The Final Fantasy VII universe, often called the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII, spans multiple games, movies, and other media, creating a rich but complex narrative. For fans looking to dive into this iconic world in chronological story order, here’s a concise guide to consuming the content based on the in-universe timeline, balancing narrative flow and release context.

• Timeline: Approximately 6–7 years before Final Fantasy VII.
• Why Start Here?: Before Crisis follows the Turks, Shinra’s elite operatives, during the early days of their operations and the rise of Avalanche’s rebellion. It sets the stage for the Shinra Corporation’s dominance and introduces key characters like Tseng and Reno.
• Note: This Japan-exclusive mobile game is hard to access today, but summaries or fan translations are available online for story context.

2. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (PSP, 2007; Reunion remaster, 2022)

• Timeline: 7 years before Final Fantasy VII, up to just before the main game’s events.
• Why Next?: Crisis Core focuses on Zack Fair, a SOLDIER whose story is pivotal to Cloud Strife’s journey. It explores Sephiroth’s early days, the Nibelheim incident, and Zack’s relationship with Aerith. The Reunion remaster enhances visuals and gameplay, making it the best version to experience.
• Tip: Play this before the main game to fully appreciate Zack’s impact on Cloud’s story.

3. Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis (Mobile, 2023)

• Timeline: Covers events from Crisis Core, the original Final Fantasy VII, and new side stories, including young Sephiroth’s missions.
• Why Here?: Ever Crisis retells key moments from the Compilation with updated visuals and some new content, like Sephiroth’s early SOLDIER days. It overlaps with Crisis Core but adds context to the broader universe. Since it’s ongoing, play it after Crisis Core to avoid redundancy but before the main game for its expanded lore.
• Note: Skip sections that retread Crisis Core if you’ve already played it.

4. *Final Fantasy VII (Original, 1997) or Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020) + Rebirth (2024)

• Timeline: The core story, set after Crisis Core.
• Why Now?: The original Final Fantasy VII is the heart of the universe, following Cloud, Avalanche, and their fight against Shinra and Sephiroth. The Remake and Rebirth retell this story with modern graphics, expanded lore, and timeline-altering elements, making them a fresh yet faithful entry point. Choose the original for a classic experience or the Remake trilogy for a modernized take (note that Rebirth ends mid-story, with the third part unreleased as of July 2025).
• Recommendation: If you’re new, start with Remake and Rebirth for accessibility, but the original offers a complete narrative.

5. Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (Film, 2005)

• Timeline: 2 years after Final Fantasy VII.
• Why Next?: This animated movie follows Cloud and the gang facing new threats from Sephiroth’s remnants. It’s a direct sequel to the original game, tying up emotional arcs for Cloud and Aerith. Watch the Complete version for additional scenes.
• Note: This assumes the original game’s timeline; Remake’s altered ending may affect its context in the future.

6. Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII (PS2, 2006)

• Timeline: 3 years after Final Fantasy VII, 1 year after Advent Children.
• Why Last?: Dirge focuses on Vincent Valentine confronting the Deepground organization, a hidden Shinra project. It expands the world’s lore and wraps up the Compilation’s major threads. Its gameplay is dated, but the story ties into the broader universe.
• Note: Some plot points, like Deepground, feel disconnected unless you’ve seen Advent Children first.

Optional: Supplemental Media

• On the Way to a Smile (Novella, 2009): Short stories set between Final Fantasy VII and Advent Children. Read after the main game for extra character depth.
• The Kids Are Alright: A Turks Side Story (Novel, 2011): A pre-Advent Children story about the Turks. Read after Advent Children for context.
• Last Order: Final Fantasy VII (OVA, 2005): An anime retelling the Nibelheim incident from Crisis Core. Skip or watch after Crisis Core due to minor inconsistencies.

Tips for Enjoyment

• Release vs. Chronological Order: While this guide follows in-universe chronology, some prefer release order (FFVII → Advent Children → Dirge → Crisis Core → Before Crisis → Remake → Rebirth → Ever Crisis) to follow narrative intent and avoid spoilers. Chronological order enhances lore connections but may spoil FFVII’s twists.
• Accessibility: The original FFVII and Remake trilogy are on modern platforms (PS4/5, PC, etc.). Crisis Core Reunion is widely available, but Before Crisis and Dirge may require emulation or secondhand copies.
• Time Commitment: Expect 20–40 hours per game, 2 hours for Advent Children, and a few hours for novels/OVA. Ever Crisis is ongoing, so check for new chapters.