Final Fantasy Weekly: Volume One : Issue Two

Contents

Introduction

Episode Two

Thoughts on Final Fantasy VII Remake 

The Way We Were

Final Fantasy 101

Introduction
This week we explore the Sector 7 slums with Tifa, take on a few jobs and chill in the legendary Seventh Heaven bar. 

Episode Two 
Episode Two is taken from chapter 3 of the Remake, and centred entirely around the Sector 7 Slums.

Thoughts on Final Fantasy VII Remake
Though this episode is not quite as dramatic as the first, it's brilliant at introducing more of the world and characters, setting things up for what is to come in the future.

The main highlight of the episode for me was finally getting to visit the Seventh Heaven bar and meeting Tifa and Marlene. I couldn't be happier with how they have both been realised in the Remake, and Seventh Heaven is a thing of beauty.

One of the biggest surprises to me and one of continuous joy is Barret's character. I am warming much more to him than I ever did. He's so much more than the bombastic caricature we saw in the original game, and with Marlene we get to see a softer side. 

The Sector 7 Slums is the first Hub area of the game and I really loved the chance to slow down and just explore, meeting new people and taking on a few odd jobs. 

Whilst not a new character, Johnny has been hugely expanded compared to his tiny part in the original. He popping up here and there as you ventured to new locations through out the game. He also appeared in the animated tale: On the way to a smile: Episode Denzel. (Which was set between the events of the original FFVII and the movie Advent Children) It's great to see him get a larger role this time around.

Looking up and seeing the City of Midgar towering above was an awe inspiring sight the first time I saw it as it's something we could never see in the original. It makes you realise how bad it really is for all those beneath.

They Way We Were 
Comparing to scenes from the original PSone Edition.

Above you can see the train station where the story opens in episode two. The original art work is still so beautiful.

The Sector 7 slums was a tiny place in the original. That building to clouds left is the weapon shop and above is the Beginner's hall where Cloud met back up with Biggs and Wedge.

And there she is, Seventh Heaven. The entrance with the balcony and staircase is present in the remake, though the old version like most of the buildings in this part of the slums looks haphazardly constructed from what ever was lying around.  

I love how they kept the look of the Interior of Seventh Heaven more or less the same. Annoyingly we don't get to see the secret base under the bar in the Remake, so here it is in all it's glory from the original.

Final Fantasy 101 

Every week we look at new characters and locations seen in the latest episode. This week we unsurprisingly take a look at the kick arse queen Tifa, the Sector 7 Slums and Seventh Heaven.

Name: Tifa
Gender: Female
Age: 20
Birthday: May 3rd
Blood Type: B
Height: 167cm
Hometown: Nibelheim
Weapon: Gloves

Tifa and Cloud were childhood friends, but parted ways when Cloud left his hometown of Nibelheim to join SOLDIER. When her parents died, Tifa also left Nibelheim and headed for Midgar. Soon after opening her bar, Tifa's Seventh Heaven, she met Barret and joined his ragtag group of rebels known as AVALANCHE. It's her goal to make sure Cloud remains with AVALANCHE after his first mission with the team. - Taken from the Official FFVII  Strategy Guide

Tifa plays so differently to Cloud and Barret. It feels more like a beat em up, and it's so much fun. she punches with lightening speed as her basic attack which you can add to with a fantastic uppercut. She also has a great starting ability where you can power up her moves, changing the uppercut into two more devastating moves.

Sector 7 Slums

"The Sprawling slum quarter beneath the Sector 7 plate. Life is mean and meager in this dark section of Midgar - a stark contrast to the thriving cityscape just above it. Despite the poor quality of life, there is a strong sense of community and independence among its people." 
- Taken from the FFVII Remake loading screen


The Sector 7 Slums is the first Hub area in the game. The story finally slows down and you get the chance to wonder about, do some shopping and listen to the admittedly wonderful conversations of passersby going about their day. 

This is also your first opportunity to take on a few jobs. There aren't that many per Hub area so it's worth doing them all. Not only do you get great rewards, but completing all quest in a chapter could lead to extra story scenes or affect later events.

Seventh Heaven

A Bar located in the sector 7 slums. A favourite after-work hangout for laborers, Tifa's cocktail and cooking are big hits amongst the locals. After hours, though, the place functions as a hideout for the anti-shinra group Avalanche. - Taken from the FFVII Remake loading screen

After having a drink at the Bar courtesy of Tifa, Cloud is left to his own devices. Though I didn't show it in the video, cloud can choose to get up from the bar and have a look around the room. He spies two interesting additions in the corner of the room that were not present in the original.

There's a Dart Board Cloud can interact with and play a mini-game. It's a simple one, try getting to zero in as few moves as possible. All the characters have a score on the highscore table, but the top one to beat is Wedge with a final score of 8.

Of course Cloud being Cloud didn't take long to take the top spot. 

But that's not all, as well as a round of darts, you can also listen to music courtesy of a fantastic Jukebox situated right next to the dart board. 

The jukebox is probably one of my favourite additions to the Remake. Dotted around the city and slums of Midgar are discs waiting to be discovered. 

There's not only the frill of collecting and listening to all the tracks, but the added bonus that each has unique cover art as well. Making the prospect of collecting even more tantalising. 
Here is a small selection of disc cover art:

It seemed rather fitting today as we were introduced to Tifa, that we end this week issue with the following music video. So sit back, relax and listen to the beautiful "Tifa's Theme"

Next Week
Next week we get to have fun with the Avalanche Trio - Jessie, Biggs and Wedge. It's a fantastic episode and one of my favourites. What's most exciting is it's all new content, none of what you will see was in the original.

Until next time, be seeing you x