Hey fellow Final Fantasy VII player! When it comes to materia management, I recommend prioritizing leveling up your most used materia like Lightning and Fire for offense, and Healing and Barrier for defense. Make sure to link them strategically for combo effects. During missions, always explore thoroughly for hidden items and shortcuts. For character development, focus on balancing your party with a mix of physical attackers like Cloud, magic users like Aerith, and support characters like Tifa. Don’t forget to customize their weapon and armor upgrades to maximize their potential in battles. Good luck on your adventures in Midgar!