REVIEW – As Square Enix prepares for Final Fantasy number sixteen, they’re getting increasingly involved with Final Fantasy VII, of which the second portion of the remake is still in the works (and won’t be on PlayStation 4). They’ve just taken the 2007 (2008 in the West) PSP prequel and revamped it, but they’ve also got mobile plans. That’s how much they’ve latched onto it.

For the fourth time in four days (anyone who bet that the perpetrator of this bunch of characters would be pushed to write again in a day has won), Steam’s synopsis: “CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION is a remaster of CRISIS CORE featuring updated graphics, combat systems, and soundtrack. Follow the tale of SOLDIER operative Zack Fair as he discovers the secrets of Shinra’s dark experiments.” Disgusting and disgusting capitalization (everywhere!), so it won’t be used from here on out.

For fans

The original game was made especially for them, and the same can be said of the remastered edition—still a PSP game at its roots. You can’t expect the same from it as you can from the Final Fantasy VII Remake, which is why there are no story changes or significant gameplay enhancements. The visuals have improved, but there are some pluses. In the game, you control Zack Fair, a member of the Soldier (no capitalization). He wants to be a hero and might fill Genesis’ shoes (not to mention Angeal and Sephiroth). For those familiar with the basic Final Fantasy VII, there are not many characters to introduce, but the gameplay requires it, as it’s more fast-paced, even when broken down into chapters. Despite the linear nature of many environments, or how enemies appear mainly in predetermined places, the action is more focused, and only at first, it may seem as simple as a wooden cube. Zack can dodge attacks, guard himself, use his sword, and the player can also use the Materia at hand.

Their slots are limited, but later on, it won’t be a problem, and you can make multiple Materia setups for different situations. It might have been a better idea to be able to switch between these during battles. Magic-based Materias require MP, and ability-based ones use AP. The equipment provides buffs, but a lot of the time, it comes down to a system like the one-armed bandit because sometimes that’s what you need to use limit break attacks or summons. If you see it pop up in the top left corner, if you get the same numbers, Materia can level up, the same icons can bring up a summon or limit break, and later on, more icons bring even more variations, so Square Enix was just one step away from creating a pachislot. (If it were Konami, they would have done it already.) In short, it means that you can’t fully prepare for battles, but it should be added that it’s improved over the PSP original. There’s also automatic defense. For example, Final Fantasy VII Remake influenced it, and that’s a good thing. You could say it (as in, FF VII Remake) was worth it, but perhaps the iOS/Android episodic game could take more cues.

Still for fans

The remaster of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII does try to break the relative monotony a bit by using minigames, but not to the extent and extreme deviance of, say, Yakuza (or now, Like A Dragon… lol?). For example, there’s the option of picking treasure chests out of a waterfall while keeping away from stun-capable opponents. These are necessary as the game is (as originally) short. You can add maybe an hour or two to the PSP length (but you can still get through it in 10-12 hours), and that’s about pushed by the complete voice acting, which is both a positive and a negative for the game, as the original release didn’t have it.

But for those who want side missions, there are about 300 of them, and those who want to go a step further can play on a higher difficulty level. Why is the voice acting considered a negative? Some of the characters’ voices, especially Zack’s, are terrible. Another fact makes the new version of Crisis Core drop half a point in the rating. There’s a painting in the game that Square Enix used, despite being watermarked. There’s the Getty Images logo. There’s nothing else to say about that except that it’s pathetic. Is it just a case of one of the underpaid employees getting fed up? (They’re not alone; the gaming industry still needs a repeat of the 1983 crash.)

Still for fans only

Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion might have gotten an eight out of ten if it weren’t for that Getty Images image in the game. With slightly better voice acting, it might deserve an eight and a half out of ten. The fans should treat the rating as such by default. This game is still a PSP title, just a little more excellent and better-looking (and it’s a huge surprise Square Enix omitted Denuvo on PC in it…).

-V-

Publisher: Square Enix

Developer: Square Enix, Tose

Style: Action RPG

Release: December 13, 2022.