Beating 'Final Fantasy VII' – Conquer Midgar and Beyond

Jumping into "Final Fantasy VII" can feel like a real adventure, especially with so many places to explore. One of the most exciting areas is Midgar, a sprawling city packed with secrets and powerful enemies. Learning the best strategies to navigate through Midgar helps players overcome tough challenges and unlock special rewards.

As you progress through the game, you’ll encounter tough foes like the Midgar Zolom. To beat the Midgar Zolom, train your characters until they have at least 1500 HP. This gives you the health needed to withstand its powerful attacks and use strong abilities like Cloud's Meteorain to finish the fight.

The journey doesn’t stop with Midgar; there are countless other areas to conquer. Each location offers new challenges and hidden treasures, making "Final Fantasy VII" a game that never gets old. Get ready to dive deep, make strategic choices, and enjoy every moment of your epic quest.

Navigating the World of 'Final Fantasy VII'

In "Final Fantasy VII," navigating the game world requires understanding the basics like HP and MP, managing resources like Gil and loot, and exploring various locations from the bustling streets of Midgar to the serene Chocobo Ranch.

Mastering the Basics: HP, MP, and EXP

Health Points (HP) and Magic Points (MP) are the lifelines in battles. HP measures your character's vitality, while MP is used for casting spells. Keeping an eye on these stats during combat is crucial. EXP (Experience Points) helps characters level up, making them stronger.

Battles provide EXP. Winning them helps characters gain levels, increasing HP and MP. Using healing spells or items like Potions can restore HP, and Ethers can restore MP. Remember to check characters' stats frequently to stay prepared.

The Economy of 'Final Fantasy VII': Gil, Loot, and Vending Machines

Gil is the currency. You earn it by defeating enemies or selling items. Smart management of Gil is vital for buying weapons, armor, and items. Loot from battles often includes valuable items that can be sold or used to strengthen the party.

Vending machines and shops are scattered throughout the game, especially in places like Midgar. They offer essential items like Potions, Phoenix Downs, and more. Keeping a well-stocked inventory ensures readiness for tougher battles ahead.

Moving Around: From Midgar Streets to Chocobo Ranch

Traveling through locations like Midgar involves various modes of transportation. From riding the train in Midgar to raising and riding Chocobos at the Chocobo Ranch, mobility is key to exploring the game's vast world.

Trains in Midgar's train station help move between sectors. Chocobo ranches are where you can catch and raise Chocobos, enabling travel across difficult terrains. Using these transportation methods effectively helps unlock new areas and secrets.

Understanding these aspects of the game allows players to navigate "Final Fantasy VII" more efficiently, discovering everything from the gritty underbelly of Midgar to the tranquil fields of the Chocobo Ranch.

The Combat System

In "Final Fantasy VII," understanding each character's abilities, how to use Materia effectively, and how to unleash Limit Breaks and Summons are key to dominating battles. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know:

Characters and Their Abilities: Cloud to Yuffie

Each character in "Final Fantasy VII" has unique abilities and strengths.

Cloud: Known for his versatile fighting skills and powerful Limit Breaks like Omnislash.
Tifa: Uses martial arts, her fists dealing impressive damage. Her Limit Breaks combine multiple attacks.
Barret: A powerhouse with ranged attacks. His Limit Breaks like Catastrophe are devastating.
Red XIII: Combines physical attacks and magic. His Limit Breaks are balanced between offense and support.
Yuffie: A nimble ninja focusing on speed and agility, with powerful Limit Breaks like Doom of the Living.
Cid: A balanced character skilled in both magic and physical attacks.
Cait Sith: Functions as a wildcard with unpredictable Limit Breaks.

Understanding Materia: From Basics to Master Fist

Materia is essential for bolstering your characters' abilities.

Basics: Materia are orbs that can be equipped to weapons and armor. They provide spells and abilities.
Types: There are several types of Materia, including Magic, Command, Support, and Summon Materia.
Combos: Some Materia are more effective when paired. For example, pairing All with a healing spell like Cure affects all party members.
Growth: Materia levels up with AP earned from battles. Mastered Materia can be transferred to new slots, continuing their growth.

Limit Breaks and Summons: Unleashing Power

Limit Breaks and Summons are among the most powerful abilities in the game.

Limit Breaks: Each character has unique Limit Breaks, activated by taking damage over time. These special moves can turn the tide of battle. For example, Cloud's Omnislash delivers multiple high-damage hits.
Summons: Equipped via Summon Materia, they call forth powerful creatures to deal massive damage or provide support. Bahamut and Knights of Round are some of the most potent Summons, dealing devastating attacks.
Master Fist: Combining certain Materia can lead to ultimate abilities, amplifying a character's power significantly. Strategy matters, as using the right combination can make encounters much easier.

