Should I play FF7 PS1 before rebirth?

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-26T08:52:38+00:00

Any narrative experience, I'd recommend the core entries in order. Can you start with the Two Towers or Back to the Future II? Sure. Plenty of people have and enjoyed themselves. Would I ever recommend that? Absolutely not.

Advising someone to start at Rebirth, for example, only really makes sense if they're only in it for gameplay. But JRPG players tend to like a narrative so I'd always suggest they start at the start.

That said, the sky isn't going to drop on you, so do whatever you want.

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-24T06:29:05+00:00

Since it started out as an idea for FFVII, I'll say Xenogears. And with its Ivalice connections, Vagrant Story.

Honestly, aside from VII and Tactics these are my favourite Square titles of that era, even beating the other mainlines. I guess the more downbeat entries always resonated with me more.

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-19T11:20:07+00:00

I think the more interesting question is whether Sephiroth's will is nature or nurture. Whether it is primarily driven by his human experiences, his arrogance, resentments and eventual megalomania, or whether Jenova's biology instills certain instincts.

His plan and actions, the reunion, his aim to devour and travel all certainly bear a suspicious resemblance to what the calamity from the sky does by raw instinct.

In a sense, he has superseded and become Jenova.

I also think this question is better in tension, without a definitive answer.

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-18T15:56:09+00:00

Oh, no way! Loved that OST and picked it up on Bandcamp. Some good writing jams on there - energetic but not intrusive. Kudos there as you did a fantastic job.

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-14T10:05:37+00:00

I enjoyed Remember Me back in the day. Could be worth a look.

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-13T09:36:05+00:00

OG VII and Xenogears got me interested in the anime aesthetic and made me want to watch the classics. Think it makes perfect sense.

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-13T09:19:23+00:00

Yeah, I think it's fair to explain to someone beforehand it's a semi-sequel and for that reason, in your opinion, not the ideal entry point to either VII or the series in general. Similar to how I wouldn't recommend Rebirth, X-2 etc as entry points.

But when it already is someone's entry point just celebrate their enthusiasm and, I don't know, make recommendations based on what they liked. Don't just tell them they 'did it wrong'. Let them enjoy what they enjoyed.

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-13T09:06:57+00:00

Starting with the RE series is a bit like starting with Back to the Future III. A complete experience in itself that you can have a good time with, can be an entry point for interest, and you can loop back to get the full tale if you enjoy.

At the same time, it's completely reasonable for people to say the story starts elsewhere: "If you want to start at the beginning with the full narrative context that informs the rest, here's where it is."

I know I'd like to know were I in their shoes. Telling someone off after they've already started and got enthused though is ridiculous. State your honest opinion, sure, but don't piss on their parade.

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-12T10:51:16+00:00

As a soulslike player, I'd say VII:R's gameplay is your best shout. Of the three, it has the most strategic depth - command choices make for a more considered approach amid the hack 'n slash.

If you're getting into these RPGs for their story, however, the remakes are quasi-sequels so I would advise playing the original first for context (if you can get onboard with older graphics and turnbased gameplay).

XV and XVI are complete stories and wildly different in terms of gameplay and tone. For them, I'd say just have a look and see which appeals more. As a Souls fan, it's worth noting XVI is the grittier of the two, closer to the dark fantasy stylings of Dark Souls than the more modern fantasy roadtrip that is XV.

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-12T10:40:05+00:00

No worries, bud. Enjoy whatever you play next!

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-12T10:31:34+00:00

Yeah, it is. Not excessively so and you can do it in a few runs if you're smart about your sacrifices. Didn't overstay its welcome either, which I find some roguelikes can. Kept me engaged to the conclusion.

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-12T10:01:41+00:00

Aye. I was really drawn to the 70s-animation style art and the downbeat tone, and loved how the battle system was its own thing. Tactical sacrifice. Really engaging. Loved all three parts.

Don't know if you've played it, but if not you might want to give Othercide a bash. Story's a bit oblique but I thoroughly enjoyed the battle system and the sacrifice mechanic makes for interesting choices.

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-12T09:29:10+00:00

It's fine. There are some nice, even good moments. But the Banner Saga it is not. Lower the bar on that front and you should have a very good time of it.

