The first time through, I used a guide. I cant help it, I just HAVE to get EVERYTHING when I beat a game, and I hate replaying a game, I just like going back and getting shit I missed. I have to get EVERYTHING, see EVERY cutscene, Im pretty much an obsessed completionist, lol.

Me. I was young. And I still had a really hard time beating the game.

i borrowed the game from a friend, so i had to finish it as quick as possible, so i used a guide from half way

Just ignore this reply but i never used any guide for ffvii, and found all the characters the secret phoenx's, etc. The only things i was not able to find were vinces mom luceria (which to today i still cant find and i dont have the game anymore) and beat emerald or ruby weapon. I found the 2nd time around though the life materia (the one that you can hardly ever die with) and my friend was amazed that i paired it up almost exactly to what the book had said cuz he had the book, he was laughing. But usually you need a manual (especially for FFXII) to beat the entire game. Good luck to those who dont use manuals is all i meant by posting here.