Final Fantasy 7 has always been on my list of games I'll play someday, but we all know how that goes. Backlogs grow faster than they shrink, and 'someday' quickly turns into 'never'. But with the upcoming release of Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, the third entry in the grand remake, or something similar to FF7, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense that I would be missing out on the opportunity to be a part of something amazing.
After watching Summer Games Fest 2026 and seeing the buzz from the FF7 community as it prepares for its years-awaited conclusion, I knew now was the time to jump into FF7. I didn't want to see outsiders' reactions to FF7 Revelation. I wanted to be a part of it.
The road to revelation begins here
With just over six months left to catch up, I faced a dilemma that every new FF7 player faces. Should I play the original 1997 release or jump straight into the remake? Naturally, rather than decide for myself, I turned to strangers on the Internet for answers. Some fans have argued that you need the original to appreciate the remake, while others have warned that the dated original could completely alienate new players.
Some of my favorite games are from the late 90s and early 2000s, so I wasn't intimidated by the idea of having a feature that represented that era. However, I thought playing the remake first would help develop a deeper appreciation for the original, rather than the other way around.
In the end, I decided to make a confusing compromise. I would play both. at the same time.
Trust me. I know this is not recommended to anyone. But watching the moments unfold side by side allowed me to compare the two versions of this story in real time. Of course, once Rebirth is finished, I plan to complete the rest of the original work before Revelation is released.
How 30 Years of Hype Affects First Play
When most of you sat down to play FF7 for the first time, you probably didn't know much about it other than what you saw in trailers or heard about it through word of mouth. But in 2026, spoilers have a way of finding you even if you're not actively looking for information about something.
Memes spread across social media and every YouTube thumbnail shows the character's death, in which case the character appears in a game outside of the franchise. I could avoid learning the specifics of the story, but I couldn't avoid every detail or the millions of people screaming in every corner of the internet about how special FF7 is.
Despite being nearly impossible, I still tried to give it the most realistic first playthrough I could, and was pleasantly surprised at how much still remained a mystery to me. I knew that Cloud was the main character, Tifa was the lover, and Sephiroth was the villain. But I had no idea that Cloud wasn't the type of white knight hero I expected, that Tifa wasn't the only love interest, and that Sephiroth was someone Cloud admired.
For every detail I thought I knew about FF7, there were still ten layers of mystery left to uncover. No, this wasn't the same experience I had before the internet made everything common knowledge, and I don't think I can have a true first impression of this game anymore. But what made the moment stand out was that it actively debunked some of my expectations.
Most of that 'expectation' was that if I'd never heard of that character, it was probably because they died quickly and weren't relevant. I can't tell you how convinced I was that Barret was a loser during the first few missions. We need to mention him more often in the community!
So while I don't think it's possible to play Final Fantasy 7 as is for the first time anymore, I'd say it's still entirely possible to have a phenomenal first experience.
Final Fantasy 7, sorry I'm late
It was strange to finally dive into Final Fantasy 7 after all these years, but it was for the best. Rather than discovering something new, it felt like I was finally filling in the gaps in a story I had heard in passing.
The first close-up of Cloud's face in the FF7 remake gave me goosebumps. It was abundantly clear that this moment was intentionally crafted to give fans of the original the jaw-dropping reintroduction they'd been waiting decades for. And even though I had no memory of Cloud, that feeling washed over me like a wave of borrowed nostalgia, and my excitement continued to build with each passing moment.
Then, at some point while I was playing, it clicked. I finally understand why Final Fantasy 7 has lasted nearly 30 years. Why Cloud, Tifa, and Sephiroth have become bigger than the FF franchise itself. And most importantly, a world I had never directly experienced could still feel like home.
Each character was unique and fully realized, and I wanted to learn more about them. I desperately needed to know Cloud's backstory and understand his connection to Sephiroth. I wanted to know not only Barrett, the vigilante, but also Barrett, Marlene's father.
What started the avalanche? What was Sephiroth's ultimate goal, and how will they stop him? The questions never stopped, and the more I discovered, the more I wanted to know. I didn't feel like we had enough time with these characters, and I was afraid of how quickly the chapters flew by. The world continued to grow and I never wanted to leave it.
I think that same feeling is why the community has worked together to keep it going over the years. So I may have arrived here 30 years late with a bag full of spoilers, slightly off character lore, and a lot of second-hand gameplay advice, but Final Fantasy 7 still surprised me in ways I never thought possible after all this time.
I've seen firsthand that it's not just nostalgia that keeps this series alive. The care and passion put into every aspect by Square Enix's many talented individuals. Now that Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is finally upon us, I'd like to share these conclusions with the rest of the community who needed to hear them a long time ago.
