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Dislike: Padding
It was a given that Square Enix would try to fit as much as possible into this first part to make it worthwhile. To their credit, it mostly goes off without a hitch but there are several instances that feel like straight-up padding. Trying to reach Sector 5’s reactor as you switch off certain devices to reroute power, taking extended walks through numerous sections feels like a drain. The same goes for Cloud’s fight with Shinra troops after the first meeting with Aerith. Some parts just go on way longer than they should, dragging the pacing down.
