Editing Final Fantasy VII (section)

==Reception and sales==
{{Video game reviews
| title = Contemporary reviews
| PC = true
| PS = true
| na = true
| 1UP_PS = A+<ref name=1upps>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3111181&did=3 |title=Final Fantasy VII Review |author=1UP Staff |website=1UP.com |date=January 1, 2000 |accessdate=July 16, 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530171249/http://www.1up.com/reviews/final-fantasy-vii_2 |archivedate=May 30, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Allgame_PS = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="All Game">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=43810 |title=Final Fantasy VII (Greatest Hits) |work=Allgame |publisher=Rovi Corporation |accessdate=September 4, 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102143231/http://allgame.com/game.php?id=43810|archivedate=January 2, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Allgame_PC = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=9411 |title=Final Fantasy VII (PC) |work=Allgame |publisher=Rovi Corporation |accessdate=September 4, 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114121120/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=9411|archivedate=November 14, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| CVG_PS = {{rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_192_1997-11_EMAP_Images_GB#page/n51/mode/2up |title=Computer and Video Games – Issue 192 (1997–11)(EMAP Images)(GB) |work=archive.org |date=November 1997 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130717191034/http://archive.org/stream/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_192_1997-11_EMAP_Images_GB |archivedate=July 17, 2013}}</ref>
| CVG_PC = 9/10<ref name="CVG">{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/8069/reviews/final-fantasy-vii-review/|title= Final Fantasy VII: The game that made RPGs cool|author=Alex C|work=[[Computer and Video Games]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|date=August 14, 2001|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129185639/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/8069/reviews/final-fantasy-vii-review/|archivedate=November 29, 2014}}</ref>
| Edge_PS = 9/10<ref name="Edge"/>
| EGM_PS = 38/40<ref name="EGM">''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'', 1998 Video Game Buyer's Guide, p. 72</ref><ref name=EGM99>{{cite magazine |title=Review Crew: Final Fantasy VII|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=99|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=October 1997|page=50}}</ref>
| Fam_PS = 38/40<ref name="Fami">{{cite web|url=http://fs.finalfantasytr.com/search.asp?query=final+fantasy |title=Final Fantasy – famitsu Scores Archive |publisher=Famitsu Scores Archive |accessdate=July 16, 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714074152/http://fs.finalfantasytr.com/search.asp?query=final%2Bfantasy |archivedate=July 14, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GamePro_PC = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name=GPRoPC/>
| GamePro_PS = 20/20<ref name=GProPS/>
| GameFan_PS = 300+/300<ref>''GameFan'', volume 5, issue 9 (September 1997), pp. 26 & 67–70</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.gamespite.net/toastywiki/index.php/Games/Issue13FinalFantasyVII |title=Final Fantasy VII: The Voice of the Planet |journal=GameSpite Quarterly |last=Nomali |first=Nicola |date=March 30, 2009 |issue=13 |accessdate=January 29, 2012 |editor1-first=Jeremy |editor1-last=Parish |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120051341/http://www.gamespite.net/toastywiki/index.php/Games/Issue13FinalFantasyVII |archivedate=January 20, 2012}}</ref>
| GI_PS = 9.75/10<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=sep97&doc=ff7|title=Final Fantasy VII: Better Than All the Rest|author1=Andy|author2=Paul|author3=Reiner, Andrew|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=September 1997|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990913143421/http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=sep97&doc=ff7|archive-date=September 13, 1999}}</ref>
| GMaster_PS = 96%<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Griffiths |first1=Daniel |title=Final Fantasy VII |journal=[[GamesMaster (magazine)|GamesMaster]] |date=Christmas 1997 |issue=63 |pages=34–37}}</ref>
| GameRev_PS = B+<ref>{{cite web |title=Final Fantasy VII – PlayStation Review |url=http://www.game-revolution.com/games/sony/rpg/final_fantasy_vii.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010309091343/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/sony/rpg/final_fantasy_vii.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 9, 2001 |website=[[Game Revolution]] |date=June 4, 1998 |accessdate=March 9, 2001}}</ref>
| GSpot_PS = 9.5/10<ref name="gamespotps1"/>
| GSpot_PC = 8/10<ref name="GSpotPC">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/final-fantasy-vii-review/1900-2536027/ |title=Final Fantasy VII (PC) |work=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |last=Dulin |first=Ron |date=July 7, 1998 |accessdate=March 8, 2010 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016111436/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/final-fantasy-vii-review/1900-2536027/ |archivedate=October 16, 2013}}</ref>
| IGN_PS = 9.5/10<ref name="ignreview"/>
| IGN_PC = 8.2/10<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/152/152301p1.html |title=Final Fantasy VII review (PC) |work=IGN |publisher=News Corporation |last=Ward |first=Trent |date=June 24, 1998 |accessdate=March 8, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020221020905/http://pc.ign.com/articles/152/152301p1.html |archivedate=February 21, 2002}}</ref>
