I finished a very enjoyable playthrough from start to VI thanks to Pixel Remasters, and I bought VII-IX on Switch to keep it going. I’m on the first arc in Kalm after leaving Midgard and I am finding it a struggle to get through. This game moves so slow, the story is not at all interesting so far, combat is entirely monotonous, the characters are flat, the controls are clunky, and the cut scenes are excruciatingly long and pointless.
I do not want to play through it for completeness sake, but I also don’t want to give up too early.
I feel like I should be enjoying it by now, right? Is there some point in the story where it really takes off? If so, how close am I?
Also don’t find 7 all that much, liking it mostly for working well as a self-contained story (take a gander what I think about its expanded universe 😶)
But as others said, story does pick up after a while, though at least in my impression, it still grows at a slow burner speed. And regarding the battles, and if you have the option, maybe pick a save editor to pump up the stats so you can avoid them as much as possible?
I do think the story and the characters pick up more later. If you liked traveling the overworld in the previous games, FF7 will also feel like it’s moving along on that front more after Kalm.
That said, not enjoying the combat by now is a problem, I think it’s kind of the highlight of the Midgar section. If gameplay’s important to you in your JRPGs, it might be time to give this one a pass.
Thanks. Yeah, I really wanted to like it.
I remember feeling underwhelmed by it as a kid when it first came out, but I never got a PlayStation. For the time, the art style and graphics were really cool, but the menus and combat system really felt like a step down for me, especially considering how awesome VI was.
Glad you liked VI! I do think it’s aged pretty well. It and X are my favorites in the series.
I struggled with VIII and IX because the combat was a lot slower, but you might enjoy them. A lot about VIII is quite different from the jump.
Agreed that 6 and 10 are Pinnacle titles that outshine the others, 7 is behind a few others for sure
I played VIII and IX years ago on roommates’ consoles. IX I really remember loving the story and characters, but I didn’t remember the combat at all. I don’t remember much about VIII, but I know I played the hell out of Blitzball.
Blitzball is X.
Ah ok thanks. I don’t think I played VIII, then.
Give it at least until you reach Junon.
That said, I never liked FF7 as much as I liked FF6. FF6 has an ensemble cast, so if Terra doesn’t speak to you, one of half a dozen other characters can pick up the slack. I felt that FF7 relies on your attachment to Cloud and the rest of the cast matters less.
Final Fantasy VII is my favourite or second favourite in the series but I’ll be honest with you: if you’re not enjoying it by now I can’t imagine much will change for you, and that’s okay. It’s a long game and you probably shouldn’t burn yourself out on a game you’re not enjoying.
You are not alone as I had the same problem with 7. FF6 is one of my favorite games and I was excited to play 7. But by the time I got through Midgard (which took too long imo) I just wasn’t attached to the storyline or the characters. That said, I actually did enjoy the combat of 7.
I ended up giving up where you currently are. Ive debated giving it another try given its reputation as such a good game, but just don’t have the time anymore. Maybe one day I will. Others have told me the story does pick up one you leave Midgard.
It’s so well regarded, I kinda feel like I’m missing something. I remember bring really excited about it when it came out, since I had played all the FF releases in the US up to that point. However, I had gotten a computer so I could play Diablo, so my parents would not shell out for a PlayStation.
I ended up playing it some at a friend’s house, but right away I was not impressed. I’ve always guessed that its success was linked to the success of the PlayStation, and I think it introduced a lot of people to FF. Hell, if I didn’t have the amazing games from NES and SNES to compare it to, I probably would have been a fan.
It’s really only regarded by people who played it as their first on their first disc based console. Objectively it’s a downgrade from 6
I think everyone has given you all you need to know, but whats another comment?
Those pointing out the concerns with combat are correct, if you’re not enjoying it by now then you’re going to struggle with it through-out. Granted, as you get more, and more powerful materia, and equipment, you may find that sate your needs in this area. But I’m not sure it would by much.
Unlike other people, VII isn’t my favourite but I do still enjoy it and the story does pick up much more later. I always find Kalm and Junon to be a lull after Midgar (even if there are some highlights among this section), and have had to power through when I’ve played it. I’d say after Costa-del-sol is a good time to reassess if you’ve got the energy to continue. If not, then there’s no harm in taking a step back from the game and calling it a day - it doesn’t sound like you’re attached to any aspect of it right now, so you’re not losing out on anything.
Thanks for chiming in! Honestly, Materia is the thing I find most intriguing in the game, so I may stick around to see how that develops.
it’s not really for people who don’t immediately get over invested when he says “They’re killing the damn planet, Cloud.”
its a whole hopeless vibe and feels and if it isn’t your thing just keep scooting
the next one is a whole different vibe again
After Kalm the game story really kicks into high gear. Stick it out at least until you hit Costa Del Sol after Junon. If you don’t like the game at that point, its just not your cup of tea.
But, I have to say, out of all the final fantasy games I’ve played, this one has always been my favorite. The story just gets more and more complex as you go. Its got a lot of layers. But, if thats not what you’re looking for, thats okay. Not liking the combat is problematic. Maybe try the active timer instead of the wait timer if you haven’t already?
Hopefully, you stick it out proper. I really think there’s a lot this game has to offer.
Ok thanks! I’ll stick it out until Costa Del Sol.
You should report back here once you get to Costa Del Sol! Im really curious if you will keep playing the game, or if you had to put it down.
Yeah I’m done… I got tripped up by the Midgar Zolom. By sheer chance, I walked across the marsh and made it to the other side on foot. I was eventually able to defeat one, but I had to look up a strat online to kill it with poison so it wouldn’t use it’s Blown Away and Beta attacks.
Some of the back-story with Sephiroth in Nibelheim is cool, it just feels like pulling teeth to move it along. I’m so bored of walking from one location to another and back again ad nauseum, with nothing to do but click the A button to trigger cut scenes.
Maybe I’ll come back to it someday, but I got to give it a pass for now.
Haha, you weren’t supposed to fight the Zolom. You’re supposed to get a chocobo and run across the marshmallows. There’s a farm right next to the marsh who will give you a chocobo lure. Too bad, I can see how thats frustrating.
I’m aware. I was just experimenting and was surprised when I made it across the first try without one.
I was out farming gold since I didn’t have enough for the chocobo lure and thought what the hell let’s go check out this marsh and see how tough this snake is. The real mistake was saving over my recent slot on the other side of the marsh, next to the mine entrance.
I ended up playing more last night anyway and did the first battle at Mount Condor, which honestly was the most fun I’ve had since starting it.
Omg, the Condor fights are so fun! That mini game is handsdown one of my favorite things about the game! It actually is a story driver at some point later in the game, so you have to come back eventually and do it again.
I will try to remember
