How long does it take to beat FF VII? (first play-through)

[Opa Opa]

Okay, I searched the forums over and over and over. I know there's a dedicated "How long does it take to beat GAME X" thread. I couldn't find it, seriously, where is that thread... I'll just go ahead and make a thread but if a mod knows where that other thread is please merge this post!

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Final Fantasy VII. After all these years of buying cheap copies and selling them for a small profit margin, it never really occurred to me to play the game that everyone and their grandmother rant and rave about.

Well, I went ahead and saved about... oh around $30 and got it on PSN which is incredibly convenient considering I can play it on my PSP. That's really handy because when I get a break I can play a few minutes and then flip it back to sleep mode when I have to stop. This makes RPG's a lot more accessible and easier to just pick up and play.

Anywho, I know there are some FF fans here and basically my question is this: How long will it take to beat the game for a first time play-through?

Thanks guys.

[noiseredux]

I think that thread died after somebody pointed us to howlongtobeat.com -- a website so simple and brilliant, I wish I had invented it. (Same with Mr. Skin). Anyway, howlongtobeat says that a main story playthrough should take about 38 hours. I've actually never beat it myself. I've played the first half of VII multiple times, but never stuck with it to the end oddly enough. Let me know if you're interested in a beat up by perfectly functional Brady Games guide.

[BoneSnapDeez]

I've only played the game once. Took me about 56 hours, but I did the chocobo racing and some other sidequests. Didn't bother fighting the "weapon" bosses because it seemed like a waste of my time. Good game, try it out!

[jfrost]

Hmm, probably 40 hours or a little less. My first time with FFVII actually took more than 100 hours because I made it a point to get everyone with Master Materia and level 99.

[AppleQueso]

I'd say 30-35 hours sounds about right for your first playthrough and doing a few sidequests here and there.

If you just blaze through the main story and ignore side stuff you can clear it in under 30 pretty easily.

[Opa Opa]

Thanks for the help guys. I'm enjoying the game so far.

[deathsled]

I should try finishing off FFVII finally. I think my save game (from when the game was new) leaves off with me going down the hole to fight Sephiroth. Is that near the end? haha

[TEKTORO]

Ive played through a few times..
On the first play I would say 50hrs is a good average,then on replays I actually took longer trying to soak more in of the game.

[EVOLghost]

Ha...yeah. 40 hours sounds about right. It's funny that you make this thread since Ijust started a playthrough this week. This is my favorite game.

[Gamerforlife]

If you want to get the most out of the game, spend a lot of time in the Battle Arena and Chocobo races. They'll help you get Knights of the Round and Omnislash, the two most badass offensive abilities in the whole game, then you can hunt down the Weapon monsters. They'll test your mettle