**The Concerning Launch of Final Fantasy VII on Steam: A Mixed Response**
On February 24, Square Enix made a new release of its legendary 1997 RPG, *Final Fantasy VII*, on Steam, but it quickly encountered widespread criticism from both fans and reviewers. With an “Overwhelmingly Negative” rating and only 36 percent positive reviews from over 300 users, the launch has not met expectations. This sharply contrasts with the earlier Steam version, referred to as the “2013 Edition,” which boasted a notable “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating of 92 percent. However, the anticipation for the new launch was overshadowed by Square Enix’s choice to remove the much-praised 2013 Edition, leaving fans without a way to revert to the previous version.
**User Dissatisfaction and Technical Problems**
The multitude of user feedback reveals a concerning scenario for the new release, as players highlight various technical glitches. Some of the most common issues include:
– **Stuttering Sound Effects**: Users have noted interruptions in audio that disrupt the gaming experience.
– **Mandatory Launcher**: The new version comes with a launcher that continues to accept input even when the game is in fullscreen mode, creating frustration.
– **Unreliable Resolution Settings**: Many have pointed out that the resolution settings fail to adjust the game’s display resolution, impairing performance.
– **Absence of Visual Filters**: The lack of optional filters has been a major grievance, with visuals characterized as “blurry.” The 2013 Edition had linear filtering and an “Original Graphics” mode, making this absence even more disappointing.
One of the most shocking discoveries was that the initial Steam depot for *Final Fantasy VII* was empty—a significant oversight that fueled outrage. Users found it contained 0 kilobytes, indicating that the developers had neglected to upload the actual game content, leading to complaints about the overall negligence of the launch.
**Community Feedback**
Community sentiment has mirrored dissatisfaction, as users express their disappointment across various platforms, including Steam and X (formerly Twitter). One user expressed frustration, stating, “You had what… 13 years? 13 YEARS and all the funds available, just to add 4 features, controller support, bilinear filtering, and steam cloud save files,” highlighting the lengthy wait versus the minimal meaningful upgrades. Another cautioned, “This version is a disaster, steer clear of it.”
**Some Advancements Amidst the Turmoil**
Despite the flood of critiques, not all feedback has been negative. The new version has increased the frame rate from the original 15 FPS to 30 FPS. While this alteration could enhance gameplay fluidity, it has inadvertently caused animations and cutscenes to run at double speed, resulting in additional complaints about rushed sequences. The swift acknowledgment of this issue has left some optimistic for upcoming patches that may resolve other widespread problems.
In conclusion, the recent re-launch of *Final Fantasy VII* has become a polarizing topic within the gaming community, tainted by technical shortcomings and a feeling of missed chances on Square Enix’s part. With fans eagerly anticipating fixes and enhancements, only time will tell if this classic can bounce back from its troubled reappearance in the digital realm.
