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Hi CoN,

With the recent release of the updated version of the original PC FF7 game on GOG, I picked it up and started playing it. Hopefully it doesn't crash on the Golden Saucer for me this time.

I've only played up to the Sector 5 reactor so far, but I've noticed a few things that the guide doesn't seem to mention, so I wanted to make a thread for this stuff.

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Here's what I've got so far, organized by the corresponding page of the walkthrough. (Content warning: unmarked spoilers)



Button Mapping

The updated PC version has a much richer set of default buttons. I'll try to get a screenshot or write up a full list later.

Also the XP counting noise in this updated PC version loops differently. This seems entirely cosmetic and doesn't affect anything.

1.1: Opening

For some reason, I was able to grab a potion twice off the first guard. Not sure if this is a bug unique to the PC version.

Also it may be worth noting that you can't yet equip the Restore materia that you pick up.

1.2: The Sector 8 Train

It may be worth noting that talking to Jessie (who shows you the map of the Midgar Rail system) ends that part of the scene, so if you want to talk to anyone else, do so before approaching her.

Also, you can go right at the train station; this is the first screen of the Train Graveyard (if I recall correctly), but while you can't proceed further into it, you can still fight various enemies. I forget their names though.

1.3: Sector 7

This is where the game introduces materia, including the fact that they can be mastered and will duplicate, and also where you can buy extra materia. The shop sells exactly all the materia that you should already have one of each of (Bolt and Ice on Cloud by default, Restore found in the reactor, and Fire on Tifa by default), so I dunno if it's worth giving a recommendation as to whether the player ought to buy any extra materia. I certainly wondered this question.

1.4: Sector 5 Reactor

This is the first section where I had the little "map system" feature turned on so I saw the enemy names. I didn't encounter the Chuse Tank enemy but I did encounter the Blugu enemy multiple times in the reactor area.

Also it's worth noting that after the siren starts the countdown, you *can* still talk to the NPCs, and the one on the first car that's furthest back will give you a Phoenix Down for still bothering to talk to him. The countdown won't stop as you talk, though.

Meanwhile, I spent too long talking to people on the second car that I didn't make it onto the third car. I actually started checking the walkthrough because I was curious whether I missed any items I could have gotten if I had made it onto the third car. (On my previous (partial) playthrough I remember I just booked it but I also didn't know whether I'd get items from interacting with the NPCs.)

Also, going the other way down the train tunnel leads to a dead end where Shinra guards will just endlessly arrive to fight you. Probably a waste of time for most people, except those who want to grind. This wasn't mentioned in the guide so I just wanted to put this here.

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This is as far as I've gotten, but I figured I can actually follow the Official CoN Walkthrough ™ as I do this playthrough. I've already become aware of tons of spoilers over the years, so yeah. And I can also check everything as I play!

This post has been edited by Glenn Magus Harvey on 18th March 2026 20:17

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Check the "What games are you playing at the moment?" thread for updates on what I've been playing.

You can find me on the Fediverse! I use Mastodon, where I am @[email protected] ( https://sakurajima.moe/@glennmagusharvey )

Thanks, GMH - I'll see if I can't dedicate some actual brainpower to these points as you add more. No promises, but I'll see what I can do.

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN? Or perhaps buying a really good looking shirt?

Don't worry, I'll be updating this pretty slowly. You'll get to see how slowly I play something in real time.

--------------------

Check the "What games are you playing at the moment?" thread for updates on what I've been playing.

You can find me on the Fediverse! I use Mastodon, where I am @[email protected] ( https://sakurajima.moe/@glennmagusharvey )

Button Mapping

Default controls for the updated version of FF7PC:

up/left/down/right: WASD (primary), up/left/down/right arrows (secondary)
confirm: space (primary), enter (secondary)
cancel/run: C (primary), left shift (secondary)
menu: X (primary), Tab (secondary)
switch: Z
pause: P (primary), B (secondary)
toggle map: M
rotate camera left/right: Q/E (primary), LCtrl/RCtrl (secondary)
flee battle: Q+E
change POV: G
change POV/target: T

There are a primary set of buttons and a secondary set. Most functions have two keys set to them.

Here is a diagram of all the default button mappings, on both keyboard and gamepad: https://i.postimg.cc/W4pTz1T7/Screenshot-Fr...20-02-56-36.png

Also probably worth noting that this version of the game has some optional boosts:
* Battle Assist (HP/ATB/Limit Breaks): HP and ATB gauge constantly restored to full. Limit Breaks always available.
* No Encounters: No random battles. Story battles cannot be skipped.
* Speed Boost (x3): Speeds up everything in the game. Does not apply to cutscenes.

These boosts can be activated by pressing F1, F2, and F3 respectively. I think these work as toggles; I tried F3 and it works like that. You'll see a little "x3" icon in the bottom left corner if it activates properly.

1.4: Sector 5 Reactor

One extra note: the last (closest to the camera) NPC on the second car will give you a hi-potion if you talk to him before time runs out.

There are two more cars with short timed segments; I tried talking to the NPCs but no one gave me anything. I am not sure if I missed anyone, because the lighting was very dark.

(And -- I might be wrong, but -- I don't think the game puts you any closer to your destination if you go through all train cars. I think you just get dropped off in the same place, game-mechanics-wise.)

--------------------

Check the "What games are you playing at the moment?" thread for updates on what I've been playing.

You can find me on the Fediverse! I use Mastodon, where I am @[email protected] ( https://sakurajima.moe/@glennmagusharvey )