I like big swords and I cannot lie, Let's Play Final Fantasy VII !

What is Final Fantasy VII?!?!??!?!?
It's a role-playing game within the popular Final Fantasy series. It's the seventh in the series but you don't need to play the other six to know what's happening. In fact, the stories have nothing to do with one another!
We control play a young man named Cloud who has a big sword. There's other people. There's glowy stuff called Mako. There's Shinra, an evil(?) company. I don't remember much.


IMPORTANT

SOME NOTES TO KEEP IN MIND:
1.NO SPOILERS. NONE WHATSOEVER. Not even cute little “hee hee I wonder how you’ll react to the next part~” remarks.
2.Rule one is important because this is a blind run.
3.If people know about fun items or events I can get, then feel free to push me in that direction in a non-spoiler fashion.
4. This is a long game and will involve a lot more work than my last LP. I won’t be able to update as often. I’ll try to update at least twice a week. If you've got any helpful suggestions, let me know!
5. PCSX doesn’t appear to have a video record option, and screenshots doesn’t do the cinematic scenes justice even in an older game like this. I’ll try to find youtube videos of them. When that fails me I’ll…experiment. If you want to suggest any fancy tools I can use, keep in mind that I have a mac with an outdated OS.
6. PCSX doesn't have a screenshot option either. Macs have some neat-o hot keys I can use so it isn't a huge problem. The screenshots might be a teensy bit odd around the edges, though.



My Boring Fascinating History with This Game
Not too long ago I went to a place I affectionately call Salarmy. I normally go there because I am a cheap yet stylish bastard and I somehow keep finding faboo clothes that fit me. I am currently operating under the theory that I have a rich body twin that gets rid of the entire wardrobe every season.
Anyway, I was walking to the checkout when I saw a row of video games for sale. There’s rarely anything good but you never know, right?
And that’s how I got Final Fantasy VII for $1.50.

And here it is. I’m not sure if you can tell, but there’s a huge scratch on the cover. The CDs are in beautiful condition so I guess the case has performed its duties well.

I’ve played part of this game before years ago but when I finally got to the second disk…it wouldn’t work.
So this is almost entirely a blind run as my game memory is nearly nonexistent.




Without further ado,

Here's the first cinematic scene:



The guy with the red bandana runs out of the train first and immediately flips the guard over.

The brown haired one just gives the other guy a less classy boot. I guess that distance is impressive, though.


The big guy with the gun arm jumps out and gestures for me.


???: C’mon newcomer. Follow me.”

I have a name.

He runs off.

I suppose I should follow.



A couple of guards come up.


They don’t know whom they’re dealing with.
I make quick work of them.
The guy with the red headband and black hair starts talking to me.
Talk any louder and we’ll have the whole compound shooting at us, genius.
The brown haired one stops working to look at us.


