Board 8 > Best/Worst #29 - Final Fantasy VII - Non-Playable Character

(+) Yeah! (+)

Welcome to the 29th episode of Best & Worst... stuff.

Today we have Final Fantasy VII on Sony PlayStation.

Which character did you most enjoy interacting with?
And who was your least favourite?

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*** No Sephiroth ***

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Voting Form:
Best:
Worst:

Final Fantasy VII NPC's
(Include, but certainly not limited too...)
<from left to right, top to bottom>
Professor Hojo
Mayor Domino
Reno
President Shinra
Rufus
Reeve
Rude
Tseng
Elena
Palmer
Heidegger
Scarlet
Choco Billy
Johnny
Zack Fair
Biggs
Wedge
Jessie
Dyne
Dio
Priscilla
Shera
Bugenhagen
Ester
Mr. Coates
Mr. Holzoff
Mukki
Don Corneo
Elmyra Gainsborough
Marlene Wallace


Previous Results ( Best | Worst ):

Golden Axe Character: Dwarf | Barbarian
Gears of War 2 Weapon: Torque Bow | Hammerburst
Dark Souls Boss: Artorias | Bed of Chaos
Kirby Super Star Game Mode: Revenge of Meta-Knight | Gourmet Race
Final Fantasy IX Character: Vivi | Amarant
Super Mario Kart Racer: Koopa Troopa | Donkey Kong Jr.
Jackbox Game (Pack 1 - 4): Trivia Murder Party | Monster Seeking Monster
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Course: Canada | Foundry
Kirby Copy Ability: UFO | Sleep
Final Fantasy XIII Character: Vanille | Hope
Cuphead Boss: Werner Werman | Rumor Honeybottoms
Twisted Metal 2 Car: Axel | Spectre, Grasshopper
Jet Force Gemini Level: Eschebone | Cerulean
Final Fantasy X Character: Tidus | Kimahri
Ocarina of Time Dungeon: Forest Temple | Jabu-Jabu's Belly
Wii Sports Sport: Bowling | Boxing
Daytona USA Track: Expert | Beginner
Mario Party 4 Minigame (4p): Booksquirm | Mario Speedwagon
Kid Chameleon Helmet: Maniaxe | Eyeclops
StarCraft Species: Protoss | Zerg
Super Metroid Boss: Ridley (2) | Spore Spawn
Mario Kart Double Dash Track: Baby Park | Luigi Circuit, Dry Dry Desert
Bart's Nightmare Level: Bartman | Temple of Maggie
Link to the Past Boss: Helmasaur King | Moldorm
Super Punch-Out Opponent: Gabby Jay, Masked Muscle | Aran Ryan
California Games Event: Foot Bag | Surfing
Street Fighter II Stage: Boxer | Dictator
Doom II Weapon: Super Shotgun | Fists

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Golden Axe Results

Gilius Thunderhead: 12 - 2
Tyris Flare: 6 - 2
Ax Battler: 0 - 13

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Very decisive results.
The barbarian with zero votes. Wow!
Too bad if you had the Sega Master System version, i.e.... Me!
Because he is the only character you can play as.


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Bonus Discussion Questions

Q1. Where do you rank this game out of all the Final Fantasy games?
Q2. When was the last time you played this game?
Q3. When you play this game, do you go out of your way to obtain Yuffie and/or Vincent?
Q4. Chocobo breeding... did you get into it? Or just dismiss it?
Q5. When you play this game, do you make a mad dash across the Marsh? Or do you go to the Chocobo Ranch?
Q6. When you play this game, do you actively attempt to get a date with a certain character on the Golden Saucer?
Q7. Do you say Aeris or Aerith?

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Best: Rufus
Worst: Shera

Best: Seph- ...uh

Best: Jessie
Worst: Mukki

Q2. When was the last time you played this game?
I know a bit about the game but I've never been able to play it, oops

Q7. Do you say Aeris or Aerith?
Usually whichever I feel like at the time, unless someone actually gets heated about it then I just say the opposite of them


