For a greater portion of three and a half decades, the Final Fantasy series has remained a staple in the video game industry. From the 8-bit sprites of the NES to the enthralling graphics of modern day consoles, the series is beloved by generations of fans. But perhaps no single game in the franchise is more endearing than Final Fantasy VII. Released in 1997, the game was revolutionary for its time. Enhanced with the PlayStation’s three-dimensional graphics, FFVII remains atop the pantheon of role-playing video games. Did you know that series director Yoshinori Kitase was secretly obsessed with the number seven? Here we go.

Off the Record is a series that dives into the cultural and symbolic references hidden in many of our favorite video games. We explore how development secrets, story arcs, and gameplay aesthetics connect to ancient traditions and mythology.

Lucky Number 7

While most claim a wide array of numerical figures as their favorite, perhaps none has more cultural significance than the number seven. The world contains seven continents. There are seven days in a week. The rainbow contains seven colors. Even the ancient wonders of the world number seven in total. But what about Final Fantasy VII?

As the world continues to embrace its favorite prime number, Square Enix elevated the discussion to an entirely new level with its first 3D Final Fantasy game. Here is the complete list of number seven references in FFVII. Enjoy!

• The game begins in Midgar Sector 7
• The name of Tifa’s bar is 7th Heaven
• Although the game contains nine main characters, only seven are required to beat the game. Yuffie and Vincent are missable.
• Once Cloud and company save Red VIII, the crimson lion tells the party that the meteor will destroy the world in seven days
• When operating in the Battle Square, the game refers to the lucky real as “Lucky 7”
• Cloud begins the game at level six; however, after the first battle he increases to level seven
• Seven of the game’s playable characters can access seven total Limit Breaks. The only characters with less are Vincent and Cait Sith
• Upon entering the Shinra library in Nibelheim, the player can see the letters “VII” on the bookshelves
• Cloud reunites with Tifa after seven years
• The Ancient Forest contains seven chests
• Upon closely examining the airplane in Costa Del Sol, the letters “VII” can be seen on the side
• Avalanche contains a total of seven members at the start of the game – Cloud, Marlene, Barrett, Jessie, Biggs, Wedge and Tifa
• Hojo holds Aeris hostage for seven years
• There are a total of seven minigames in the Golden Saucer

Conclusion

And there you have it: the master list of number “seven” references in FFVII. But we want to know what you think. Did you find each reference to the number seven in Final Fantasy VII? Do you think we missed one? Let us know in the comments below or the social media links on the right. Also, be sure to check out our other news items on Final Fantasy VII Remake, Animal Crossing, Modern Warfare, and more.

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