Final Fantasy VII
Overview -
With a full remake of 'Final Fantasy VII' on the horizon, Square Enix looks set to be changing things up radically for its RPG classic. For those who might not be so keen on just how different the remake will be, or for those who just want to relive one of the RPG genre's most defining moments, Square Enix has released a slightly enhanced port of the original on PS4, bringing with it a couple of minor bells and whistles to improve the overall experience.
Video Review
There's no way around it, 'FFVII' is rough-looking. While the art direction is strong, and the pre-rendered backgrounds remain artistically worthwhile, the majority of visuals on display haven't aged well at all. Character models look terrible and blocky, and while one could definitely argue that this is just a product of its time, taking a look at its successors in 'FFVIII' and 'FFIX' really hammers in just how bad the game looks. This port is undoubtedly the best the original 'FFVII' has looked, on par with the recent PC version (but not the mods). Even so, time hasn't altogether been kind to the game in this regard.
Audio Review
Nobuo Uematsu's score for 'FFVII' is just about legendary, and I'd be lying if I said that the song the game opens with doesn't give me chills to this day. The battle themes are exciting and bombastic, and just about every town feels incredibly distinct in large part due to the soundtrack. While some of the sound effects don't quite hold up (explosions and the like often sound more like audio errors than anything else), the music absolutely helps carry the game even today.
Final Thoughts
'Final Fantasy VII', while definitely not as impressive as it once was, holds up far better than many might think. There is a large amount of chaff that I could do without, but the combat system, fantastic soundtrack, and enjoyable story all serve as an easy reminder of why the game is so well-regarded. While I embrace the changes that the remake is bringing, it's great to have the original as readily playable as it is today, and the PS4 port is undoubtedly the best way to experience it.
