First off never bring in graphics when comparing 2 different RPGs from 2 completely different times. To put it bluntly if FF7 had the same graphics as FFX then IMO people would still cheer for FF7.

The reason FF7 is so good is because of many things.

1. The gameplay and battlesystem is simple yet complex. You can simply throw on materia and just cast spells but if you really want to embellish the full extent of the battle system you can pair up materia to derive out grusome combos. Also attaching the right accessories before a battle can make the difference between getting the easy win or going through phoinex downs like water trying to survive the boss.

2. Storyline- I've played FF6-10 and IMO the only storyline that can hold a candle to FF7's storylinne is FF6. The storyline was seamless. It NEVER felt like what you were doing in the game was a huge chore. Everything felt like it was part of the story. The storyline was also complex as it had many other plot lines weaved into it. Other FFs had good storylines but FF7 IMO was done the best.

3. Characters- Probably the most memorable and colorful cast of characters. From Cloud's hair and gigantic sword, and Aerith's angelic attitude, to characters like Barrett and Cid with their always pissed off attitude. Aside from maybe FF9 (Vivi is just awesome) no other cast of character in ANY RPG has left that big of an impression on me.

So what if the graphics are bad now...........at the time they were GROUNDBREAKING. Just like in 10 years time FFX's graphics will probably look bad.

Mario on the SNES has bad graphics but it's a great game.


What makes Final Fantasy VII so good? Well , the reason it's the BEST Final Fantasy is this:

1) The game has some of the greatest music ever. In a game and outside a game.
2) The characters each have their own theme, but the storyline drags everyone into it perfectly. The storyline is the most complex in a Final Fantasy game ever, and this is no joke.

check this:
http://www.ffcompendium.com/h/ff7story.shtml

The story blends in perfect and sets the scene for everything.

3) The battle system was unbelievable. I'd say it's absolutely impossible to fault it. It was just perfect.

4) Back to the storyline, you actually felt emotions (if you have any) for the characters. You get close to them as their themes open in the game.

5) replay value - the game had TONS OF IT. If you complete FF7, you've probably missed something, even if it's small. You will be needing to play it time and time again to fully complete it

6) big game - FF7 spans over 3 disks. It's a huge game. First time playing , it took me one year to complete, (70 hours of gameplay). The 2nd time through it, it took me 35 hours). And not once was any of it boring. I mean, how many games can you play most days of the year FOR THE YEAR and not get bored of??

7) The Gameplay itself. Simple enough bt great. There was so many different ways of utilising your stats with armour, materia etc.


Is that enough reasons??

and yes, i'm an FF7 fanboy, But is that a bad thing?!? I came on this site because i am sure i'll find more people like me and i don't get laughed at for being such a hardcore fan.

FF7 is the best Final Fantasy.

I thought that final fantasy 7 was the best. Graphics don't really matter, but they are really cool

Love the storyline
Love the way the story is told to keep everyone in the dark, enocuraging out-of-game discussion and to look for secret areas
Love the characters
Love the battle style
Love the music
Love the locations

you get the idea

(PS: I am NOT a fanboy, I play and enjoy all of the series, all the way back to number 4,5,6, I just like this one best)

I think the year that Square made Final Fantasy VII was just a good time for them creatively. The only game with a storyline better than VII's (in my opinion) is Xenogears, because it just has more complexity. Later Final Fantasies just don't seem to have the right kind of mix, for me. Although I enjoyed VIII, X, and XII, they just didn't quite involve me in the world as well as VII did. But that's just my take on it.

Basically, for me, the reason VII rises to the top is that its storyline is just awesomely complex. I think few games can beat the amount of varying characters and hidden truths. What you see is not what you get in VII. Most games are more straightforward about things, but Final Fantasy VII actually allowed the gamer to discover things at the same time Cloud discovered them.

Plus, that battle system and the music rock. I've always had a soft spot for both.

I agree with nadir, although the other games were brilliant, there is just something about VII, to the point where people are still discussing that story several years after its release