| NGen_PS = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name=NG>{{cite magazine|title=Grand Finale|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=34|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|date=October 1997|page=170}}</ref>
| OPMAU_PS = 10/10<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bertram |first1=Adrian |title=Official Australian PSX Review of FFVII |journal=[[PlayStation Official Magazine – Australia]] |date=December 1997 |url=http://www.ff7citadel.com/press/rev_aus.shtml |accessdate=April 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728213350/http://www.ff7citadel.com/press/rev_aus.shtml |archive-date=July 28, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| OPM_PS = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="OPM"/>
| Play_PS = 94%<ref>{{cite web |title=Final Fantasy VII Reviews and Articles for PlayStation |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197341-final-fantasy-vii/articles.html |website=[[GameRankings]] |accessdate=April 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401233822/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197341-final-fantasy-vii/articles.html |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| PSM_PS = {{rating|5|5}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Final Fantasy VII|date=September 1997 |editor=Frost, Stephen |magazine=PlayStation: The Official Magazine |issue=1 |page=18 |publisher=Imagine Media}}</ref>
| CGW_PC= {{rating|4|5}}<ref name=cgw />
| PCF_PC = 93%<ref>{{cite journal |title=The biggest selling game of all time: Final Fantasy VII |journal=[[PC Zone]] |date=August 1998 |issue=66 |pages=2–3 |url=https://archive.org/stream/PC_Zone_Issue_066_1998-08_Dennis_Publishing_GB#page/n1/mode/2up |accessdate=April 1, 2019}}</ref>
| PCGUS_PC = 90%<ref name=pcgus />
| PCPP_PC = 90%<ref>{{cite journal |title=Reviews: Final Fantasy VII |journal=[[PC PowerPlay]] |date=August 1998 |issue=27 |pages=78–79 |url=https://archive.org/details/PCPowerplay-027-1998-08/page/n77 |accessdate=April 1, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
| PCZone_PC = 93%<ref>{{cite journal |title=Reviews: Final Fantasy VII |journal=[[PC Zone]] |date=August 1998 |issue=66 |pages=92–95 |url=https://archive.org/stream/PC_Zone_Issue_066_1998-08_Dennis_Publishing_GB#page/n91/mode/2up |accessdate=April 1, 2019}}</ref>
}}

{{Video game reviews
| title = Retrospective reviews
| PC = true
| PS = true
| na = true
| GR_PS = 92%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197341-final-fantasy-vii/index.html |title=Final Fantasy VII for PlayStation |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=June 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142435/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197341-final-fantasy-vii/index.html |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GR_PC = 86%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/130791-final-fantasy-vii/index.html |title=Final Fantasy VII for PC |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=June 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143153/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/130791-final-fantasy-vii/index.html |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| MC_PS = 92/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/final-fantasy-vii/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation |title=Final Fantasy VII for PlayStation Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=July 13, 2013 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829042001/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/final-fantasy-vii |archivedate=August 29, 2011}}</ref>
}}

Within three days of its release in Japan, ''Final Fantasy VII'' sold over two million copies.<ref name="Hist of FF7"/><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Final Fantasy VII Quiz |magazine=VideoGame Spot |date=February 4, 1997}} Quoted in {{cite web |url=https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7687635/Bamberger_marketing_files.0.pdf |title=Final Fantasy VII Enthusiast Coverage |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |type=Part of a collection of internal <abbr title="Sony Computer Entertainment America">SCEA</abbr> documents compiled by former Sony senior product manager David Bamberger for "Final Fantasy 7: An oral history" |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=January 9, 2017 |orig-year=First published <abbr title="circa">c.</abbr> March 1997 |page=18 |accessdate=May 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217015709/https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7687635/Bamberger_marketing_files.0.pdf |archive-date=February 17, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Gaming Gossip|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=93|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=April 1997|page=28 |quote=... more than 2 million copies were sold the first two days ...}}</ref> This popularity inspired thousands of retailers in North America to break [[street date]]s in September to meet public demand for the title.<ref>{{cite magazine | date=September 1997 | title=Retailers Nationwide Break Official Release Date of PlayStation's "Final Fantasy VII" Videogame | publisher=Business Wire | magazine=Find Articles}}</ref> In the game's debut weekend in North America, it sold 330,000 copies,<ref>{{cite magazine | date=September 1997 | title=PlayStation's "Final Fantasy VII" Breaks Industry Records in Debut Weekend | magazine=Find Articles | publisher=Business Wire}}</ref> and had reached sales of 500,000 copies in less than three weeks.