By mastering each character's unique abilities and understanding how to use Materia and Limit Breaks effectively, players can navigate the challenging combat scenarios in "Final Fantasy VII."

Strategic Gameplay

To master "Final Fantasy VII," players need to manage their equipment, effectively level up their characters, and place their party members strategically. This involves making smart choices about weapons, armor, and grinding early on.

Equipment Management: Weapons and Armor

Choosing the right weapons and armor is crucial. One must consider both offensive and defensive capabilities. For instance, the Aegis Armlet offers great magic defense.

Weapons:

Cloud's Buster Sword: Offers balanced stats early on.
Barret's Gatling Gun: Great for ranged attacks.
Tifa's Leather Glove: Increases hit rate and speed.

Armor:

Aegis Armlet: Excellent for magic-heavy battles.
Ziedrich: High defense but lacks Materia slots.

Upgrading gear at the right points ensures your team stays ahead in battles.

Effective Leveling: AP, EXP, and Early Grinding

Leveling up early can make later challenges easier. Focus on grinding areas with high EXP and AP.

EXP and AP Tips:

Battle in the Mythril Mines for balanced AP and EXP.
Visit Midgar Zolom for heavy EXP gains.
Use Manipulate Materia to efficiently defeat enemies.

Early Grinding Spots:

Junon Path: Great for AP.
Midgar Slums: Quick battles for fast EXP.

Balancing between AP and EXP grinding ensures your Materia level up while your characters get stronger.

Character Placement and Party Choices: Front Row vs Back Row

Placing characters correctly in the front row or back row can impact battle outcomes.

Front Row:

Cloud: High HP and attack power.
Tifa: Effective with physical attacks.
Barret: If using close-range weapons.

Back Row:

Aeris: Low HP but strong magic.
Red XIII: Versatile in both rows with ranged weapons.
Yuffie: Effective with long-range attacks.

Strategy involves placing strong attackers in the front and magic users or ranged attackers in the back. Balancing your party setup can give a tactical edge in battles.

Exploring Key Locations

In "Final Fantasy VII," several key locations are central to the storyline and offer unique experiences. From infiltrating Shinra Building to enjoying games at Gold Saucer and discovering the history at Forgotten Capitals, these locations are essential for progress and exploration.

Shinra Building: Confronting the Enemy

The Shinra Building in Midgar is where players face off against the corrupt Shinra corporation. Players have to navigate through its many floors, each presenting various challenges. Key points of interest include the laboratory where Hojo conducts experiments and the upper floors where you confront top Shinra executives.

In addition, players have to solve puzzles, fight through security, and rescue friends. The building's design captures the feel of a corporate headquarters with its high-tech environment. It’s also where players uncover pivotal story moments and gain insight into Shinra’s evil plans.

Gold Saucer: Games and Entertainment

Gold Saucer is an amusement park and casino filled with games and attractions. It’s a marked contrast to the grim atmosphere of Midgar. Here, players can participate in various mini-games, such as Chocobo racing, battle arenas, and arcade-style challenges.

Winning games earns players GP (Gold Points), which can be exchanged for valuable items and Materia. The Battle Square offers intense combat challenges for great rewards. The lively theme park setting also hosts story events that deepen character relationships and provide humorous moments.

Forgotten Capitals: History of the Ancients

The Forgotten Capitals, often referred to as the City of the Ancients, is an ancient ruin filled with mysterious technology. This location is crucial for understanding the lore of the Ancients (Cetra). The architectural design showcases towering structures and tranquil waterways.

Exploring this area reveals important story arcs, including Aerith’s connection to the Ancients. Players will find rare items, fight unique enemies, and face significant emotional moments. The ancient city's serene yet melancholic atmosphere contrasts with the bustling life in Midgar and provides a deeper understanding of the game's mythos.

Diving Deeper: Side Quests and Secrets

Exploring beyond the main story of Final Fantasy VII opens up a world rich in hidden treasures, formidable foes, and crucial quests. Each side quest not only adds depth to the game but can also provide powerful rewards.

The Sunken Gelnika: Hunting for Treasure

The Sunken Gelnika is a hidden area located underwater and only accessible with the submarine. Inside, players can find some of the best items and weapons in the game. This includes Cloud's Heaven's Cloud sword and Yuffie's Conformer weapon.

Expect to fight tough enemies here, like the Serpent-type creatures. To locate the Sunken Gelnika, dive at the crash site near the Gold Saucer area. Make sure your party is strong enough to handle the high-level foes that guard these treasures.

Optional Bosses: From Midgar Zolom to Emerald Weapon

The game features several optional bosses that provide significant challenges and rewards. The Midgar Zolom is one of the first tough opponents players encounter. It's found in the swamp area near the Chocobo Ranch and is infamous for its powerful Beta attack.

