Like many happy gamers out there, I spent this past weekend indulging in Final Fantasy VII Remake. While I enjoyed the original, quite a bit, I can’t say the story made as much of an impact on me as it made on many others out there. While I fully acknowledge how groundbreaking Final Fantasy VII was back in the ‘90s, I was more of a Final Fantasy VI guy.
But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying Final Fantasy VII Remake. Against all odds, it’s that rare remake that manages to truly capture what made the original special and exceed expectations. Or rather, it exceeded mine. As much as I love Final Fantasy, its tendency to focus more on plot than character motivations at times does make some entries feel a bit shallow. It’s why Final Fantasy IX wasn’t as great when I recently revisited it. Final Fantasy VII wasn’t nearly as bad of an offender, but it still did have its minor issues.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Story Improvements
Don’t worry. I’m not going to dive deep into the story or spoil anything. This is more about the philosophy of storytelling than it is about actual plot points. As much of a classic as the original game is, it is one that really sort of barrels forward. Yes, there is time to get to know the main characters, but not nearly as much time to get to know the side characters or the setting. Midgar is a fantastic piece of eye candy with implied culture, but we don’t spend nearly enough time there before we trudge forth.
This is where Final Fantasy VII Remake comes in with mad improvements. It gives us time to chill in Midgar. Not only do we get to see the plight of the citizens firsthand, but we get to steep in the atmosphere as we help fix all their problems. I’m only seven hours into the game, but I feel like I get the slums of Midgar. The setting resonates with me at a core emotional level in a way the original never did.
A Difference in Medium
So far, Final Fantasy VII Remake is a fun an unexpected thrill ride, but as I have been playing, I couldn’t help but notice one thing: This wouldn’t work as a movie or book. Yes, you could say, “But Jammer, it had a movie! It’s called Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.” Well, I’d look at you and say, “I’m not talking about that story. I’m talking about Final Fantasy VII Remake.”
While, as a game, it is quite the experience, it does have its narrative issues that would amplify if this exact story were adapted to a TV show. Or rather, it has one major issues: Cloud Strife.
A Character Issue
Storytelling 101 when it comes both screen stories and stories on the page is to make your character proactive. If the same exact thing would happen in the story without the main character being involved, you have a big problem. By that same taken, if you have a character that simply gets battered around by the waves of the plot, you have another problem. They are no longer making decisions for themselves, but are simply collateral to the main thrust of the story. If this is your story, then chances are you’re following the main character. Unless their passivity is somehow a part of the narrative, it makes them a bit dull to watch or read, even if it’s on a subliminal level.
In Final Fantasy VII Remake, at least for the first several hours I’ve played, Cloud Strife is passive as hell. Yes, I get it, that’s a part of his appeal as a character. He’s sort of growing in real-time and his charm is directly proportional to his apathy. Usually, in a story, we get a character who has a goal and is working hard to achieve that goal. So far, seven hours into the game, the only goal Cloud seems to have is to…get work? Be a merc?
We get hints to his history with Tifa and his promise to her, but were this a television show or film, getting this far into the story simply wouldn’t fly.
But don’t be mad. This is not a slight against the story or character. In fact, I think simply highlights the difference in mediums and the strength of video games.
Why Final Fantasy VII Remake Works As A Game
At the end of the day, video games have an advantage over films, TV shows, and novels. In those other mediums, you’ve observing a story as it happens. In video games, however, you’re actively engaging. You’re becoming a part of the story through the eyes of the controlling character.
In the case of Final Fantasy VII Remake, you’re largely playing as Cloud Strife. You’re witnessing the wonder and majesty of Midgar along with Cloud. You’re learning things and becoming a surrogate of sorts for him.
In short, the fact that he doesn’t have a solid goal doesn’t matter at first because you’re engaged as him. Like Cloud, you’re going along for the fide, with your own goals taking priority. Want to take care of some side quests? Go for it. Want to grind for hours? Have at it? And if you want to simply progress the narrative, you can do that as well.
Conclusion
Don’t get me wrong here — I know things will change as the story goes on. While I’m not as intimately familiar with Final Fantasy VII’s story as some of you, I know of the twists and turns of his character that are to come. As such, you could argue that he needs to act the way he does. All I’m saying is that if this story was to make its way to the screen, it’d need to drastically change its character focus or the way it reveals key information.
Forgive me for being vague, but I really don’t want to touch on any spoilers, even for the original game, so I’ll just stop there. Perhaps when I’m done, we can revisit this idea in a more spoilerific capacity.
But what do you think? Do you agree with me that this story simply wouldn’t translate well to other mediums? Let us know your thoughts down below!
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