Final Fantasy VII: 2D Remake, DEMO OUT! Options

[Vanit]

I'm sure most of you have seen my efforts occasionally posted around the various RM communities and since this forum seems to be the most active these days I've decided to make it my games new dev home. The main purpose of this thread is just to show people where I'm up to and hopefully get some encouraging feedback if people like what they see.

This remake is aiming to be as faithful as possible, and hopefully it should be impossible to tell its even made with rm2k3.

Feature List:

- Custom Menu System 99% similar to the original FF7
- Custom Battle System 99% similar to the original FF7 (including all mechanics, enemy AI, battle formulas, insane materia combos etc)
- Custom Text System (using the pic pointer patch I've devised my own system that uses the actual FF7 font and is capable of multiple windows etc as in the original FF7)
- Completely custom graphics (This won't just play like FF7, you'll recognise it all instantly in its 2D glory)
- Basically everything will have a custom system. Shops, mini games, chocobos etc. NOTHING will be cut, expect everything (in due time).
- Also for those wondering I've ripped the SFX and midi's from the pc version of FF7, so sound is completely authentic too (and not bad recorded quality either!)

Demo:

Release 1: "Proof of Concept" (8.5mb)

Screenshots:











Video:

A taste of the intro (the whole Midgar shot will be done once I get the bombing mission finished)


The battle system:


Also there's a few other vids in my youtube profile that you're welcome to go fishing for if you want to see a more detailed look at the cms/cbs.

This post has been edited by Vanit: May 30 2011, 08:54 AM

[Kread-EX]

To be honest, when I see "Final Fantasy" in a game title, especially followed by "VII", I tend to be scared of what I'll see... But here, I have to admit, I'm impressed. Very impressed. It really looks like FF VII, but with RM2k3.
You have some serious skill, there's no denying it.

Now that's out the way, I still can't understand the point of remaking a game when we can play the original easily, but it's your time and your work, you can do whatever you want, eh... Or maybe you're doing this for the sake of the challenge, and if that's the case, this is a challenge you can definitely win.

With your skill, I'm more curious about your original creations, though...

[Rukiri]

I love FF7 and this project looks incredible, however I do have some gripes mainly with the overworld stuff.
I can only imagine how many events are used with the menu and battle system alone and that can cause serious lag, I know there was like an anti-lag patch(which is slightly better than 4X 0.0 wait times)

I don't have to say anything about the graphical limitations with rm2k3 as I'm sure you're aware and there's always XP/VX if you ever get to the point where it's bothersom to your own game.

Very impressed so far(minus the sprites though.. if you're putting a lot of effort into the chipset/tiles I'd put a bit more effort into the sprites as you can barely tell who's who)

[Drkmttr2007]

There's been so many of these, but all of them have failed - either because they don't get finished or they r just not very good remakes. From what I've seen so far, this is looking pretty good.

If this is a remake, then u need to update and flesh out everything from the original ok? To bring up to date. The menu and the battle window r still the same, but there's nothing u can do about that, is there?

Keep up the good work

[Rob_Riv]

If this is a remake, then u need to update and flesh out everything from the original ok? To bring up to date. The menu and the battle window r still the same, but there's nothing u can do about that, is there?

Why does he need to update and flesh out everything from the original? and what does he need to update and flesh out and bring up to date?

[Drkmttr2007]

Why does he need to update and flesh out everything from the original? and what does he need to update and flesh out and bring up to date?

Well, that was 1997 when the original game came out and it's now 2011, so he needs to bring everything up to date, we r not in 1997 anymore. (For example, Fire2 into Fira) It'll be pointless, if it's going to be exactly the same wthout any updates and changes to the game.

U must of seen alot of remakes and they had alot of updates and changes to make it more up to date. Look at all the rest of the FF remakes, they r all still the same in gameplay, but everything else were brought up to date like items, magic etc. Do u know what I'm on about?

[Rob_Riv]

Why does he need to update and flesh out everything from the original? and what does he need to update and flesh out and bring up to date?

Well, that was 1997 when the original game came out and it's now 2011, so he needs to bring everything up to date, we r not in 1997 anymore. (For example, Fire2 into Fira) It'll be pointless, if it's going to be exactly the same wthout any updates and changes to the game.

Aside from changing Spell2 into Spell-ra and Spell3 into Spell-ga, I have no idea what you mean. In what other ways should he update and flesh out and bring it up to date?

U must of seen alot of remakes and they had alot of updates and changes to make it more up to date. Look at all the rest of the FF remakes, they r all still the same in gameplay, but everything else were brought up to date like items, magic etc. Do u know what I'm on about?

I've never seen a single remake, let alone one that has had "a lot of updates and changes to make it more up to date".

[Drkmttr2007]

Oh, forget it.

I've never seen a single remake, let alone one that has had "a lot of updates and changes to make it more up to date".

U've never ever played or seen a remake

Resident Evil (GC)
Final Fantasy I (PSP)
Final Fantasy II (PSP)
Final Fantasy III (DS)
Final Fnatasy IV (DS, PSP)
Golden Axe: Beast Rider (PS3)
Goldeneye 007 (Wii) etc.

All them games have been updated and they have a few changes to make it fresh and new ok? If u go play a game and then go play the remake of the same game, u'll know what I'm on about.

