Final Fantasy VII History
Final Fantasy VII (ファイナルファンタジーVII?) is a console role-playing game developed by Square (now Square Enix) and published by Sony Computer Entertainment as the seventh installment in the Final Fantasy series. It was originally released in 1997 for the Sony PlayStation. It was re-released in 1998 for Microsoft Windows-based personal computers and in 2009 on the PlayStation Network. The game is the first in the series to use 3D computer graphics, featuring fully rendered characters on pre-rendered backgrounds.
Set in a dystopian world, Final Fantasy VII's story centers on mercenary Cloud Strife who joins with several others to stop the megacorporation Shinra, which is draining the life of the planet to use as an energy source. As the story progresses, the situation escalates and Cloud and his allies face Sephiroth, the game's main antagonist.
Development of Final Fantasy VII began in 1994 and the game was originally intended for release on the SNES, but it was later moved to the Nintendo 64. As the system's cartridges lacked the required storage capacity, Square decided to release the game for the PlayStation instead. The music was scored by Final Fantasy veteran Nobuo Uematsu, while the series' long-time character designer, Yoshitaka Amano, was replaced by Tetsuya Nomura.
Noted for its graphics, gameplay, music and story, Final Fantasy VII is acknowledged as one of the greatest and most influential games of all time. As of October 2009, the game has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide (including 100,000 downloads on PlayStation Network), making it the best-selling Final Fantasy title. The ongoing popularity of the title led Square Enix to produce a series of prequels and sequels under the collective title Compilation of Final Fantasy VII. An enhanced remake has been rumored since 2005; however, Square Enix has stated that a remake is not in development.
Set in a dystopian world, Final Fantasy VII's story centers on mercenary Cloud Strife who joins with several others to stop the megacorporation Shinra, which is draining the life of the planet to use as an energy source. As the story progresses, the situation escalates and Cloud and his allies face Sephiroth, the game's main antagonist.
Development of Final Fantasy VII began in 1994 and the game was originally intended for release on the SNES, but it was later moved to the Nintendo 64. As the system's cartridges lacked the required storage capacity, Square decided to release the game for the PlayStation instead. The music was scored by Final Fantasy veteran Nobuo Uematsu, while the series' long-time character designer, Yoshitaka Amano, was replaced by Tetsuya Nomura.
Noted for its graphics, gameplay, music and story, Final Fantasy VII is acknowledged as one of the greatest and most influential games of all time. As of October 2009, the game has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide (including 100,000 downloads on PlayStation Network), making it the best-selling Final Fantasy title. The ongoing popularity of the title led Square Enix to produce a series of prequels and sequels under the collective title Compilation of Final Fantasy VII. An enhanced remake has been rumored since 2005; however, Square Enix has stated that a remake is not in development.
Final Fantasy VII Characters:
Cloud Strife
Cloud Strife (クラウド・ストライフ, Kuraudo Sutoraifu?) is the original Final Fantasy VII game's protagonist and a self-proclaimed ex-SOLDIER-turned-mercenary employed by AVALANCHE. Initially, Cloud is confused and conflicted with an occasionally arrogant attitude and a cool disposition,[3] until a traumatic experience in the Lifestream helps him discover lost memories of his true self. He wears a purple/dark blue SOLDIER uniform and is distinguished by his glowing blue eyes, a sign of having been exposed to a large amount of mako. He has spiky blonde hair and wields a Buster Sword in combat, given to him by his late friend Zack Fair.[4]
Zack Fair
Zack Fair (ザックス・フェア, Zakkusu Fea?) is a non-player character from the game Final Fantasy VII, and the protagonist of its prequel, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. He also appears with Aerith in Final Fantasy VII Advent Children, as a SOLDIER in Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII, and plays a significant role in Last Order: Final Fantasy VII. In the original game, he appears only in flashback sequences, which portray him as almost identical to Cloud Strife, the game's main playable character, in physical appearance except for his black hair. When strung together, the sequences explain a great deal about Cloud's past and his connection to Sephiroth, the game's arch-villain. He was also Aerith's first love. Zack was given the Buster Sword by his mentor, Angeal, and later gave it to Cloud moments before his death. Zack was born in the town of Gongaga, where he lived until leaving to join Shinra's militant force, SOLDIER. Eventually he worked his way up to SOLDIER 1st class. He was captured along with Cloud Strife for experimentation after a battle with Sephiroth in Nibelheim, and later escaped with Cloud and attempted to return to Aerith. He was gunned down by the Shinra army while protecting CloudVincent Valentine