Jessie: What’s he doing with us in AVALANCHE?
Is this really the time to be asking such questions?
Biggs: Hold it, Jessie. He WAS in SOLDIER. He quit them and now is one of us.
She starts working again, thankfully.
Biggs: Didn’t catch your name…
Maybe I didn’t want you to know?


~~~~And this is where the viewers must make their decision!~~~~
Do you want a mostly serious play through with

Or do you want an only semi-serious play through with

Place your votes in bold!

Are you telling me I'll finally be able to experience this game vicariously through someone else?
YES.

Since this is a blind first-timer, I say we go with the original ~~Cloud~~. I bet he's an ass.

There's actually a PC version as well, which has seen some reasonably extensive mod work that's improved it quite a lot.

Also, Cirrus, clearly.

I've, uh, I've never played a FF game. Ever. I barely know anything about them.

So you can be sure I'm completely qualified when I choose Cirrus

If FFVI doesn't win then just fuck you all.

Can I be Aerith?

I voted for burning hatred.
Also, ff vi. I'm forced to admit that Kefka was pretty great.
Edit: Semi-Serious and Cirrus

There's basically nothing to know. Squaresoft usually doesn't use the same setting, lore, or systems more than once. This is a game about Cloud, he's just your average workaday ex-supersoldier trying to get by in a cybersteampunk world with the help of his giant motherfucking sword.

If you're still confused after reading the end of this LP, renting Advent Children will help you by answering none of the questions you have, while showing you what it looks like when Cloud uses the limit break Climhazzard to gut a giant fucking dragon like a fish.

THERE IS NO FINAL FANTASY: TACTICS OPTION. FUCK YOUUUUUUUU

Just as a fair warning:

If I play as Cloud, I'll try to narrate as in-character as possible and you should come out with an honest experience of the game. There will be some joking around but it'd never get out of control. If you like the story line then you should be in for a nice time.

If I play as Cirrus, you'll see shit like this.

Enough said.

Uh, that's a difficult choice, there.
On one hand, it's been a long time since I last played the game and it'll be interesting to see a blind run through it.

On the other hand, that drawing is hilarious.

(My vote goes towards keeping the original names, but switching them around randomly)

I like to keep the original names because I get terribly confused if you don't, but at the same time...

I think I'm in love.

As a Final Fantasy fan I approve this thread! u__u I was also thinking about LP a FF, maybe it could become the new trend of the forum XD

But if you're playing the game blindly Rot, I'm worried for you when you search for the videos on youtube... it will be really easy to bump into a big spoiler.

I vote for Cloud! (I named my Cloud "Nimbus" when I played, though. So I was kind of tempted to vote for the other name...)

I'm glad you're playing this game, because I accidentally deleted my save on my PSP and I'm way too lazy to restart.

Yayyy ff7 LP. Maybe I'll go back to my game...(I'm 30hrs in, and got distracted by Persona 3 and lots of VNs. oops.)

Keep Cloud for those who don't know final fantasy :D

EDIT: so surprised vii don't have more votes! It's so...well known?

My vote is for Cloud, because of reasons.

Dongs REO Speedwagon.

or cloud.
i guess that works too.

Well, I don't think the matter is it not being well known. In fact I'd guess to say that it's probably the most well known FF game. However I feel (and I think a lot of people would agree) that it hasn't aged as well as the SNES games. This is a general problem for many PS1 titles - especially the earlier ones.
Whereas sprite graphics has had a resurgence in these past 5 years or so, blurry low-polygon count 3D hasn't. That's at least part of it, I think.

Voting to keep Cloud.

I'd say go with Cirrus. But I've only ever played XIII. Fuck that game. I'm awful at these sort of things.

It'd be fun for more FF LPs to start up, but it's such a big commitment. I wavered a lot about starting this but figured this might be the perfect impetus towards finishing the game.

Yeah...I'm a bit worried about looking for videos. I have played through the first disk once but...hmmm. I don't want to upload a video with crappy quality...


Test Video: What do you think?
I found this website for recording. How's the video and sound quality? I think I can get rid of those words at the bottom in the future. As for the random green spots...the emulation isn't perfect. I'll try harder to get better recordings for future scenes.

(There's no sound in the beginning because there isn't any. I think the video I posted earlier might be from the PC version?)

It seems like the general voting trend is for Cloud.
There's still time to vote though, as I'll start playing again around 6 P.M. CST/7 P.M. EST/4 P.M. PST.


Final Fantasy Discussion Thread has been created!



Bec , sweetheart, I love you but my love is conditional. Please get rid of the spoiler. (It's not an especially problematic one, I just want to keep this particular thread clean of all spoilers.)

Voting for Cloud as well. Never did manage to play this game. I need the full experience.

Oops, sorry! I deleted it. And the quality of the video seems fine to me!

Cirrus, although I like the name Cloud better.

Also, I like your title. c:

Cirrus~! ... Why so cirrus?

Damn it Donmai, you stole my eventual joke!

Cirrus for sure. Do it, do it! Cloud is just...well, he's Cloud.

