Final Fantasy VII Mechanics That Still Feel Surprisingly Modern Even Today

Final Fantasy VII is often hailed not only as the best in the Final Fantasy series but also as the pioneer that opened the door for the JRPG genre to reach international audiences. Not only that, it elevated the visual production of games, showing that the video game medium was a powerful tool for storytelling.

However, Final Fantasy VII doesn’t live on narrative, graphics, a memorable soundtrack, and charismatic villains alone. The game also refined all the systems the series had been building since its early days, bringing mechanics so timeless that they still feel modern.

Granted, some of the mechanics mentioned here may feel like a stretch, but if you play modern JRPGs, you might feel that many of them have become so streamlined that they remove player agency, even embedding narrative linearity into gameplay. I can see countless mechanics from Final Fantasy VII, or at least their essence, that could easily be reused in contemporary JRPGs to make them even better.

8 Active Time Battle

The Best Turn-Based Style

Nowadays, many turn-based JRPGs try to innovate their battle systems by introducing different gimmicks. Some rely on timed inputs, others focus on mixing progression and combat, and some use elemental skills to add a strategic layer to every turn.

Yet amidst all this, there’s still an elegance to the Active Time Battle featured in earlier Final Fantasy games that makes every combat a joy, while still relying on player input and decisiveness. It’s a simple system, but it just works. A gauge dictates which character will act, and once it’s filled, it’s time to move. You can turn combat into a more traditional turn-based experience by playing in Wait mode, or keep it Active and risk getting hit while browsing through menus.

Square tries to adapt the Active Time Battle, or at least the name, into different systems, and while its presence in Final Fantasy VII Remake makes that battle system one of my favorite action RPGs ever, I would go completely crazy if Square brought back the traditional ATB in a new Final Fantasy.

7 Dynamic Limit Breaks

To Each Their Own

One way each party member felt different was through their Limit Breaks. It was essentially why, if I just wanted to bulldoze through the endgame, I would use characters like Cloud, Barret, and Cid, since their Level 4 Limits hit multiple times. Or, if I were feeling mischievous, Cait Sith with Slots.

Speaking of Slots, what made things even more fun was how some Limit Breaks slightly changed how you interacted with battle, especially Tifa’s, Cait Sith’s, and somewhat Vincent’s. Tifa and Cait used a slots mechanic, and depending on your timing and a bit of luck, they could completely change the outcome of a fight. Landing Greats with Tifa turns her into a powerhouse, while Cait’s Game Over is exactly what it sounds like.

Vincent, on the other hand, transforms into a monster mid-battle, and while incredibly strong, you lose control over him. It could backfire badly, but in some cases, he could wipe out enemies on his own. In the end, it was a welcome dynamic that made encounters more engaging.

Save the Date

Nowadays, it’s common to see JRPGs featuring affinity systems with NPCs, like Persona or Metaphor with their Social Links and Bonds, or other games refining that feature. But some games, like Final Fantasy VII, approached this mechanic more subtly.

Early in the game, you’re presented with choices that seem harmless at first. Do you give the flower to Tifa or Marlene? Do you complain about Barret’s snoring? Do you show concern for others, or act like an even colder-hearted Cloud? All these decisions affect hidden affinity levels with Aerith, Tifa, Barret, and Yuffie.

In the end, all it changes is who goes on a date with you at the Gold Saucer, which doesn’t impact the game in any major way, but it’s still a fascinating detail. I feel like many modern games could learn from this, adding small touches that players only discover over time. And if you’re wondering, Barret is obviously the correct choice.

5 Overworld Expansion

Hidden Secrets Everywhere

There used to be a certain mystique when exploring overworlds in older JRPGs. It felt like at any turn or new location, I could stumble upon a hidden area, new equipment, or even powerful enemies that would wipe me out in seconds. It was glorious.

Final Fantasy VII not only features a fantastic and sprawling overworld, but it also expands gradually as you acquire new means of transportation. First, you get a chocobo and later the buggy, which doesn’t expand exploration too much but gives you a taste of it. Then comes the Tiny Bronco, allowing you to visit an entire optional continent and Wutai.

After that, you gain access to the submarine and eventually the Highwind, letting you explore almost every location in the world. I say almost because the only way to uncover the deepest secrets is through the Gold Chocobo, obtained after a very demanding breeding process. But it’s always worth it.

4 Chocobo Breeding

Becoming a Master Breeder

Since we’re talking about the Gold Chocobo, it’s only fair to mention chocobo breeding, a mechanic that, honestly, I only understood because I had a walkthrough magazine back then explaining everything, from chocobo ranks to the right greens and nuts for breeding. The first time I played, I didn’t even know I needed to equip the Chocobo Lure Materia and got destroyed by Midgar Zolom more times than I’d like to admit.

Still, despite being complex, it’s a really cool system. Chocobo breeding is completely optional, but those who dedicate themselves - capturing strong chocobos, racing them, increasing their rank, and finally breeding higher-tier ones - will find it both enjoyable and rewarding.

It’s the kind of mechanic that enhances the JRPG experience by offering extra depth for dedicated players without getting in the way of those who don’t want to engage with it. And for those who do, there will be twelve new colleagues waiting for you.

3 Fort Condor

Minigame as a Narrative Device

I know what you’re thinking: “Fort Condor? It sucked and doesn’t feel modern at all.” And yeah, I get it. The execution was clunky, even back then.

But the real merit lies in how it works as a narrative device. Instead of the game just telling us about events through dialogue or background exposition, we actively participate in them. It helps build the world while also breaking the pacing a bit.

Shinra is constantly trying to siege the fort to reach the mako reactor, and during one of these attempts, we step in to help a group of inexperienced fighters repel the army. While it just feels like a minigame with rewards, it presents itself as something more intimate, especially when the main story requires our participation. Plus, the satisfaction of beating Shinra is indescribable.

2 Materia System

Customization Galore

For me, one feature that can make or break a JRPG is its progression system. I don’t mind simple turn-based combat as long as character growth, builds, customization, and progression systems make every action feel strategic and meaningful.

The Materia system in Final Fantasy VII does exactly that. On the surface, characters may seem somewhat similar, with differences mainly in stats, weapons, and Limit Breaks. But once you start equipping Materia and shaping each party member however you want, the entire game changes.

Materia doesn’t just affect stats; it defines actions. You can turn a physical attacker into a mage, a support unit, or something completely different. It allows for incredible flexibility and creativity, letting you tailor your party however you like.

1 Enemy Skill

Learning Through Adversity

Among all Materia, one stands out the most for me: Enemy Skill. This Materia expands the scope of combat tremendously, turning any character into a versatile powerhouse, support, or healer. It’s also a favorite among speedrunners.

As the name suggests, Enemy Skill lets you use abilities from enemies. But first, you need to learn them by getting hit with those skills. Many of these abilities are buffs, which enemies don’t usually cast on your party, so you often need to use the Manipulate Materia to force them to target you.

Countless skills drastically enhance combat strategy. Big Guard and White Wind are among my favorite support abilities, while Aqualung and Beta are powerful AoE spells that can completely turn the tide of battle once learned.