Final Fantasy VII The First Soldier

Final Fantasy VII The First Soldier was a free-to-play battle royale multiplayer game for mobile phones released 17 November 2021. Developed by Ateam Inc. and published by Square Enix, the game was set 18 years before the events of Final Fantasy VII, before SOLDIER was established.
Due in part to technical and management concerns, service for the game was closed on January 11, 2023. It is survived by Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis, which maintains an original story based on it that takes place after a group of candidates has already graduated from their training.
==Synopsis==
Set in Midgar in [ μ ] – εγλ 1989, years before the events of Final Fantasy VII, The First Soldier follows SOLDIER candidates and the establishment of SOLDIER by the Shinra Electric Power Company to bolster their military. The game's battles are set in a virtual reality recreation of Midgar, similar to the Virtual Reality System and Shinra Combat Simulator.
==Gameplay==
Final Fantasy VII The First Soldier is a competitive action-shooter with RPG elements, where up to 75 players are placed in the same battlefield and must compete to be the last ones standing. The game allows players to enter these battles alone or in teams of three.
As time passes in the battlefield, the playable area will shrink and move, forcing the player characters, known in-game as SOLDIER candidates, into confrontations. SOLDIER candidates must procure firearms, materia, accessories and items scattered throughout the map while keeping in movement to effectively compete against their opponents.
===Battle system===
The First Soldier mainly takes an over the shoulder, third-person perspective, following a SOLDIER candidate as they fight using firearms, melee weapons and magic spells to fight other SOLDIER candidates. Firearms can also be fired down an "aim down sights" perspective allowing more precise shots. SOLDIER candidates can use Summon Materia to call forth summons to fight alongside them. Additionally, candidates can use Magic Materia, such as Cure, to heal themselves or teammates, or use spells like Aero to place a gust of wind on the ground to allow themselves and others to reach higher areas.
Candidates are allowed to carry two firearms at the same time, which can be switched at any time. Additionally, candidates have three materia slots, allowing for them to quickly use any of the three equipped Materia at a moment's notice.
Candidates can also carry different grades of Potions, with one item being able to be quickly consumed at the press of a button. MP is presented as small pips, with different spells requiring different amount of pips, with up to a maximum of 8 pips of MP. This MP recovers over time.
Candidates are able to use melee weapons, such as Swords, Fists and Staves, as well as powerful melee abilities such as True Strike, which trigger when an enemy combatant or monster is staggered from melee attacks.
The game also features RPG elements, where candidates can gather items and subdue monsters to strengthen themselves and their equipment, raising their levels. Spells feature levels, firearms rarity types denoted by color, and accessories can be found and equipped. In addition to finding these, candidates can also earn and find Gil, which they can spend on vending machines to obtain new items, upgrade equipped ones or purchase ammo for their ranged weapons. Additionally, various classes, called Styles, are available for SOLDIER candidates based on the series' traditional job system.
===Modes===
* Ranked Match (Solo, Team)
* Standard Match (Solo, Team)
* Practice (Training Center, Combat Training)
* Blitz Mode
* Variant Mode
* Chocobo Farm
==== Ranked and Standard Matches ====
Ranked and Standard Matches take place on rotation maps and have the goal of becoming the last surviving candidate or team of candidates as playable area gets reduced, forcing confrontation between players.
==== Practice modes ====
Training Center allows the player to try out a variety of weapons, items and materia in a small map, while Combat Training allows the player to explore a normal map at their leissure.
====Blitz Mode====
A smaller limited time competitive mode, meant to focus on short matches full of action, featuring two teams of three candidates. The goal of the mode is to capture the control zones and defeat enemy candidates and is played across multiple rounds. Equipped weapons and items are determined by the chosen Style, supplemented by a 'buy phase' at the beginning of each round, where players can use gil obtained by defeating enemy candidates to upgrade their equipment or buy new equipment outright. The map is small, forcing candidates into constant conflict, and players can respawn upon death until time runs out.
Special health spots and magic spots can refill HP and MP, while jump spots will send candidates flying, allowing them to reach high spots or quickly reposition.
==== Variant Mode ====
A smaller limited time asymmetrical mode, where one team of 3 "variants" compete against a team of 9 candidates. Set in a unique Ruins map, the mode has the variant team protecting two locations while the team of candidates attacks them. The variant team takes on the roll of enemy mobs, including Bahamut and Sephiroth.
===Styles===
See also Styles
Named as such because the world of Final Fantasy VII does not feature traditional jobs, Styles determine what melee weapon a SOLDIER candidate wields, as well as which Trait, Ability and Skill they have available for them.