<ref>{{cite magazine | date=September 1997 | title=PlayStation's Final Fantasy VII Has Sold More Than Half a Million Copies to Date | publisher=Business Wire | magazine=Find Articles}}</ref> The momentum established in the game's opening weeks continued for several months; Sony announced the game had sold one million copies in North America by early December,<ref name="1mil">{{cite magazine | date=December 4, 1997 | title=Final Fantasy VII For PlayStation Hits Million-Unit Mark; Latest Sell-Through Numbers Make Square's Final Fantasy VII Worldwide Best Seller | magazine=Find Articles | publisher=Business Wire}}</ref> prompting business analyst Edward Williams from Monness, Crespi, Hardt & Co. to comment that "Sony redefined the role-playing game (RPG) category and expanded the conventional audience with the launch of ''Final Fantasy VII''".<ref name="1mil"/> According to ''Weekly Famitsu'', ''Final Fantasy VII'' sold 3.27 million units in Japan by the end of 1997.<ref name=3m>{{cite web | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000301041540/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_02/05_japan/index.html | url=http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_02/05_japan/index.html | title=Japan's Top Ten of '97 | author=Ohbuchi, Yutaka | date=February 5, 1998 | work=[[GameSpot]] | archivedate=March 1, 2000 | url-status=dead}}</ref> By the end of 2005, the PlayStation version had sold 9.8 million copies including 4 million sales in Japan,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://na.square-enix.com/e306/titles/ccff7/ |title=Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- |accessdate=December 15, 2019 |publisher=Square Enix|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801053240/http://na.square-enix.com/e306/titles/ccff7/| archivedate=August 1, 2008| year=2006}}</ref> making it the highest-selling game in the ''Final Fantasy'' series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/869/869858p1.html |title=Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII UK Interview |website=IGN |first=Dave |last=McCarthy |date=April 28, 2008 |accessdate=December 3, 2008 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221203131/http://psp.ign.com/articles/869/869858p1.html |archivedate=February 21, 2009}}</ref> By the end of 2006, [[The Best (PlayStation range)|''The Best'']], the bargain reissue of the game, had sold over 158,000 copies in Japan.<ref name="EBsales">{{Cite book|title=Famitsū Gēmu Hakusho 2007 |publisher=[[Enterbrain]] |year=2007 |isbn=978-4-7577-3577-4 |location=Tokyo |page=387 |id={{JPNO|21240454}} |language=ja |script-title=ja:ファミ通ゲーム白書2007 |trans-title=Famitsu Game Whitebook 2007 |chapter=2006年ゲームソフト年間売上TOP500 |trans-chapter=2006 Game Software Annual Sales Top 500 |chapter-url=http://geimin.net/da/db/2006_ne_fa/index.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626214525/http://geimin.net/da/db/2006_ne_fa/index.php |archive-date=June 26, 2015}}</ref> By May 2010, it had sold over 10 million copies worldwide,<ref name=arstechnica>{{cite web|first=Andrew |last=Webster |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/05/masterpiece-final-fantasy-vii.ars |title=Masterpiece: Final Fantasy VII |website=Ars Technica |date=May 2010 |accessdate=February 8, 2012 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130003235/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/05/masterpiece-final-fantasy-vii.ars |archivedate=January 30, 2012}}</ref> making it the most popular title in the series in terms of units sold.<ref>{{cite video|date=August 13, 2007 |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/player/23449.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415150749/http://www.gametrailers.com/player/23449.html |archivedate=April 15, 2009 |title=Final Fantasy Retrospective Part V |medium=GameTrailers.com feature |publisher=GameTrailers |accessdate=July 16, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=August 29, 2006 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2006-08-29-dirge-of-cerberus_x.htm |title='Dirge of Cerberus' defies expectations, for better and worse |work=USA Today |first=Alex |last=Kraus |accessdate=July 16, 2008 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629090116/http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2006-08-29-dirge-of-cerberus_x.htm |archivedate=June 29, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/index.html|title=The Greatest Games of All Time|accessdate=July 16, 2008|website=GameSpot|author=GameSpot Editorial Team|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219083220/http://uk.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/index.html|archivedate=December 19, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> The original PC version surpassed Eidos' expectations: while initially forecast to sell 100,000 units, it quickly exceeded sales of one million units, garnering royalties of over $2 million for Square.<ref name="PolygonRetro"/> By August 2015, the PlayStation and PC versions had sold over 11 million units worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |title=Final Fantasy VII |url=https://apps.apple.com/us/app/final-fantasy-vii/id1021566244 |website=[[App Store (iOS)|App Store]] |date=January 26, 2016 |access-date=June 11, 2019 |language=en-us |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804010803/http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/final-fantasy-vii/id1021566244 |archive-date=August 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/08/19/final-fantasy-vii-has-sold-over-11-million-units-worldwide/|title=Final Fantasy VII Has Sold Over 11 Million Units Worldwide |last=Yip|first=Spencer|work=Siliconera|publisher=[[Curse, Inc.]]