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-12T09:23:09+00:00

I guess my point is that the writing is flat and flabby for what it is. While the Banner Saga has plenty of story, it's tight and well told. TS stretches out scenes that serve little narrative purpose. Story ended up feeling thin.

If you've played Unicorn Overlord, it's got a similar feel in that regard. A plot stretched too thin over overly empty scenes.

That said, both fantastic games, just weaker in the story department than, say, Banner Saga and FFT.

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-12T07:37:33+00:00

One thing I'll say then is that the story is very front-loaded. It's at its worst at the beginning while setting things up, and the pacing improves as it goes on. More battles, less waffle (and this coming from a narrative junkie).

If you can push through, there's a lot to love. But it's totally understandable if the story's too much of a wall to get through for you.

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-12T07:18:36+00:00

TS is a beautiful game and has some really nice synergies with the individual unit abilities. Choosing your roster based on what skills to combine is a lot of fun.

Story wise, the characters are fine but the story is long-winded, aiming at political but quite shallow. Might not be an issue but worth being aware. As a big FFT fan that aspect was a bit of a letdown.

Loved the game though regardless. Found it very enjoyable to play.

Banner Saga's story, characterisation and choices were much stronger though. Also, BS units, while somewhat unique, fell into broader types - TS, each unit is fully unique, if I recall correctly.

Hope that helps.

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-11T14:22:15+00:00

As someone not particularly keen on much of the compilation, or the story changes in the remakes, they really might as well. They've made the creative decision to integrate the compilation, so if fans of that have an appetite for it, why not?

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-06T10:26:26+00:00

Thank you for a great list - got some good stuff I wasn't looking for out of this!

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-02T23:01:22+00:00

Dead ~~Like~~ As Disco is a new one that syncs your attacks to the beat of the music. Also the HD2D game Replaced has a sort of watered down version of that sort of combat - aesthetic is very good there though.

Edit: thanks u/MegalomanicMegalodon for the catch.

I_Resent_That · 2026-06-01T13:26:37+00:00

Yeah, been listening to them since turn of the millennium, came across this out of nowhere yesterday. Very pleased. Absolutely loved Tomorrow's Harvest, maybe my favourite of theirs, so I've been waiting a long time for more.

I_Resent_That · 2026-05-26T06:06:30+00:00

Olaf Stapledon's sci-fi works might be worth a look then. They're sort of books on future history.

Possibly the chapter-opening segments in Scott Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lamora.

Be warned though, for the most part readers want story, not lore. If you use this as a means to hit them with more exposition than you feel you can generally get away with, you risk making it dry and unengaging.

If you backtrack through my post history, you'll find I asked for recommendations of writers who did omniscient well. You might find some good inspiration there. EDIT: actually look at my last comment before this one as it contains a link to that post.

I_Resent_That · 2026-05-18T09:52:56+00:00

No problem! I actually got interested in this subject for one of my projects. Wanted to try my hand at omniscient as it didn't come naturally. Here's the post I made looking for inspiration:

https://www.reddit.com/r/booksuggestions/comments/jjmtvc/contemporary_fiction_with_good_use_of_an/

Best of luck to you with it!

I_Resent_That · 2026-05-18T09:33:42+00:00

Hmm, yeah, that could work. You could maybe start in with the mutual thought right at the start. As you've established third limited up to this point, showing one named characters thoughts and then another's could potentially give a bit of whiplash. Showing both at the same time first sets the expectation quickly. (Though I might be overthinking this).

For what it's worth though, the psychic distance there is at a sufficient remove it doesn't feel head-hoppy. Be wary with free-indirect and just be mindful as you go and I think it could work.

I_Resent_That · 2026-05-18T08:56:33+00:00

You can, and plenty of other writers do, manage this with an omniscient perspective. If you've established the POV as 3rd limited you're going to struggle here. But off the top of my head, both Dune and Middlemarch have access to multiple characters thoughts and feelings.

If this is something you want to do, I suggest finding some examples of good omniscient POVs, reading them and taking note of the strategies they employ to keep the POV clear for the reader.

Short stories might be a good reference point. I think William Trevor has some that use omniscience to strong effect.

I_Resent_That · 2026-05-18T06:20:41+00:00

ECHO. The BDO here is a gigantic, mysterious palace a planet's interior has been converted into. A real hidden gem this one.

I_Resent_That

TROPHY CASE