Spoiled

by Jenova 

I have a number of friends who've played console RPGs since FF2 came out in the US. In fact, it was one of these who eventually bought me FF7 and made me sit down to play it. For years, I talked to these people while they were excited about new game after new game. Always, there was concern because they didn't want to spoil me for the game. I insisted repeatedly that I didn't have the attention span for RPGs. After I assured them, each went on to tell me about the exciting new plot point of the newest Final Fantasy, or Chrono Cross, or Xenogears.

Having read dozens of Final Fantasy 7 fanfics, had the story narrated to me repeatedly, and even taken over a character shrine for a friend, I started playing FF7. I assumed it'd be a case of been-there, done-that.

Boy, was I wrong.

The first thing I noticed was that it took so long for everything to happen. It's one thing to be told "Then you infiltrate the Shinra building and rescue Aeris." It's another to go up all those stairs. (Does everyone learn that one the hard way?) And no matter how offhand you are with Aeris's death, it's still a bit of a shock to be up on that platform for the first time and realize that hitting the buttons doesn't do what it should. I was surprised to find myself hitting everything in a panic, trying to regain control, even though rationally I knew what had to happen.

That was when I realized that all the spoilers in the world can't replace playing the game, or even completely destroy the impact of game elements. While watching a movie is a different and usually shallower experience than reading a book, watching the movie does not destroy the enjoyment of the book. The same applies to spoilers in many ways. While you may not want to know that Aeris dies and Hojo is Sephiroth's father before you play FF7, knowing that does not take away the enjoyment and impact of the game. The strength of the game lies not in the surprises it throws at the player, but in the way it tells the story.