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[Spank-A-Thon]

Some of you here may not know what the minimalist challenge is for FFVII. While clearing out my HD I stumbled across an old FAQ that I downloaded a few years ago. Allow me to explain.

FFVII is probably one of the easiest in the series, but taking a minimalist approach makes the game significantly more difficult and means without really making use of the battle system and materia system you will not succeed.

The idea is, is to finish the game with the minimal amount of EXP possible - i.e. you have to flee from every random encounter. The only battles you fight are those that cannot be avoided, which although not in all cases, is usually a Boss battles.

There are only 50 battles in the game that cannot be avoided. At the final battle the minimalist would be on something like level 36-38, rather than the average player who would be on something like level 60-70. That makes a significant decreas in HP and MP levels.

It is my intention to try this as it will add a new element of excitement to a game I have beaten about 5 times now - plus I really want to challenge myself!

So, now that I've explained what I'm attempting, I'll keep you all posted on how I'm doing.

If anyone would like a copy of the FAQ so they can try it themselves then feel free to e-mail or PM me and I'll send it to you!

- S

[DSgamer]

thats what i did on my first try on ff7, i got to hojo, but couldn't defeat him. after that, my bro saved over my file

[kupoartist]

yeah... i've heard about similar things for many of the other FFs, especially those like FF8 where you can defeat the game at Level 7, whilst still having all the abilities you would usually have. TBH, I'm not so pressed for good games to play that I'd want to complete these games either in ridculously short ammounts of time or at high difficulty, but I'm sure there is someone who wants to out there!

[Zone]

One of the things I like about RPGs is building my characters. I can spend hours leveling up, trying to get as powerful as possible.

That challenge sounds pretty hard, I don't think I'll be trying that one right now.

[ssjtrunks13]

I need more experience to attempt that stunt. I didn't even get far trying to get the Excalibur II in FFIX!

[Spank-A-Thon]

Update time!

Now just completed Disc One and man - wow! Materia Keeper and Demon's Gate were somewhat of a challenge! Fortunately Materia Keeper is affected by Cloud's Cross Slash Limit which gives times to recover against Materia Keepers devastating attacks. But Demon's Gate is one tough SOB!!!

It took me about 20 attempts to beat that SOB! Careful use of Barrier was key - but I still ended up with only Cloud surviving the battle!

I also managed to avoid a fight which I thought may have been necessary. Usually to cross the swap with the Midgar Zolom in, you have to catch a Chocobo which means needing to fight. But by running as far across the swap and saving before the Zolom attacks, then resetting and reloading, I managed to cross unscathed!

One thing I will say about the minimalist challenge, it really brings out the hidden depths within FFVII. You have to make real use of the Limit Break system, the order of command and elemental materia.

I haven't enjoyed playing an FF game as much as this for ages - it's almost like a whole new game!

Anyway, back to it - Carry Armour is in disc 2 - I have a feeling that will be tough!

- S

[ssjtrunks13]

What will really be tough is Sapher Sephirth. That one might be too hard.

[BlackThornn]

Criminey that's a low level to go after Sephiroth with.. Good luck, bud. *laughs* I'm pretty sure I couldn't do that.. I needed to level up from 65 for a while before I could 'easily' smack down Sephiroth, and that's with the strat guide.

..And now that I've lost the image of the l33t RPG gamer, I'm gonna go. *laughs*

Good luck again, Spank. I'll be checking in for updates.

[sk8er_kyle]

That has got to be hard. I dont think im good enough to do that. I'm not bad at FF but i dont think im that good. I might try that after i beat Kingdom Hearts.