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I love to love RPGs. But there's only one that will forever hold up the acolade of taking the genre to mainstream supremacy: Final Fantasy VII. Everyone dictates that it is simply the best RPG ever - and half of the time it's from people who haven't experienced any other. I simply adore the game, I used to religiously play it whenever I got bored. Though with flaws, it's the heart of the game that tugs at me every time I switch the game on. It's cliché, but who cares anymore?
Who should be ashamed to say that Cloud Strife's nervous breakdown or his love triangle with Aeris and Tifa isn't still captivating. Who should be apprehensive to take pleasure and pride in destroying Sephiroth, the most evil character to be created. Who should feel repressed in admitting the countless loops and twists in the bizarre story isn't somehow alluring after seven years of it's release?
I watch one of the most important films ever created, Blue Solider (a critical and comercial flop, but a film I consider great) as I write this. The terrible and horrific scene of the Indians being slaughtered merclessly reflecting powerful and hard hitting views on the events of 1864 only reminds me of the same importance I consider Final Fantasy VII to be on the shaping of the RPG takeover. When I think of the term RPG, only Final Fantasy VII springs to mind — and most of my video game collection is a varied bunch of the genre. Final Fantasy VII, to me, is the cream of the crop and probably always will be.
But God am I tired of hearing just how great it is with numerous polls and surveys and endless profanic squabbles on forums alike. Gamefaqs published a competition recently that declared the title "Best Game Ever". Games faced each other off to progress further and further to the climax, in the end it was Final Fantasy VII vs Chrono Trigger. Final Fantasy VII prevailed. End of. But no. Gamefaqs then released another poll asking: "Final Fantasy VII. Best Game Ever. Really?". So not only did people then vote in the majority "No, it isn't.", it also defeated any purpose of the whole competition anyway. Again, at www.ffonline.com, there was a poll conducted by the RPG community (not to mention the Square community themselves) that decided the best Square games created. This time, Final Fantasy VII was beaten by Final Fantasy VI. Yet VII has beat VI in other polls. Confused? I gave up ages ago.
And when you pop along to some forum for possibly a barrage of sarky banter and maybe a stimulating chat about a game you love – and you ask the all 'important' question dreaded by many – "What's your favourite RPG?" There's a ninety five per cent chance some poor victim is going to say Final Fantasy VII and then be practically flamed for it. So pathetic, and a complete waste of time. Has everyone forgotten the term "Everyone to their own" or perhaps "Please don't spit out the dummy"?
The real sad thing is about Final Fantasy VII is that it's gargantual popularity has been it's gradual downfall over the years. Beloved fans have turned to sworn enemies after being frankly squeezed too tightly to bear hearing about it's greatness again. The game is – but shouldn't be – controversial and silly contests and arguments shouldn't deter the fact that Final Fantasy VII is a superb game, but not the best.
And why? Because everyone to their own.
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