marketing for Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion Been a bit cheeky, for my money. Square Enix Already starting to refer to the re-release of the PSP classic as “not just a remake,” which feels like a rather liberal interpretation of the game – but by the same token, if that’s not the most impressive One of the damn games I’ve seen restorers. Best visual remake ever? Maybe. Not just a remake? Not quite.
So, for the avoidance of doubt, let’s start this review this way: Be clear about what the game is. Crisis Core Reunion was a massive visual overhaul of the 2007 PSP game, so important and all-encompassing that one could be forgiven for thinking it was an entirely new remake. But that’s not the case: under the hood, aside from the visuals and character models either borrowed directly from FF7 Remake or built specifically to match it, the game’s structure is largely the same.
So, for example, Crisis Core still features a relatively tight game, with all but a few of the game’s chapters lasting no more than an hour. Side missions can be accessed at any time from any save point, of which there are over 300 to unlock – but these missions are designed to be taken on the train in bite-sized fashion; a few last longer than a few minutes, most have relatively generic rewards, and all All 300 missions take place on a handful of minimaps, which means that for side missions, you’ll see the same level layouts over and over again.
This has always been a duo with Crisis Core, even on the PSP. As it recreates and expands on story moments mentioned in Final Fantasy VII, it’s a rich project designed to excite fans. Unlike FF7 Remake, certain areas of the original FF7 have been recreated here, not with broad general brushstrokes, but with precise precision to the original CG render. This is a piece of nostalgia. Linked to all of this, however, is the filler necessary to deliver a game of this level of ambition on the PSP without the roughly four-hour run time.
All of that is still there–that is, structurally speaking, this is still a PlayStation Portable game, with all its strengths and weaknesses. In that sense, the Switch or Steam Deck are probably the best potential platforms to experience this remaster, since you can stop-play just like on its original platform.
Don’t get me wrong, though: These changes aren’t all visual. In fact, that’s perhaps where Reunion impresses the most – small tweaks to the game systems you’re already playing, all designed to make Crisis Core feel closer to FF7 Remake.
This means that the core real-time actions are more snappy, more like an action game, but it also means tweaked mechanics (such as making certain abilities more effective when “combined” with normal actions), new systems (such as the new Buster Sword stance system), and even tweaked menus to look both FF7 Remake-like and more useful (like clear attack stats on offensive gear, one-click healing outside of combat, and clear info on how much loot is in each side quest middle).
It all adds up to making Crisis Core feel more modern, though this modernization has a curious effect: Elements that feel current can almost make slightly dated elements stand out more thoroughly. Those character models are the same; the more elaborate cutscenes look interesting, if not as complex as in FF7 Remake – but even adding sound to the simpler scenes can’t hide how they’re staring straight ahead with the PSP rigging, destroying Some fixed animations as they chatter.
Crisis Core has always been a game where some elements are present and others are conspicuously absent, and Reunion’s improvements help emphasize those differences in the boldest possible strokes. This even shows up in the game’s CG scenes: some are brand new, some aren’t, and on the PS5 some older scenes seem to have noticeable compression artifacts, presumably an upscaled version of whatever Square Enix has available.
I feel like all of that matters, especially because of the way Square Enix positions their games. There’s chatter about “not just a remake”. There is also a name – which ducks being called a HD remaster instead with a subtitle not dissimilar to the second part of FF7 Remake, it’s called Remaster. It’s effective marketing, but it may also lead some fans to think it’s more than fact. So, let me say it again: it’s still a PSP game at its core. Yet it’s one of the most impressive and ambitious remakes of an old classic I’ve seen.
As for Crisis Core itself – it’s still going strong! I don’t think it’s as strong as it was in 2007 – interestingly enough, Final Fantasy 7 Remake might have a lot to do with that. The remake is so artful and clever in its examination of Final Fantasy VII’s fame and status that Crisis Core couldn’t quite stand it, and it’s full of tropes and dizzying favoritisms throughout the Final Fantasy VII Collection 2000 Era. Again, this odd axis comes into play here, with the game looking and feeling very similar to FF7 Remake, both unifying the two while equally emphasizing their differences.
No matter what you think of Genesis spouting verse, everyone and their dogs cutting with a single wing, or even the extremely alert FF7 nodding, this game is OK. Probably the most unpleasant thing about it and its story is the one that annoyed me a bit back in the day – Zack is basically a hired killer who spends most of the game time working for an evil empire. He killed hundreds of Yuffie’s brethren, then clamored to defend his honor, in a good mood and cheerful. In that sense, he may end up getting what he wants. There’s an even more interesting story here–but Crisis Core’s straightforward telling doesn’t really question the true meaning of Zack’s involvement in the horrific things we’ve seen in FF7. Again, this is also a theme in the compilation; restoring the other mass murderers of the Turks, and to some extent AVALANCHE itself.
All of which means, yes, the story hasn’t changed. No FF7 Remake-style curveballs or re-contextualization here. In fact, the biggest narrative change is new recordings of nearly all of the game’s dialogue, primarily to introduce FF7 Remake’s new cast. All good stuff, though I do think I prefer the old Zack. However, it’s a lovely touch to make the collection feel cohesive.
But I digress. We got into Final Fantasy weed there, and as much as I love it, it’s probably too heavy a topic for this review. Crisis Core has hilarious moments, a glorious set of RPG mechanics, and a truly gripping story at best.
Repackaged into one of the sharpest remasters I’ve seen, it’s a relatively irresistible package – cons and all. In many ways, the blemishes on its carefully airbrushed face are part of the charm. Here’s a happy little time capsule of Square in the 2000s – perhaps a curious aperitif before Remake Part 2. Easy to recommend.
Beta version: PS5, publisher provides copy.
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