Whaaaat? You go play a Final Fantasy right now! I'd recommend the earlier ones first, though. The more recent ones are kinda disappointing. I'm looking at you 13
I think 9 is probably my favorite of the main series, but I really love Tactics.

I haven't really liked the FF games I've played(they felt way too impersonal too me) but I'm curious too see what all the fuss is about.

No spoilers please. If you want to talk spoilers go to the Final Fantasy Discussion thread.

Even if they're under tags?

Hahaha ironic how Cirrus is supposed to be for the 'semi-serious' playthrough

Yeah. Sorry. I don't always have the strength of will not to look at them. D:

Are you going to get the optional characters? One of them is my favourite character in the series.

I love this. I love you, Rot.
Also, Cirrus.

Cloud.

Gonna make you really work for your likes!

If I counted right, there was a tie. So I’m just going to go with the original names for everyone. I’ll see if I can find some kind of compromise between seriousness and humor.

I'll try to find them!
When I get to a time where I can get the extra character feel free to leave me creepy messages like:
Hey Rot! Go to (area).
Trust me.

Tch. I guess I'll just have to do my best.

Now for an actual update!


Biggs: Cloud, eh? I’m…
I shake my head.
Cloud: I don’t care what your names are. Once this job’s over…I’m out of here.
The man with the gun arm runs up and immediately begins scolding the group.

???: Our target’s the North Mako Reactor. We’ll meet on the bridge in front of it.
Jessie unlocked the door and almost everyone moved ahead.


So?

He tells me his name is Barret before moving ahead.

I don’t recall asking for his name.


That’s where I need to go. I should get moving.
I meet some resistance but nothing worth writing in a diary about.
I get to the next section and see the group split up ahead.

Cheh.
It might be easier to do that if you guys did a better job at briefing me.
Wedge: Geez, we’re really gonna blow this huge furnace up? This’ll be something to see!
I’m wasting my time.

Reactors aren’t exactly a normal hang out spot but…
Cloud: No. After all, I did work for Shinra, y’know.
Barret: The planet’s full of Mako energy. People here use it every day.
I shift my weight and try to contain my annoyance.
Barret: It’s the life blood of this planet. But Shinra keeps suckin’ the blood out with these weird machines.
Cloud: I’m not here for a lecture. Let’s just hurry.
Barret: That’s it! You’re comin’ with me from now on.
Ugh.
Biggs puts in the code and we move to the next room.

Jessie puts in the next code.
We leave Biggs behind to keep watch.

Switch on.
The elevator rumbles to life.
Barret finds this the perfect moment to start preaching again.

I shrug.
Cloud: It’s not my problem.
Barret: The planet’s dyin’, Cloud!
I shake my head.
When will he finally listen to what I’m saying?
Cloud: The only thing I care about is finishin’ this job before security and the Roboguards come.
Barret turns away from me, shaking with frustration.

Jessie runs ahead. Barret sticks close to me while we take out the patrolling robots.
I don’t need his help.


Looks like Jessie is going to stay behind too.

I find some Restore Materia.
That’ll be useful.

Whatever makes you happy.
Barret: Cloud, you set the bomb.
Cloud: Shouldn’t you do it?
Barret: Jus’ do it! I gotta watch to make sure you don’t pull nothin’.
Cloud: Fine, be my guest.
There’s no point in trying to understand him.

As I pick the bomb up everything goes red.

This isn’t just a reactor!!
I shake my head.
What the hell was that?
Barret: ……What’s wrong?
Cloud: Huh?
Barret: What’s wrong, Cloud? Hurry it up!
Cloud: …Yeah, sorry.
I move forward and put the bomb in place.
An alarm goes off.
Barret: Heads up, here they come!
Damn it.

We’re fighting but I’m not sure if we’re doing much damage.
It hits me and I start to feel a rush of energy through my veins.
I leap in and slash hard.
Heh. Not bad.

Cloud: Attack while the tail is up! It’s gonna counterattack with its laser.
I don’t know why I bother to say this. He seems to be after me, not Barret.
We wait the enemy out until it finally lowers it’s tail.
We hit it a couple of more times, but it manages to get a good stab at me. I’ll have to use a potion.

Barret gets in a good shot. And the robot falls apart. Within the wreckage we find an assault gun.
That’ll be useful.

TEN MINUTES UNTIL DETONATION.
We need to hurry.

What is she doing?
Jessie: My leg got stuck.
All you had to do was stand here. How did you screw that up?
Jessie: Thanks!
I sigh.

We get on the elevator and back on to the next floor.
Biggs and Jessie are waiting for us by the door.
They’re a lot faster with the codes this time.

It seems like we’re making good time.
The guys run to the escape route but Jessie hesitates.
Did her foot get stuck again?


(That segment had almost no sound at all, so I didn't bother recording any.)

Wedge: Yeah.
Barret: ……












Holy-
How did we not die?!
These people are crazy!


Barret: Rendezvous at Sector 8 station! Split up and get on the train!
They scatter.

Barret: If it’s about your money save it ‘til we’re back at the hideout.
Fine then.
I run up the stairs.

People are recklessly running about and knock over the young woman with the basket.

She dusts herself off and stands without a word of complaint.
I make the mistake of looking her in the eye as I try to walk by.
Flower girl: Excuse me.

Flower girl: What happened?

What should Cloud say?

Vote in bold!