Final Fantasy VII - Crisis Core - PSP Review

For me, the Final Fantasy series dating back from the original Playstation era (VII and VIII), were absolutely pivotal in terms of influence to this day on all other RPG’s. Everything about these two games was years ahead of all its closest rivals, and the RPG scene was utterly dominated by Square and Final Fantasy. Two films have since been made, as well as an online game (XI) and the latest release is FFVII: Crisis Core on the PSP.

The plot is set (ironically) 7 years before the events from the original FF7, following Zack, a 2nd Class SOLDIER who is training to become a First Class, originally under the guidance of Sephiroth, Genesis and Angeal, the story develops at a rapid pace and there are plenty of plot twists quite early on. Almost too early, because you just get your head around something and then BANG; it’s all the opposite way around again.

Gameplay in battles is different to any other Final Fantasy game and does take some getting used too. Once you become accustomed to it however it works pretty fine. The reason it is tricky at first is that it is partly like FF12 in that the action is real-time and not the traditional turn-based action of old, but also, there is a random slot machine type generator, officially called the DMW, which grants you temporary abilities and upgrades and it also levels up Zack and his materia. This can be annoying at first because it is activated at random (only when numbers match up on the spinning dials). After a while though you do get used to it. However, I think it would have been better to have something more interactive rather than a random spinning dial determining when you level up. You cannot control where the dials stop, so it can be frustrating when you are one number away from a power up, especially in boss battles. The power ups (such as null magic/physical damage, no MP/AP cost etc) are extremely useful but it is still annoying not being fuly in control of them. Then again, this does make it more tense and exciting so it balances out. It does develop the story as well, because images from past cut scenes and encounters are used to activate the ‘power surge’. Whether this is to heighten Zack’s emotions in order to use the power surges I’m not sure, but it generally works quite well.

Controls are also different to past Final Fantasy outings. After a battle sequence is initiated, a bar of options appears in the bottom corner, and you press ‘X’ to select an option (such as attack, fire, thunder, spinning attack). One massive upside to this is that you can choose whether to have physical, or magic (or materia) attacks, as well as healing magic and potions etc. This makes Zack’s attacking style hugely customisable and you can pick and choose your favourite set up combinations. While you can do this to a degree in all Final Fantasy games, it has always been limited in some way, but now, you can have whatever options in whatever order you want. For example, you can have nothing but offensive magic to use in a battle, or any combination of physical and/or magical attacks. Armour can be equipped to give you a boost in HP, MP, AP etc, again, this gives you the option to play to your strengths and attack however you want too.

As I mentioned before, Graphics have always been something of a gaming benchmark with the Final Fantasy series, and the PSP version is no exception. In-game graphics are very good, with no lag whatsoever. It’s worth nothing that loading times are excellent considering the high detail that is being generated. While roaming, there are slightly jagged edges on the surroundings but this is being picky. Cut scenes look amazing, as do all the menu’s, characters, enemies, snapshot photo’s, animations and the pre-rendered cut-scenes are just sublime. At times, it’s easy to forget that all of this is on the PSP, on a 4.3inch screen. Colours are bright and distinctive, and everything just looks amazing. The only other game that has impressed me on PSP this much is Tekken: DR, which was seriously good. The opening video to Crisis Core is here, although I don’t think it does the actual game justice. Seeing it in for yourself in the full quality is preferable, but you can get a glimpse of the action and animation that I’m in love with. Sound effects and music are made to match the action perfectly. Voices on games can be very hit-and-miss, but they’ve been done well on Crisis Core.

Some niggling points remain but they are not so bad really. The game can be quite overwhelming at the start and there is a lot to take in. If you have completed or played the original FF7, things will fall into place quickly, but otherwise, you may need to read the supplied tutorials and info a few times before you become fully familiarised with what is going on. Similarly, about an hour into the game when you think you’ve got to grips with things you’re thrown out onto the street and told to do a few training exercises. Not a problem at first, but I got lost very quickly on the streets and it took quite a while to get back to where I was supposed to go. This happens in a few missions as well, and getting lost in an RPG is one of the most frustrating things that can happen to you. Most missions are relatively straight forward however, and unless you swing the camera around too much you won’t get too disorientated.

I’ve tried to be as fair, balanced and objective as possible (as always) so I don’t think i can give FF7:CC any less than 9/10. The life span of the game is vast considering replay value as well; I am coming up to 20% through the game and this is after several weeks of playing. Proving that the PSP can handle the big titles well is a big selling point. Now all I want is the original FF7 and FF8 to be made for PSP.

Overall: 9/10