Finally, a NEW Final Fantasy for the PSP
OK, maybe not 100% new. Anyone who has played Final Fantasy VII pretty much knows how this game ends already. But it's not a port like Tactics, and it's not a remake like I or II. Therefore, I consider it a new game.
First off, as of this writing, I am not yet finished with the game. I am about half-way through it. If you don't think that's far enough to get a decent picture of how Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII works, then screw you. As I stated before, I already know how the game ends-- It's a prequel for crying out loud!
Now, before I actually start reviewing, I'd like to say that SquareEnix has apparently lost its mind. All this stuff about the "Compilation of Final Fantasy VII", and they're completely neglecting the best character! Seriously, Square, when are you releasing a game that stars Red XIII?
Anyway, on to the review:
Gameplay
This is an action RPG, so combat is really what's important here. To summarize: It's like Kingdom Hearts if the battle system ended up in Vegas and lost all its jump commands. But don't worry, it apparently won a block command. How did it lose a jump and win a block you ask? Slot machines. Also, it has apparently developed a gambling addiction that has driven it to steal one of those machines and carry the stupid thing everywhere it goes. Believe me, this is actually a great metaphor.
Basically, it's like Kingdom Hearts in that battles take place in real time (unlike most games in this series), however, there is still a command window. You use the shoulder buttons to move between commands. There is always an attack and an item command, all the other commands are determined by what currently have equipped. You activate commands with the X button.
Also, if you want, you can use the square button to perform a dodge roll and a triangle to guard against enemy attacks.
Be careful, though, once you enter a command, you lose control of your character until the command has been executed. This can get very annoying if you happen to be facing a boss or any other particularly strong enemy.
Now, for the Digital Mind Wave, or DMW. Basically, it's a set of slots on the top right corner of the screen. It spins and stops randomly, and its outcome determines your special bonus. You have no control over it. Let me repeat that: NO CONTROL OVER IT.
Surprisingly, however, it's not as bad as it sounds. When it stops, either nothing happens or you get a power-up. The DMW will never do anything to hurt you, which is great. It keeps the battles from getting boring a repetitive.
Occasionally, you'll get a message saying something about a "Modulating Phase". When this happens, combat stops and the slot wheels take up the whole screen. It is during this time that you might get a level up or perform a special attack called a limit break. Occasionally, the slot wheels will be replaced with a different one, which, depending on what you land on, may result in you summoning a giant monster to blow up your opponents. Why the player has no control over the summons is beyond me. I guess the developers just thought that they were too overpowered.
Levels confuse me. You can only level up during modulating phase, and only when you land on a triple 7. No one is quite sure if this is random or determined by an invisible experience count. It may be something else entirely, I don't know. All I know is that I get triple 7's a lot. I mean, it can't be random if I get it so often. Oh well, the world may never know how the level-up system works.
8.5/10
Story
You play Zack Fair. He's a member of an elite group called SOLDIER. He lives in world full of magic and technology. One day, fellow SOLDIER members go rogue. What will Zack do?
Like I said, anyone who's played the original FF7 knows how this game will end. Still, it provides some nice backstory. The voice acting is good. Not great, but good.
6.5/10
Music
The Final Fantasy series has always had great music. Crisis Core's soundtrack is just as good as the rest of the series. It's got the best music in an FF game since Nobuo Uematsu left to form his own company. This soundtrack is vastly superior to the pitiful music boasted by FFX, FFXII, and Dirge of Cerebus. And I'm not just saying that because it contains a couple familiar songs.
Actually, I prefer the new songs to the newly remixed old ones. Granted, when I first realized that I recognized the original game's Boss and Battle themes, I smiled a little with nostalgia, but the new battle theme is just as good. The music fits the game perfectly, too, so nothing seems out of place. I kind of wish all sound didn't stop when I pressed the pause button.
While we're on the subject of the pause button, I'd like to point out that you can pause this game at anytime, even during cutscenes. However, for some reason, you cannot skip cutscenes.
9/10
Graphics
Back to the Kingdom Hearts comparisons (hey, since it's the same company, it's OK). The graphics reminded me of KHII's graphics for the most part. It's pretty much at the same level as that.
During normal gameplay, that is.
The pre-rendered FMV sequences are simply gorgeous. Are you an FF7 fan? Have you seen Advent Children? The FMV scenes in this game are of the same level of quality. That's right, Crisis Core is a graphic masterpiece.
9.5/10
Closing Comments
This game is great. If you enjoy action RPGs like Kingdom Hearts, get this game. If you enjoy JRPGs in general like Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest, get this game. If you hate RPGs in all their forms, it's probably a bad idea to get this game.
Final score:
8.5/10