=== Weapons ===
See also Weapons
===Materia===
Materia can be found through the map and equipped by SOLDIER candidates. Up to three materia can be slotted at once and they can be increased in level by obtaining multiples of the same materia. Magic Materia can inflict friendly fire when playing in trios and self damage when playing solo.
* limited to special events
† introduced in Season 2
‡ introduced in Season 3
◊ introduced in Season 4
;Magic Materia
See also Magic
;Summon Materia
Summon Materia is rare and often requires special conditions to obtain. It is not equipped within the standard 3 Materia slots, instead added as a fourth Materia to use. Certain conditions will disable the use of Summon Materia, such as being in the final circle.
* Ifrit, featured in Season 1, when summoned can perform the Crimson Dive attack. Follows the player and surrounds the area with blasts of fire. Deals damage to opponents but does not damage the summoner. Can be obtained through Supply Crates.
* Shiva, featured in Season 1, when summoned can perform the Diamond Dust attack. Creates a wide area blizzard effect which slows players and deals damage. Remaining in this field will also damage the summoner. Could be obtained through Supply Crates. Removed for Season 3.
* †Bahamut, featured in Season 2, when summoned will be controlled by the player, allowing them to perform a variety of moves for a limited time, ending with a Megaflare attack. Can be obtained by defeating Bahamut, Bahamut SIN or Bahamut Fury.
* *Grangalan, featured as part of the Egg Hunter event, when summoned can perform Grangalan Jr. attack, which summons smaller Grangalan Jr.s that home in on targets. Can be obtained by defeating Grangalan during the event.
;Mimic Materia
Mimic is obtained by fulfilling certain special conditions and allows the user to transform into a different character. While equipped with the Mimic Materia, the user's items are no longer equipped.
* Cloud Mimic, obtained by defeating ??? found in glitch fields, transforms user into Cloud Strife, boosts jump and speed and enables the use of Cross-Slash. Cloud comes equipped with Firaga, Curaga, and Thundaga. 
* *Cactuar Mimic, obtained by defeating Cactuar (Bunny Ears) during the Egg Hunter event, transforms user into Cactuar (Bunny Ears), boosts movement speed drastically.
* *Zack Mimic, obtained by finding the Buster Sword during the FFVII 25th Anniversary CRISIS CORE Collab, transform user into a polygonal Zack Fair, boosts speed, grants an air dash and enables the use of Chain Slash. Zack comes equipped with Firaga, M.Barrier, and Curaga. Unlike other Mimic Materia, this Materia does not run out with time, ending only upon death. Once dead the Buster Sword will drop from the defeated candidate, allowing another to take up the mantle of Zack.
=== Accessories ===
See also Accessories
===Navigation===
====Movement and transportation====
Upon starting a match, the SOLDIER candidates use helicopters to choose where to drop into battle. When fighting in trios, one SOLDIER candidate will be selected as pilot, while the rest ride with them.
SOLDIER candidates are able to run, jump and climb to navigate the areas in The First Soldier. They are able to jump and mantle up objects of medium size, as well as crouch and go prone. Crouching and moving slowly will reduce the sound profile of a SOLDIER candidate, allowing them to sneak up on enemy candidates or simply avoid detection.
In certain areas of the map, Chocobo stops can be found and used to call a Chocobo for transportation. Chocobos are quick and nimble, but fragile and feature a weak Chocobo Kick attack. Additionally, motorcycles and utility vehicles can also be found in the map and used as transportation. Motorcycles can only be ridden by one SOLDIER candidate and allow them perform a drive by attack with their melee weapon, while utility vehicles can carry multiple candidates.
====Maps====
=====Midgar Undercity=====
The Midgar Undercity, otherwise known simply as Midgar, is the first map introduced in The First Soldier and features many areas returning from Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VII Remake and Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-. The areas marked on the map are:
* Sector 5 Station
* Church
* Verdant House
* Collapsed Expressway
* Sector 7 Slums
* Sector 5 Slums
* Train Graveyard
* Corneo's Mansion
* Plate Support
* Sector 7 Station
* Entertainment District
* Sewer System
* Desolate Area (West)
* Desolate Area (East)
* Colosseum
During season 2, the map received various changes to geometry and positioning of certain elements, as well as the addition of Crystalline Protrusions, upon where Bahamut can rest for some time. While Bahamut is in those zones, a field will be generated, nullifying damage between candidates in order to incentivise teaming up against Bahamut. 
