FFVII: Shinra Archaeology Cut

Version 1.421 IRO Download​

Vanilla Mode now also available on PS1!​

About the Mod

This mod for Final Fantasy VII has been created to accomplish two things:

First, it offers a full retranslation of the game's text that fixes mistakes in the original English translation; improves tonal accuracy using idiomatic language; and conforms to the localization choices of the Compilation and Remake trilogy where applicable to ensure continuity through the Final Fantasy VII series. The goal of this retranslation is to give English players a narrative experience and foundation of lore that is as close as possible to that of Japanese-speaking players.

Second, and optionally, this mod restores numerous events, maps, animations, puzzles, and lines of dialogue that were cut from the final release. In 99 cases out of 100, this content has been mined from the original game files themselves. Only when absolutely necessary have the authors of this mod supplied the minimum amount of additional assets to ensure the functionality of the official scrapped elements. A full spreadsheet of this mod's script is available on Google drive, with unofficial dialogue clearly demarcated.

This mod requires the 7th Heaven mod loader to be used.

Custom facial expression system only works with vanilla models and Ninostyle models (with the facial animation fix mod).


Example Images of Contents [CONTAINS SPOILERS]

Main Contents

Fully Retranslated Script

Spoiler

         

         

         

         

         

Parity With Compilation of FFVII, Remake and Rebirth Localizations

Spoiler

As mentioned, in spots where the Japanese is the same or partially the same between the original FFVII and Remake / Rebirth, we have opted to use the official localization of those lines to create a sense of cohesion akin to what the Japanese side of things has. This also extends to the other Compilation entries, but Remake—as the most recent FFVII entry—gets priority.

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Restored Unused Scenes

Spoiler

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

Restored Unused Puzzles

Spoiler

         

Restored Facial Expression System

Spoiler

This system existed in the PSX version but was almost never used. It was unfinished in the PC version but has been restored by TrueOdin in recent FFNx canary builds, and I took the liberty of porting over the textures and incorporating new expressions into scenes on top of what few were already in the game. A full list of scenes affected can be found in the iro. Eyes work perfectly but custom mouths are a bit of a work in progress.

         

         

         

         

Bonus Features

FMV Options

Spoiler

Several FMVs got changes during development, and these options allow those earlier renditions to be used.

         

         

Beta-style Menu Icons

Spoiler

Early in FFVII's development, the characters had pixel art portraits reminiscent of prior entries in the series. The textures for Cloud, Aerith, and Barret's portraits remained in the Tobal No.1 FFVII sampler demo, and with this option you can use them in the final game. Additionally, the incredibly talented pixel artist Prism has provided stylistically-consistent custom sprite portraits for the remaining members so this mode can affect the whole party.

         

         

Red Yuffie Costume

Spoiler

In the planning stage of FFVII, Yuffie's outfit was red and white rather than green and orange. This option allows you to use a costume for Yuffie based on that original design, with a battle model provided by the incredible UpRisen.

         

         

Option to Restore JORG Backgrounds

Spoiler

The original Japanese release (JORG) of FFVII had a handful of prerendered backgrounds that got revised for the international release, generally to make it clearer where the player needs to go. This option restores the original versions.

JORG                                                                                                Post-JORG​

         

         

         

         

Mod Credits

This mod is a production of the Shinra Archaeology Department, an FFVII fan group dedicated to translating Japanese interviews and guidebooks and making them available to English-speaking audiences.

Restoration, Implementation, and Logo Graphics: Odysseus (TheStrifeIsRife)

Translation and Localization Continuity: TurquoiseHammer

Data Mining, Organization, and Annotation: Shademp

Original Script Mining: Herman1134 (Jason Maltz)

Cait Sith Regional Dialect: M. J. Gallagher (FFVIINovels)

Custom Sprite Portraits: Prism

Red Yuffie Battle Model: UpRisen


Acknowledgements

NPC blink animation fixes provided by Orichalcon.

Unused custom eye and mouth texture system restored by TrueOdin.

The tile set for the TRAP field was decoded by BrutalAl.


Tools used

Makou Reactor and Vincent Tim: myst6re

WallMarket and ProudClod: nfitc1

Black Chocobo: sithlord48

KimeraCS: LaZar00

Scarlet: petfriendamy

Landscaper: Mav

 

Wonderful job!

Is the link in the OT updated?

Thanks!

 

Oops. Updated now.

 

To make it a little more worthwhile, I also added a new bonus feature setting that restores a certain unused scene (in archaeology mode only) that lets a certain character live who usually dies.

