So I got to thinking about all the new people to the ffvii fandom that are probably brought in by the remake and thoughts I'd compile a list of content for y'all to get caught up. I recommend you play/watch in the order I list to avoid spoilers.
OG. It's almost always discounted on steam, and is ported to every iteration of PS, and still decent price. If you dont have the ability to buy it, then I'd personally recommend blacklightattack or eyesonfinalfantasy on youtube, both have very sound and thorough explanations of what's going on and are 100% type letsplays.
Crisis Core. Most of us dont have PSP I assume, I do not remember who I watched play it, but I know cryotic has a let's play. Cutscene movies exist but that's a lot of funny content cut out so I recommend a lp instead. You have plenty of time till episode 2 of remake is out and it's about to be summer break. Dont worry.
Optional:--You can watch last order now or wait till watching a let's play of before crisis. It's on both youtube and watchcartoononline, possibly kissanime as well.
Next is before crisis. There is a youtube lp with english translation that should show up with a search. I recommend it before the books and AC because it explains a lot of things without spoiling too much.
On the way to a smile. Thelifestream.net has both a translation of text and audio books of each chapter. You can also watch the animated Case of Denzel chapter, but that is optional. Most anime websites should have it. Also optional is The Kids are Alright, a book talking about Reno's childhood.
Advent Children. I recommend it after OTWTAS because it doesnt quite make sense otherwise. Please ensure you watch complete (extended) edition. Can also be found on most anime websites.
Maiden Who Traveled the Planet. Dubious canonicity, book during OG following Aerith. Only read after dealing with OG. Will spoil stuff. Is also on thelifestream webpage.
Dirge of Cerberus. 3rd person shooter where you play as Vincent. You probably dont know who he is at time of reading this if you're new, but will know by the time you've gotten here after doing the rest of the list. It's a but wonky but there are let's plays and cutscene movies galore. A+ on story, D- for controls. Last mandatory part of compilation of ffvii.
Maiden Who Traveled the Planet. Also on tls. Spoiler heavy, read after OG.
The ultimanias and reunion files. On tls. Essentially the books that explain stuff that you normally wouldn't otherwise catch.
Dissidia, and 012 and NT. Cutscene movie recommended. NT was a disappointment to fandom but is still canon.
FFX and FFX-2. Canonically same universe as seven. Humans in VII came from the world in X.
Theres a youtube animation series called The Death of Cloud. I dont recommend it personally, but it's got official square recognition. Not canon. Spoiler heavy.
FF Mobius Fatal Calling event. Cutscene movie is all over youtube. Event I believe is actually over. Spoilers but minor.
Brave Exvius, World of FF, and Record keeper have events and stuff. Also theres that music game.
Kingdom Hearts series has instances with FFVII characters. And notoriously hard Sephiroth hidden boss fights.
TLS has alternative translations of the games Japanese text archived, and revealed scenes that are still in the OG VII's code but not accessible by the player without mods. Like the speech Sephiroth was meant to give and more Honey Bee content, and removed character dialogue. Also has like, early concepts and art that are massively different than what came out. Just, explore thelifestream. It's a good site for all things ffvii. And has interesting forums and podcasts.
Also if you like sefikura, check me out on AO3 and FFN @ YanderePuppet. Best content recs I have for other authors and ffvii stuff would be asreoninfusion , RavenclawKohai, and waifujuju.
