Final Fantasy 7 - Intro & Short Gameplay (PS1, 1997)
1When Final Fantasy VII debuted in 1997, it wasn’t just another RPG—it was a defining moment for the entire gaming industry. Developed by Square (now Square Enix), FF7 introduced players to a dystopian cyber-fantasy world brimming with emotion, style, and depth. It shattered expectations of what storytelling in video games could achieve and became a cornerstone of modern RPG design. But even before a single battle was fought, the intro video alone left an indelible mark on players worldwide.
The opening cinematic begins with a slow zoom from starry space into the glowing metropolis of Midgar, a steampunk industrial nightmare powered by life-draining Mako energy. Aerith, the mysterious flower girl, steps softly through a desolate alley, her face illuminated by flickering green light. As Nobuo Uematsu's haunting score swells, the camera dramatically pans out to reveal the full, sprawling scope of the city—a circular machine consuming the planet’s essence. The screen fades to black and seamlessly transitions into gameplay as a train screeches into a station. In one uninterrupted motion, Cloud Strife leaps into frame, sword in hand, and the adventure begins.
That intro was revolutionary. It seamlessly merged pre-rendered video and real-time gameplay in a way that was rarely seen before. The cinematic quality was stunning for its time, and it instantly grounded the player in FF7’s unique world of corporate tyranny, environmental collapse, and spiritual mystery. The moment that intro hit, you knew you were in for something special.
Beyond the intro, Final Fantasy VII became a cultural force. Its deep characters—especially Cloud, Aerith, Tifa, and Sephiroth—told a story that blended science fiction, magic, and raw human emotion. The Materia system offered deep customization, and the pre-rendered backgrounds were a visual marvel. FF7’s success helped solidify the PlayStation’s dominance and brought Japanese RPGs into the global mainstream.
Even decades later, few games command the reverence and legacy of Final Fantasy VII—and its unforgettable intro is still one of the most iconic sequences in gaming history.