final fantasy 7 in order

The journey through Final Fantasy VII is more than a sequence of events; it is an epic narrative tapestry woven from themes of identity, memory, and ecological crisis. To experience "Final Fantasy VII in order" is to traverse a story that unfolds across multiple media, each layer deepening the mythos of its world and characters. This progression begins with the core game, expands through cinematic and digital sequels, and finds its origins in pivotal prequels, creating a comprehensive saga that has defined a genre.

I. The Core Cataclysm: Final Fantasy VII (1997)

The saga begins in the dystopian metropolis of Midgar. Players assume the role of Cloud Strife, a mercenary with a fractured past, who joins the eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE. Their initial goal is to sabotage the Shinra Electric Power Company, which is draining the planet's life force, the Lifestream. This opening act establishes the central conflict: the exploitation of nature by unchecked industrial might. The narrative swiftly escalates when Cloud's path crosses with Sephiroth, a legendary SOLDIER once believed dead. Sephiroth's return triggers a cataclysmic shift in the story's stakes. He seeks to become a god by wounding the planet with a devastating Meteor spell and absorbing the Lifestream as it gathers to heal the injury. Cloud's journey to stop him becomes a parallel journey of self-discovery, unraveling the truth behind his own manufactured memories and his connection to Sephiroth and the alien entity, Jenova. The game concludes with Sephiroth's defeat and Holy, the planet's defense mechanism, combining with the Lifestream to repel Meteor. This ending, while hopeful, is deliberately ambiguous about the ultimate fate of humanity and the main characters.

II. The Immediate Aftermath: Advent Children (2005)

Set two years after the original game, the CGI film "Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children" directly addresses the consequences of the core game's finale. The planet is healing, but a mysterious illness called Geostigma afflicts the population, a physical manifestation of the planet's residual trauma and Jenova's lingering cells. A physically and emotionally broken Cloud has withdrawn from his friends, burdened by guilt and loss. The film's narrative is driven by the appearance of the remnants of Sephiroth's will, who manipulate three powerful individuals to gather the essence of Geostigma and resurrect their "mother," Jenova, and by extension, Sephiroth himself. "Advent Children" serves as a crucial epilogue, providing closure to Cloud's character arc as he finally confronts his inner demons, accepts the support of his friends, and overcomes Sephiroth once and for all. It visually defines the post-Meteor world and solidifies the themes of moving forward from grief and finding redemption through community.

III. The Digital Interlude: Before Crisis & Dirge of Cerberus

Expanding the timeline are entries that explore different perspectives and time periods. "Before Crisis" (a Japan-only mobile game) focuses on the Turk operatives of Shinra a few years prior to the main game, offering a ground-level view of the company's operations and AVALANCHE's early days. More integral to the post-FFVII order is "Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII" (2006). This third-person shooter follows Vincent Valentine, a party member from the original game, one year after the events of "Advent Children." It delves into Vincent's tragic past as a former Turk and test subject for the sinister Deepground organization. The game reveals that Deepground, a secret military unit under Shinra, has survived and now threatens the world with a new calamity. "Dirge of Cerberus" expands the lore of Protomateria, Chaos, and the ultimate fate of the Omega WEAPON, tying up loose ends related to some of the planet's most ancient and destructive secrets.

IV. The Foundational Tragedy: Crisis Core (2007/2022)

The emotional heart of the entire saga is found in the prequel, "Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII." This action RPG details the events of seven years before the main game, primarily through the eyes of Zack Fair, an optimistic SOLDIER operative. Players witness the Nibelheim incident, the betrayal by Sephiroth, and the tragic experiments conducted by Professor Hojo. Most importantly, the game explores the profound bond between Zack and Cloud, revealing the true origin of Cloud's identity crisis and his iconic Buster Sword. Zack's motto, "Embrace your dreams," and his heroic last stand cement him as a legendary figure whose spirit directly influences Cloud's path. "Crisis Core" transforms Sephiroth from a mere symbol of evil into a tragic figure himself, a hero broken by the horrific truth of his origins. It provides indispensable context, making the core game's narrative infinitely more poignant.

V. The Pinnacle Prequel: Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020) and Rebirth (2024)

The "Final Fantasy VII Remake" project represents a monumental re-examination and expansion of the saga's order. While "Remake" covers the Midgar segment, it introduces a meta-narrative layer: entities known as Whispers, who are determined to keep fate on its original course. By defying them, Cloud and his allies seemingly break free from the predetermined timeline of the 1997 game. This sets the stage for "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth," which covers the quest for the Black Materia and the forgotten city, but with profound deviations. Characters like Zack Fair survive in an alternate timeline, and the entire journey is shadowed by the question of whether Sephiroth, now seemingly aware of future events, can be stopped at all. This new sequence does not erase the original but exists alongside it, asking players to re-evaluate everything they know about the story's order and its inevitable conclusion.

Conclusion: An Evolving Legacy

Experiencing "Final Fantasy VII in order" is therefore a multi-faceted endeavor. The chronological sequence of in-universe events begins with "Crisis Core," proceeds to the original "Final Fantasy VII," continues through "Advent Children," and concludes with "Dirge of Cerberus." Yet, the modern "Remake" series now challenges this very linearity, proposing a new, branching path. The saga's power lies in this very complexity. Each installment, whether prequel, sequel, or reinterpretation, enriches the whole, ensuring that the story of Cloud, Sephiroth, Aerith, and the planet itself remains a living, evolving narrative. To follow the order is to witness not just a story told, but a legend that continues to grow and redefine itself across generations.

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