Quote Originally Posted by Wolf Kanno View Post
The biggest issue is that Midgard created some really interesting themes and unique situations that elevate the plot from previous games in the genre but after you leave Midgard they are largely dropped for a simple "stop the bad guy from getting the doomsday McGuffin". The party's reasoning for going along with it is shaky as best, especially since Shin-Ra proves to be the more compelling antagonist for most of Disc 1; whereas Sephiroth just kind of steals the spotlight from them without really contributing much until Disc 2. The themes get minor call backs towards the end but they are pretty shallow with what was originally presented. It doesn't help that Midgard gave a very unique experience whereas the rest of VII's locations feel like typical RPG fare so the further you get from it, the more VII begins to feel like a typical RPG.
Couldn't agree more. Not only was Midgar completely different than anything we'd really seen in other RPG's and the themes raised while you're there compelling though, I also find it far more interesting because a ton of questions are raised while you're there, and none of the pay offs are all that interesting to be honest. It's like the first season of Lost. Utterly spectacular, but nothing that happens after ever lives up to the standard it set. Although there are a few great parts here and there after Midgar. None of them have to do with Sephiroth or Aeris dying though really.