|date=August 19, 2015 |accessdate=March 26, 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324093927/http://www.siliconera.com/2015/08/19/final-fantasy-vii-has-sold-over-11-million-units-worldwide/ |archivedate=March 24, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Steam Spy]] estimated the game to have sold over 1.2 million downloads on Steam as of April 2018,<ref>{{cite web |title=Final Fantasy VII |url=http://steamspy.com/app/39140 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411223036/http://steamspy.com/app/39140 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 11, 2018 |website=[[Steam Spy]] |accessdate=April 11, 2018}}</ref> with a later Steam leak estimating it had 1.14 million players on the platform as of July 2018.<ref name=ArsTechnicaSteam>{{cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |title=Valve leaks Steam game player counts; we have the numbers |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/07/steam-data-leak-reveals-precise-player-count-for-thousands-of-games/ |website=Ars Technica |accessdate=September 20, 2018 |date=July 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710173043/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/07/steam-data-leak-reveals-precise-player-count-for-thousands-of-games/ |archive-date=July 10, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> As of June 2020, the game has sold more than 13.3 million units worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 25, 2021|title=Ateam Co-Developing Smart Device Game "Final Fantasy VII The First Soldier" with Square Enix|url=https://www.a-tm.co.jp/en/news/service-20409/|access-date=November 3, 2021|website=[[Ateam Inc.]]|publisher=[[Square Enix]], [[Ateam Inc.]]|archive-date=November 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103132705/https://www.a-tm.co.jp/en/news/service-20409/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=February 26, 2021|title=エイチーム---ストップ高、スマホゲームをスクエニと共同開発|language=ja|trans-title=Ateam --- Collaborative development of smartphone game with Square Enix|work=[[Reuters]]|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idJP00093500_20210226_00820210226|access-date=November 3, 2021|archive-date=December 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220040958/https://www.reuters.com/article/idJP00093500_20210226_00820210226|url-status=live}}</ref> As of September 2023, the original version of the game has sold over 14.4 million units worldwide.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/305/G030589/20230923061/ | title=川崎の工場夜景は魔晄都市ミッドガルだった！ 「FF VII REMAKE」をテーマにしたクルーズイベント「MIDGAR Night Cruise FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE」を11月開催 | access-date=January 24, 2024 | archive-date=January 24, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124193343/https://www.4gamer.net/games/305/G030589/20230923061/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

The game received widespread acclaim from critics upon release. It was referred to by ''[[GameFan]]'' as "quite possibly the greatest game ever made",<ref>{{Cite journal| date=September 1997 |title=Final Fantasy VII Review|pages=68–69 |issue=9|journal=GameFan|volume=5| publisher=Metropolis Media}}</ref> a quote selected for the back cover of the game's [[jewel case]]. ''[[GameSpot]]'' commented that "never before have technology, playability, and narrative combined as well as in ''Final Fantasy VII''", expressing particular favor toward the game's graphics, audio, and story.<ref name=gamespotps1/> The four reviewers of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' unanimously gave it a 9.5 out of 10 and their "Game of the Month" award, lauding its rendered backgrounds, use of FMV, battles, and especially the story line, though they expressed disappointment that the ending didn't resolve all of the loose ends. They also considered the North American localization a dramatic improvement over the original Japanese version.<ref name=EGM99/> ''[[GamePro]]'' gave it a perfect 5.0 out of 5 in all four categories (graphics, sound, control, and fun factor), calling the storytelling "dramatic, sentimental, and touching in a way that draws you into the characters", who "come alive thanks to sweetly subtle body movements".<ref name=GProPS>{{cite magazine |editor=Slo Mo |title=Final Fantasy VII|magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=109 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |date=October 1997|pages=46–47|url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_109_Volume_09_Number_10_1997-10_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n47/mode/2up}}</ref> Both ''GamePro'' and ''[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]]'' (''OPM'') said the ATB system gives battles a tension and urgency not usually seen in RPGs, and OPM called the summon animations "absolutely awe-inspiring".<ref name=OPM/><ref name=GProPS/> ''[[IGN]]''{{'}}s Jay Boor insisted the game's graphics were "light years beyond anything ever seen on the PlayStation", and regarded its battle system as its strongest point.<ref name=ignreview/>