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Best: Rufus
Worst: Scarlet

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Best: Bugenhagen (I love his story telling. And his upbeat, optimistic "Ho! Ho! Ho!'s" as we go through the Cave of the Gi with Red XIII).
Worst: Ester (I don't know why, but this prissy girl before the Chocobo Race after getting out of Corel Prison really irritates me!)
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Q1. Where do you rank this game out of all the Final Fantasy games? 1st. And it's my 2nd favourite game of all time.
Q2. When was the last time you played this game? Maybe 2 weeks ago? I just loaded up the last save file and beat Sephiroth for the hell of it.
Q3. When you play this game, do you go out of your way to obtain Yuffie and/or Vincent? Definitely Yuffie. I always use her in my party until end game. Vincent, I don't care for at all. But sometimes I'll grab him anyway.
Q4. Chocobo breeding... did you get into it? Or just dismiss it? Never got into it... =(
Q5. When you play this game, do you make a mad dash across the Marsh? Or do you go to the Chocobo Ranch? Mad dash every time. I have no patience for the chocobo part anymore. It's such a great time saver. And satisfying.
Q6. When you play this game, do you actively attempt to get a date with a certain character on the Golden Saucer? Just as a challenge I usually go for Yuffie. Rarely Barrett. Never Aeris. Default without trying would always be Tifa.
Q7. Do you say Aeris or Aerith? Aeris... but the tide has turned since FF7:R... Now... I dunno.. People here in Japan still say "Air-ree-su", so I stick with that to make it easier for everyone.


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Best: Zack if we include other media, Reno in FF7 itself
Worst: Don Corneo

Q1. Where do you rank this game out of all the Final Fantasy games?
5th or 6th

Q2. When was the last time you played this game?
Did a plat run two years ago

Q3. When you play this game, do you go out of your way to obtain Yuffie and/or Vincent?
Sometimes, but I don't use them much

Q4. Chocobo breeding... did you get into it? Or just dismiss it?
I don't remember this existing at all so no!

Q5. When you play this game, do you make a mad dash across the Marsh? Or do you go to the Chocobo Ranch?
Chocobo probably

Q6. When you play this game, do you actively attempt to get a date with a certain character on the Golden Saucer?
Only for the trophy with Barret, otherwise no

Q7. Do you say Aeris or Aerith?
Aeris

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Best - Bugenhagen
Worst - Shera

Q1. Around the middle
Q2. A few years ago
Q3. Yes
Q4. Only as much as I had to for certain stuff in the game.
Q5. Probably Ranch, but dont really remember
Q6. Yuffie
Q7. Aerith

Best - Reno based on VII, if Remake counts change this to Jessie
Worst - Ester

Q1 - Number 2, only behind X
Q2 - It's been way too long. Unless Remake counts, that was last year
Q3 - Yes
Q4 - I do it, but I hate it with a burning passion
Q5 - I head through the marsh, kill Zolomy along the way and grab my early Beta access
Q6 - No. I don't believe ever not gotten Aerith and she's my favorite regardless
Q7 - Aeris

Best: Rufus
Worse: Ester I guess

Q1. Where do you rank this game out of all the Final Fantasy games? Tha GOAT
Q2. When was the last time you played this game? 16 years ago (I 100%ed it, more or less, so never went back and messed with perfection)
Q3. When you play this game, do you go out of your way to obtain Yuffie and/or Vincent? of course
Q4. Chocobo breeding... did you get into it? Or just dismiss it? how else would I get KOTOR?
Q5. When you play this game, do you make a mad dash across the Marsh? Or do you go to the Chocobo Ranch? ranch is canon
Q6. When you play this game, do you actively attempt to get a date with a certain character on the Golden Saucer? Only Red XIII
Q7. Do you say Aeris or Aerith? Aeris forever

Voting Form:
Best: Zack Fair
Worst: Priscilla

Bonus Discussion Questions

Q1. Where do you rank this game out of all the Final Fantasy games? Probably fifth
Q2. When was the last time you played this game? About 2 years ago
Q3. When you play this game, do you go out of your way to obtain Yuffie and/or Vincent? Yes, usually
Q4. Chocobo breeding... did you get into it? Or just dismiss it? I typically do it
Q5. When you play this game, do you make a mad dash across the Marsh? Or do you go to the Chocobo Ranch? I've tried a couple of times, I usually find it more hassle than it's worth
Q6. When you play this game, do you actively attempt to get a date with a certain character on the Golden Saucer? No, not really. I end up usually getting Tifa
Q7. Do you say Aeris or Aerith? I used to say Aeris as that is what she was called, at least in the PAL version of the original. However the Remake tipped the scales to Aerith

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Best Tseng
Worst Rufus

Q1. Where do you rank this game out of all the Final Fantasy games?
- Favourite

Q2. When was the last time you played this game?
- I literally started a playthrough a few days ago.

Q3. When you play this game, do you go out of your way to obtain Yuffie and/or Vincent?
- Yes although I tend never to use Vincent. Tiffin gets some usage after end of disc 1.

Q4. Chocobo breeding... did you get into it? Or just dismiss it?
- Yes I usually do at least a bit of if not go for a golden most of time

Q5. When you play this game, do you make a mad dash across the Marsh? Or do you go to the Chocobo Ranch?
- Have done both.

Q6. When you play this game, do you actively attempt to get a date with a certain character on the Golden Saucer?
- Yes usually Aerith. Tho I have gotten them all at some point (Barret lol for the trophy on ps4)

Q7. Do you say Aeris or Aerith?
-Aerith

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Best: Reno, though that could be some of the supplementary material.
Worst: Don Corneo. All of his "humor" is uncomfortable and from Tifa/Aeris/Cloud threatening castration.

