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FINAL FANTASY VII

29 years ago

FINAL FANTASY VII is Square's role-playing game about Cloud Strife, the resistance group Avalanche and the fight against Shinra. The Active Time Battle system and the freely combinable Materia define the original from 1997.

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Developer
FINE Co., Ltd., Square Enix
Publisher
Square Enix
Genre
JRPG, RPG
Game modes
Singleplayer
Game series
Final Fantasy
Also known as
Final Fantasy 7
At Steam
View store page
On this page 20 sections

What is FINAL FANTASY VII?

FINAL FANTASY VII is a Japanese role-playing game from 1997. Mercenary Cloud Strife joins the resistance group Avalanche in Midgar, which opposes the energy corporation Shinra. The fight over Mako energy develops into a journey about the future of the planet, Cloud's past and the former hero Sephiroth.

Updated 28.10.2026

Sources

Release

29 years ago

FINAL FANTASY VII was released on Jan 31, 1997 in Japan for PlayStation. In Europe the game hit the market in November 1997. Releases followed for Windows PC, later for iOS, PS4 and Android, and on Mar 26, 2019 for Nintendo Switch and Xbox One. The newer versions keep the original story.

  1. PS1

    Released on Jan 31, 1997 in Japan.

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  2. PC

    Released in 1998 for Windows PC.

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  3. PC

    Released on July 24, 2013 on Steam.

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  4. iOS

    Released on August 20, 2015 in Japan.

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  5. PS4

    Released on December 4, 2015.

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  6. Android

    Released on July 7, 2016 in Japan.

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  7. Switch, Xbox One

    Released on March 26, 2019.

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Updated 28.10.2026

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Platforms

The original came out on the original PlayStation and was later ported to Windows PC. Modern versions are available on PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, iOS and Android. The PS4 version can be played on PS5 via backward compatibility. FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE, by contrast, is a standalone, significantly expanded game.

Updated 28.10.2026

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Gameplay

You lead a group of up to three characters through towns, dungeons and a large world map. Outside of battles you explore locations, talk to residents and complete tasks. In combat you choose spells, attacks and items via menus while the characters' action bars fill.

Updated 28.10.2026

Sources
FINAL FANTASY VII: A section of the game graphics from the RPG world
· Square Enix Image source

Trailer

Trailer zu FINAL FANTASY VII

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DLCs and expansions

The original story has no major story expansions in the modern DLC model. Newer versions add comfort features instead. On Steam, options include triple game speed, switchable random encounters, battle aids and automatic saving, among others. Mandatory story battles remain.

Updated 28.10.2026

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System requirements

The current, technically upgraded Steam version requires Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11, at least 8 GB RAM and 5 GB free storage. Square Enix lists a Ryzen 3 1200 or Core i3-6100 as minimum processors. These requirements apply to the current PC version and not to the original 1998 release.

The details apply to PC.

Minimum

Operating system
Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11
Processor
Ryzen 3 1200 or Core i3-6100
RAM
8 GB RAM
Graphics
GeForce GTX 750 Ti, Radeon RX 460 or Arc A380
Freier Speicherplatz
5 GB

Editorial details

Updated 28.10.2026

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Cloud, Avalanche and Shinra

Cloud is first hired as a fighter for Avalanche. The group tries to stop Shinra's exploitation of Mako energy. Soon the events reach far beyond Midgar and confront the characters with their own history, the threatened environment and the return of Sephiroth.

Updated 28.10.2026

Sources
FINAL FANTASY VII: Gameplay shot from the story of Cloud and his companions
· Square Enix Image source

The main characters

Cloud fights alongside Tifa, Barret and Aerith. Later, more companions such as Red XIII, Yuffie, Cait Sith, Vincent and Cid join. Each character has their own background and strengths. The changing makeup of the party affects tactics and dialogue.

Updated 28.10.2026

Sources
FINAL FANTASY VII: Scene from the role-playing game
· Square Enix Image source

The Materia system

Materia determine which magic, summons and additional abilities your characters can use. The coloured orbs are placed into equipment with matching slots. Some Materia can be combined, creating new combinations from simple spells and support abilities.

Updated 28.10.2026

Sources
FINAL FANTASY VII: Gameplay scene from the classic RPG
· Square Enix Image source

Battle system and Limit Breaks

FINAL FANTASY VII uses the Active Time Battle system. Characters get new actions once their time gauge fills. Alongside normal attacks, spells, items and powerful Limit Breaks are available. Successful battles earn experience points and develop the equipped Materia.

Updated 28.10.2026

Sources
FINAL FANTASY VII: Screenshot with classic graphics
· Square Enix Image source

The world beyond Midgar

After the first chapters, the world opens up. On the map you travel between towns, mountains and dungeons, discover hidden paths and meet new enemies. Later, vehicles and other means of travel expand the reachable part of the game world.

Updated 28.10.2026

Sources
FINAL FANTASY VII: A view from the game world
· Square Enix Image source

Chocobos and side activities

Chocobos are more than a recurring symbol of the series. In FINAL FANTASY VII you can catch and breed the birds and use them for travel. Mini-games and optional enemies also provide extra challenges away from the main story.

Updated 28.10.2026

Sources
FINAL FANTASY VII: Gameplay shot from the original game world
· Square Enix Image source

What do the newer versions offer?

The newer releases make the original easier to access without rewriting the story. On the current Steam version you can speed up battles, suppress regular random encounters and turn on help for HP and the Limit Bar. The Switch and Xbox One versions also offer modern comfort options.

Updated 28.10.2026

Sources
FINAL FANTASY VII: Image of the modern PC version
· Square Enix Image source

Language and multiplayer

The current Steam version offers German, English and French on-screen text, among others. FINAL FANTASY VII is a single-player role-playing game. The original has no official co-op or online multiplayer mode.

Updated 28.10.2026

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From Square to Square Enix

The original was released in 1997 under the name Square. After the merger with Enix, later versions are published under Square Enix. The current Steam version lists Square Enix and FINE Co., Ltd. as developers of this PC version. This means the technical work differs from the original production.

Updated 28.10.2026

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Music and presentation

FINAL FANTASY VII combines pre-rendered backgrounds, polygonal characters and elaborate cutscenes. The music by Nobuo Uematsu accompanies the journey from industrial Midgar to the world beyond the city. Presentation and sound contribute greatly to the atmosphere of the different locations.

Updated 28.10.2026

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Similar games

More from Square Enix

Game series

FINAL FANTASY VII was originally created at Square and belongs to the Final Fantasy series. Its characters and locations are picked up in other games, such as the prequel CRISIS CORE and the later Remake series. The original from 1997 tells its own self-contained story and is not the same as FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE.

More from Final Fantasy

Updated 28.10.2026

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