Con Final Fantasy VII Remake, Square Enix reintroduced to the present a delivery that has never yielded popularity. The new story of Cloud, Aerith, Tifa, Barret and Red XIII took the foundation that came before it and took it in an unexpected direction, while expanding on previously shorter segments. As a result we have a fascinating tour of Midgar that is only the first part of a trilogy in development. Whose second part will continue to forge its own path in the form of a revival.
On the tenth anniversary of Final Fantasy VIIthe PlayStation Portable console received the ‘spin-off’ Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. This game is a prequel to the events of Final Fantasy VII starring member second class SOLDIER, Zack Fair. Contrary to the OVA Last Order: Final Fantasy VII con family narrative in Nibelheimthe events of Crisis Core they are considered canon within the compilation of Final Fantasy VII.
The importance of Crisis Core is such that he shares with FFXV Hajime Tabata as director. Since Final Fantasy VII Remake we have seen many nods to the game from Sony’s laptop, thus ensuring that it would not be lost in the new chronology. In this way, and 15 years after its original launch, on the 25th anniversary of Final Fantasy VIISquare Enix now brings us in HD the story of Zack and his hero’s journey.
Zack is then a young and promising member of Shinra’s private army in the Midgar headquarters. together with his mentor Angeal –First class SOLDIER– and the hero Sephirot, Zack must investigate the mysterious disappearance of Shinra operatives. Especially that of the G-Class soldier known as Genesis Rhapsodos. Genesis was a childhood friend of Angeal’s in Banora village, where unique juiced apples bear fruit.
He is also an authority on the investigation and interpretation of the poem ‘LOVELESS’. Obsessed to such an extent with the work that he imagines himself, Sephirot and his friend Angeal, as the protagonists of the story. In this story, three men embark on a mission to find the ‘gift of the goddess’. This is somewhat reminiscent of the Sephirot remnants in the movie. Advent Children (Kadaj, Loz and Yazoo) in search of Jenova, or “her mother”.
Square Enix promotes Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion as a remaster of the PSP game. However, be it for modesty or some other reason, we basically received an improved ‘remake’ of the original title.. From the first selection screen we see the superior influence of Final Fantasy VII Remake, inheriting the renewed design of menus and commands. It departs from the PSP game in graphics and controls but keeping the main story and missions.
They are not images of an exact quality to that of FFVII Remake And still they get pretty close. Faces of younger characters such as Cloud, Aerith, and Tifa firmly follow those of Remakedespite the fact that clothes do not receive the same treatment. The proximity of Crisis Core Reunion con FFVII Remake It is established regardless of the route of the 2020 game. That the game interface acquires twin nuances is a way of not-so-subtly canonizing both elements within the same universe. The benefit of being a prequel.
In addition to the character models, the 3D settings are renewed and the visual experience enriched on modern screens. The PSP limitation reduced the amount of detail on the screen and both L and R were used to control the camera while exploring or changing commands in battle. Thanks to the modern controls and being an action/RPG game, its setup also emulates that of Final Fantasy VII Remake. With L1 we can activate the materials as shortcuts on the front buttons, which in turn are used to execute an attack, guard, dodge and use objects.
The improved battle system is reason enough to opt for Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion about the original version. This softens the gameplay and gives more space to move in battles, freely selecting enemies. Also, the exponential speed removes the cooldown on basic actions, allowing you to attack and dodge without delay. This also allows adding a combo system and chaining basic attacks, skill materia (AP) and magic (MP).
Of course, the battle system would not be the same without its particular roulette wheel or DMW (Digital Mind Wave). This memory wheel used by Shinra members is the only way to activate the limits on Crisis Core, in turn defined by the relationships forged by Zack. At first we are limited to those that the story presents us with, including Angeal, Sephiroth, Tseng, Cloud and Aerith. After a rematch against the traditional ‘Summons’ of the series –such as Ifrit or Bahamut– we can add them to our roulette wheel and align their effigies, unleash their power in full combat.
We have no control over the DMW and by spending SP the wheel spins constantly in battles. Granting advantages such as unlimited use of AP or MP, temporary invincibility, limits, summons, level up and even ‘flashbacks’ of past events. Flashback sequences, story, and uncontrollable characters are now fully voiced in English and Japanese. In the PSP version only some scenes had it and the NPCs had no voices.
The soundtrack receives new musical arrangements by Takeharu Ishimoto, original composer. Perhaps not to the imposing level of Nobuo Uematsu and colleagues in Final Fantasy VII Remake. But the music of Crisis Core Reunion neither does he feel out of step with the universe contained in the world of Gaia. Roulette may seem strange to those who have never played Crisis Corebut with time luck becomes our main ally. This dynamic at the end is one of the best achieved additions by the ‘spin-off’ of FFVII
of the best in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion is the variety of options that players have, disponible en PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC (Steam) y Nintendo Switch. For platforms like Xbox and Nintendo it is strange not to have Final Fantasy VII Remake y yes this alternate delivery. If we consider that it is a prequel, it is a good start and we would not rule out outright that FFVII Remake come to the Xbox family one day.
Whatever the platform of choice, we have different resolutions and frame rates that vary between 30 and 60 fps. You can find here the details for each of the systems where it runs Crisis Core Reunion. The options are wide to enjoy the story of Zack and other well-known young people from FFVII. Both for those who entered this world with Remake or just delve into its captivating display of characters. Or those who never had the opportunity to play it on PSP, it’s never too late and this is the way.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion is the best way to play the ‘spin-off’ of Final Fantasy VII due to the weight of time on the original version. The controls have improved substantially, the graphics have been completely updated and both the menus and the game interface copy what was done perfectly by FFVII Remake. The base of the game is the same but the quality of life it receives makes it seem more like a ‘remake’ than a remaster. Completely recommended for those who like this world, whether they are new or old connoisseurs. The ideal and canonized companion of Final Fantasy VII Remake.
Review made using a digital copy of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion for PlayStation 4 provided by Square Enix.