=====Midgar Plateside=====
Featured in Season 3, Midgar Plateside takes place in the city streets of Midgar.
=====Training Center=====
The training center is a map exclusive to the Training mode. Consisting of a narrow strip full of Materia, weapons, dummies and paper targets to attack, chocobo stops and other amenities, the map itself features no markings and instead simply serves a communal space to try out and practice different actions. Midgar itself can be seen far in the distance to the north.
=====Shinra Building=====
Featured in Blitz Mode, the Shinra Building map features two capture points, one in the first floor and one on the second floor, as well as the defending team spawn location east on the second floor and the attacking team spawn location in the first floor on the south. Much of the combat happens around the cramped environs of the control points, leading to high frequency of deaths.
===== Ruins =====
Featured in Variant Mode, the Ruins map features two locations that must be defended on the east and west of the map.
=== Chocobo Farm ===
The player can obtain Chocobo eggs from Secret Boxes, or by buying them at the Moogle Emporium. Chocobo eggs take about 8 hours to hatch, but the process can be sped up by spending Shinra Credits. Players can keep up to 3 Chocobos at the farm at one time, but the number of slots can be increased with Shinra Credits.
Chocobos have five primary stats: Attack, Speed, HP, Stamina, and Jump. These stats can be changed by feeding the Chocobo different greens, which are collected in Secret Boxes, bought at the Moogle Emporium, or obtained by completing challenges in the Season Pass. Each type of green increases one stat while decreasing two others.
Green 	Image	Stat Increased	Stats Decreased
Curiel Root 	 	Speed 	Attack, Stamina
Pahsana Fruit	 	Stamina 	Jump, Speed
Tantalplant 	 	HP 	Jump, Speed
Krakka Root 	 	Attack 	HP, Stamina
Gysahl Greens	 	Jump 	Attack, HP
If the player has a male chocobo and a female chocobo, they can breed the chocobo to boost stats and to obtain extra abilities. The player can also choose to use a nut to change two of the stats of the bred chocobo.
Nut 	Image	Stats Changed
Pepio Nut 	 	
Pram Nut 	 	
Luchile Nut	 	
Sahara Nut 	 	
Lasan Nut 	 	
==Customization==
SOLDIER candidate player characters can be customized, with players being able to choose their skin tone, hairstyle and colour, body type and so on. Candidates can wear different clothing, obtained through either purchases with gil or earned through collection of pieces by completing in-battle objectives, as well as equip different cosmetic weapons, both melee and ranged. Additionally, vehicles skins can be customized and emotes and minor cosmetic accessories can be equipped.
File:Fs skin monster.png|Monster skins
File:Fs skin sophisticated.png|Sophisticated skins
File:Fs skin summons.jpg|Summons skins
File:Fs skin turks.jpg|Turks skins
File:Fs skin releaseBundles.jpg|Skins purchased from bundles at release
File:Fs skin avalanche.jpg|AVALANCHE skins
FF7 First Soldier Advent Children Skins.jpg|Advent Children skins
==Development==
Tetsuya Nomura expressed interest in developing a battle royale game to broaden the series' appeal, believing that a long-running IP series' fan demographics tend to become fixed. His hope was that those in the core audience for battle royale games who are unfamiliar with Final Fantasy VII would develop an interest in its world through The First Soldier. As he himself lacked experience in the battle royale field, his role was limited to only "inexpert feedback" compared to the project's producer, Shoichi Ichikawa, who provided more expertise as a big player of games in the genre and who Nomura could feel confident in making his own "reckless proposals" to, knowing Ichikawa would keep them in check.
Final Fantasy VII The First Soldier was announced 25 February 2021 on Twitter, following the announcement of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Sony Interactive Entertainment's digital presentation that same day.
On 7 May 2021, the first official stream titled , was aired. During the stream, more gameplay was shown and a closed beta test was announced, with signups available from that same day through to 27 May 2021, with the beta itself set to run from 1 June to 7 June of that same year.
Players who pre-queued The First Soldier received their copies two full days before launch. While they could download a package of game assets, they were not activated until 00:00 PST on the date of launch, at which point their Player IDs were issued.
On October 12, 2022 Square Enix announced that the game was set to end service on 11 January 2023 at 7:00 UTC.
==Release==
The game released with server issues, with players unable to access certain content requiring emergency maintenance to stabilise.
=== Seasons ===
==== Season 1: Rise of Shinra ====
Set to run from 17 November 2021 to 28 February 2022, Season 1, titled Rise of Shinra takes place in the Midgar Undercity and features rewards themed after the Shinra Electric Power Company as part of its Season Pass. 
