Siege of Fort Condor

The Siege of Fort Condor is an event in Final Fantasy VII. Initially presented as an optional side quest, it later becomes a required location to gain a Huge Materia. Financed by the remnants of the defeated AVALANCHE movement, the defenders successfully hold the superior Shinra Electric Power Company army at bay and protect the condor sitting atop of the Fort Condor. It was the first and only war the Shinra Company ever lost.

Story
The Shinra sees a condor nesting atop of the fort as a threat to their Mako Reactor operations, and wants to remove the bird by force. While most of the inhabitants evacuate, some stay behind to protect the rare condor species and garrison the fort to oppose the Shinra. Unlike in previous armed engagements, like the Wutai War and the battles with Genesis Rhapsodos, and for reasons unknown, the corporation uses beasts rather than regular troops to attack the fort. Their determination to capture the fort increases as the conflict goes on, and when the corporation eventually changes their goals to include getting the Huge Materia, they make one final attempt to storm through the defenses and reach the reactor. The defenders defeat the attackers once and for all, and the condor egg hatches. The baby condor flies off, showing that the species will continue to survive.

Gameplay
The minigame can be played at any point after exiting the Mythril Mine, and up to 15 times but only the last battle is mandatory to progress the story. With Cid as the leader of the party, the player must travel to Fort Condor and agree to help them fight Shinra. The goal is to prevent enemy troops from reaching the top. The player chooses places various troops at different locations with each type of soldier having their strengths and weaknesses. After all troops are defeated and the egg at the top of the fort hatches, the people of Fort Condor give Cid and his party the Huge Materia in gratitude.

Alternatively, one can fast forward time until the troops reach the top initiating an easy battle with the enemy commander (CMD.Grand Horn). Doing this, the party will still receive the Phoenix Materia and the Huge Materia.