I have never played the original Final Fantasy VII. I've actually never played a Final Fantasy game before this one, or really a JRPG before this one.

The combat was an interesting combination of what I presume to be the original JRPG style combat and a more modern combat system which was engaging. The story felt outdated, an attempt to balance an older black and white story with the more popular morally gray systems of today. It was interesting but ultimately a failure (for me) but I can see why so many people are so drawn to this game and this story even if it doesn't do it for me personally.