Season 1's collection is Moogle themed. Players can collect Data materials by defeating monsters and collecting Secret Boxes. Collecting enough of each type of material will allow the player to unlock Moogle-themed gun skins, chocobo skins, and character skins.
==== Season 2: Dominate the Sky ====
Set to run from 28 February 2022 to 2 June 2022, Season 2, titled Dominate the Sky takes place in the same Midgar Undercity map as Season 1 with the addition of crystal growths with other gameplay additions, such as new special new Unique Guns, new collection themed after Bahamut and Dragoons, new Materia, as well as a new boss in Bahamut. 
Announced alongside the season were a new battle mode and the introduction of private matches. Private matches became available 27 April to select Final Fantasy VII The First Soldier Ambassadors, with a full release postponed until after the end of the season. A limited test play began 20 May 2022, with limited private match keys sent to Candidates that reached SOLDIER: 3rd Class rank or higher. Customisation for private matches will be limited during this test play. The battle mode was released 25 May 2022, called Blitz Mode, in which two teams of 3 compete to control zones in a new map, within the Shinra Building.
Throughout the season Bahamut would become Bahamut Fury and Bahamut SIN for limited time events.
==== Season 3: Highway Star ====
Set to run from 2 June 2022, Season 3, titled Highway Star, features a new map, Midgar Plateside, that has candidates fighting among the streets of Midgar, as well as new enemies such as Shinra Guards and Dogs. The season also features a new weapon, known as the Serpent Launcher, a rocket propelled grenade launcher, as well as the new Water materia. In addition, the season also features a new Style, Machinist. Various balance adjustments were made, including the removal of the Shiva summon materia and the Jewel Pendant accessory. Additionally, a new "Exploration Mode" has been added, allowing players to explore the battle royale maps to familiarize themselves with the locations.
====Season 4: Feast at the the Gold Saucer ====
Set to run from 31 August 2022 to 30 November 2022, Season 4, titled Feast at the Gold Saucer, features an expansion of Midgar Plateside as well as the addition of new Gold Saucer areas in Midgar Undercity.
=== Events ===
==== President Cup ====
Beginning 20 January 2022, players participated in a ranking event, for prices and the possibility of obtaining special skins, titles and banners.
==== Glitch Fields ====
Beginning 24 November 2021, players were advised to investigate a "strange disturbance." Shinra sent out a unit to investigate and lost contact, believing them to be attacked by an unknown force.
On 29 November 2021, the disturbance was officially confirmed to be a "glitch" of Cloud. Cloud spawns surrounded by a dome of swirling black matter, referred to as a "glitch field." Defeating Cloud earns the player a Cloud Mimic Materia, which allows the player to take the form of Cloud, which boosts speed and jump ability and allows players to use abilities such as Cross-Slash and Braver.
==== Half-Year Anniversary ====
As a celebration of the support for six months, the Half-Year Anniversary Event ran from 10 May 2022 to 20 May 2022. Featuring anniversary challenges and golden skins for weapons and golden mascot costumes, players could participate by finding and interacting with special supply drops and anniversary moogles during matches, gaining anniversary medals and depositing them in Moogle Banks found through the map.
==== Seasonal ====
=====Holiday Event =====
The Holiday Event ran from 8 December 2021 to 28 December 2021. Players could accept special missions during matches to decorate holiday trees with ornaments given. These special missions can be found in decorated holiday chests and supply drops. Completing orders would earn the player "holiday gift boxes," which are event-exclusive secret boxes. These boxes have a chance to contain one of 13 different ornaments to decorate the home screen.
Completing missions and decorating trees will also earn the player holiday themed rewards such as emotes, skins, and a holiday banner. There are also skins that can be purchased using Shinra Credits.
In addition to the challenges, the map is updated to include holiday decorations at locations like Seventh Heaven and the Sector 5 Undercity. The hazard zone is updated to appear as a blizzard.
===== Valentine's Day Event =====
Beginning 31 January 2022, players could participate in the Valentine's Day Event by engaging in standard matches. Special cosmetics and missions to gain Val. Special Shinra Pack Tickets become available, with an additional outbreak of Cactuars in battle.
===== Egg Hunter =====
Running from 31 March 2022 to 26 April 2022, players could participate in the Egg Hunter event by mounting their Chocobo and approaching secret item spots, allowing their chocobo to dig them up. Two special monsters could appear during the event: Grangalan and Cactuar (Bunny Ears). Upon defeating them, special Grangalan summon materia and mimic (Cactuar) materia would spawn.
