Final Fantasy VII PS1

Long recognised as role-playing games par excellence, the Final Fantasy series gets a technological makeover in this instalment. Shedding the two-dimensional graphics and limited sound capabilities of its predecessors, Final Fantasy VII features lush 3-D graphics, beautifully animated "movie" sequences, and soundtrack-quality music. Coupled with the game's intricate storyline, endearing characters, and an immense yet highly imaginative world, these new advancements make for a quite an engrossing experience.

The story of Final Fantasy VII centres around a solider named Cloud Strife, who joins forces with Avalanche, a group of resistance fighters, to take down an evil mega-corporation known as Shinra. (The fate of the world hangs in the balance, of course.) Truly epic in scope, this three-disc game requires a considerable amount of time to complete---this reviewer gladly gave up over 80 hours of his life to finish it. But it's definitely a rewarding adventure that every gamer should consider undertaking, especially since it's now one of the low-priced "Greatest Hits" titles. --Joe Hon, Amazon.com

Pros:

• Intricate and absorbing storyline with endearing characters
• Immense and highly imaginative game world
• Special battle system
• Beautifully animated movie sequences

Cons:

• Your friends and family may feel neglected