After producing several Final Fantasy games solely for Nintendo platforms, Square steps into new territory with Final Fantasy VII on PlayStation. The leap to a 32-bit system has led to a highly cinematic, 3D presentation spanning three discs. While the visuals are striking compared to previous entries in the series, it's the accessible gameplay and engrossing storyline that draw you in. The angst ridden Cloud and his motley crew of cohorts easily endear themselves to audiences. New characters are gradually unlocked during the course of play, and since your party only consists of three heroes at any given time, you'll have some interesting choices to make.

As in previous Final Fantasy games, the combat system for Final Fantasy VII is turn based and various equipment upgrades are available in every town and dungeon. One of the best new features is a customizable magic system in the form of "materia." Attaching materia to a piece of equipment imbues it with special abilities. Materia also grows with experience along with your characters, leading to more powerful skills with continued use. The dramatic camera angles during the 3D battle sequences give you the feeling you are in the thick of the action instead of watching it unfold from the sidelines.

The story itself takes place in a "modern" setting, and most will recognize and relate to the issues of pollution, power, and corporate greed. Face-to-face dialogue between characters is effectively used for story progression, and animated cut-scenes complement the narrative without slowing it down. For a break from the storyline, you can also participate in variety of addictive mini-games, such as snowboarding and chocobo racing. The amount of content is impressive, with an estimated 50 hours worth of questing, fighting, and exploring. Whether you are a veteran of the series or new to the genre, Final Fantasy VII is a must-have title for your PlayStation library.

Compared to the 2D graphics of the previous games, Final Fantasy VII makes a giant leap forward on PlayStation.

The synthesizer-style sound is not original, but the music itself is beautiful and grandiose.

An engaging story, interesting characters, and numerous mini-games make this game well worth your attention.

Certain actions create different outcomes during the course of game, which will keep the players coming back.