Final Fantasy VII

Released for the Sony Playstation. The game features mostly 3D rendered characters and cut scenes. It uses a similar Active Battle System as Final Fantasy IV. Compared to the previous Final Fantasy games, the setting is in a much more technologically advanced world - one dominated by the energy corporation Shinra. The main character Cloud, is a giant-sword-weilding mercenary. He ends up joining a group that opposses Shinra. The energy source used by Shinra turns out to be harming the planet, and only Cloud's group can stop them. The gameplay, in-game narration combined with beautiful cinematics, creates so much depth - it's interactive storytelling at it's best.