We review the order to play Final Fantasy 7, the compilation and the remake of this Square Enix universe.
Final Fantasy VII is one of the great games in history. A universe that changed the sign of the times and that marked a turning point for the JRPG genre in the west. There are few doubts about this. Beyond the main game that first appeared on PSX in January 1997 and the remake of this 2020, the title saw its world expand through various proposals that tried to travel before and after the events of Cloud and company. In this article we try to collect the games -and what are not games- to give a chronological order to how to play the entire universe of the seventh fantasy of Squaresoft.
It is important to emphasize that we have decided this order thinking not so much in the chronology of the titles, but also in understanding them. Therefore, although we have games that are prior to the events of Final Fantasy VII, we consider that they should be played after the base game. The original title is the beginning of everything and is the one that serves to introduce us to the actors and protagonists of other derived installments. That said, this is how we will order the Final Fantasy VII saga for those who want to get fully involved in everything that happens in it.
Final Fantasy VII (original)
The game that causes a compilation of titles to surround you is the first on the list. Basically because here we will meet most of the characters who will later have something to say in other installments. In this way we perfectly locate characters from the past and future, as well as the future of some of the protagonists, starting with Cloud himself, and the world we know. It is available on PSX, PC and in HD format on consoles of the current generation with some advantages and facilities to make more bearable some battles or the subject of random confrontations.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
Crisis Core places us seven years before the events of Final Fantasy VII. Now that we know Cloud and his problems, the evolution of Sefirot and a certain Zack sounds to us (right?), It is a good time to put us in the origins of both Zack and Sefirot, in an Action RPG that moves away from the Combat system from original Final Fantasy 7 and other sub-installments. It is not the perfect prequel at the plot level nor is it a playable wonder, but it is worth it for the final climax that it proposes and for its visual finish for a console like PSP, remember.
Other means: Before Crisis and Last Order. Before Crisis Core there is a game called Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII, which talks about the rise of the Avalanche group. The game only came out on mobile for Japan, although its script can be found online. Also available is the OVA Last Order: Final Fantasy VII that recounts some events such as those that take place in Nibelheim or an assault by Zack and Cloud on Shinra.
On the Way to Smile: Final Fantasy VII
Novel consisting of three chapters, which is within the compilation of Final Fantasy VII and which tells the story of everything that happens in Final Fantasy VII from the end of the game against Sefirot to the beginning of Advent Children. All this is explained from the vision of Denzel, an orphan from Midgar, and from the point of view of Tifa and Barret. It happens two years after everything we know about in the original game and can be purchased here for less than 19 euros.
Film: Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
The movie-sequel to the events that happen after Final Fantasy VII. The film narrates what happens to the main characters, two years later and as Cloud, isolated from the rest, he does not overcome everything that happened with Aeris, the fall of the meteorite and the feeling of having been unable to do anything to prevent it. The film revolves around Cloud's guilt and the possible return of Sefirot, whose surviving spirit has physically materialized in the form of Kadaj, Yazoo and Loj, three individuals with traits of the villain who desperately search for Jenova's remains to resuscitate him. completely. Advent Children would represent the final conclusion of the Cloud story and all the emblematic characters of the game appear as Red or Barret, with Tifa occupying the role of co-star.
Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus
To end our journey through the original Final Fantasy VII games, we go to Dirge of Cerberus, which happens three years after the PSX game and focuses on Vincent as the character and total protagonist of the game. The experiment transforms the title into a third-person shooter with RPG touches, three years after the meteorite fell in the original game, in the midst of a decaying world. A poor targeting system, camera problems and development limitations make it beyond convincing past Vincent's past. The game came out for PS2.
Later a lost chapter of Dirge of Cerberus called Lost Episode came out for mobile, and it is part of the universe of this installment.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
With all this baggage, it is time to enjoy Final Fantasy VII Remake. We put it at the bottom of the list not only because it is the last to come out, but because the game brings a series of story and betting changes that to better understand where they want to go, we must first know what happened in the original compilation with Cloud and accompanied. In moments, absolute fidelity and in others total reimagining, the Final Fantasy VII remake beyond plot themes offers emotion, spectacular moments and a masterful combat system. A way to return to Midgar that we had long dreamed of.
