Well, let me qualify that: I've played Final Fantasy 7 a few times before, but I've never beaten the first disc. I'm not goign to provide qualification for that one.

Whenever I leave a game alone for any length of time, I start it over when I pick it back up, especially if it's very plot-centric or has non-linear segments. My last attempt at playing through this game got about seventeen hours in - I think just past the part where you perform in a parade for Rufus.

So, yeah. Basically this topic is for discussing this game. Spoilers aren't a problem - I think we're all adults here, and I watched my little brother play through the game before so I'm pretty familiar with everything.

Couple of questions:

1. My sound is acting kind of weird. Certain parts of the music seem unnaturally loud, and my team's battle sound effects (like the sound of Cloud hitting someone with his sword) are muted to the point of being inaudible. Any tips on fixing this, or thoughts on what might be wrong?

2. Are there any hidden Materia in Midgar I should keep an eye out for?

3. This isn't a question, but man, I had forgotten how much of an unemphatic jerk Cloud is in the beginning of this game. If Cecil is Square's archetype for the tortured protagonist, then early Cloud has to be the archetypal Big Fat Unlikeable Jerk.

Anyway, yeah. That's it. I didn't put this in the Sony forum because I don't feel that discussion of it is especially relevant to Sony as a company.

With Sephiroth as an insanely cool nemesis though ^^

For question 1 - Which system are you playing it on? PS1, PS2, PS3, PSP, or PC?

@papflesje: I'll be the judge of that!

@Arcturus: PS2. Original model, if that would make any difference. I used to own the PC version but lost it at some point.

I would say you should have started with VI but it would be bad to play VI first and make every other FF seem worse in comparison. After finishing VII you should play IV on the DS and then VI (GBA preferably, PS version if you have to).

Twestern, this is not my first Final Fantasy. I mean, Hell, look at my avatar.

I do agree with you, though, this game is not the one to start off with. I started with IV on the SNES and would recommend the DS version (which I own and love) to anyone looking to get started on the series.

I'll take Rude-and-obnoxious Cloud over Mr.-I-Don't-Like-To-Talk Squall any day though.

Whatever...

@ Khuutra: Sorry, not sure what's causing it. I've played it through on the PS2 and didn't noticed any major sound issues.

Is that from FF or FFXII?  I haven't played any of the FF remakes except for the PS one so wouldn't recognize that and I consider XII as much as a bastard game as VIII and X-2.  :-p