''[[Computer and Video Games]]''{{'}}s Alex C praised the dramatic story and well-developed characters.<ref name=CVG/> In addition to calling the graphics "bar none the best the PlayStation has ever seen", ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' said of the story that "while ''FFVII'' may take a bit to get going, as in every entry in the series, moments of high melodrama are blended with scenes of sheer poetry and vision".<ref name=NG/> ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' noted that ''Final Fantasy VII'' had come close to being an [[interactive movie]] in playable form, praising its combination of a complex story that went against Western [[Graphic adventure game|graphic adventures]] trends and "excellently orchestrated chip music".<ref name=Edge>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.edge-online.com/reviews/final-fantasy-vii-review |author=Edge Staff |title= Final Fantasy VII Review |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=October 8, 1997 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628000106/http://www.edge-online.com/reviews/final-fantasy-vii-review |archivedate=June 28, 2012}}</ref> RPGamer praised the game's soundtrack, both in variety and sheer volume, stating that "Uematsu has done his work exceptionally well" and saying that it was potentially his best work.<ref name="rpgamer">{{cite web | author=Castomel | title=Final Fantasy VII—Review | url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/ff/ff7/reviews/ff7strev3.html | work=RPGamer | publisher=[[CraveOnline]] | accessdate=July 16, 2008 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306190326/http://rpgamer.com/games/ff/ff7/reviews/ff7strev3.html | archivedate=March 6, 2016 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all}}</ref> ''Final Fantasy VII'' has received some negative criticism. ''OPM'' and ''GameSpot'' questioned the game's [[Nonlinear gameplay|linear]] progression.<ref name=gamespotps1/><ref name=OPM>{{Cite magazine | date=October 1997 | editor1=Rybicki, Joe | title=Final Fantasy VII | magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine |issue=1 | pages=86–87 | publisher=Ziff Davis | url=https://archive.org/details/Official_US_PlayStation_Magazine_Volume_1_Issue_1_1997-10_Ziff_Davis_US/page/n85}}</ref> ''OPM'' considered the game's translation "a bit muddy".<ref name=OPM/> Similarly, ''RPGamer'' cited its translation as "packed with typos and other errors which further obscure what is already a very confusing plot".<ref>{{cite web |last=Long |first=Andrew |title=Final Fantasy VII—Review |url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/ff/ff7/reviews/ff7strev3.html |website=RPGamer |accessdate=July 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306190326/http://rpgamer.com/games/ff/ff7/reviews/ff7strev3.html |archivedate=March 6, 2016}}</ref> ''[[GamePro]]'' also considered the Japanese-to-English translation a significant weakness in the game,<ref name=GPRoPC>{{cite magazine| last=Olafson|first=Peter |date=November 24, 2000 |title=Review: Final Fantasy VII |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/824/final-fantasy-vii/ |magazine=[[GamePro]] |accessdate=July 16, 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081023173944/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/824/final-fantasy-vii/ |archivedate=October 23, 2008}}</ref> and ''IGN'' regarded the ability to use only three characters at a time as "the game's only shortcoming".<ref name="ignreview"/>

Reviewers gave similar praise to the PC version but criticized its various technical faults.<ref name=cgw>{{cite magazine | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20001001155220/http://www.gamespot.com/rpg/finalf7/review_cgw.html | url=http://www.gamespot.com/rpg/finalf7/review_cgw.html | archivedate=October 1, 2000 | title=Final Fantasy VII | date=September 25, 1998 | last=Nguyen | first=Thierry | magazine=Computer Gaming World | accessdate=April 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name=pcgus>{{cite web | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000229223339/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/96.html |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/96.html | archivedate=February 29, 2000 | title=Final Fantasy VII | last=Wolf | first=Michael | date = September 1998 | work=PC Gamer US | accessdate=April 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name=nextgen>{{cite web | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19981205175836/http://www.next-generation.com/jsmid/reviews/2301.html | url=http://www.next-generation.com/jsmid/reviews/2301.html | title=Final Fantasy VII | archivedate=December 5, 1998 | date=June 24, 1998 | work=Next Generation Magazine | accessdate=April 14, 2010}}</ref> ''[[Computer Games Magazine]]'' said that no other recent game had the same "tendency to fail to work in any capacity on multiple [computers]".<ref name=cgm>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020225155058/http://www.cdmag.com/Home/home.html?article=%2Farticles%2F013%2F106%2Fff7_review.html |url=http://www.cdmag.com/Home/home.html?article=/articles/013/106/ff7_review.html |archivedate=February 25, 2002 |title=The console's greatest RPG has a difficult PC birth |last=Bauman |first=Steve |date=July 27, 1998 |work=Computer Games Magazine |accessdate=April 14, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' complained that the music quality suffered on PC [[sound card]]s,<ref name=cgw /> and ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' found the game's pre-rendered backgrounds significantly less impressive than those of the PlayStation version.<ref name=nextgen /> However, the latter magazine found the higher-resolution battle visuals "absolutely stunning",<ref name=nextgen /> and ''Computer Games Magazine'' said that they showed off the potential graphical power of PCs.<ref name=cgm /> All three magazines concluded by praising the game despite its technical flaws,<ref name=cgw /><ref name=nextgen /><ref name=cgm /> and ''[[PC Gamer]]'' summarized that, while "Square apparently did only what was required to get its PlayStation game running under Windows", ''Final Fantasy VII'' is "still a winner on the PC".<ref name=pcgus/>

===Awards===
