FF7 Fan Retranslation Fixes What Square Enix Never Did

A fan-made spreadsheet compares every line of Final Fantasy 7's official PC script with the Japanese original and a fan retranslation—revealing just how messy the English version really was.

Ever wondered why Final Fantasy 7's English script feels like it was translated by someone who'd never seen the game? You're not alone.

Here's the deal. When Square Enix brought FF7 to modern platforms in 2013, it had a golden chance to create the definitive version. Instead, it took shortcuts—fixing a few grammar mistakes like the infamous "this guy are sick" but leaving the rest of the script largely untouched. The result? A worst-of-both-worlds situation where some errors got corrected while the overall translation stayed confusing and frequently misrepresented what was actually happening in the original Japanese.

Two years ago, fans released the Shinra Archaeology Cut, a massive mod that completely retranslates the game from top to bottom. It's available through the fan launcher 7th Heaven, alongside graphics overhauls, rebalances, a fan dub, and plenty more. But what's really caught attention recently—thanks to a ResetEra thread—is a meticulously maintained spreadsheet that puts every single line of dialogue side by side: the official PC release, the Japanese original, and fan translator TurquoiseHammer's new text.

Seeing them lined up is eye-opening. You can spot exactly where the original English localization cut corners, misunderstood the source material, or added attitude that simply wasn't there. Sometimes taking liberties works in localization—accuracy isn't everything—but in several cases, the official script seems to have gone edgy just for the sake of being edgy.

Take Cid's famous "let's mosey" line. The Japanese is a straightforward "Alright, everyone, let's go." The official version kept "let's mosey," which is charming enough. But then there's Cloud's line about Jenova—the official translation has him saying "Jenova, a calamity from the skies? You mean she wasn't an Ancient!?" while the retranslation clarifies it as "A cataclysm from the stars? You mean all this time, she wasn't an Ancient!?" Small differences, but they matter in scenes about Sephiroth and Cloud's identity.

What makes the Shinra Archaeology Cut really clever is that it offers an optional "Cultural Heritage Mode." This restores those memorably strange lines and infamous typos from the original English script. So you can have the improved retranslation, or you can keep "this guy are sick" forever. Your call.

Sure, part of FF7's charm is tied to its messy translation. Those weird lines are iconic. But it's genuinely amazing to see a version of the script that isn't bafflingly vague in the moments that really count. The spreadsheet makes it easy to appreciate just how much care went into getting it right this time.

Will you be sticking with the original script or giving the fan retranslation a shot? What's your favorite weird FF7 translation moment?