As promised I am now going to do a complete run through of the remastered graphics of the PC version of FFVII PC Version.
First off let me state that I am no expert on modding but if you want to replicate my experience then feel free to use the same mods as I have.
Here are what my objectives will be:
Have Aerith have Great Gospel.
Have at least 3 of my characters at level 99 (for the boost to Sephiroth's HP in the final fight).
Have 3 sets of Mastered Materia (including 3 mastered Enemy Skill)
Have level 4 limits for all 3 of my primary team (Cloud Cid and Tifa/Barret/Yuffie (haven't decided on who yet))
Obtain all the very best Materia.
To patch the game I can give you a brief outline of what you need to download, start off by heading here:
Bootleg Automated Patcher
Here is where you can download the automated patcher, its really simple, go to your game install location (which needs to be C:/Games/) and create a new folder and name it FFVII Mods, this is where you will be downloading all the mods. Unzip the Bootleg configurator into your FFVII Mods folder. Run the BFE App (Bootleg Front End) and here you can play about with the settings like the pictures documented below.
Now onto what I have in my patched game:
Patched Settings
http://puu.sh/3Fa2x.png
http://puu.sh/3Fa4L.jpg
http://puu.sh/3Fa5A.jpg
http://puu.sh/3Fa6f.jpg
http://puu.sh/3Fa6V.jpg
http://puu.sh/3Fa7A.png
http://puu.sh/3Fa8t.png
http://puu.sh/3Fa9a.png
Once you have finished playing about with what settings you want, click the big blue splash button named Mod Listing and something resembling this should pop up:
http://puu.sh/3FaaE.png
Now you might just think "What the hell, lets download all the mods" but bear in mind that there are a CONSIDERABLE amount of mods, and some of them are completely pointless see the yellow settings on the list named 640blah blah blah: that's just different FMV's and each of them take up a fair amount of space. Also each time you change the settings, you will only see the difference if you start a new game AND patch the game (which takes about 45-50 minutes each time you change settings) which lets face it, is just not worth doing.
That aside, you can see the key at the top of the list. Now something to be aware of which I noticed, some of the mods require the mod to stay in its archived file format (so if you unzip it it still wont realize it has the necessary file in the C:/Games/FF7Mods folder) so just click the link, download it and make sure you unzip/not unzip it as according to the listing in the configurator.
After downloading all the required files (which is the longest part of the patching process) you will need to close the colour coded list and reopen it again, BE SURE you do not click the red splash button named Run Bootleg until all mods listed are either yellow or green otherwise you could corrupt your instillation of the original game. Once you are sure you are ready click the Run Bootleg button and the lengthy process of patching it will begin.
While it is patching every so often it will look like it has crashed or like its doing nothing: DO NOT STOP IT! As I said it can take a fairly long time and every so often you will get a popup asking you to confirm certain details, so be sure to stay with your computer while it is patching and keep an eye out for any popups. I should also note that about 2/3rds of the way through you will be asked to patch the music and at the end of installing which ever sound track you choose (of which Anxious Hearts Professional remix) it will have a tick box asking you if you want to run FFVII... MAKE SURE YOU UNTICK IT! Otherwise the entire patching process will smurf up.
After all this you will finally be ready to play the modded version of FFVII!!
One final note: part of the way through the patching process there may be times you get a text file saying xy or z has failed, fear not, this is perfectly normal and should just be ignored.
