Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Hands-On

If you're a Final Fantasy fan, it is probably a foregone conclusion that your favorite title from the series is Final Fantasy VII, released all the way back in 1997 for the original PlayStation. The game is classically remembered for its rich story-telling, imaginable locations, and unforgettable characters. The game has spawned a number of spin-off creations such as the PlayStation 2 title Dirge of Cerberus and DVD/Blu-ray movie, Advent Children. Square-Enix is looking to finish the whole compilation of the Final Fantasy VII series with Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, no doubt one of the more anticipated titles in the PSP's lifespan.



To start things off, you would need to know the basic story. Crisis Core is a title that takes place in the familiar world of Midgar, exactly seven years prior to the events of FFVII. This time around, you will take the role of character Zack Fair, SOLDIER 2nd Class, who inspires to become a 1st Class.

I do not want to spoil the opening sequence of the game for you; however it will create a very nostalgic feeling for those who have played Final Fantasy VII. After the initial intro sequence is concluded, you are thrown into the Shinra Company HQ which serves as the central hub throughout the entire game, as described by the PR representative standing right next to me. It is here where I spent a great core of my play through. Get used to this location because unlike past Final Fantasy games where you rarely revisit past locations as you continuously progress through the game to newer locations, in Crisis Core, the game is more mission-based and after each completed mission, you will return to the HQ for debriefing and intel about what is next for young Zack. This is where the baseline plot for the rest of the story is first introduced. It is explained that Zack is more-so of an apprentice under mentor, Angel, whom is a SOLDIER 1st Class. Under his guidance, Zack is sent to track down a SOLDIER 1st Class Genesis whom goes missing along with his squad on a mission in Wutai. This is where the real beef lies, what happened out in Wutai? Where did Genesis go? And how does this tie into what lies ahead in Final Fantasy VII?


Protagonist Zack Fair has a long road ahead of him....

Finally, it was my turn to play and it took place in the main HQ where Zack and Angeal engage in a prompt conversation about Zack’s future, what is expected of him, and the mission to track down Genesis. This portion of the game serves primarily as a tutorial, introducing the character to some of the basic functions such as navigation through the menu and how to enter into missions. I must take this time right now to explain that from what I saw from the play through, the game does a poor job introducing players to the overall scheme of the Final Fantasy VII realm. It is almost as if it is assumed that you have played the original FFVII and that you know about all of the smaller details. If you have played FFVII, then you will be able to jump right on in and enjoy the game and understand the grand scheme of things perfectly. To the contrary, if Crisis Core serves as your introduction to the Final Fantasy sphere then expect to be thrown into a place where you will be constantly saying “What is that supposed to mean?” That in itself could create some major comprehension problems for many gamers. No matter how much Square-Enix believes how popular FFVII is, not everyone has played or completed the original.


Expect to see the return of past FFVII characters such as Cloud, Aeris, and even nemesis, Sephiroth

After the core tutorial process is finished (as you progress, more tutorials will pop up), the game opens up to you and you have the opportunity to either pursue the core story which is to investigate Genesis or you can take part in many of the games 300 side ... (continued on next page)

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What are your thoughts?

  1. wufei | Wufenopolis

    • 3:25pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    1st!  I can't WAIT to get this game...

  2. mustang750r | MUSTANG750R

    • 3:32pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    a must get psp game

  3. Stickemup

    • 4:06pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    It's rare when a "first!" comment every really says anything constructive. Anyway, I bought a PSP just for this but now that I looked into it's games I realized I was missing out on some real cool games that work so well in a portable manner. Power Stone Collection anyone? Hehe. Anyway, I'm gonna take my time to pass this game because it's been long overdue. Can't wait.

  4. VEGAZ5

    • 4:10pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    i don't care what any reviewer says this game is mine

  5. AZURA-DRAGON | Azura-Dragon

    • 4:12pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    im going to get this game

  6. wufei | Wufenopolis

    • 4:14pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    To Stickemup: Well duh! You can't waste time saying something constructive if you want to make the 1st post... :P

  7. NAMEK | NAMEK

    • 4:14pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    A must have for me

  8. Falanx13 | Falanx13

    • 4:47pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    I'm gonna wait on this one and see if they release a FFVII:CC PSP bundle  :D

  9. JD-82 | JD-82

    • 4:56pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    My PSP should arrive in a couple of weeks and i'll be getting this as soon as there's a uk release.

     

    Good to see Sarad is back with his typical spelling and grammar mistakes too...

  10. Link64 | Link64

    • 5:15pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    this game & God of war for the psp is wat really convince me that i should buy a psp, but i guess i'll stay with my ps3 instead.

