• The world design, where each location interprets a common theme of Shin-Ra's social oppression and exploitation of the world at large, is overwhelmingly effective if you actually pay attention to it.
  • The soundtrack features some of Uematsu's all-time greatest compositions if you look past the low-quality synth in which they're presented.
  • The pre-rendered backgrounds are beautifully detailed and atmospheric if you look past the blocky polygonal characters running around on them.
  • That said, those blocky models are capable of much more varied gestures and emotionally evocative motions than any sprites before them. (Barret throwing Biggs into the camera is a favorite, as are the party's various reactions to Aerith's demise.)
  • The characters are sympathetic and incredibly charming if you look past Cloud's sword, Barret's cussing, Tifa's breasts, etc.
Basically, all the superficial things you're likely to notice first about FFVII are ugly and cynical and lame, but just beneath the surface, there's treasure everywhere.