en.wikipedia.org
"The next major revolution came in the mid-to-late 1990s, which saw the rise of
3D computer graphics and
optical discs in
fifth generation consoles. The implications for RPGs were enormous—longer, more involved quests, better audio, and
full-motion video. This was clearly demonstrated in 1997 by
the phenomenal success of Final Fantasy VII, which is considered one of the most influential games of all time,
[254][255] akin to that of Star Wars in the movie industry. With a record-breaking production budget of around $45 million,
[254] the ambitious scope of
Final Fantasy VII raised the possibilities for the genre, with its more expansive world to explore,
[256] much longer quest, more numerous sidequests,
[254] dozens of minigames, and much higher production values. The latter includes innovations such as the use of 3D characters on pre-rendered backgrounds,
[257] battles viewed from multiple different angles rather than a single angle, and for the first time full-motion
CGI video seamlessly blended into the gameplay,
[255] effectively integrated throughout the game.
[254] Gameplay innovations included the materia system, which allowed a considerable amount of customization and flexibility through materia that can be combined in many different ways and exchanged between characters at any time, and the limit breaks, special attacks that can be performed after a character's limit meter fills up by taking hits from opponents.
[255] The materia system is similar to, but more sophisticated than, the slotted item system in
Diablo II (2000).
[258] Final Fantasy VII continues to be listed among the best games of all time, for its highly polished gameplay, high playability, lavish production, well-developed characters, intricate storyline,[257] and an emotionally engaging narrative that is much darker and sophisticated than most other RPGs.
[259] The game's storytelling and character development was considered a major narrative jump forward for video games and was often compared to films and novels at the time.[260]
The explosion of Final Fantasy VII's sales and the ascendance of the PlayStation represented the dawning of a new era of RPGs. Backed by a clever multimillion-dollar marketing campaign,
[261] Final Fantasy VII brought RPGs to a much wider console audience and played a key role in the success of the PlayStation gaming console.[262][263] Following the success of
Final Fantasy VII, console RPGs, previously a niche genre outside Japan, skyrocketed in popularity across the world.
[264] The game was soon ported to the PC. The game was also responsible not only for popularizing RPGs on consoles, but its high production budget played a key role in the rising costs of video game development in general, and it led to Square's foray into films with
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.
[254]"
