Analysis of Crisis Core – Final Fantasy VII

Square Enix reunites Zack Fair and company in a modernized version of Crisis Core

In the last stages of the year, Square Enix and Bandai Namco look forward to the return of Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core. This original PSP title released in 2007, fifteen years ago, was a much-loved prequel to Final Fantasy VII by the community.

Similarly, Crisis Core was one of the PSP’s great champions in its own right, and it turned out to be quite an ambitious game for the laptop. In fact, the video game maintains the type very well today, because we feel that the adventure dazzles us again as if it were the first time; as if the passage of time had not influenced it at all. However, the design of its proposal and the corseted structure of the title itself are sometimes reminiscent of its origin.

As a tribute, or perhaps to lighten the wait for the departure of Final Fantasy XVI, Square-Enix picks up this wonderful ode featuring SOLDIER Zack as crisis core – Final Fantasy VII – Reunion. And for such an occasion, they have done a good job of adapting and modernizing the work, coming to offer an attractive visual change and a good collection of improvements and changes. In this way we see how many improvements have been added with which the combat has been streamlined, as well as impr inted extra fluidity or speed in the action. However, the most noticeable change is present in the graphics engine, since the sinister Unreal Engine

to revive this adventure. For him, We are facing a good technical section, which offers up to 4K and 60fps in the Xbox Series X version.

Where we have practically no change is in the content of the title, since this new version is entirely based on the original and retraces, with the exception of a few cutscenes, the whole adventure. For him, we are faced with the same experience, although much improved thanks to current hardware and technology. Yet, as we have already said, the provenance of the work constantly manifests itself in the form of a corset to limit the structure, the dimensions and the action of the experience.

This sensation does not imply any stain on the product as a whole. However, due to its nature, we expected it to be a bit more ambitious. In fact, the title’s development team assesses Meeting as a work halfway between redo and remaster, but the truth is that he could have given more of himself. After all, the game was released in the market at a novelty price.

after finishing crisis core – Final Fantasy VII – Reunion, let’s say that at the level of the story nothing has changed compared to the original. So the narrative aspect maintains line by line everything we remembered from the original. Thus, we accompany again Zack Fair, 2nd class SOLDIER in his career or category promotion; even to the point where he becomes a hero. In short, we’ll once again embark on a journey through familiar environments, such as Midgar, while reminiscing about a great story with endearing characters and a very emotional heart attack ending.

At this point, we could say that if you’ve never played Crisis Core, or fancy playing it again, now is the best time. Well, this new version not only improves the visual section, but also modernizes the playable section in a very good way. In this sense, we find ourselves in front of a section more similar to Final Fantasy VII

, saving distance, where the gameplay abandons the leisurely pace of the original release to move closer to the playstyle of an A-RPG. Likewise, the static perspective camera gives way to a dynamic one, because if we remember, the PSP had only one stick with which we only controlled the character. This makes it easier and more organic to dodge, block, attack, and use materials.

On the other hand, this aspect of the game continues keeping its basic elements intactsince the system of materials, abilities and powers remains the same, as well as the limit system (OMD). The latter continues to be random, both to use limits and invocations, which prevents us from choosing what to use at each moment. Of course, the representation of these elements is very spectacular, since its staging activates very showy cinematics, as well as a large display of particles.

By going a little further in the facelift, which this brings it closer to the style and art that Square Enix imprints on the Final Fantasy saga, it must be said that it suits him very well. However, the work that has been done includes certain aspects that left us unmoved. For example, the animations. They are the same as the originalthus colliding with the whole and thus offering not very fluid movements. And the same goes for CGI footage.. These are exactly the same as in 2007, so they mark the contrast in quality, as well as resolution, between these and the new material that has been created.

This update also introduced a number of welcome quality of life improvements to the game. These range from the ability to run in exploration areas, the ability to skip video sequences, as well as combat ones, super fast loading times, UI improvements to like the introduction of more aids or tutorials to solve certain key situations. With all this, the title offers a duration of approximately 12-15 hours if we go straight to the point, although it can be extended to 30-35 hours if we want to complete all the missions, minigames or additional events that are included.

Finally, the sound section has been treated with exquisite care, since its superb soundtrack has been re-recorded with more up-to-date arrangements and technologies. The opportunity was also used to introduce new voiceovers to provide all dialogue with voices, although the languages ​​remain Japanese and English. We must therefore be satisfied good Spanish translation.

conclusion

crisis core – Final Fantasy VII – Reunion This is a very good return for this title, since the work that has been done is quite commendable. This means that the final product wins it all with almost instantaneous loading times, very attractive graphics, smoother and more fun gameplay, among many other aspects. However, there are certain fringes left in the shadows which could have improved the result, since the game uses part of the design inherited from the PSP and certain materials such as animations or CGI scenes have been reused as they are. With all this, we are sure that if you want to enjoy this wonderful adventure, here you will find the best way to do it.