A1: It's overrated to hell and back, but its still on the higher end rather than the lower end of my scale. Definitely better than the Famicom era, 4, 6, 8, 13, and 15, but beyond that the waters are muddied.
A2: At least six years ago, since it was before my move.
A3: I did, yes.
A4: I mostly went through this game when GameFAQs itself was new and parsing through a bunch of old FAQs, so yes.
A5: Dashed across marsh, got bopped by the snake, went to the ranch instead afterwards.
A6: I have no time for dating, the arcade is my life now. (No.)
A7: Aerith, now. But it's interchangeable. Mostly Aeris if I'm talking the early days of it.

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Best: Jessie
Worst: Priscilla and her shit mini game


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Best: Rufus Shinra
Worst: Elena

Q1. Where do you rank this game out of all the Final Fantasy games? In the top few. Behind X and Tactics. I'd have to think about it vs VI or IVDS but def top 5.
Q2. When was the last time you played this game? Mid 00s.
Q3. When you play this game, do you go out of your way to obtain Yuffie and/or Vincent? Of course. Yuffie is my favorite and Vincent well, he's got a fun gimmick so gets used sometimes.
Q4. Chocobo breeding... did you get into it? Or just dismiss it? I did actually get the gold chocobo once-- not sure I'd do it again but breeding the first few I probably would.
Q5. When you play this game, do you make a mad dash across the Marsh? Or do you go to the Chocobo Ranch? Run usually.
Q6. When you play this game, do you actively attempt to get a date with a certain character on the Golden Saucer? I've gotten all of them once which is enough for me-- further playthroughs I'd just do normal responses which would likely get Tifa.
Q7. Do you say Aeris or Aerith? Aeris. Aerith sounds dumb. Hot take but I think Aeris was the intent and localization got it wrong due to Sephiroth (same kana iirc but Seph is clearly a roth) and now we've got Aerith as canon due to wanting everything to be consistent.

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Oh god, this one's not multiple choice. Um, um, think...

Best: Jessie for FF7R, nobody stands out in my mind for vanilla so maybe I just stick with Jessie then
Worst: Outside of Sephiroth, none of the villainous types are likeable in any capacity. I'm going to go with Hojo, but really any of them are a viable choice here.

Q1. Decent, but overrated. It was a Very Important game for the industry, but FF8 was so much better at using the hardware from a technical perspective. I didn't love the story enough for that to trump.
Q2. I tried the remaster at a friend's place about 2 months ago.
Q3. Of course. Who leaves people behind in an RPG?
Q4. No.
Q5. I am a completionist where not dragging myself down with stupid time-consuming tasks are concerned, (which isn't a true completionist, obv,) so yes, I stop.
Q6. I don't know about actively try, but I prefer Tifa to Aeristh. And yeah, I know Barret's an option.
Q7. Aeris. Always.

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Best: Zack
Worst: Domino

Bonus Discussion Questions

Q1. Where do you rank this game out of all the Final Fantasy games?
FF7 is my favourite game of all time.

Q2. When was the last time you played this game?
2019 I think? I was doing a play through of all the PS4 FFs again.

Q3. When you play this game, do you go out of your way to obtain Yuffie and/or Vincent?
I make sure I get them even though I think Yuffie is the worst character.

Q4. Chocobo breeding... did you get into it? Or just dismiss it?
Depends what kind of play through im doing. If I'm going for a complete run then yes Ill breed all the coloured chocobos but otherwise Ill just skip them. Ive never been into Chocobo racing much though other than for breeding and the battle arena points.

Q5. When you play this game, do you make a mad dash across the Marsh? Or do you go to the Chocobo Ranch?
Ranch usually unless Im over-levelled. I have a habit of power farming sometimes.

Q6. When you play this game, do you actively attempt to get a date with a certain character on the Golden Saucer?
Usually Tifa unless its for achievements.

Q7. Do you say Aeris or Aerith?
Aerith. Who I hated in the original and warmed to much more after CC. Tifa was always my favourite and I much prefer Aerith and Zack as a pairing.

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Best: Rufus
Worst: Don Corneo

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Best: Rufus (Zack if Crisis Core counts.)
Worst: Priscilla

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Best: Jessie
Worst: Mr. Coates
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Q1. Where do you rank this game out of all the Final Fantasy games?
Either 1st or 2nd, depending on my mood.

Q2. When was the last time you played this game?
Last year, along with Remake.

Q3. When you play this game, do you go out of your way to obtain Yuffie and/or Vincent?
Yes. I like having the complete cast for group interactions.

