is FINALLY being remade. Before I bought my PS4, I always thought to myself that it was most likely the last console I will ever buy. Now I can retire peacefully having this come full circle. Day one purchase for me obviously...

06/16/2015 at 11:52 PM

Yeah, I guess it would be a nice way to go out. I will probably buy consoles as long as they keep making them, if not for me, then for my son who will probably be into games when he gets older.

jgusw

06/17/2015 at 06:41 AM

I wasn't a fan of FF7 for the same reasons you mentioned. I always said if they made a remake, I'd give FF7 another shot. I really hope it's good.

06/17/2015 at 04:53 PM

Yeah, it wasn't perfect, but nothing is. But I have a fondness for it because when I first played it, it seemed so epic and new. The great music and prerendered graphics didn't hurt either. They will definitely be making some changes to the game. Hopefully they'll be positive and maybe it'll be even better than the original.

KnightDriver

06/18/2015 at 04:43 PM

When I get to 1997 games. FFVII is going to be high on my list to play.

PixlBit