===== Surf of the Water God =====
The Surf of the Water God event allowed players to obtain special medals that could be spent for chances to obtain outfits. Additionally players could find keys that opened lockers that granted temporary outfits that would function as different accessories and allow the player to be outside the circle while taking less damage.
===== Shinra Fireworks Display =====
Running from 10 August 2022 to 23 August 2022, during the Shinra Fireworks Display special headband wearing bombs would appear, which when touched would drop an assortment of items, including Firework Balls which could be taken to Launching Cyllinders to launch as fireworks. By doing this and completing challenges players could obtain special rewards.
===== Halloween Havoc =====
Running from 12 October 2022 to 1 November 2022, the Halloween Havoc event features different match rules, with players falling prey to the Zombie status by different means attempting to turn other candidates into zombies.
=== Collaborations ===
====FFVII 25th Anniversary Collab====
Running from 16 February 2022 to 28 February 2022, FFVIITFS's first collaboration event was the FFVII 25th Anniversary Collab as part of the Final Fantasy VII 25th Anniversary celebrations, which featured themed skins based on the polygonal models of the original Final Fantasy VII, as well as unique monsters based on their appearances from said game, including Shinra MP, cactuers, and Guard Scorpions.
====MWAM Collab====
Set to run from 20 May 2022 to 02 June 2022, The Fist Soldier's second collaboration event, MWAM Collab features a new original song by MAN WITH A MISSION, titled "The Soldiers From The Start" as the main menu theme. Additionally, during the event members of the band appear within glitch fields to act as bosses. Unique cosmetics based on the band are also available in-game from completing missions.
====FFVII 25th Anniversary CRISIS CORE Collab====
A second collaboration event with the Final Fantasy VII 25th Anniversary event, titled FFVII 25th Anniversary CRISIS CORE Collab, features the return of the unique monsters from the first collaboration, while also crossing over with Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-, with the addition of unique themed skins featuring Crisis Core characters in polygonal form. During standard matches, a Buster Sword spawns randomly in the map which functions as a Zack Mimic Materia, which allows a player to transform into a polygonal Zack Fair that functions similarly to Cloud, and comes pre-equipped with 3 materia, Firaga, Manawall, and Curaga, as well as a limit. Zack can air dash and moves faster than regular candidates. As Zack, players cannot pick up items and will lose all equipped items.
Additionally, during the event, the DMW from Crisis Core will trigger during combat, causing the reels to spin. Depending on what they land in, different effects will trigger:
* Chocobo - Speed boost for 30 seconds.
* Cloud - Resets all materia cooldowns.
* Aerith - 2MP recovery.
* Cissnei - 40HP recovery.
* Sephiroth - Activates S-Trance, increasing MP recovery and reducing MP cost drastically.
* Genesis - Activates G-Punisher.
* Angeal - Increase critical hit chance for 30 seconds.
* Tseng - Grants Gil.
* Bahamut - Casts single Comet in line of sight.
* No Hit - 20xp.
After this effect, the DMW will enter cooldown.
==Production credits==
Executive Producer 	Yoshinori Kitase
Creative Director / Character design	Tetsuya Nomura
Producer 	Shoichi Ichikawa
Scenario Supervisor 	Kazushige Nojima
Development 	Ateam Inc.
===Voice Cast===
Character 	English
Male Soldier 	Alan LeeBeau BridglandBryson Baugus
Female Soldier	Amanda LeeNatalie Van SistineRachelle Heger
==Gallery==
FFVII The First Soldier promo 1.jpg|A party of 3 SOLDIER candidates.
FFVII The First Soldier promo 2.jpg|A combat encounter between two parties of SOLDIER candidates.
FFVII The First Soldier promo 3.jpg|A solo SOLDIER candidate fights alongside the summoned Ifrit.
FFVII The First Soldier promo 4.jpg|A SOLDIER candidate aims through their scope at an unaware candidate.
FFVII The First Soldier promo 5.jpg|A party of two SOLDIER candidates take aim at a Guard Scorpion.
File:Glitch cloud.png|The glitch - a shadowy figure of Cloud Strife.
==External links==
*Official Japanese site
*Official English site
*Official Japanese twitter
*Official English twitter
==Citations==
Category:Final Fantasy VII The First Soldier
Category:Games in the Final Fantasy VII series
Category:Defunct titles
ru:Final Fantasy VII The First Soldier