Braver is a from scratch reimplemented game engine for the original (1997/8) FF7 PC release - although it should run with the more modern Steam re-release since that changes very little.
The idea is to run the original game compatibly, from the original game files where possible, but also provide an
easily moddable/hackable engine for adding extra functionality.
Braver is still in an early beta stage; however it can load and run a reasonable number of FF7 locations
already! You absolutely aren’t going to use it to do a serious playthrough of the game yet.
The plan is to take a pragmatic approach to implementing things: i.e. prefer a solution
that works 80% of the time with minor glitches, but is playable in those cases,
over not implementing something until it is perfect, or only implementing
it in the 20% of cases where it works without glitches. Of course, eventually
the hope is that Braver will work for every FF7 location/battle/etc.
Field
Field VM opcodes: ~60% implemented
Backgrounds: Most background functionality implemented and will display correctly, but the Z ordering between
backgrounds and the 3d models is hacked in and not reliable yet. Causes visual glitches rather than outright
crashes or behavioural changes.
3d models: Most display correctly. Some of the speeds of animations / movements aren’t correct.
Movie playback: Mostly working, if you have versions of the movies FFMpeg can understand. Clipping between movie/models not perfect yet, although that often isn’t apparent. Audio sync very much not correct.
Battle
Backgrounds load and display
AI mostly (75%?) implemented
Mechanics mostly implemented, but not fully tested yet
Post battle screens (XP, AP, items) display but mostly don’t do a lot yet
Models load and display, but most animations, effects and camera movements aren’t implemented.
Player UI (HP/MP/Barrier gauges, etc.) partially implemented.
Have just started working on tying up animations and effects, but only
the very first parts are in place.
Player menus (abilities, magic, items, etc.) mostly calculated correctly, but not fully tested
The end result is you can technically fight a battle, but while an static screenshot might look not too bad,
right now the lack of animations and effects mean it doesn’t play very well. Technically the AI and mechanics
mostly working means it’s doing the right thing with regards to what the enemies do and what effects each
attack has, it just might not be obvious what’s happened!
World Map
Basic rendering of terrain and avatar done. Avatar movement based on
terrain type done. No scripting or encounters implemented yet.
Audio
Music playback works provided you have OGG files present. Looping works but is slightly glitchy
Sound effect playback works. Looping sound effects are handled but not entirely correctly at the moment;
sometimes it works fine, sometimes it’s clearly looping something that shouldn’t loop.
Menus
Main menu implemented
Equip and materia menus implemented
Shop menu partially implemented
Character naming screen implemented
Others not done yet
Other functionality
Basic plugin support has started to go in; plugins that replace
files and affect backgrounds, dialog, sound effects and musi are implemented. Some basic 7th Heaven mod compatibility is implemented via a plugin.
Current screenshots
Hi-res background replacement via plugin:
First few battle animations/effects decoded:
(i.e. playing the right combination of animations, movements, and
effects based on the game scripts)