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Date |
: Jan 28th, 2002 |
| Genre |
: RPG |
| Developer |
: Squaresoft |
| Author |
: Jin-Ning Tioh |
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The Story
In the distant future, humanity has found a new source of energy to supplement it's everyday needs - Mako. Originating from the center of the planet, Mako is the very life-force of the planet itself. Processed and made into products such as Materia, this substance can work miracles, granting the wisdom of the Ancients to the user, allowing them to cast spells and summon great beings. However, this substance, like all other fuels, is finite in supply. To harvest this new and powerful source of energy, a giant manufacturing company known as Shinra Inc. was created. So powerful is it's influence now that it controls whole cities, governments and the world at large with an iron fist. Although aware that the draining of Mako could result in disaster for the planet, Shinra still continues to function without remorse, maintaining order with it's powerful cadre of troopers, known only as SOLDIER. Consisting of troopers who are infused with Mako, this soldiers are the ultimate fighting force known to mankind.
However, the real battle lies not with a corporation, but a force much more competent from the distant past. A long-thought dead warrior bent on becoming more and more powerful, coupled with the Planet's drained energy, threatens the very existence of everything sacred.
Now, a small rebel group known as AVALANCHE emanating from the slums must quell the various dangers toward the innocent, and one cold-hearted mercenary for hire must look amidst the lies and deception and find the man he is within.
The Heroes ( Good Guys )
The heroes in Final Fantasy VII play a vital role in this timeless story. Unlike many other RPGs, these characters must conquer their own fears, doubts and worries to achieve their dreams and ambitions. At times even, players can come close to tears and feel a character's despair during moving moments in the plot. There are also practically dozens of fascinating sub-plots which enhances the characters' backgrounds.
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Cloud Strife - At the age of thirteen, Cloud left his hometown of Nibelheim to fulfill his dreams of becoming the greatest SOLDIER in history. Now, arrogant, cocky, full of ambition, and armed with a gigantic double-handed sword, the fiercely independent Cloud wanders the world, a brooding mercenary who will accept any job - provided the price is right. Seeing an opportunity, Cloud joins up with AVALANCHE as a mercenary in order to grab some quick cash. However, what seemed like a simple bombing mission quickly turns into a quest to seek the warrior he once stood and fought beside. |
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Aeris Gainsborough - A beautiful and demure young woman, Aeris works as a flower girl in the city of Midgar. Although Aeris is good at getting herself out of trouble with the Shinra troopers she often encounters, her adoptive mother is often concerned for her well-being. Meeting Cloud on the dirty streets of Midgar, Aeris later teams up with the ex-SOLDIER after an encounter with the Turks, who are trying to find her for unknown reasons. Knowing that she holds a secret that is both sacred and powerful, Aeris becomes involved with AVALANCHE to try unraveling her mysterious identity. Being deeply religious and spiritual, Aeris is a great asset to the party with her great magical capabilities. |
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Tifa Lockheart - Gentle and kind at heart, Tifa was Cloud's childhood friend in her younger days. Although she has a cheerful disposition, she becomes a lethal weapon once provoked. The owner of the 7th Heaven in Sector 7 as well as a proud member of AVALANCHE, Tifa is an expert at martial arts, with a metal-plated sole on her left shoe - for extra damage. However, even after five years of being apart, Tifa still can't hide her strong feelings for Cloud. |
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Barret Wallace - Losing his wife Mina in an incident at his hometown of Corel with Shinra troopers years ago, Barret founded AVALANCHE : An underground resistance group whose mission is to destroy the use of Mako energy by destroying the reactors that power Midgar. Tough-talkin' and hard-nosed, Barret devoted his life to vengeance as well as protecting his beloved daughter Marlene. Attacking with a powerful prosthetic gun grafted directly onto his right hand, little does Barret realize that there is so much more at stake then it seems at first... |
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Cid Highwind - Foul-mouthed but kind-hearted, Cid can pilot any machine known to man, and is easily one of the best pilots in air or on sea. With an excellent knowledge of machinery and expertise on hand, he was once a test pilot for Shinra's space program in the past, but had to abandon his dreams of flying into space when Shinra cut funding for the project. Usually found in his aviator jacket and smoking a cigarette, Cid lends both his technical expertise as well as his battle skills to the party. |
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Red XIII - Strong, fierce, and coated with flaming-red fur, Red XIII is the last of an ancient race sworn to protecting the planet. Despite his bestial appearance however, he is amazingly eloquent and intelligent. Joining Cloud and his party after being rescued from a Shinra laboratory, Red XIII now seeks to travel as far as Cosmo Canyon to meet his adoptive grandfather and learn more about his mysterious past. |
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Cait Sith - Unreliable and seemingly trustworthy at first, this zany cat-like creature rides atop his huge stuffed Mog, magically brought to life. Armed only with a large megaphone in hand, Cait Sith can often be found shouting orders to his stuffed Mog. Although he is usually just as unreliable as his fortune telling, he does have several interesting attacks and moves which wrecks havoc among enemy lines. |
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Yuffie Kisagari - Sly and self-centered, Yuffie is the direct descendant of a tradition-bound ninja clan. Surprisingly however, she is frivolous and couldn't care less about tradition. Forcefully joining AVALANCHE, Yuffie leaves her hometown of Wutai in the hopes of using Cloud and his party to obtain as much Materia as possible. She has also been known to be brash in her decision-making, leading to several tumultuous relationships. This is mainly due to her young age. However, she more than makes up for her various flaws with her powerful weapons and skills, proving herself a useful and valuable member of the party. |
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Vincent Valentine - Cool, calculating, and stoic, Vincent's past with Shinra is shrouded in mystery. His black robe hides all emotion - Save his eyes, with their icy, piercing, continual gaze. Stumbling across Vincent resting in a coffin inside the abandoned Shinra mansion at Nibelheim, Cloud and his party allows Vincent to join up in an effort to help him resolve the torture in his soul and the horror Shinra inflicted upon him in a hideous experiment. Although he is quiet and frail, a dark and frightening power hides within him. |
AVALANCHE
An organization founded by Barret Wallace to fight against the production of Mako. Comprising of five members - Barret, Tifa, Wedge, Jessie & Biggs - They will stop at nothing to help save the planet. They also recently hired the ex-SOLDIER mercenary known as Cloud Strife to help in their cause.
