A question for fans who played the PS1 original and also played this Steam version...

[osricen]

Hey guys, I have the chance to get this game with the current discount, but I also can get the PS1 version for a couple more bucks. What is the best, most polished and natural, way to play FFVII?

In the case of Metal Gear Solid (1998), for instance, I remember playing the PC version to be massively disappointed because the game was "very" designed to be played on PS1 (exclusive features like Psycho Mantis reading your memory card, controller vibration, some graphics issues on PC despite higher resolutions, FMVs playing awful on PC, even the memorable disc change scene was obviously gone...)

So, what do you think? Steam version or PS1? Thank you in advance!

[Electric Cupcake]

The only reason to get this version is if you want to mod it. The Square Enix online account and cloud save servers are broken as often as not.

[Pure Mind Games]

Steam is the better version, even unmodded it still looks better than the PS version.

[Electric Cupcake]

Originally posted by Pure Mind Games:

Steam is the better version, even unmodded it still looks better than the PS version.

The O-faces are particularly funny, I'll admit.

[ryu600RR]

definitely steam, PS1 graphics is very pixelated even a google search will show you, PC was pre-rendered so the polygons appear more crisp

mods and such are just more ways to play the game, but pc ver. raw is easily the best and most accessible

if u could even find a PS1 ver. it depends on what ver. u get, coz not every ver. had the weapons fight

[drae_perin]

The current PC version has a variety of bug fixes as well, like the bug in the original release that prevents Magic Defense from ever being used. Now armor can actually protect you from magic damage.

[Pure Mind Games]

Originally posted by ryu600RR:

if u could even find a PS1 ver. it depends on what ver. u get, coz not every ver. had the weapons fight

Only the original Japanese version.

[Daenoxiis]

I've played both repeatedly.

The major differences are:

PSX has an MP3 soundtrack.
PC has a MIDI soundtrack.
--MOST of the soundtrack is written in MIDI anyhow, and the MP3 difference is really only in the last boss fight, that's pretty much it.

PSX version has many typos that have mostly been fixed in the PC Steam version.

PSX version has a glitch with Magic Defense stats in the armor.
This is fixed to work correctly on the PC Steam version.

I would go for the Steam version.
Mostly because of the gameplay difference with the fixes.
As for One-Winged Angel being in MIDI as opposed to MP3, you can literally just youtube the song and get the MP3 version, it's really not that big of a deal. Plus it's incredibly popular and well known so it's not like it's hard to find.

[osricen]

Thank you all for your advice! You helped me clear my mind for the decision. :-)

[Snuptik]

Originally posted by Pure Mind Games:

Steam is the better version, even unmodded it still looks better than the PS version.

nope chocobo racing is bugged with items u should get and pc port isnt best. so if someone wanna play with mod pc is best, if someone just wanna play the game, console is fine.

[sere]

PSX version is the better playthrough unless you want to mod or cheat with QOL. By default the PSX will have the superior soundtrack and higher quality fmv playback. Audio in the PC version is compressed with painfully audible artifacting not present in the PSX version.

Originally posted by ryu600RR:

PC was pre-rendered so the polygons appear more crisp

Both versions used the same pre-rendered backgrounds. The PC version could display at a higher resolution, is that what you mean?

Originally posted by Daenoxiis:

I've played both repeatedly.

The major differences are:

PSX has an MP3 soundtrack.
PC has a MIDI soundtrack.
--MOST of the soundtrack is written in MIDI anyhow, and the MP3 difference is really only in the last boss fight, that's pretty much it.

PSX did not use an MP3 soundtrack! That's absurd!! The PC MIDI soundtrack mileage will vary greatly depending on soundfonts or if any old hardware MIDI devices are present, mainly the higher end yamaha devices with extended channels that FF7 surprisingly took advantage of. In terms of FF7's music, the yamaha hardware MIDI devices are the only audio playback options that can surpass the quality of the PSX SPU (in my opinion).

[Daenoxiis]

Originally posted by *OCB* sere:

PSX did not use an MP3 soundtrack! That's absurd!! The PC MIDI soundtrack mileage will vary greatly depending on soundfonts or if any old hardware MIDI devices are present, mainly the higher end yamaha devices with extended channels that FF7 surprisingly took advantage of. In terms of FF7's music, the yamaha hardware MIDI devices are the only audio playback options that can surpass the quality of the PSX SPU (in my opinion).

Okay, well then maybe I was wrong.
The musician in me of 17 years isn't going to debate the technical differences between MIDI and MP3 for something 25 years old.
That's the "analog or digital?" debate, and the "440 or 432?" debate.
It's really not that important of a difference, the gameplay I think is the important difference.
If it was recent, modern gaming, okay then yes, I'd entertain that, but not for something that's 25 years old, man. lol.

[Cerocivr]

Get the steam one if you want more convenience and don't wanna give yourself a stroke on the few timed sections.

Get the PS1 version if you want the fully original feel. Gonna be a bit slower though most likely, and ♥♥♥♥ like the Rufus march and other timed events are damn near impossible on a modern TV due to frame delays

[NBOX21]

Originally posted by Tyrrazhii:

Get the steam one if you want more convenience and don't wanna give yourself a stroke on the few timed sections.

Get the PS1 version if you want the fully original feel. Gonna be a bit slower though most likely, and ♥♥♥♥ like the Rufus march and other timed events are damn near impossible on a modern TV due to frame delays

The PS1 version is only a little slower if you're playing the PAL version (like me) due to the poor 50hz conversion jobs from Square back in the day. On the bright side, it does make those timing mini-games much more doable on modern displays (which was a godsend for FF9's sword play duel) due to the slower speed allowing more reaction time.

[Cerocivr]

Originally posted by NBOX21:

Originally posted by Tyrrazhii:

Get the steam one if you want more convenience and don't wanna give yourself a stroke on the few timed sections.

Get the PS1 version if you want the fully original feel. Gonna be a bit slower though most likely, and ♥♥♥♥ like the Rufus march and other timed events are damn near impossible on a modern TV due to frame delays

The PS1 version is only a little slower if you're playing the PAL version (like me) due to the poor 50hz conversion jobs from Square back in the day. On the bright side, it does make those timing mini-games much more doable on modern displays (which was a godsend for FF9's sword play duel) due to the slower speed allowing more reaction time.

Doesn't matter the region, the timing will be off for the PS1 version if you are playing it on a modern TV rather than a CRT it was originally played on. That sorta thing is why say, the NES games seem even more ungodly hard than people remember, there's slight delays.