''Final Fantasy VII'' was given numerous [[List of Game of the Year awards|Game of the Year]] awards in 1997. At the second [[CESA Awards]], it won the Grand Prize, Scenario Award and Sound Award.<ref name="CESA">{{cite web |url=http://awards.cesa.or.jp/1997/ff7.html|script-title=ja:大賞／シナリオ部門賞／サウンド部門賞 – ファイナルファンタジーVII |work=[[Japan Game Awards]] |publisher=Japan Game Awards |date=1997 |access-date=January 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320203001/http://awards.cesa.or.jp/1997/ff7.html |archive-date=March 20, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> During the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]]' [[1st Annual Interactive Achievement Awards|inaugural Interactive Achievement Awards]], ''Final Fantasy VII'' won in the categories of "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Adventure Game of the Year|Console Adventure Game of the Year]]" and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Role-Playing Game of the Year|Console Role-Playing Game of the Year]]"; it also received nominations for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Game of the Year|Interactive Title of the Year]]", "Console Game of the Year", "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction|Outstanding Achievement in Art/Graphics]]", and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Game Design|Outstanding Achievement in Interactive Design]]".<ref name="InteractiveFinalists1998">{{cite web |title=The Award - Updates |url=http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardupdate.htm |website=Interactive.org |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |access-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980615090128fw_/http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardupdate.htm |archive-date=June 15, 1998}}</ref><ref name="InteractiveWinners1998">{{cite web |title=The Award - Winners |url=http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardwin98.htm |website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |access-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980615090115/http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardwin98.htm |archive-date=June 15, 1998}}</ref> In the [[Origins Awards]], it won in the category "Best Roleplaying Computer Game of 1997".<ref>{{cite web |title=Origins Awards winners |url=http://www.rpg.net/news+reviews/press/press.449.html |publisher=Origins Awards, RPGnet |access-date=December 29, 2011 |date=July 6, 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213220137/http://www.rpg.net/news+reviews/press/press.449.html|archive-date=December 13, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Final Fantasy VII'' was awarded Game of the Year by magazines including ''[[Game Informer]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/01/02/looking-back-at-25-years-of-game-informer-s-goty-awards.aspx?PostPageIndex=1 |title=25 Years Of Game Informer's GOTY Awards |publisher=Game Informer |date=January 2, 2017 |access-date=December 29, 2017 |archive-date=December 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230060137/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/01/02/looking-back-at-25-years-of-game-informer-s-goty-awards.aspx?PostPageIndex=1 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[GamePro]]'',<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=July 1998|title=You Have Spoken!|url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_108_July_1998/page/n39/mode/2up|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=118|pages=38–9}}</ref> and ''[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=January 1999|title=The Hyper Reader Awards 97-98|url=https://archive.org/details/hyper-063/page/38/mode/2up|magazine=[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]]|issue=63|pages=38–41}}</ref> It was also awarded the "Readers' Choice All Systems Game of the Year", "Readers' Choice PlayStation Game of the Year" and "Readers' Choice Role-Playing Game of the Year" by ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' (''EGM''),<ref name="egm_104_100">{{cite magazine |title=Readers' Choice Awards |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |date=March 1998 |issue=104 |page=100}}</ref> which gave it Editors' Choice Awards for "Role-Playing Game of the Year" and "Best Graphics" (plus a runner-up slot for "Game of the Year"),<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Editors' Choice Awards |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=104 |date=March 1998 |pages=86–96}}</ref> and also gave it awards for "Hottest Video Game Babe" (for Tifa Lockhart), "Most Hype for a Game", "Best Ending", and "Best Print Ad".<ref>''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'', 1998 Video Game Buyer's Guide, pp. 16–36</ref>

Since 1997, it has been selected by many game magazines as one of the top video games of all time, listed as 91st in ''EGM''{{'}}s 2001 "100 Best Games of All Time",<ref name="EGM top">{{cite web|url=http://gamers.com/feature/egmtop100/index.jsp |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030620053308/http://www.gamers.com/feature/egmtop100/index.jsp |archivedate=June 20, 2003 |title=Electronic Gaming Monthly's 100 Best Games of All Time |author=''EGM'' staff |year=2001| accessdate=February 14, 2011}}</ref> and as fourth in ''[[Retro Gamer]]''{{'}}s "Top 100 Games" in 2004.<ref>''Retro Gamer'' issue 9, p. 61</ref> In 2018, it was ranked 99th in ''IGN''{{'}}s "Top 100 Games of All Time"<ref name="IGN top">{{cite web |title=IGN's Top 100 Games of All Time |website=IGN |year=2018 |url=http://uk.ign.com/lists/top-100-games/100 |accessdate=August 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018191534/https://uk.ign.com/lists/top-100-games/100 |archive-date=October 18, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> and as third in PALGN's "The Greatest 100 Games Ever".