If this is who I think it is, I don't think it works.  I had this enabled before seeing the scene where she dies, but she still died and is still dead after leaving that place.  Unless she comes back further down the line?

 

I haven't played FF7 in years, so I haven't tried this mod yet, but I think you've guessed wrong.

Spoiler

There's an NPC with an implied death - Bugenhagen

So maybe it's this scene that got re-inserted:

(Bugenhagen's Alternate Final Scene - FFVII Unlocked)

 

Wow, if that's all it was why even be so secretive about it in the options lol.

Thanks though.

 

If this is who I think it is, I don't think it works.  I had this enabled before seeing the scene where she dies, but she still died and is still dead after leaving that place.  Unless she comes back further down the line?

Rather than assuming the option doesn't work, you should instead contemplate if your pre-conceived notions have led you astray on what the option actually does.

Spoiler

Vehek is right, it restores the Bugenhagen scene. My greatest character flaw is being intentionally misleading for my own amusement.

Anyway,

Version 1.21 is out now (yes even on the google drive). Thanks to the OpenFF7R discord we got ahold of a proper script dump for Rebirth, and meticulously compared it with OG's for overlap. SAC's been updated accordingly, as well as adding some overlap with Remake we missed the first time. This should be the final major revision to the script until Remake part 3 comes around, so SAC is now for all intents and purposes "complete" (not that it wasn't already more or less in a complete since 1.0).

Updates from here will be the usual bug fixes, and pursuing a few extras I haven't yet been able to add.

 

Rather than assuming the option doesn't work, you should instead contemplate if your pre-conceived notions have led you astray on what the option actually does.

Spoiler

Vehek is right, it restores the Bugenhagen scene. My greatest character flaw is being intentionally misleading for my own amusement.

Anyway,

Version 1.21 is out now (yes even on the google drive). Thanks to the OpenFF7R discord we got ahold of a proper script dump for Rebirth, and meticulously compared it with OG's for overlap. SAC's been updated accordingly, as well as adding some overlap with Remake we missed the first time. This should be the final major revision to the script until Remake part 3 comes around, so SAC is now for all intents and purposes "complete" (not that it wasn't already more or less in a complete since 1.0).

Updates from here will be the usual bug fixes, and pursuing a few extras I haven't yet been able to add.

I mean, I literally said if it's who I thought it was, then it wasn't working.  So because it wasn't about who I thought it was thanks to the poorly worded explanation, my notions were fine.

I will say though that the re-translation has huge misses.  The Caith Sith talking like a Canadian is dumb even if you were trying to go for some Kansai dialect.  The excessive amount of cursing is also dumb.

It's too bad really.  Besides that, it's pretty nice.  Can't recommend it as it currently is though.

 

I think most users are going to be confused by the death scene option especially given the way it's worded with "famously". This definitely isn't going to be the last time someone says it's not working correctly. So be ready for that lol.

 

I will say though that the re-translation has huge misses.  The Caith Sith talking like a Canadian is dumb even if you were trying to go for some Kansai dialect.  The excessive amount of cursing is also dumb.

It's too bad really.  Besides that, it's pretty nice.  Can't recommend it as it currently is though.

We got actual Scottish historian and FFVII aficionado M. J. Gallagher to vet all of Cait's line, so if he sounds Canadian to you I don't really know what to say. And we were well aware having "fuck" in the script (five times) was gonna be contentious, but when we asked our twitter followers if we should remove them via poll the overwhelming majority was "keep them." I'd say the level of cursing otherwise is more or less on par with Remake.

I think most users are going to be confused by the death scene option especially given the way it's worded with "famously". This definitely isn't going to be the last time someone says it's not working correctly. So be ready for that lol.

Next update I'll add "(no not her)" to the description lol.

 

Hi,
quick question: Are you guys still working on optimizing the mod?
I'm getting major slowdowns with the advanced facial animations enabled and in combination with the ninostyle chibi-models.
Scrolling visuals like the ones in the restored Honey-bee Inn also cause these slowdowns.
Overall love what you've done with it though, especially since we now have an actual alternative to Beacause.

 

Hi,
quick question: Are you guys still working on optimizing the mod?
I'm getting major slowdowns with the advanced facial animations enabled and in combination with the ninostyle chibi-models.
Scrolling visuals like the ones in the restored Honey-bee Inn also cause these slowdowns.
Overall love what you've done with it though, especially since we now have an actual alternative to Beacause.

