I replayed this in anticipation for Rebirth, and my opinion has slightly changed but I still overall think this is a bad game. I hate the story changes, and I think Nomura needs to be fired ASAP (or at the very least not allowed to write anymore), but I've made my peace with it.

Story aside though, this game still has so many problems. The biggest issue is that its artificially lengthened. Half the game is just filler that does nothing for the story or the main cast.

Off the top of my head, here's all the parts of the game that could have been cut:
- Jessie's storyline
- Leslie's storyline
- Train graveyard
- Hojo's lab
- Underground lab in Sector 7
- Lighting sector 5
- Climbing up to the plate

These are 7 chapters (out of 18) that are just bullshit. Its just walking down corridors, fighting enemies, encountering a low-effort boss and doing absolutely nothing for the story or characters. Its so obvious they just wanted to add to the playtime to justify the $60 price tag. I would honestly rather pay more money to not have these chapters in the game at all. I don't mind 15 hours of tight gameplay and story, instead of an additional 15 hours of boredom.

Ugh, I told myself I wouldn't rant about the story again, but the whole pseudo-sequel bs is just Nomura and his ego. Its a stupid concept and I blame Marvel and their storytelling for this kind of stuff seeping into media. On top of that, they completely ruined Sephiroth as a character. Gone is the intrigue and mystery surrounding him.

So yeah, if there wasn't SO MUCH filler, and if the story wasn't dogshit, this would be an incredible game. Everything else is perfect.

And yes I have pre-ordered Rebirth. I'm a slut for FFVII.

A great combat system, great visuals, and a phenomenal soundtrack... But Square Enix butchered the story and flipped off people who wanted an actual remake. This is such a big "Fuck You" to everyone who thought they'd get a proper remake -- all because of the absolutely garbage writing, and the worst ending I've seen in a game ever. The writing went completely off the rails at the end and didn't fit in with the rest of the story at all. This is just Nomura going batshit crazy again because no one at Square Enix keeps an eye on him.

So much disrespect to fans of the original who wanted a remake, and not just pretty versions of the characters in some alternate timeline bs.