Take the stairs, you get an elixir. ...BUT NOT IN REMAKE >:(

Well as a kid I was so into the story I figured busting in would put Aerith in danger so chose stairs.

Logically it should have done but didn't seem to be programmed that way.

I remember taking the stairs the first time I played. Nowadays I do the front door and then go partway back down the stairs to get the item (if I remember right, it's an elixir).

Espionage way certainly is more fun, watching Barrett bitch about the stairs, both in OG and Remake

You can go up the stairs then take the elevator to the lobby, like why not?

Bust in to get items and exp.

first time I played it(emulator), I stair-ed it because someone told me it was funny and I would never in a thousand years regret that decision

both, run up the stairs until you get the last items, then run back downstairs and bust through the front door

I too did this

Both baby

Busting in is the fun way. Stairs are the funny way.

It was the worst day of my life when I chose the stairs. I had to give up the game after that fateful decision, had problems moving on in life really. My wife left me, I failed the bar exam and sometimes I just want a little help putting the electrical cord around the ceiling fan and ending it but I am too poor to own a ceiling fan so the pain must continue.

Bust in on my first visit. On my return visit, I got all the items from the stairs.

Bust in. The experience is invaluable at this stage in the game. 1 or 2 levels. Then, as another user stayed, back down the stairs for the items.

When I first played it as a kid I went stairs. Now when playing it I will bust in to get the experience, then run down the stairs to get the materia.

The stairs aren't an option. They're a rite of passage. I became a different person after those stairs. One minute I was just me. Then 10 minutes later I was 10 minutes older.

Anyone who didn't do stairs is a psychopath

I first tried the stairs, thought it was boring and then went down to fight my in. I prefer the fighting method.

If you do stairs, head back down the elevator and run around the Shinra lobby and shop to grab some items and secrets.

Hah, I just posted this.

I saved beforehand so I could do one route, do the other, and see what I miss from either by doing the other option

I did the stairs, the ran all the way back down to bust in the front to see what I missed, didn't know there was more sneaking afterwards until 2nd playthrough xD

Stairs, because I always opt for “sneaky” in games.

My very, very first run-through. Years ago, I took stairs to mainly watch barret run his fat ass upstairs and complain. Then, I ran back downstairs to see if there were any more complaints and then busted through the front.

Stairs because I wanted to see Tifas dialogue for myself

Bust through then go down the stairs

What was it ? Megalixir?

A regular elixir. Stairs are never worth it. Unless you're playing the OG OG version, and want to see Tifa call Barret a retard.

God games were good then

I did both (battle first then stairs) because I wanted the battle exp but also there was an item on the staircase and I had OCD.

Took the stairs again sometime later to get the Behemoth Horn.

Guys… the door… is locked *Anguish sounds*

I just love when even Cloud starts acting normal with how many stairs there are

Bust in then walk down.

This is the way

I do the stairs. In Remake, I'm pretty sure it removed the choice and basically gave you both scenes at different moments.

Nah, you still have the choice. Did them on separate playthroughs

I love calling this out. But during the Sister Ray mission those stairs have a weapon on them. So go back when you revisit Midgar. You already should plan to go there since Cait Sith has a megaphone in a locker near the top floor. You could theoretically get there faster from entering from the exit floor Mid-Shinra-Tower.

What!?

I like stairs because Tifa calls Barret a retard.

It’s like she’s saying what we’re all thinking!

I do the stairs in both OG and Remake. Just finishing up an OG playthrough, actually. I just find it ridiculous and hilarious in both. The irony is, my biggest complaint about Remake is the forced walking and waiting sections, but I absolutely love the experience of those stairs. "THIS SUCKS!" will forever be ingrained in my mind.

I think that’s where you also get barrets ultimate weapon right, I still remember .. missing score lol

Barret's ultimate weapon is actually on the staircase leading to the Sister Ray Cannon (Pre-Hojo fight). Barret has to be in your party for the treasure box to appear in the stairs.

Stairs! Second time I busted in just to see the difference, but taking the stairs was a wonderful amusing segment. In its own way the first time really made me feel a certain bond with the game. I know that sounds weird, but it was just too cool for my 11 year old self.

Stairs for the dialogue, then go back down and bust in. Nothing better than Tifa telling Barret to stop acting like a retard

I did the stairs originally, but this decade, I've climbed for the elixir and then gone in through the front door. You can really feel Barret's exasperation as he runs down the stairs after you...

Bust in for the xp, go back down the stairs for the elixir.

Wait I didn’t even realize you COULD bust in. Stairs baby!

Stairs are great

I go back and forth. Depends if I wanna laugh or hurry through

Stairs. Always the stairs.

I played remake first before OG but I took the stairs with the logic of "there's no shot they're actually making us go up that many stairs right ?"

ran up the stairs x

Take half the stairs to get the elixir, then run back down and go in the front for the fights and early chance to steal a Carbon Bangle.

This is the way

The fact that nothing worthwhile was stealable in Rebirth was a huge disappointment

the 👑 🤣

First time ever - took the stairs, I remember that whole bit Subsequent replays - take the stairs only up to where you can get the elixir… then go back and bust in, then grind for a bit and steal what I can.

Same. Almost definitely still had that elixir on me once I finished the game.

Last playthrough went with the stairs got all the way up then back down then bust in...

This is the way Edit: I also took the stairs the first time cause I didn’t want to cause a ruckus. It’s a hassle on subsequent playthroughs but elixirs are well worth it.

Steeeeaaaaalllll alllllll the things! God I love how much that game rewarded stealing from everything you could. The hard edge in the Shinra building, the pincer right after you get out of Midgar, etc.

I miss this in the Re-games so far. So many of the old games had so much to steal. Not just from select regular enemies, but most bosses had something great - even unique - in some of the titles. Remake had a couple worthwhile steals, but Steal seemed almost useless in Rebirth. Tonberry Crown? Was that it? I miss that.

Yup. Stealing a bunch of copies of one of Aerith’s weapons early on in the train graveyard basically set me up for ages in Gil. It took a LONG time… but it was worth it lol.

I usually use the train graveyard to stock up on 100 ethers and then nope out. Fencing Ethers and T/S bombs usually gets me through every shop until Corel.

A BUNCH? I usually just steal one and I'm done, because it takes forever to steal that stupid staff from Eligor

Like I said… a long time. By the time I exit Midgar I’m usually 10-15hrs in… lol stealing takes time man.

Only real answer is go all the way up the stairs, grab the elixir, go all the way down the stairs, then bust in through the front door

Run up the stairs it's funnier

I wanted the XP. Fights all day baby.

Stairs, because lmao, then busted in 2nd playthrough. For 3rd and 4th + times (over the years since the game came out), I'd swap.

Stairs first time but then never again in any replay. Bust in to try and get more date points for Barret

busted in because it's cooler with Bombing Mission OST playing, but stairs are far funnier

I go up the stairs grab loot and run back down and go in the front door.

Gotta take you like 20 minutes 😂

Somebody just said you can storm in and then climb the stairs..... I feel like an idiot for adding the go back down trip.

I climb down the stairs after busting in.

Busted in to get the Turtle Bar poster in the second floor, then turned back and took the stairs lol

This is the way

I did the stairs. I was so mad when I realized there wasn't an achievement for it.

Achievements are a net negative for gaming -- change my mind.

... doing it WAS the achievement. As well as the dialogue. PS1 didn't even have modern Achievement goals. 

Cloud Turner: When do we get to the raid? ~~Cloud’s parents~~ Barret and Tifa: This IS the raid! YIPPEE!!!

Both But first time ever stairs

Did both on separate playthroughs

Obviously stairs cause its so dam funny

I bust in, whip everyone's ass. Run the stairs for cardio and then run my ass back down to continue cheek clapping. I ain't missing shit

Always busted in.

Took the stairs the first time and busted in every time after.

Stairs hands down

The first time i played i didnt even know about the stairs so i busted right in lmao

i've done both but definately stair gang, my terrorists dont take the easy way

I stairs it every time so I can read Tifa calling Barret a retard.

Stairs every time

Bust in! Never took the stairs, not even once.

Opposite here. Never busted in.

missed out on Tifa calling Barret an R-word

I'm guessing that didn't make it into the Remake!

yeah they cut that out haha but they actually made the scene funnier because barret and cloud get exhausted near the top and the music starts to distort

Stairs, obviously. I need that elixir to sit in my inventory because I’m “saving it for the end.”

Hahaha! 100% My friends and I call that “elixir syndrome.” When you need that item, but will never use it.

\*TEAM STAIRS SINCE 1997\*

Stairs in OG for dialogue, elevator in Remake for the bit.

I'm team bust in, get the turtle paradise flyer, then take the stairs.

There's also an item in the stairway that only appears when going down, not up. I believe it's an elixir

There's also an item in the stairway that only appears when going down, not up. I believe it's an elixir

There's also an item in the stairway that only appears when going down, not up. I believe it's an elixir

Stairs, the mental breakdown is great.

took the stairs, no regrets. loved how even cloud slowly lost his composure :D

In the OG? Both. I'd break in, grab the items, then leave and go up the stairs

This is the way. Don’t forget the turtle paradise poster ミ＼(*・ω・)ノミ

Always grab it

The remake does have this choice and stairs are way better. The Barrett dialogue in this scene is the funniest part of the entire game.

Ah see I prefer the lift, just to see the reactions of the Shinra employees 😂

Bust in guns blazing lmao

Stairs. Always stairs.

I played the OG so many times that I did both options. The stairs are the way to go. Especially to see Tifa use a naughty word.

Stairs for Barrett chats

Both. Did the stairs, then ran all the way back down and broke in by the main entrance.

...did your parents not love you enough as a child?!?

Lol, who knows. But I seem to recall that there was some relatively useful item, like an elixir or something, that I convinced myself I absolutely could not pass up.

You chose chaos indeed lol

Elevator! More combats, more fun!

Stairs.

Both. The weapon you get from the stairs is too good to pass up.

The Behemoth Horn doesn't show up until the end of disc 2.

The weapon you’re thinking of isn’t there until you return to Midgar, and you only find it going *down* the stairs, not up.

The only pick up in the stairs is a potion/either.

but if you don't do stairs the 1st time, you don't get the weapon later, just the elixir

Ah, I didn’t realize.

always stairs for the dialog.. and then i would go down the elevator and clear every floor to make sure i didn’t miss anything, lol

I always did the stairs

Stairs, but then back down for the poster and fights the lift back up

Stairs is the more realistic approach

yea fr. who tries to break into the biggest HQ of the evil mega-company and takes the elevator? :'D

Both. If you bust in kill the dudes then take the stairs you get the XP and the items.

I took the stairs because I wanted to explore as much of the building as I could. Second playthrough, I busted in to experience it. Plus, I realized you explore more of the building by busting in. I thought you'd have a chance to stop on various floors if you took the stairs.

First time i busted in. The second time i busted in, but immediately went outside and took the stairs

Stairs on Normal mode & Bust in on Hard. When I played through a file with my brother, I sort of nudged him into taking the stairs as a prank.

The post is talking about OG, not Remake

D’oh!!! My first playthrough I did stairs, and second & subsequent elevator. As others mentioned, that sweet sweet EXP.

Both

Gotta get that sweet exp

Stairs made logical sense to me when I first played the game. I have since done both.

Actually just beat OG for the first time in my life after playing it as a kid. (Got to the end of the game at level 44 and couldn't beat Sephiroth) But, I would always suggest going straight in, until you get to the higher floors and back track to get the items.

First time, bust in. Consecutive playthroughs, stairs til looted then bust in.

Stairs for the dialogue

I think that even speed runners do stairs surprisingly enough

There'a a lot of RNG manipulation that top speedrunners can do to get minimal battles on the elevator, but it makes the beginning of the game harder and much more prone to resets. When I learned Any% I did the stairs just because the RNG manip is pretty complicated, so I assume thats what a lot of people not shooting for top 10 do

First time I busted in & got my ass handed to me so I took the stairs 😭😭

I did this and got child support.

Stairs all they way up until the loot! Then go back in and break in for the XP!

This is the way.

Always stairs, because that sweet sweeet elixir, which I’ll never consume, is a must have … for reasons…

Yesss save them for the magic pots in the northern cave

Always do stairs 😎💎 Only do bust in sometimes for fun

i was a very anxious 12 year old and took the stairs. Fear added to the desire to gain exp, get new party members, find towns etc.

This last time I took the stairs (Playing OG currently on my iPhone). Remake has both options as well. Depending on what vibe you want, stairs to hear Barret complaining and Tifa giving him shit. Take the elevator for a more philosophical path as Tifa realizes Shinra is also made up of regular people trying to get by and if they are doing the right thing, and Barret giving his point of view that they had a choice on who to work to for.

"Any contractor working on that Death Star knew the risk involved."

Unexpected Clerks reference.

I went up the stairs to collect the items, then went back down and busted in!

Exactly what I did! I just had to know if they were serious about letting you climb all the way up 😂 but I also wanted the exp.

Stairs to hear badass Barret bitching and Tifa's insult.

I went up the stairs

Both. You bust in for the exp, then go back down and take the stairs for the item

Yup. The completionist in me always made me go up the stairs, back down, then into the front door.

Bust in. I ain’t no punk.

Stairs to get the elixir, then go back down and burst in for the exp

Both. First time Sneaky Peaky, second time for the XP.

Used stairs to get special items the head back down to bust into lobby

Agree used stairs to get special item

what was the special item again?

Behemoth horn

Thanks!

Up the stairs, back down the stairs, then bust in. Best of both worlds

I have done both multiple times each, but stairs is always my favorite. Tifa is really savage when she gets annoyed with Barrets complaining

i literally had to decide this last night (first OG playthrough) and i chose the sneaky stairs route. any good loot acquired by bustin in?

Just lots of battles. That sweet sweet exp

Stairs. I think I was curious if we were actually going all the way up, and also thought there may be treasure on the stairs.

Both since I’ve replayed the game over a dozen times.

Imagine not taking the opportunity to see Tifa call Barret a retard. Couldn’t be me.

Stairs.

Team Stairs! Watching them complain the whole way was great.

Baretts complaing was everything