Altogether, it was a great game and a rich experience. Cloud Strife already was a bit of an underdog who amazingly remained resilient and collected throughout the adventure, but when it was revealed that he had fabricated his tenure in SOLDIER and other facets of his history, I liked him even more. It put him in the category of an unconfident imitator, and he dreamt it all up just to not feel inferior around Tifa. Cloud's basically a good person, and his own personal evolution and coming to terms was well documented. I also like how the love triangle was tastefully handled; love is suggested between Cloud and Aeris often, but never do they consummate it. All the while, Tifa continues to lend herself to Cloud, but he remains merely offish and aloof (especially after Aeris dies). We're left wondering if Aeris's death significantly damaged Cloud inside, and whether he still has his loyalties to her and not Tifa (quite yet). Without ever speaking it, FF7 tells the story of this muffled, restrained pain inside all their hearts. I was able to really connect to the game after each event due to the great appeal to humanity. Barret outlandish behavior is explained as the result of distress over the Corel disaster, and this reinforced his character. Yuffie, the proud girl, is explained as coming from a village that has completely lost its honor. Cait Sith turns out to be a Shinra executive himself, though a good one, and Red XIII is revealed to be a relative teenager, a contrast from initial display as a wise warrior. Above all else, Cid and Vincent live in a world of crushed dreams, but live nonetheless; Cid is every bit as determined and rough as he was before the rocket was cancelled, and Vincent, revealed as allowing a tragedy to occur feeling he cannot atone for it in any way, starts to forgive himself and open up.
Thus, no one is who he or she truly seems, but in the end, they are -- if that makes sense. Each character comes off as a great or formidable person in the beginning, but some aspect of their history or an event places their weaknesses in plain view. This really allows them to shine, and increases believability by amazing amounts. The fact that these heroes suffer from their own mistakes and pitfalls daily, and were all at one time very weak or failed at their dreams, but continue to live with extreme veracity makes them true, believable heroes. It's so easy and engaging to connect with them, because they're so appealing; each has his or her own demons to wrestle with, and though their flaws make them look weak, their resistance and undying perseverance and evolution seals them as true fighters in life. I'm failing at saying what I want to here, but...it's amazing how real they all are. The inspiration is incredible.
My main complaint is that the character of Sephiroth was given the shaft by not receiving any lines during the entire end of the game. He could have spoke volumes, knowing all the weaknesses of the party, and could have deepened the plot with a stunning revelation or two that only increases the party's motivation against him. Instead, he merely gets right down to fighting, blowing this opportunity. In addition, you almost can't have the main boss become some quasi-philosopher demi-god with his own themesong replete with a score including church organ and terrifyin gLatin hymns without at least SOME lines asserting his superiority over the others. I really wish Sephiroth would have grown more, and it feels like someone just forgot to write some lines for him.
Oh, and for that quasi-philosopher demi-god with his own hymns and reverie:
I absolutely love that cliche in RPGs. Suddenly, the end boss is this Classical monstrosity who seems like he knows something you don't, and taunts you at every turn as if it were all delightful fancy.