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Wedge, Jessie & Biggs - Equally obsessed as Barret with stopping the production of Mako, this threesome died in the attempt to save Sector 7 from being wiped out when the giant pillar collapsed. |
The Villains ( Bad Guys )
Final Fantasy VII features the most number of villains to date found in any one RPG, with the Shinra Corporation and Turks hosting a gaggle of villains that are even more developed than the heroes of many other RPGs. Each character plays an individual and important role in the unfolding saga...
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Sephiroth - The former general of the Shinra army, Sephiroth was considered by many as the greatest SOLDIER who ever lived. Wielding the holy sword Masamune, virtually no creature - Be it the great dragons or the mightiest of armies - could stand in his way. Formerly Cloud's squad leader and role model, Sephiroth, long thought dead, has now returned. Mysterious and alluring, his destiny and intentions remain equally as hazy as his past... |
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JENOVA - A creature that has lived for thousands of years, JENOVA is believed to be Sephiroth's mother, due to his near-Oedipal fixation with her. She is also commonly known as the 'crisis of the sky'. |
Shinra Corporation
The Shinra Corporation is ruthless and domineering in their exploitation of the planet's life-force, caring little for the well-being of either it's citizens or the planet. Their monopolistic strategies have given them not only economic but political control over the floating city of Midgar, fueled by it's Mako reactors stationed around the city. The following people hold key positions within Shinra's corporate hierarchy.
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President Shinra - Founder and president of the Shinra Corporation. Profit is his only concern - Life means little to him, and nature is meant only for exploitation. A visionary, President Shinra now seeks the holy land, where he hopes to find rich sources of Mako and equally rich sources of profit. |
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Rufus Shinra - Cruel and ruthless, Rufus is the suave heir to the head of Shinra Inc. as well as being President Shinra's only son. Controlling the seaside city of Junon and its giant Mako Cannon, Rufus conspires to overthrow his father and seize control of the giant energy manufacturing company. |
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Palmer - Careless and carefree, Palmer is the bouncy head of the Space Development Division, in charge of space exploration and rocket development. |
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Scarlett - Beautiful and vicious, Scarlett is the cackling head of the Weapons Development Division. Her beauty hides the knowledge of some of the world's most destructive weapons. |
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Heidegger - The cackling head of the Public Maintenance and Order Division, Heidegger controls the Shinra Corporation's military forces. His elite forces, the Turks and SOLDIER, are feared and despised throughout the world. |
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Hojo - Scrawny and gloomy, Hojo is the head of the Chemistry Division. A mad scientist who continuously conducts unusual and terrible experiments, Hojo is currently researching the extent of the Ancients' powers and capabilities. |
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Reeve - The good-intentioned head of the City Development Division, Reeve is mainly responsible for the building of the city of Midgar as well as maintaining it. |
SOLDIER
Shinra's elite. These troopers are the main force responsible for protecting the Shinra Corporation's interests.
The Turks
The Turks are an elite team put together by the head of the Public Maintenance and Order Division, Heidegger. Taking care of sensitive industrial espionage issues, abductions and asassinations, the Turks make being bad look like so much fun! They are often known for their reputation of achieving the maximum results possible with minimum fuss.
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Tseng - Cool and collected, Tseng serves as the leader of the Turks. Acting with deadly calm under fire, Tseng ensures that the team completes every task to perfection. As he once said, "Nobody messes with the Turks!". |
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Elena - Tseng's second-in-command, Elena is a member of the Turks as well as it's acting commander when Tseng is busy handling urgent business elsewhere. |
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Rude - Also a member of Turks, Rude is well-known for his ability to bring any situation under control. |
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Reno - Hot-headed and unpredictable, Reno can at times be a bit of a wild card. His abilities and skills however, more than make up for this small flaw. |
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