A lot can be said for atmosphere. In VII, you're dragged into a dismal environment, following around stragglers who eke out a living as terrorists. The aura gets completed with down to earth attitudes, pissed off angry dudes swearing, weird sex minigames, and lots of killing. It was like VI, as if seen through a filter of depression and drug use.
The game had a ton of brooding, but it wasn't done while jumping into midair by the power of "FRIENDSHIP" to destroy a flying dragon. It was like watching Metal Gear or something. That movie did more harm than good.
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"Should I slice off your tongue or break your countless bones? Either way, I get paid; you'll bleed to death and die alone." - Blood Money