Q4. Chocobo breeding... did you get into it? Or just dismiss it?
I gave it a try but I really didnt enjoy it.

Q5. When you play this game, do you make a mad dash across the Marsh? Or do you go to the Chocobo Ranch?
I usually go to the Ranch. Ive done it the crazy way before though.

Q6. When you play this game, do you actively attempt to get a date with a certain character on the Golden Saucer?
No, except for getting the Barret date achievement on PS4.

Q7. Do you say Aeris or Aerith?
Aeris. I realize it isnt technically correct, but thats what Im used to.
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too many people ranking based off remake here, tbh...

Best: Bugenhagen (struggling to not choose Dyne)
Worst: Ester

Q1. Where do you rank this game out of all the Final Fantasy games?
The best

Q2. When was the last time you played this game?
Oh, hmm.... I am pretty sure I played it some time this year, it gets an annual playthrough. I think in June.

Q3. When you play this game, do you go out of your way to obtain Yuffie and/or Vincent?
Depends what kind of run I'm doing but typically, yes

Q4. Chocobo breeding... did you get into it? Or just dismiss it?
Also depends on the kind of run but if I'm doing any I usually go full 100%, yeah

Q5. When you play this game, do you make a mad dash across the Marsh? Or do you go to the Chocobo Ranch?
Dash, or the foolproof non-dash method I picked up from watching speedruns... I gotta have my 2000 gil!

Q6. When you play this game, do you actively attempt to get a date with a certain character on the Golden Saucer?
Not usually, no

Q7. Do you say Aeris or Aerith?
I find myself defaulting to Aerith more than not nowadays... even if I think Aeris is better but that could just be preset bias coming into play

Best: Reno
Worst: Mukki

Q1. Where do you rank this game out of all the Final Fantasy games?
#1!

Q2. When was the last time you played this game?
Six months ago!

Q3. When you play this game, do you go out of your way to obtain Yuffie and/or Vincent?
Are you kiddin' me? Absolutely!

Q4. Chocobo breeding... did you get into it? Or just dismiss it?
I do it every time!

Q5. When you play this game, do you make a mad dash across the Marsh? Or do you go to the Chocobo Ranch?
I level up until I can beat Ol' Zolomy and get Beta!

Q6. When you play this game, do you actively attempt to get a date with a certain character on the Golden Saucer?
Yep! Usually Aerith.

Q7. Do you say Aeris or Aerith?
Aerith!
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Best: Jessie
Worst: Hojo (wasn't he trying to breed Aeris and Red XIII?)

Its Aeris! I don't have a lisp.

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best: Rude
worst: Joe

i think if you guys really thought about it, you would all agree that the worst character is, in fact, Joe

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Up!

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Best: Reno
Worst: Marlene

Q1. Where do you rank this game out of all the Final Fantasy games? - If we go by mainline games, fourth or fifth.
Q2. When was the last time you played this game? - More than 8 years ago.
Q3. When you play this game, do you go out of your way to obtain Yuffie and/or Vincent? - Always.
Q4. Chocobo breeding... did you get into it? Or just dismiss it? - I do some, but not much.
Q5. When you play this game, do you make a mad dash across the Marsh? Or do you go to the Chocobo Ranch? - Usually the ranch.
Q6. When you play this game, do you actively attempt to get a date with a certain character on the Golden Saucer? - Nope. I can't even be bothered to learn about the mechanics.
Q7. Do you say Aeris or Aerith? - Aeris.

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Best: Rufus
Worst: Scarlet

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I'm going to count Remake but not any side games.

Best: Jessie
Worst: IDK... Pres. Shinra

Q1. Where do you rank this game out of all the Final Fantasy games?
#1

Q2. When was the last time you played this game?
I played FF7R earlier this year but haven't played the original in over a decade.

Q3. When you play this game, do you go out of your way to obtain Yuffie and/or Vincent?
Of course.

Q4. Chocobo breeding... did you get into it? Or just dismiss it?
Seemed like a pointless exercise so I didn't waste my time with it. At least with Pokemon breeding, which was a thing by the time B8 finally got me to play it, you can show off your results. If I'd first played this as an 11 y/o, I'd probably have had all kinds of time to give it a go.

Q5. When you play this game, do you make a mad dash across the Marsh? Or do you go to the Chocobo Ranch?
I don't remember.

Q6. When you play this game, do you actively attempt to get a date with a certain character on the Golden Saucer?
I probably would if I replayed the original. I didn't my first time, not even realizing that it was a mechanic (and from my playthrough topic, which of course I saved, I seemed to have dated Aeris my first go), and subsequently YouTubed the rest of 'em after being told about it.

Q7. Do you say Aeris or Aerith?
If I'm talking about the original game, Aeris. If it's Remake, Aerith. The Remake Aerith is the one I like.

Methinks I need to replay the original game
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