Later in the game, players can face the Ultimate Weapon and Emerald Weapon, which require solid strategies to defeat. The Ultimate Weapon roams around the world map and offers Cloud’s Ultima Weapon upon defeat. Meanwhile, the Emerald Weapon lurks underwater and drops the Earth Harp, exchangeable for a Master Materia set.

The Huge Materia Quest: Saving the World

The Huge Materia quest is critical for both the storyline and obtaining some powerful items. Players need to collect four Huge Materia from different locations:

Corel
Fort Condor
The Rocket Town rocket ship
The Junon Underwater Reactor

Each location involves unique mini-games and battles. Successfully collecting all four Huge Materia allows players to unlock the Master Materia, which combines several spells or abilities into one. This quest is essential for those looking to maximize their party's power and fully experience the game's deep mechanics.

By delving into these side quests, players not only enrich their gameplay experience but also gain significant advantages for the final battles. Each hidden secret discovered and optional boss defeated brings a new level of engagement and reward.

Understanding Enemies and Bosses

To navigate the world of "Final Fantasy VII," it’s crucial to know how to deal with both regular enemies and bosses. Each encounter has its own set of challenges and learning these can make your journey much easier.

Enemy Skills and Tactics

One important element is the Enemy Skill Materia, which lets players learn special skills from enemies. For instance, learning Big Guard from Beachplugs can boost your party’s defenses. Meanwhile, taking on Zemzeletts for the White Wind skill will give you a valuable healing ability.

Different enemies follow different attack patterns. Common enemies like SOLDIER:1sts drop useful items like Shinra Alpha armor, which could be your last chance to collect them. Knowing these nuances can turn a challenging fight into a manageable one.

Epic Showdowns: Boss Battle Strategies

Boss fights require careful planning and strategy. When facing Sephiroth, it’s key to have high-level characters and powerful magic like Ultima or Bahamut ZERO. Focus attacks on his weak points and keep your party healed.

Against bosses like Proud Clod, use Barret with long-range weapons and ensure Tifa has attack-boosting Materia. Protect yourself against physical attacks with Barrier and MBarrier spells.

In battles with Jenova, equip Ribbons to avoid status effects and use Aqua Lung to deal major water damage. Remember that managing your Materia combinations can often be the difference between victory and defeat.

Utilizing Items and Managing Resources

Effectively managing items and resources is crucial in "Final Fantasy VII". Players must know when to use certain items and how to maximize their benefits to progress smoothly through the game.

Potions, Ethers, and Elixirs

Potions and Hi-Potions are your basic healing items. Potions restore 100 HP, while Hi-Potions restore 500 HP. Ethers recover 100 MP, and Turbo Ethers fully restore MP. These are essential in longer battles or when magic points run low.

Elixirs are an all-in-one solution, restoring both HP and MP fully. They are rare, so players should use them sparingly. Megalixirs take it a step further by restoring the HP and MP of all party members. These are best saved for the toughest battles due to their powerful effects.

In addition to these, Tents can be used at save points to fully restore the party's HP and MP. They are invaluable during long dungeon runs where healing opportunities are scarce.

Strategic Item Use: W-Item and More

The W-Item Materia allows players to use two items in one turn. This can be a game-changer during challenging encounters. Players can duplicate items using a specific trick with this Materia, significantly boosting their inventory of rare items.

Save Phoenix Downs for reviving fallen team members during critical moments. Stocking up on Antidotes, Echo Screens, and Remedies is also wise to counter various status effects like poison, silence, and more.

Using items strategically can turn the tide in battles. Knowing when to use a Turbo Ether to restore MP or when to deploy a Megalixir to recover the party can make challenging fights manageable. Efficient item management ensures players are always ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.

For more detailed item information and tips, visit the GameFAQs Final Fantasy VII guide.

Character Development and Growth

Character development in "Final Fantasy VII" involves choosing the right skills, spells, and Materia to strengthen your party. Understanding how each element works together can make your characters more powerful and versatile in battles.

Skills and Spells: From Magic Sources to Poisoning

Characters in "Final Fantasy VII" can learn a range of skills and spells that are key to victory. Use Magic Sources to boost the magic stats of your characters. This can make their spells more powerful.

Focus on leveling up essential spells like Fire and Lightning. These spells are useful against many enemies. Don't overlook Bio or its upgraded versions. This spell can inflict poison on enemies, dealing damage over time.

Using spells wisely can turn the tide of battle. Keep track of your MP (Magic Points) to ensure you can cast spells when needed. Regularly check each character’s skill set and adjust as they grow stronger. Using skills strategically can help wipe out enemies faster and keep your party protected.

Materia Growth and Character Advancement

Materia is a key element in character development. Attach Materia to equipment to use its powers. Fire Materia and Lightning Materia are great for offense. They help in defeating enemies quickly.

