Differences between Converted Steam Version and Original Release

[Queen Fiona]

I did some poking around, but I couldn't get a straight answer on this one. The Steam version's changes were rather underwhelming - cloud saves aren't terribly relevant, a save editor is far more powerful than a 'booster', and I'm not even sure I can tell the difference between the original graphics and the slightly higher-poly models - but since I wasn't interested in graphical overhauls, I figured it'd be fine to use.

But I kinda find myself craving some quality of life mods! Still, I don't want to lose bug fixes or anything else that could be considered beneficial.

I got some indication that the GameConverter's version isn't a complete copy of the original release, but instead just a use of the original release's .exe with the new version's data files (albeit rearranged). Other than the obvious Steam and Square-Enix features, what bugfixes and updates from this list do I lose by using GameConverter, and which ones can I reproduce using other mods or fixes? (Or, put another way: what makes GameConverter's conversion not 100% authentic?)

(And for that matter, are there any good comparison shots for the 'upgraded' graphics of the Squeenix release compared to the original? I could use a good laugh. I want to play FF7 to the end this time, but I'd like to do it with a balance between the original content and fixes/quality of life improvements.)

[Covarr]

The Steam version does not have higher quality models. I don't know where you read that it did.

Steam version changes that carry over when you run the converter:

• Higher quality upscaled FMVs. This is a pretty legit improvement, they look much nicer than the originals.
• mdef bug is fixed
• some minor translation fixes
• Vincent doesn't flip out and do ballerina animations in the forgotten city cutscene.

Steam version changes that do not carry over when you run the converter:

• The Steam version runs at higher resolutions by default. The 1998 version is limited to 640x480 without Aali's driver (which the '98 version pretty much needs anyway).
• Chocobo races don't crash in the Steam version (this is also fixed with Aali's driver)
• Steam version has native support for OGG music. This can be re-added with Aali's driver.
• Cloud saving
• Character Booster
• Achievements
• The Steam version does not require the disc to be inserted. The '98 version or a converted Steam version requires a workaround to play without discs.

Everything except achievements, cloud saves, and no-disc support can be modded in with ease, and the disc thing can be worked around with some fancy drive renaming and registry changes. Hope this helps!

[dkma841]

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[DLPB_]

Im really surprised they bothered to fix specifically those

They didn't.  They are using Aali's driver.  It's basically just his driver ported to Directx.

[Covarr]

The translation fixes are absolutely not Aali's driver's doing. They are fixed in the game's actual data files. I'm almost positive the Vincent fix is too.

I may have been mistaken about mdef, though. Still a non-issue, though, as there's no reason to use the 98 version without his driver.

[DLPB_]

Oh, sorry, I extended the quote past mdef. Those other fixes aren't part of driver updates.

[dkma841]

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[Vgr]

Technically, they are, since it's made for games they developped, so I don't think Aali can do anything about it.

[DLPB_]

You're assuming they didn't have permission   But anyway...

Fact is, in some depts the games are indentical.

[Queen Fiona]

Thanks for the prompt and clear answers! It seems like there's no reason for me to not switch over. Just a couple more questions while I'm here:

1) I just use Black Chocobo to convert my rerelease saves to the classic version, right?
2) How does 7th Heaven compare to Bootleg? 7th Heaven seems like a  The ability to quickly install and uninstall mods appeals to me, but I also am not sure which features require .EXE changes that I'd have to get Bootleg for. (For instance, I really want the Menu Overhaul's features!)

[Covarr]

Technically, they are, since it's made for games they developped, so I don't think Aali can do anything about it.

It is not a derivative work. This legal loophole does not apply.

1) I just use Black Chocobo to convert my rerelease saves to the classic version, right?

The saves are the same. No converting necessary. The only difference in saves is that the Steam version syncs the save files with Square Enix's servers. It is worth noting that you DO need Black Chocobo to use old saves in the new version, because the Steam version verifies a signature file that BC can fake, but going from new to old doesn't need black chocobo at all.

2) How does 7th Heaven compare to Bootleg? 7th Heaven seems like a  The ability to quickly install and uninstall mods appeals to me, but I also am not sure which features require .EXE changes that I'd have to get Bootleg for. (For instance, I really want the Menu Overhaul's features!)

They're pretty fundamentally different. Bootleg is designed to be an entire pack, and while there are options, it's still quite a hefty download if you only want one or two small mods. If you want the whole shebang, though, it's probably better. 7th Heaven is really useful if you only want a few mods, or if you want the ability to add more mods later on. If something gets updated, it's really easy to replace the mod's .iro file with the new version. Bootleg, on the other hand, is still quite some time off from being updated at all, because it's in the middle of a rewrite.

That said, I'm pretty sure Menu Overhaul is not available for 7th Heaven, so if you specifically want that mod, your choices are either download Bootleg, or set it up separately with the latest Reunion installer. Edit: I think I might be wrong about this nevermind

[Vgr]

2) How does 7th Heaven compare to Bootleg? 7th Heaven seems like a  The ability to quickly install and uninstall mods appeals to me, but I also am not sure which features require .EXE changes that I'd have to get Bootleg for. (For instance, I really want the Menu Overhaul's features!)

Bootleg is a package, which contains and installs mods directly to the game files, altering them and allowing you to play with the mods without any other launcher. Currently the download is huge, but this will change in the future. 7th Heaven is more of a patcher, which adds mods on runtime and is needed to run if you want the mods. Bootleg is currently being rewritten entirely in another (better and less blueberries) language, and if you're not familar with rewrites, these usually take a very long time. If you're looking for an updated way to apply mods, 7th Heaven is, for now at least, your best bet.

It is not a derivative work. This legal loophole does not apply.

Ah, good to know.

[dkma841]

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[Kaldarasha]

The Steam version does not have higher quality models. I don't know where you read that it did.

How many fights I had because of that. When I sad its exactly the same as the '98 and there are the models older as the one from the PSX, they told me that they are not talking about the first release but about the PSX and that they can clearly SEE the difference.

[Covarr]

Well of course it looks better, it's running at a much higher native resolution. Even back in 1998, it ran at 640x480, four times the PS1 version's resolution of 320x240 (2x horiz, 2x vert). A lot of the game's assets had detail that wasn't ordinarily visible except in some up-close shots (especially battle models), but it was always there from the start.

[Kaldarasha]

Thanks for the prompt and clear answers! It seems like there's no reason for me to not switch over. Just a couple more questions while I'm here:

2) How does 7th Heaven compare to Bootleg? 7th Heaven seems like a  The ability to quickly install and uninstall mods appeals to me, but I also am not sure which features require .EXE changes that I'd have to get Bootleg for. (For instance, I really want the Menu Overhaul's features!)

You should switch over from Steam to '98 because of:

• A more stable game, the re-release has still a bug which leads to a critical crash
• Unlock the 720p mode of the re-release
• Correct FPS (well nearly correct)
• Full Hi-Res texture support