Version 1.4 of the Shinra Archeology Cut Final Fantasy VII mod is now available! This mod is compatible with the 7th Heaven mod manager for the PC version of Final Fantasy VII. For step-by-step instructions on the importing process, please refer to 7th Heaven's troubleshooting documentation. You can also manually download the ~500MB .IRO file here!

Additionally, a ROM hack for the PSX version of FFVII is available at ROMhacking.net! This patch allows you to emulate the game with the SAC retranslation applied (i.e., Vanilla Mode). Note that it does not restore any unused content.

About the Mod

This fan-made mod for Final Fantasy VII has been created to accomplish two goals.

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 linguistic continuity through the Final Fantasy VII series. This includes using official character, spell, and item names (e.g., Aerith instead of Aeris, Fira instead of Fire 2, Gold Needle instead of Soft), as well as other proper nouns (e.g., Research and Development Division instead of Science Department). It also means that in the rare cases where Japanese OG dialogue is reused verbatim in later titles, this symmetry is reflected in our translation. It does NOT mean that the script has been altered to account for additions and retcons introduced later in the series. These choices are guided by the overall aim of giving 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, 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 or reconstructed from early material documents. 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 dump of the game's script is available on Google drive, with unofficial dialogue clearly demarcated.

Screenshot Gallery

Credits

Restoration, Implementation, and Logo Graphics: Odysseus
Translation and Localization Continuity: TurquoiseHammer
Data Mining, Organization, and Annotation: Shademp
Cait Sith Scottish Dialect Consultant: M. J. Gallagher
Original Script Mining: Herman1134 (Jason Maltz)
Custom Sprite Portraits: Prism
Red Yuffie Battle Model: UpRisen
PSX ROM Patch Porting: HitByBricks
Proofreading and Bug Testing: NinjaSheik, Castamere, Lanny Heidbreder,
SOLS, SlayerD22, and many generous others

Acknowledgments

NPC blink animation fixes provided by Orichalcon
Unused custom eye and mouth texture system restored by TrueOdin
Tile set for TRAP field decoded by BrutalAl

Tools

Makou Reactor and Vincent Tim: myst6re
WallMarket and ProudClod: nfitc1
Black Chocobo: sithlord48
KimeraCS: LaZar00
Scarlet: petfriendamy