system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why is Final Fantasy VII so highly regarded?
gpt
Couple of reasons.

Today people will tell you it's thanks to the the plot, which is admittedly one of the most coherent and emotionally engaging final fantasy stories. The villain was memorable, the characters likeable, and the overall story grand and fun. Also there's genuine heartbreak at the death of a major character. 

Another reason is that, for its time, the game was *gorgeous*. This was the Final Fantasy series' first 3D game, and they really took advantage of the medium with complex battle animations, beautiful environments, and fully rendered cutscenes. Playing it now it looks fairly cheesy, but back in the day it was nothing short of mind-blowing.