Vincent Valentine (ヴィンセント・ヴァレンタイン, Vinsento Varentain?) is an optional character from the original Final Fantasy VII, and is not required to complete the game. However, he later became the protagonist in two sequels, Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII for the PlayStation 2 and the mobile phone game Dirge of Cerberus Lost Episode: Final Fantasy VII. Vincent is a dark, brooding, and sardonic man whose heart had been numbed by a tragic love. He loved Lucrecia Crescent, who saved him after he had been shot by implanting in his body the lethal weapon, Chaos, and the protomateria with which to control Chaos. Vincent is a former Turk gunman who was experimented on by Hojo approximately thirty years before the start of the game,[5] and consequently failed to age and developed superhuman abilities and characteristics. After the numerous experiments and help of the protomateria, Vincent is able to transform into other demons while having nearly complete control. Cloud and the others eventually discover him sleeping inside a coffin in the basement of the Shinra Mansion, where he joins them in their quest.Sephiroth
Sephiroth (セフィロス, Sefirosu) is the game's main antagonist, and is known to be the most powerful member of SOLDIER ever, rising to a prominent rank at an early age. After a traumatic incident in which he learned of what he assumed to be his true origins, he left SOLDIER and indeed civilization altogether with plans to become a god-like power by wounding the Planet with Meteor and absorbing the entirety of the Lifestream sent to heal the damage. He manipulates and tortures Cloud over the course of the game, including killing Aerith at the Forgotten City. Cloud destroys Sephiroth at the end of the game; however, he returns for a short time in the sequel Final Fantasy VII Advent Children where he is reborn through the body of Kadaj and subsequently defeated once again by Cloud. Sephiroth is also a member of the party for a very short period during a flashback sequence, but is controlled by the computer during combat and the player cannot change his equipment and materia.
Sephiroth (セフィロス, Sefirosu) is the game's main antagonist, and is known to be the most powerful member of SOLDIER ever, rising to a prominent rank at an early age. After a traumatic incident in which he learned of what he assumed to be his true origins, he left SOLDIER and indeed civilization altogether with plans to become a god-like power by wounding the Planet with Meteor and absorbing the entirety of the Lifestream sent to heal the damage. He manipulates and tortures Cloud over the course of the game, including killing Aerith at the Forgotten City. Cloud destroys Sephiroth at the end of the game; however, he returns for a short time in the sequel Final Fantasy VII Advent Children where he is reborn through the body of Kadaj and subsequently defeated once again by Cloud. Sephiroth is also a member of the party for a very short period during a flashback sequence, but is controlled by the computer during combat and the player cannot change his equipment and materia.Aerith Gainsborough
Aerith Gainsborough (エアリス・ゲインズブール, Earisu Geinzubūru?) (romanized as Aeris Gainsborough in the English version of Final Fantasy VII game but as Aerith in later publications) is a flower girl on the streets of Midgar, sought after by Shinra's research department because she is the last of the Cetra. She asks Cloud to be her bodyguard after a run-in with the Turks, and subsequently joins AVALANCHE. While with AVALANCHE, Aerith realizes that she is the one who must stop Sephiroth's plot and save the planet. Sephiroth realizes that Aerith is a danger to him and kills her in the Forgotten City as she prays. However, Aerith's spirit maintains her cognitive powers and she remains separate from the Lifestream. Aerith has also made appearances in Before Crisis, Advent Children, Crisis Core, and the novella Case of the Lifestream: White, wherein she attempts to counter Sephiroth's hatred. Aerith is voiced by Maaya Sakamoto in JapaneseTifa Lockhart
Tifa Lockhart (ティファ・ロックハート, Tifa Rokkuhāto?) (originally romanized as Tifa Lockheart) is a childhood friend of Cloud and a skilled martial artist, having been previously instructed by Zangan. She is one of the lead members of AVALANCHE and convinces Cloud to join them in their rebellion against Shinra. Tifa helps to unlock Cloud's missing memories, and is revealed to have a romantic interest in him. After Final Fantasy VII, Tifa and Cloud diverge from the group and live with Barret and Marlene at the newly-created bar, Seventh Heaven, in Edge. Barret later moves out, leaving Marlene in their care, and an orphan boy named Denzel is taken in. Tifa refers to their unit as a "family". Tifa has also appeared in Before Crisis, Advent Children, Last Order, Dirge of Cerberus, Crisis Core, and the novella Case of Tifa.
