Here's how you can play this classic video game right now.
A watershed moment in video game history celebrates its 30th anniversary; "Final Fantasy VII" was first released on January 31, 1997, validating efforts to present video games not just as entertainment but also as an elevated means of storytelling.
It was a huge international success for a Japanese-developed role playing game.
An exceptionally high quality of characters, of presentation, musical score, and storyline combined to pull players into the "Final Fantasy VII" plot and, enhanced by the game's interactivity, those players in many cases found themselves deeply engaged with those characters' fate.
Unlikely to find itself on Xbox anytime soon (though equally surprising things have happened in franchise history,) "Final Fantasy VII" is nevertheless still available to play today.
The first option would be to get a hold of the original "Final Fantasy VII."
Released in Japan in January 1997, and later that year internationally, "FF VII" was a transition to full 3D graphics with video cutscenes, published overseas by Sony for its debut home console, the PlayStation.
New, factory sealed copies can go for upwards of $200 USD (Approximately Rs 13,500), but secondhand discs are more usually available for a tenth of that price. It'll play on the PlayStation One and the PlayStation 2.
Ten years later and "Final Fantasy VII" was being made available as a digital download for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable (and latterly, both the PSP's successor, PlayStation Vita, and set-top mini box, the PlayStation TV.) That's $4.99 (Approximately Rs 330).
A PlayStation 4 version followed in December 2015 at $15.99 (Approximately Rs 1,100). That's distinct from "Final Fantasy VII: Remake" which is currently in development.
Moving over to Windows PC, where "FF VII" was released in 1998, and where the PlayStation 4's edition came from, the game can be found for $11.99 (Approximately Rs 800) at full price from developer Square Enix as well as a number of other major retailers such as Steam, GameStop and Amazon. For those willing to shop around or wait for a sale, "FF VII" will frequently dip to $5.99 (Approximately Rs 400) or around $3.50 (Approximately Rs 230).
Most conveniently for the modern age are smartphone ports of the PlayStation classic; the hefty 2GB download is usually $15.99 (Approximately Rs 1,100 ) on iOS and Android.
And in an effort to tempt "Final Fantasy" fans to try one of its mobile offerings, "Final Fantasy Mobius" will be launching on PC from February 6. On February 7, "FF VII" lead character Cloud will join "FF Mobius" in his Remake form as part of a special crossover event that has already been put on for Japanese players.
It's hardly "FF VII," but for those waiting for the remake, it's something.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy 7, Entertainment, FF VII, PlayStation, Square Enix, Video Games, Sony")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}