I think it might be a bit of both. I know whoever design the chocobo course in FF7 was _definately_ on something. And Jen has tons of screencaps here (http://www.livejournal.com/community/myprettypuppet/30696.html), which is entirely good Cloud and Sephiroth caps. As for the sword, I'd say pick which one you like best and do that - I think the bit where like eight swords come out of one is supposed to be magical and stuff because it's Omnislash, so it doesn't really count.

I'm doing it if I have time and money after everything else. I'd really _like_ to, but I'm going to take this one step at a time so I don't start panicking and going 'Augh! I can't do this! I AM UNWORTHY~!'