<ref>{{cite web|author=Chris Leigh|url=http://palgn.com.au/2976/the-greatest-100-games-ever-5-1/ |title=The Greatest 100 Games Ever: 5–1|publisher= PALGN |date=November 14, 2005|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140617180027/http://palgn.com.au/2976/the-greatest-100-games-ever-5-1/|archivedate= June 17, 2014}}</ref> ''Final Fantasy VII'' was included in "The Greatest Games of All Time" list by GameSpot in 2006,<ref name="death"/> and ranked as second in ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]''{{'}}s 2006 "100 Greatest Games of All Time",<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110706094744/http://www.empireonline.com/100greatestgames/default.asp?p=2 2: Final Fantasy VII], ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'', accessed February 25, 2011</ref> as third in ''[[Stuff (magazine)|Stuff]]''{{'}}s "100 Greatest Games" in 2008<ref>''Stuff'', September 2008, p. 125</ref> and as 15th in ''[[Game Informer]]''{{'}}s 2009 "Top 200 Games of All Time" (down five places from its previous best games of all-time list<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Informer's Top 100 Games of All Time (Circa Issue 100) |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |last=Cork |first=Jeff |date=November 16, 2009 |access-date=December 10, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119181519/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx |archive-date=January 19, 2016}}</ref>).<ref name="gi_best">{{cite magazine|author=The ''Game Informer'' staff|title=The Top 200 Games of All Time|pages=44–79|issue=200|date=December 2009|magazine=Game Informer|issn=1067-6392|oclc=27315596}}</ref> ''GameSpot'' placed it as the second most influential game ever made in 2002;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/15influential_rc/p15_01.html|title=15 Most Influential Games of All Time |last1=Satterfield |first1=Shane |last2=Fielder |first2=Lauren|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CNET]]|date=2001|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070520043957/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/15influential_rc/p15_01.html|archivedate=May 20, 2007}}</ref> in 2007, ''GamePro'' ranked it 14th on the list of the most important games of all time, and in 2009 it finished in the same place on their list of the most innovative games of all time.<ref>{{cite magazine | author1=Boba Fatt | author2=the GamePros | title=Feature: The 52 Most Important Video Games of All Time (page 4 of 8) | url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/110068/the-52-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-page-4-of-8/ | magazine=GamePro | accessdate=April 25, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913085022/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/110068/the-52-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-page-4-of-8/|archivedate=September 13, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/167229/20_games_that_changed_gaming_forever.html#slide8 |author=GamePro Staff |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[PC World]] |title=20 Games That Changed Gaming Forever |date=June 24, 2009 |accessdate=January 11, 2017 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314091900/http://www.pcworld.com/article/167229/20_games_that_changed_gaming_forever.html |archivedate=March 14, 2017}}</ref> In 2012, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' named it one of their "All-Time 100 Video Games".<ref name="AccoTimeAllTime">{{cite magazine|title=All-Time 100 Video Games |url=https://techland.time.com/2012/11/15/all-time-100-video-games/slide/all/ |magazine=Time |publisher=Time Inc. |date=November 15, 2012 |access-date=November 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116214206/http://techland.time.com/2012/11/15/all-time-100-video-games/slide/all/ |archive-date=November 16, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2018, ''Game Informer''{{'}}s "Readers Choice Top 300 Games of All Time", ''Final Fantasy VII'' ranked in seventh place.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/03/19/readers-choice-top-300-games-of-all-time.aspx|title=Reader's Choice Top 300 Games Of All Time|magazine=Game Informer|language=en|access-date=April 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404134455/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/03/19/readers-choice-top-300-games-of-all-time.aspx|archive-date=April 4, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2018, ''[[GamesRadar+]]'' rated "The 25 best PS1 games of all time", ''Final Fantasy VII'' was ranked in 12th place.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-psx-games/|title=The 25 best PS1 games of all time|work=gamesradar|access-date=April 3, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404073540/https://www.gamesradar.com/best-psx-games/|archive-date=April 4, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

It has also appeared in numerous other greatest game lists. In 2007, ''[[Dengeki PlayStation]]'' gave it the "Best Story", "Best RPG" and "Best Overall Game" retrospective awards for games on the original PlayStation.<ref name="ign_gantayat">{{cite web|last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=November 22, 2007 |title=Nomura Talks FFXIII |url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/837/837350p1.html |website=IGN |accessdate=July 16, 2008 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123114222/http://ps3.ign.com/articles/837/837350p1.html |archivedate=November 23, 2007}}</ref> ''GamePro'' named it the best RPG title of all time in 2008,<ref name="gamepro_rpg">{{cite magazine | author=GamePro Staff | title=The 26 Best RPGs of All Time | url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/218144/the-26-best-rpgs-page-4-of-4/ | magazine=GamePro | date=November 5, 2008 | accessdate=February 14, 2011 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929014306/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/218144/the-26-best-rpgs-page-4-of-4/ | archivedate=September 29, 2011 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all}}</ref> and featured it in their 2010 article "The 30 Best PSN Games".