Final Fantasy VII: Great Expectations.

Final Fantasy, one of gaming’s most illustrious and ironically titled RPG’s (yes, I’m well aware of the history behind the name, so reserve your indignant comments for the deformation I’m going to inflict on the most lauded entry in the series: Final Fantasy VII). A series almost immune from criticism. One that, for whatever reason has totally alluded me. There’s something about its ubiquity that I found irritating. The series was notably popularised in school by friends so effusive about it’s enduring quality. Being the contrarian that I am however, I would dismiss it, choosing instead to wallow in my own absurd contradiction.

So much of my fleeting understanding and ignorance is anecdotally informed by other people’s nostalgia. As we know, the inherent affinity for nostalgia is so powerful that if we could harness its raw energy, we probably wouldn’t need to concern ourselves with any other renewable sources. So I had no comparative reference to influence my first ever play-through of Final Fantasy VII: Remake. I knew some of the broad strokes, but it became evident very quickly that it wasn’t quite what I was expecting.

Now it’s worth noting that I haven’t finished the game yet, so my observations are very much determined by these initial stages, much like an “In depth” IGN review. But you don’t need to play through the entirety of the game to realise that Final Fantasy VII is a visual delight. JRPG’S have a preferential tendency for bold, vibrant animation, with stylistic exaggeration to it’s characters and environment. And though FF VII still evokes these aesthetics, the garish hues are softened, reflecting the impoverished conditions and industrial architecture that represents the tone of the narrative. Another compelling, if somewhat laborious element of the game.

During the initial stages of the game it does feel like you, as a player, are missing some vital context. Like you’re playing a sequel to a game you didn’t play. It’s jarring at first, but as you progress an intriguing story does begin to emerge. Most notable being corporate terrorism and how those in control consolidate their power by leveraging the media to distort the narrative and discredit those trying to expose the truth. As well as the perception of the general public to your freedom fighting. There’s also a strong message of ecological preservation that I can always get behind. The trouble with subjects like Eco-terrorism, is that the characters propagating these themes seem so absurd in relation.

It’s like the desolate world of “Mad Max” being occupied by the Power Rangers. All of the main characters are distinguished by their eccentric attire, hairstyles and distinctive, often flawless anatomy. One of my favourite moments in the game are when these patently suspicious mercenaries are trying to remain inconspicuous in a train populated by conventional looking denizens, despite character’s wielding swords the size of a support beams. Guys as Hench as an England fans ego, with a Gatling gun for an arm. And Tifa, a love interest styled like a hentai squids wife! The majority of these protagonist’s do begin to establish there own individuality however. With the glaring exception of the lead.

Cloud Strife, christened presumably because “Sunny Disposition” had already been used, is comparatively similar to his namesake. In the sense that the world is so much brighter when when Cloud isn’t there. Cloud is one of those “characters” and I use the term loosely, that hasn’t developed a personality beyond “aloof soldier”. The kind of guy that attracts female attention simply by proxy, not because of some defined charisma. I get that it’s an affectation, but it’s staggering how dry and morose he is, especially considering we haven’t established a motivation for him yet. To begin with, Cloud is simply a generic, over the counter protagonist. I’m sure there’s a melancholic backstory that expounds his now brooding exterior, hinted at during brief flashback scenes with Tifa. Something to explain the temperament of someone so explicitly bland. I mean why use one word when a simple “Humph” will suffice. Perhaps someone slowly regaining some humanity. But it makes his introduction all the more baffling when you don’t care.

The introduction of Aireth however does begin to rouse some inherent charisma from this personality void. From a character that is very deceptive. Before you’re properly introduced and engage with her intimately, you infer from her genteel and decorous pretence that she must be some shy, naive little girl you’d expect from a generic RPG protagonist. When in actuality she is far more precocious than I had anticipated, which benefits the reciprocal dichotomy that flourishes between Cloud and Aireth, bringing out a clear, if restrained personality.

There was a moment during chapter 5 that almost broke me though. During the infiltration of a government facility to sabotage another reactor, Cloud and his crew have to negotiate a series of subway tunnels to access the installation. The route is heavily fortified, but largely manageable. That is until you encounter guards furnished with flamethrowers and other incendiaries, bolstered by security turrets that fire devastating ballistics. Now the fight itself is challenging enough, as focus seems almost exclusively reserved for the character you’re controlling, almost ignoring your allies entirely. But oftentimes these turrets glitch, remaining concealed below the panels they’re supposed to emerge from. Making them immune to conventional physical attacks, but are still capable of inflicting damage on me! Despite my brush with madness, I finally vanquished these veiled threats, knowing that if I hadn’t done it soon, I would have stopped playing.

But I persevered, slowly gaining an affinity for a game I’m not convinced will ever truly embrace. Final Fantasy VII Remake is something of an anomaly. The story is compelling. The game-play is fluid and immensely satisfying. Utilising my preferred dynamic style over the traditional turn-based system. For years I thought Final Fantasy VII was an open world extravaganza, when it’s far more constrained environment than I had anticipated. But its linearity I came to appreciate, considering my own personal aversion to scripted level design in an RPG. But it doesn’t resonate with me the way it does with others. I’ve testified before with other established franchises that I didn’t connect with, that isn’t necessarily the games fault. In fact it’s exclusive issue of my own.

I will say however that Aireth is a delight. And I sincerely hope nothing happens to her!