cold_spirit
he/him
- AKA
- Alex T
Thought I'd make a whole new thread for impressions because the Chapter 2 spoilers thread is blowing up with ending analyses. Feel free to copy/paste your impression here if you posted it already, I want them all! 
Like with the main game, I’ve written down my thoughts before exposing my mind to the internet. Here we go!
Intermission is a frustratingly good time. Square Enix didn’t have to go this far.
I remember when we all were expecting the cut Tifa chapter to be reimplemented. We would’ve been satisfied with that. In it, we would’ve experienced how Tifa arrived at Don Corneo’s doorstep. It’s not a bad story to include, but it’s not an interesting one either. We would’ve put down the controller with more or less the same scenario knowledge. However, at the time it was enough and we didn't dare ask for more. Intermission goes beyond our imaginations.
Two new protagonists, supporting cast from Avalanche HQ, Compilation villains, new battle mechanics, new bosses, a new RTS minigame. The development team wasn’t content with just giving us what we know.
There’s even nuance! Subtle in-group conflict! Wutai wants the destruction of Midgar, Avalanche wants the destruction of Shinra. There’s a difference! In the middle is Zhijie, a Wutai native and full-fledged member of Avalanche. Character ideologies are on a spectrum!
The creativity on display is confounding. The development team didn’t have to write a jingle for the Turtle’s Paradise sidequest. They didn’t have to write that jingle in six different genres. They didn’t have to give Old Snapper a cute turtle shell on his back. But here we are. Why? Why go so far for Turtle’s Paradise? What drives the team to expand every aspect of Final Fantasy VII with such ambition?
And Nero! I’ve always enjoyed Nero’s character, but his portrayal in Dirge of Cerberus was mild at best. He held little presence in the collective consciousness of FFVII fans. But now? What a glow up. Stringing up the dead bodies of Deepground soldiers for his own enjoyment, the haunting music during his boss fight (seriously, put your headphones on for that one), laughing as he stabs Sonon. What an absolute monster. Intermission takes what we would’ve left buried and breathes new life into it.
I’m left feeling awe. We all have media we’re passionate about. Because we’re so passionate, we come back to it time and time again. Often times alone. I mean, the rest of the world moves on. It’s easy to start thinking that we “get it” more than others. Sometimes we convince ourselves we “get it” more than the creators. I like to think I know Final Fantasy VII, but it’s clear to me the development team knows Final Fantasy VII much more. The creativity driving Intermission is inspired. No stone left unturned and always one-upping themselves. The best expansion I’ve ever played.
Like with the main game, I’ve written down my thoughts before exposing my mind to the internet. Here we go!
Intermission is a frustratingly good time. Square Enix didn’t have to go this far.
I remember when we all were expecting the cut Tifa chapter to be reimplemented. We would’ve been satisfied with that. In it, we would’ve experienced how Tifa arrived at Don Corneo’s doorstep. It’s not a bad story to include, but it’s not an interesting one either. We would’ve put down the controller with more or less the same scenario knowledge. However, at the time it was enough and we didn't dare ask for more. Intermission goes beyond our imaginations.
Two new protagonists, supporting cast from Avalanche HQ, Compilation villains, new battle mechanics, new bosses, a new RTS minigame. The development team wasn’t content with just giving us what we know.
There’s even nuance! Subtle in-group conflict! Wutai wants the destruction of Midgar, Avalanche wants the destruction of Shinra. There’s a difference! In the middle is Zhijie, a Wutai native and full-fledged member of Avalanche. Character ideologies are on a spectrum!
The creativity on display is confounding. The development team didn’t have to write a jingle for the Turtle’s Paradise sidequest. They didn’t have to write that jingle in six different genres. They didn’t have to give Old Snapper a cute turtle shell on his back. But here we are. Why? Why go so far for Turtle’s Paradise? What drives the team to expand every aspect of Final Fantasy VII with such ambition?
And Nero! I’ve always enjoyed Nero’s character, but his portrayal in Dirge of Cerberus was mild at best. He held little presence in the collective consciousness of FFVII fans. But now? What a glow up. Stringing up the dead bodies of Deepground soldiers for his own enjoyment, the haunting music during his boss fight (seriously, put your headphones on for that one), laughing as he stabs Sonon. What an absolute monster. Intermission takes what we would’ve left buried and breathes new life into it.
I’m left feeling awe. We all have media we’re passionate about. Because we’re so passionate, we come back to it time and time again. Often times alone. I mean, the rest of the world moves on. It’s easy to start thinking that we “get it” more than others. Sometimes we convince ourselves we “get it” more than the creators. I like to think I know Final Fantasy VII, but it’s clear to me the development team knows Final Fantasy VII much more. The creativity driving Intermission is inspired. No stone left unturned and always one-upping themselves. The best expansion I’ve ever played.
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