It is without doubt that Final Fantasy 7 was the best version released. Certainly in relation to the rather westernized version that was Final Fantasy 8. It could be argued that Fantasy 5 was the superior title, and does have a superior narrative, it did not combine and maximize however, the gaming elements and technological elements that Final Fantasy 7 managed. Both do pale into comparison with Final Fantasy Tactics however, which is possibly the best game ever made (obviously the is an individualist statement) and I certainly had some of the best gaming experiences with the superb Square title. Xenogears for PSX was also excellent and I await getting my copy of xenosaga with quite a degree of excitement- which I rare now I am jaded, old and cynical. On a related note Final Fantasy 10 was the biggest pile of 'on rails. RPGing ever made. I mean rpg?s are all about convincing the player they have freedom, but FF10 never even bothered. I did like the clever advancement tables though.