[Ceiling Cat]

I like this... Even your test monsters look like Square's, heh. As for the "update", probably meant to be "retranslate and finish" like Square did with FF1-6. FF7 was a beta at best due to its deadlines, many things were half-implemented and poorly translated.

Would you be interested in having the graphics look more 2D FF-alike and just better overall? As much as my free time is scarce due to my own game, I'd lend you my spriting skills. And other skills if you're lacking anywhere.

This post has been edited by Ceiling Cat: Mar 10 2011, 11:00 AM

[Fat Panda]

I think he meant a remake of FFVII.

[nichodo]

wow what an undertaking of an project. Now this will be an great RM2k3 remake of FF7 itself.

----------------------------------

Hope to see an demo out.

[Klokinator]

I am not a big FF fan, in fact I have only ever played Mystic Quest. As it happens though, my brother in law is a huge FF7 fan, and the quality this game displays is simply astounding. If it gets finished (If? More like "when") I'll be compiling it for him and giving it to him as a birthday present or something.

Also, I love how even the simple things, like the way the menu pops out and pops back in when you press the start button are animated and detailed. The little sounds you hear are also pretty faithful too. I couldn't stand the datedness of FF7's graphics, but I'll give this a try when it's finished. You might even convert me to a FF fan!

[Rob_Riv]

Oh, forget it.

I've never seen a single remake, let alone one that has had "a lot of updates and changes to make it more up to date".

Sorry, I thought we were talking about fangames. Nonetheless, you said he needs to update and flesh out the game, but the only point you mentioned was the new spell naming system.

This post has been edited by Rob_Riv: Mar 10 2011, 11:34 AM

[megalukes]

Hey hey, this is very impressive.

When I saw it I just thought it'd be another not so well made remake of FFVII. I'm not saying that because it's FFVII, to be honest, I've never seen a good remake in RPG Maker.

But it seems things are changing here. You project caught my attention. You are making all the graphics and programming by yourself?

I'm waiting for new updates here ^^
See ya \o

[Drkmttr2007]

Sorry, I thought we were talking about fangames. Nonetheless, you said he needs to update and flesh out the game, but the only point you mentioned was the new spell naming system.

No, we r talking about real remaked games and I'm not going to go into detail about it on the author's topic ok? If I can think of a new topic about this, then I'll post it.

EDIT: New topic posted about this remaking games, u'll find in the theory & design discussion.

This post has been edited by Drkmttr2007: Mar 10 2011, 12:44 PM

[darkhalo]

Looks superb, and the attention to detail is extraordinary. Hell I loved the original game, so goodluck with the
production, and hope this finishes up a completed game. The menu system looks awesome too.

[Ceiling Cat]

I forgot to mention.. Expecting a C&D from Square soon?

[Knot]

Wow, I have to agree with everyone else and say that this looks really awesome but I also have to agree with Ceiling Cat. Square Enix is notorious for their C&Ds against profitless fan projects, and they usually end up waiting until the last minute after you've put all the work in. As amazing as this looks I would seriously be considering whether you're willing to risk all your work being for naught. I any case I'm not sure any game you make will be seriously amazing.

This post has been edited by Knot: Mar 10 2011, 01:29 PM

[Vanit]

Thanks for your encouraging replies everyone! To answer a few questions/comments:

@Rukira: Lag in rm2k3 is usually the fault of the code, solved by the separation of code by graphics rendering and calculation. The menu is a little slow at times, but only where I've tried to do things that are a little ambitious (like the bubble sort for the materia which has a wait time of a few seconds when you've maxed out the materia). However, I've specifically designed the battle system such that there's no slow down at all. Basically every module is independent in a parallel event and they poll and wait for eachother with semaphores, and I created my own wait for user input code that allows menus to auto-update themselves or self terminate (like if the menu detects the user is dead or incapacitated, or if selection target dies it'll automatically retarget a new enemy, etc). I think if I showed you my code it'd look quite alien to you.

@Drtmttr2007: I can see where you're coming from, but part of the appeal to this is the nostalgia factor and for that reason I won't be changing anything from the original. Ideally I want someone to be able to finish my remake by following a walkthrough from the original.

@CeilingCat: I didn't think anyone would notice the test monsters were the same as Square's! I won't be changing the script though, there will still be the famous "this guy are sick" etc.

@megalukes: All graphics and programming have been done by myself.

@Knot: I'm trying to keep this as low profile as possible for that reason. Ideally I want to put it out there out of the blue like the FF7 nes remake did, when it was too late for Square to do anything about it. Also in both cases of CnD's its been a bit unclear why they were stopped. The 3D Chrono Trigger remake would've competed directly anything they had planned for CT, and the new Chrono Trigger snes game someone was making was a hack of the original rom, so they were stealing Square's code basically. This may be non-threatening enough and non-competitive enough that it goes unnoticed, we'll see.

This post has been edited by Vanit: Mar 10 2011, 01:35 PM

[Ceiling Cat]

You should totally use this as the test battle BG.
Finally, rm2k3 in the hands of another good coder. Judging by the variables, your system resembles mine a bit. You should use pointers a bit more perhaps, if you aren't.
What about the graphics, would you accept some help? Here's a sample... No need to explain what it depicts. It's rather sketchy. If you like the style, ask and I'll make something better.