As you battle, your Materia will experience Materia Growth. This can lead to unlocking new abilities like stronger spells or support skills. Certain weapons and armor offer 2x Materia Growth. Equip these to level up Materia faster.

Balancing your Materia setup is important. Spread out offensive and defensive Materia among your party members. Also, consider the Materia that boosts HP or MP, as staying alive and having enough energy to cast spells is crucial.

Choosing the right combination and maximizing Materia Growth ensures your characters can handle tougher challenges ahead. Keep experimenting with different Materia setups to find what works best for your play style.

Chocobo Breeding and Racing

Breeding and racing Chocobos in Final Fantasy VII can unlock some valuable items and Materia. To start, players need to visit the Chocobo Farm. Here, they can buy stables from Billy in the house. Players can purchase up to six stables, each costing 10,000 Gil. It’s best to buy all six to maximize breeding potential.

Obtaining a Chocobo Lure Materia is essential for catching Chocobos. Once you have the lure, head to the fields around the Chocobo Ranch to catch your first Chocobo. Higher-level lures increase the chances of finding better Chocobos.

Breeding Chocobos

Players can begin breeding after acquiring the Highwind airship. To breed, players need two Chocobos and different kinds of nuts. RNG plays a role, so patience is key. Specific combinations of Chocobos and nuts can produce special Chocobos, like blue, green, black, and the coveted gold Chocobo.

Types of Nuts:

Carob Nuts - Can be stolen from Vlakorados.
Zeio Nuts - Found on Goblins in Goblin Island.

Racing Chocobos

Racing Chocobos at the Gold Saucer is another crucial part of the process. This helps in improving their rank. Higher ranks result in better breeding outcomes. Races also reward the player with items and GP, which can be exchanged for other valuable items.

Racing becomes available after Cloud rejoins the party. Entering races frequently can speed up the process of obtaining a gold Chocobo, which can reach otherwise inaccessible areas on the world map.

For further details, read more about Chocobo Breeding and Racing.

Endgame Strategies

As the story nears its end, players must ensure they are fully prepared for the challenges ahead. Preparation involves gathering the best weapons and armor and strategizing for the intense final battles.

Preparing for the Final Confrontation

Late in the 2nd disc, you will face some of the game's toughest enemies. It's crucial to have strong party members like Cloud, Tifa, and Barrett. Each brings unique skills to the table.

Before heading to the final battle, completing side quests can be very beneficial. Look for equipment like the Missing Score, which significantly boosts a character's power.

Ensure you have spells like Meteorain and a well-rounded set of materia. Healing and revive materia are essential. Stock up on items such as Elixirs and Phoenix Downs, which can turn the tide of a tough battle.

Optimizing Weapons and Armor for the Climax

In the 3rd disc, finding ultimate weapons and the best armor is key. Weapons like Cloud's Ultima Weapon and Barret's Missing Score offer massive boosts in attack power. These can usually be found in specific side quests or after defeating certain bosses.

When it comes to armor, prioritize those with high defense and multiple materia slots. The Aegis Armlet, for instance, is a great pick. It offers good defense and magical resistance.

For accessories, go for items that provide status immunities or enhance attack power. This will help the party withstand difficult conditions during the final confrontations. Balancing offense and defense will be critical to surviving the epic battles ahead.

After the Journey: Additional Challenges

After completing the main story in "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth," players can dive into a variety of thrilling post-game challenges that test their skills and dedication. These activities include intense combat encounters and hunting for rare trophies and achievements.

Battle Square and Endgame Quests

One exciting area to explore is the Battle Square in the Gold Saucer. This arena presents a variety of increasingly difficult battles where players can earn special rewards. After defeating the main story's final boss, additional challenges in the Battle Square become available.

For those craving more action, the Brutal Challenges unlocked after defeating Gilgamesh offer six tough battles. Each requires strategic thinking and mastery of combat mechanics. Additionally, the Musclehead Colosseum features new, harder battles. Completing these challenges not only provides a satisfying combat experience but also grants unique rewards that aren't available elsewhere in the game.

Achievements and Trophies for PlayStation Owners

PlayStation players have an extra incentive to tackle post-game challenges: trophies and achievements. After finishing the main story, trophy hunters can pursue multiple playthroughs, aiming to complete the game on Hard Mode and unlock other hidden content. This aspect of the game appeals to completionists who enjoy perfecting their gaming experience.

Some trophies might require players to explore every corner of the map or complete specific tasks, such as gathering all materia or defeating secret bosses. Each achievement brings them closer to the coveted Platinum Trophy. Dedicated PlayStation users will find the pursuit of these accolades both challenging and rewarding, adding a layer of depth to their adventure in "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth."