Winding Tunnel is a field map in Final Fantasy VII. It is a dungeon explored twice in the game. First, it is explored by Cloud, Barret, and Tifa during "To the No. 5 Reactor" located just before reaching the Sector 4 Plate after getting off the train. Later, it is explored during "Mako Cannon Rampage", on the way to reach Sector 8.
Layout[]
To the No. 5 Reactor[]
The Winding Tunnel connected to Sector 4 Plate are a series of railroad tunnels visited by AVALANCHE in "To the No. 5 Reactor" after getting off the train to Mako Reactor 5. The tunnels comprise multiple dimly-lit identical-looking tunnels (totaling six screens when traversed by the player) with rail tracks on either side. The southern-most tunnel (Tunnel 1), leads to the danger area, which is patrolled by Shinra guards, while the northern-most tunnel (Tunnel 6) leads to the security sensors, which are impassable by foot.
At the southern end of the tunnel is the danger area. An open door is located here, guarded by Shinra security guards, alongside the rail tunnel. At the northern end are the security sensors, which block the rail travel forward towards Sector 5. Adjacent to the sensors is the first duct, which leads to the Lower Sector 4 Plate.
Mako Cannon Rampage[]
The Winding Tunnel connected to Sector 8, Underground refer to hose visited during "Mako Cannon Rampage".
The tunnels feature two types of areas: tunnels and forks. The party enters in tunnel 7 from Sector 8. Tunnels are linear paths, though they curve right. Every tunnel has "16" written on the wall, with the exception of tunnel 7, and the Sector 0 End which has the ladder in its place.
Forks start off as a single path on the bottom but then lead in two different directions. Forks are numbered on the wall in front of the fork. The right path always leads to a tunnel, while the left path leads to special areas. In most cases the left path is inaccessible. In the below names, the numbered tunnels are the right path of the numbered forks, e.g. "Tunnel 1" is the right path above the "Fork 1".
The listing of tunnel rooms is from south to north, with Cloud starting at tunnel 7. Going north leads to fork 8->tunnel 8 and south to fork 7->tunnel 6.
- South End
Farthest down one can go. Attempting to head further down will have Cloud say "Dead end". At the bottom of the screen on the left is a Save point, and on the right is the W-Item Materia. If this Materia is not picked up it can still be excavated from Bone Village.
- Fork 1
The left path is blocked off. Between the fork, on the left is a Magic Source and on the right is a Mind Source.
- Tunnel 1
Leads to Fork 2.
- Fork 2
Red XIII appears at the bottom of the screen if not in the party. He tells Cloud the cannon is not in this direction then runs down the right path. The left path is blocked off. A chest between the fork contains a Guard Source.
- Tunnel 2
Leads to Fork 3.
- Fork 3
The left path is blocked off. On the left hand side of the path is a chest containing a Power Source.
- Tunnel 3
Leads to Fork 4.
- Fork 4
The left path is blocked off.
- Tunnel 4
Leads to Fork 5.
- Fork 5
The left path is blocked off.
- Tunnel 5
Leads to Fork 6.
- Fork 6
The left path is blocked off.
- Tunnel 6
Barret is here if he is not in the party. He tells Cloud to leave it to him and asks he hurries to the cannon before going into an offensive stance while staring down the tunnel. If talked to, he will not be there after exiting and reentering.
Leads to Fork 7.
- Fork 7
The left path is blocked off.
- Tunnel 7
A ladder climbs into the duct linking the tunnel with the underground. Traveling upwards triggers the entrance of the Turks.
Leads to Fork 8.
- Fork 8
Yuffie appears by the right path if recruited and not in the player's current party. Talking with her will make her no longer present when reentering.
The left path leads to the tunnel beneath the Bridge.
- Tunnel 8
Tifa appears on the right if not in the player's current party. When speaking to her, she will respond to say she's fine and instructs Cloud to go to the cannon. After speaking to her, upon reentering, she will no longer be present.
- Fork 0
Cid stands by the fork if not in the player's current party. When speaking to him, he will wonder which way the cannon is. After speaking to him, upon reentering, he will no longer be present.
- Sector 0 End
This path is a dead end going upward, though a ladder on the left takes the player to Sector 0 and its path to Shinra Building. This route can be taken to get various items from Shinra Bldg., including missable ones.
- North End
The North End is Tunnel 0, the right path of Fork 0. A wall appears in front of the player.
Quests[]
The Winding Tunnel is visited during "To the No. 5 Reactor", after Cloud, Barret, and Tifa get off the train from Sector 7 to Sector 5, and the group land in the tunnel. They must then make their way to the Sector 4 Plate on the way to the No. 5 Reactor.
The Winding Tunnel is returned to in "Mako Cannon Rampage" in a redesigned area. Here, the tunnels can be navigated to obtain rare items during the quest, and a path to the Shinra Bldg. exists, though the objective is to return to Sector 8 to continue the quest. Those not in the party are found throughout the Winding Tunnel, and the Turks are fought as an optional boss.
Encounters[]
Battle backgrounds for tunnels.
| Encounters | Areas |
|---|---|
|
Winding tunnels ("To the No. 5 Reactor") |
| Winding tunnel - Danger area ("To the No. 5 Reactor") | |
|
Winding Tunnel ("Mako Cannon Rampage") |
| Winding Tunnel initial segment ("Mako Cannon Rampage") |
During "To the No. 5 Reactor", the most commonly fought enemies are Grashtrikes, in groups of three to four. These enemies deal little damage of their own, and can be defeated in one or two hits. They can be fought to obtain Spider Webs, however. Rocket Launchers can also be fought here, and their main attack will do a decent amount of damage to the character with the lowest HP. These enemies attack infrequently, and so they should be focused down to prevent them from firing.
The Special Combatants, fought in the danger area, deal more damage and have higher HP than either Grashtrikes or Rocket Launchers. As they are completely optional to fight, this means these enemies are best off avoided.
In "Mako Cannon Rampage", a few enemies repeat from Sector 8. This time, the inescapable battles glitch can occur after defeating the Turks.
This battle against the Turks can be skipped if the player avoids stepping on a specific part of the floor; if one runs behind the middle pillar of the area where the battle is supposed to start as soon as the area begins loading, the battle never triggers. It is also possible to prevent the fight by declining to fight, if the player completed "Homecoming of a Miserable Daughter".
Items[]
| Items | Areas |
|---|---|
| Tunnels | |
| Fork |