First thing first: I felt only the tiniest amount of joy when playing Final Fantasy VII. I really tried, but there was a point when I realized that no part of the game kept my interest. Once I realized that, there was no point trying to force myself to wiggle my way through it. Final Fantasy VII, even with its legendary legacy, hasn’t aged very well and is a pain to play. Games like Pac-Man and Mario stand the test of time and come out on the winning end. They have a certain simplicity about them, allowing for repeated play through the years.
I’ve played my share of modern role-playing games, so I think I’ve got some credibility in the field. I obsess and constantly debate them. Having said that, it’s then safe to say that Final Fantasy VII is too difficult, and not just the turn-by-turn gameplay, which in itself is an acquired taste. The way developers build the games of today have a way of almost inebriating modern-day gamers with luxury and convenience, preventing them from enjoying the rich historical precursors to games of today.
Unclear Direction
One common argument is that modern games are too dumbed down for the average gamer to understand the relative complexities of older games, like Final Fantasy VII. You’re probably wondering where I come up with these friendly, biting accusations. Come on a journey with me, and you shall be enlightened to why FF7 isn’t as great as your childhood remembers.
What’s the first RPG that pops into your mind? Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion? How about Dragon Age: Origins? Maybe an MMO, like World of Warcraft? Now, ask yourself, what do these kind of games have in common? A basic quest log; that wonderful little thing that tells you how many quests you have opened, discovered, and where you need to go. In my first (and last) attempt at Final Fantasy VII, I constantly struggled to keep track of what needed to be done, and where. There’s just so many distractions in the world of Midgar.. Even when I managed to keep my focus on the game, I was usually lost, but not just from unclear goals.
Going Slightly Mad
Similar to the problem of a missing quest log is the lack of a mini-map. If having a quest log is the first course of elder design, going with a mini-map is the second helping. If an absentee mini-map wasn’t bad enough, there’s also no form of fast travel, minus the airships and boats much later in the game. Reflecting, modern gamers really love to be babied. When working through a world this expansive, it seems natural that the creators would put in a mini map to orient the player. Such is not the case for Final Fantasy VII.
Most spaces are easy enough to navigate, but each area is arranged in a series, like a maze made of puzzle pieces. The problem though, is that while you’re getting lost in this puzzle made of mazes you lose your mind. One wrong turn and you’re trying to find your way back to where you started, and trying to remember where you were going in the first place.
Playing off getting lost, the enemies you encounter for battle are almost all ghosts. It’s like you are walking through a cemetery, singing a lovely little song to yourself, when BAM!… you’re ambushed by a weird ass, evil house. Dealing with insane enemies like this for hours on end would be enough to drive even the sanest gamers bonkers.
Being constantly assaulted by demented enemies combined with constantly getting lost and running around the same area for god knows how long leads to a terrible cycle of annoyance and frustration. Compared to modern games, it’s all slightly terrifying. At one point, when they add on a timer, you’re in for a hell of a time. The maze gets even more confusing because you are stressing about getting out in time, which leads to minor heart attacks every time you get attacked.
Basically, retro games are screwed. The longer a game has been out, the more likely it is there will be a group of people that will not be able to handle it. Imagine League of Legends in 30 years. Or the Halo series. Games are becoming easier and easier. So let’s blame everyone and hope for better.