  11. Alti | Alti

    • 5:28pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    My name is Angel... I believe Zack's mentor's name is Angeal? naughty naughty, psu. Check your self.

  12. netherdragon | netherdragon

    • 5:36pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    defenently getting this...if i have the cash...damm being skint

  13. hush404 | hush404

    • 6:04pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    Mmm. 2 great games for the PSP in one month. I'm getting GOW COP right away and then CC FFVII at the end of the month :D

  14. Uncool | Admodistrator

    • 6:13pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    Pfft at the 1st poster, 1st impression or in this case 1st post is always important. It sets the flow of the topic smart guy. >_> In any case are we going to see a review of this fairly soon? I want more hands on experience from other PSU staff.

  15. Jacsterd | matrixcoder

    • 6:26pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    Final Fantasy On PSP will be big big BIG!!!! Final Fantasy Crisis Core will be a huge seller... Sony and SE have done it again... Xbox360 go back to the place you came from!!

  16. edward_moffet | edd

    • 7:23pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    to falanx13: they are but its japan only :(

  17. Falanx13 | Falanx13

    • 8:08pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    @edward_moffet

    I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that they might release a similar bundle in the States and in Europe, so I'm willing to wait a little longer. If not, there's always the sexy GoW bundle.

  18. Excelryu | Falryu

    • 8:17pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    A friend of mine imported the japanese version. It looks awesome. My friend understands japanese but I couldn't understand anything at all from the cutscenes.

  19. shaka | Shaka

    • 10:04pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    Im buying a slim PSP for God of War and Crisis Core this month WOW.

  20. Xdeth | Xdeth

    • 10:31pm GMT - March 3rd, 2008

    @ wufei - Your not cool. No cares you were first. The only thing you proved by putting that is that your immature and g@@y. Seriosly its not cool to put 1st and you've added nothing to the conversation.

    "If you're a Final Fantasy fan, it is probably a foregone conclusion that your favorite title from the series is Final Fantasy VII" - I find this comment offensive. What it should say, is if your a click fan. Ask most true hardcore fans of the series and they will tell you VII wasn't the best in the series. Yes it was a great game and I loved it. True fans though will tell you though,, the best in the series was either FF IV, VI,, or Tactics. If you think VII was the best in the series, more then likely it was the first one of the series you played. I own them all have played them. Trust me as much as I love VII and its emotional story, It wasn't the best.

     

  21. IRONMAIDEN

    • 12:20am GMT - March 4th, 2008

    why would they make it for the lame psp and not for the real fans

  22. Rikus | Rikus68

    • 4:51am GMT - March 4th, 2008

    I agree Xdeth. FFVII is what introduced the western gamer to Final Fantasy so is regarded as the best in that respect. I preferred FFVIII as I thought it had some great cut scenes and action sequences

  23. MajesticEdge

    • 8:25am GMT - March 4th, 2008

    @Xdeth, the only reason why I made that comment is because most of the FF fans I know....90% of them regard FFVII as the best. Personally, I'm more of a fan of FFX and FFVIII.

  24. woodcock_ps3 | WALL-MARTshinobi

    • 11:30am GMT - March 4th, 2008

    #24 i hope i get the last post,  but  now i can say that v11 will be a great game and every1 will buy it but  which every1 knows already.but  some ppl dont even know this game is coming out so the sales will be low dont expect a smash hit in the U.S i bet it would only barly reach 1 million only with fans. spread the word

  25. mcwups1

    • 2:26pm GMT - March 4th, 2008

    Give me a freaking remake of Final Fantasy VII.....NOW!

  26. Deldwen | Deldwen1

    • 6:04pm GMT - March 4th, 2008

    nice grafix wow.. for a psp... psp is becoming sooo tempting

  27. psn_frov | frov

    • 6:19pm GMT - March 4th, 2008

    I wasn't expecting Crisis Core to be that long 'cause Chains of Olympus is only about 7-9 hours and the graphics are similar so great job for Square-enix

  28. PerezStation3 | HYper_MAN456

    • 9:33pm GMT - March 4th, 2008

    awsome!! I'll be getting my psp in 2 weeks and by then this thing'll be out so I'll definitely be pickin this up! can't wait!

  29. AZURA-DRAGON | Azura-Dragon

    • 7:26am GMT - March 6th, 2008

    i really WANT A REMAKE OF FFVII PLEASE SQURE-ENIX DO A REMAKE

  30. Azu | Azu-san

    • 1:22am GMT - March 17th, 2008

    " Exclusively for the North American market,"

    The hard mode isn't exclusive to the North American market, it'll be in the European version too.

  31. jumpmanandbeyon

    • 10:32pm GMT - March 1st, 2009

    great game

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