<ref>{{cite magazine | title=The 30 Best PSN Games | url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/215171/the-30-best-psn-games/ | last=Noble | first=McKinley | date=May 18, 2010 | magazine=GamePro | accessdate=September 5, 2010 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924064856/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/215171/the-30-best-psn-games/ | archivedate=September 24, 2010}}</ref> In 2012, GamesRadar also ranked it as the sixth saddest game ever.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hollander|first=Cooper|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/top-7-saddest-video-games-will-make-you-cry/|title=The Top 7... Saddest video games that will make you cry|work=[[GamesRadar]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|date=March 12, 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029072941/http://www.gamesradar.com/top-7-saddest-video-games-will-make-you-cry/|archivedate=October 29, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> On the other hand, ''[[GameSpy]]'' ranked it seventh on their 2003 list of the most overrated games.<ref>{{cite web|author=GameSpy Staff |title=Top 25 Most Overrated Games |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/september03/25overrated/index20.shtml |publisher=GameSpy |accessdate=July 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706184850/http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/september03/25overrated/index20.shtml |archivedate=July 6, 2008}}</ref>

''Final Fantasy VII'' has often placed at or near the top of many reader polls of all-time best games. It was voted the "Reader's Choice Game of the Century" in an ''IGN'' poll in 2000,<ref name="ign_choice">{{cite web|title=Reader's Choice Game of the Century |url=http://uk.psx.ign.com/articles/073/073859p1.html |author=IGN Staff |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |accessdate=December 30, 2011 |date=January 12, 2000 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409230619/http://uk.psx.ign.com/articles/073/073859p1.html |archivedate=April 9, 2012}}</ref> and placed second in the "Top 100 Favorite Games of All Time" by Japanese magazine ''[[Famitsu]]'' in 2006 (it was also voted as ninth in ''Famitsu''{{'}}s 2011 poll of most tear-inducing games of all time).<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Edge Staff |date=March 3, 2006 |title=Japan Votes on All Time Top 100 |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/japan-votes-all-time-top-100 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806220418/http://www.next-gen.biz/features/japan-votes-all-time-top-100 |archivedate=August 6, 2011 |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |accessdate=July 16, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Romano |first=Sal |url=http://gematsu.com/2011/12/famitsus-top-20-list-of-tear-inducing-games |title=Famitsu's top 20 list of tear-inducing games |publisher=Gematsu |date=December 29, 2011 |accessdate=February 24, 2012 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306155226/http://gematsu.com/2011/12/famitsus-top-20-list-of-tear-inducing-games |archivedate=March 6, 2012}}</ref> Users of [[GameFAQs]] voted it the "Best Game Ever" in 2004 and in 2005,<ref name="gamefaqs_2004">{{cite web|title=Spring 2004: Best. Game. Ever. |url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/c04spr |website=GameFAQs |accessdate=July 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209040851/http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/c04spr |archivedate=February 9, 2009}}</ref><ref name="gamefaqs_2005">{{cite web|title=Fall 2005: 10-Year Anniversary Contest—The 10 Best Games Ever |url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/top10 |website=GameFAQs |accessdate=July 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716111618/http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/top10 |archivedate=July 16, 2015}}</ref> and placed it second in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Spring 2009: Best. Game. Ever. |url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/poll/index.html?poll=3509 |website=GameFAQs |accessdate=June 10, 2009 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090610080121/http://www.gamefaqs.com/poll/index.html?poll=3509 |archivedate=June 10, 2009}}</ref> In 2008, readers of ''[[MediaWorks (publisher)|Dengeki]]'' magazine voted it the best game ever made,<ref name="kotakudengeki">{{cite web|first=Brian |last=Ashcraft |date=March 6, 2008 |title=Dengeki Readers Say Fav 2007 Game, Fav of All Time |url=http://kotaku.com/364353/dengeki-readers-say-fav-2007-game-fav-of-all-time |website=Kotaku |accessdate=March 29, 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080328132737/http://kotaku.com/364353/dengeki-readers-say-fav-2007-game-fav-of-all-time |archivedate=March 28, 2008}}</ref> as well as the ninth most tear-inducing game of all time.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:【アンケート結果発表】感動して泣いてしまったゲームはありますか? |trans-title=(Survey results) Are There Emotional Games That Made You Cry? |url=http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/113/113442/ |publisher=ASCII Media Works |date=October 15, 2008 |accessdate=May 7, 2012 |language=ja |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419012624/http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/113/113442/ |archivedate=April 19, 2012}}</ref>