I've heard that the advanced facial animation fix causes slowdown for some people, especially on Steam Deck. not sure why that's the case though. The Honeybee Inn Lobby with Cosmos Limit Break is also pretty laggy. I should establish that I'm not responsible for the Advanced Facial Animation Fix for nino, that would be htp314 (who i don't know if he's an the forum or not). I just advertised it a lot because it was a longstanding issue with SAC that got fixed by it.

 

Talk to the guy on the left of the lobby until he tells you Tifa isn't there.
Leave and tell Aerith that Tifa wasn't there
Make your way to Don's mansion and talk to the guard and the cutscene with Aerith sugessting Cloud dresses up as a girl will play out.
Talk to the large bearded man at the bottom of the main wall market screen (next to the transition to outside the honeybee) and he will give you a membership card.

I did the last step after aqcuiring the dress and wig but I don't know if that matters.

for some reason, the cut-scene where Aerith suggests Cloud cross-dressing doesnt happen for me. i'm assuming maybe one of the 7th heaven mods that im using is affecting this?

 

for some reason, the cut-scene where Aerith suggests Cloud cross-dressing doesnt happen for me. i'm assuming maybe one of the 7th heaven mods that im using is affecting this?

Could you share screenshot of your mod list?

 

for some reason, the cut-scene where Aerith suggests Cloud cross-dressing doesnt happen for me. i'm assuming maybe one of the 7th heaven mods that im using is affecting this?

If you're playing Archaeology mode, it's because you haven't met the conditions for Cloud to even know Tifa is at Corneo's mansion yet so the scene doesn't happen. Talk to to guys in the Honeybee Inn until you've exhausted their dialogue, one of them tells you.

 

If you're playing Archaeology mode, it's because you haven't met the conditions for Cloud to even know Tifa is at Corneo's mansion yet so the scene doesn't happen. Talk to to guys in the Honeybee Inn until you've exhausted their dialogue, one of them tells you.

unfortunately i did that too, i talked to each person about a dozen times. different things happened at different points, like the people in line at honeybee thineed out so i could talk to the guy at the desk. but still i could not trigger the 'make cloud cute' quest. i had to find a save game online and play from that point.

my new bug, is that the pillar has just fallen and crushed sector 7. i need to go back to sector 5 to see aeris mother who has marlene. but on the map south of the playground, the beam that used to be lowered to the ground is back in the air again and i cannot get down to the ground level to go to sector 5.

 

unfortunately i did that too, i talked to each person about a dozen times. different things happened at different points, like the people in line at honeybee thineed out so i could talk to the guy at the desk. but still i could not trigger the 'make cloud cute' quest. i had to find a save game online and play from that point.

You didn't see all the dialogue then. You needed to talk to the guy on the left side of the lobby, picking the first of the two choices he offers, then talk to him again a couple times.

I've noticed the people who get stuck here are the people already familiar with the game because they're quicker to assume something is broken lol. Admittedly it is unintuitive but short of locking Cloud in the room until you see the right dialogue I'm not sure what else to do. I already broke the fourth wall to tell the player to talk to people multiple times.

unfortunately i did that too, i talked to each person about a dozen times. different things happened at different points, like the people in line at honeybee thineed out so i could talk to the guy at the desk. but still i could not trigger the 'make cloud cute' quest. i had to find a save game online and play from that point.

my new bug, is that the pillar has just fallen and crushed sector 7. i need to go back to sector 5 to see aeris mother who has marlene. but on the map south of the playground, the beam that used to be lowered to the ground is back in the air again and i cannot get down to the ground level to go to sector 5.

If that's the case, then you only started using SAC part way through. You wouldn't have been able to progress to Wall Market without doing that puzzle first otherwise. Turn off SAC, go to the other side, save, then turn SAC back on and lower the beam from the correct side.

 

If that's the case, then you only started using SAC part way through. You wouldn't have been able to progress to Wall Market without doing that puzzle first otherwise. Turn off SAC, go to the other side, save, then turn SAC back on and lower the beam from the correct side.

no, i started a new game after installing 7th heaven and SAC and my other mods. my save point is in wall market, so i turned off SAC, loaded the game, went down to the next screen and got this:

 

ok i tried it again, and this time it worked. i might just uninstall SAC because it seems to have caused many problems since i started playing.

 

no, i started a new game after installing 7th heaven and SAC and my other mods. my save point is in wall market, so i turned off SAC, loaded the game, went down to the next screen and got this:

To be fair, that could have been anything. Not necessarily SAC.

 

They said they turned off SAC, then went down and got the crash, so it seems something is a lot more wrong on their end than just SAC.

What other mods are you using?