Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (2007)

This game offers a rich backstory centered on Zack Fair, a character previously shrouded in mystery and first introduced in the Final Fantasy VII from PlayStation 1. The game blends real-time action combat with RPG elements, a notable shift from the series’ traditional turn-based roots, and it suits the handheld format well. The story adds emotional depth to the FFVII universe, especially as it explores themes of honor, identity, and sacrifice. While the Digital Mind Wave (DMW) slot machine mechanic can feel a bit too random, and I admit that I'm not particularly a fan of this mechanic, the game's heartfelt narrative, strong voice acting, and beautiful cutscenes more than make up for it. It’s a must-play for fans of the original and a standout PSP title.

I had a blast playing this title because it felt like I was playing the Vincent title, but now with a much more relevant character, since Vincent was actually an optional one in the original. This is one of those games you can't put down until you reach the credits, it's pacing is simply phenomenal, you never get bored and the combat sequences are satisfying enough while also having a balanced challenge. Though compared to other entries of the FFVII universe, this tends to be more simplistic when it comes to the combat, what I enjoyed the most was actually the story and characters.

Another aspect that really stood out to me was how well the game uses its supporting cast to elevate Zack’s journey. Characters like Angeal and Genesis may be divisive for some fans, but I appreciated how they serve as philosophical foils, constantly challenging Zack’s ideals and sense of duty. Their presence helps contextualize SOLDIER not just as an elite force, but as a place where loyalty, ambition, and personal values often clash. By the time the story reaches its later chapters, the emotional weight feels fully earned, and even knowing how things must end doesn’t lessen the impact.

On a technical level, the game is remarkably impressive for a PSP title, the OST, as usual, perfectly complements both the high-energy combat and the quieter, more reflective moments, often enhancing the emotional punch of key scenes. Visually, the cutscenes still hold up well, and the art direction captures the tone of the FFVII universe. Overall, this game feels like a carefully crafted bridge between lore expansion and character-driven storytelling, and it left a lasting impression on me long after I put the console down.

"Embrace your dreams... and whatever happens, protect your honor..."

So I'm done with Crisis Core. I played this game on my phone using ppsspp, using a Moga Hero Power controller, an IPEGA 9025, and an IPEGA 9033. Most of the game I fast forwarded through. All in all I think I might have spent total 16ish hours on it.

First and foremost, Crisis Core is a solid game. The graphics are extremely polished, especially if you are playing it on an emulator on an updated hardware system. Even right at the beginning, when I fought the first boss I was pretty amazed how nice everything looked. Everything is shiny and bright, and the lines are razor sharp.

The mechanics of the gameplay though, are a little wonky. There is something in the game called the DMW, (digital mind wave), where there is a permanant slot machine in the top left corner being constantly spun, and depending on the characters it lands on you get bonuses and special attack summons during the battle, making the game even easier. I started playing the game on hard and everything was a cakewalk. The materia and item system is pretty interesting, somewhat more complex than the materia system in FFVII but simpler in different ways. You gain materia levels based on hits on the DMW, and your materia and item slots increase as the game goes forward. Materia also have stat change modifiers on them, you can also do materia fusions for even better materia, none of which are very necessary to complete the game.

Story wise, the game is really interesting. There are a lot of events that are revisited that are referenced by the original game FFVII, the movie (Advent Children), and even the little anime short that they have. The scene that Cloud once explained to the party in FFVII, where Cloud and Sephiroth visit Nibelheim is finally explained! Which is very nice. If you remember correctly Cloud explains he visited the mansion with Sephiroth, then the facility in the mountains. Then he awoke and the city was on fire. Sephiroth disappears in the flames, and when Cloud confronts Sephiroth at the facility (the scene where Sephiroth rips the statue of Jenova out to reveal the real Jenova), Cloud lunges at Sephiroth in the last scene, before the story ends. Then Cloud says "And then I dont remember what happened after that." Well, in the game you get to see what happens. Zack faces off with Sephiroth for an actual battle, even though you are crushing it the battle ends with Sephiroth just pushing you aside and beating you up. You end up crawling out of the facility, and then Cloud comes in and sees Zack and Tifa on the floor. He freaks out and takes Zack's sword and stabs Sephiroth in the gut. Sephiroth stabs Cloud in the chest with his giant masamune longsword. Cloud gets mako warrior strength and just pulls himself off of Sephiroth's sword, and holding the blade end, just throws him off the balcony like John Cena. Sephiroth is like WTF? and flies away. Cloud and Zack both pass out inside the facility only to be awoken after being rejuvenated by (I think Hojo?) and the mako tanks. 4 years have passed while they were in the rejuvenation chambers.

It's definitely worth a play through if you are interested in the lore. The battle system is forgettable. You won't be getting your kicks facing off any of the monsters or doing any of the missions available at Shinra HQ (Some of them are challenging but not in a fun way). The dialogue though, is quite a pill to swallow. There is a lot of poetic flowery language that I got tired of real quick. A lot of the kinda lines that are like "When the angel of providence walks the earth, salvation shall be bestowed upon us all in a righteous fury. I don't believe in monsters without souls. To be soulless is to not be alive. Absolution is given only to those who are worthy. I am fighting on the side of the righteous. Those who are of the blessed winged shall bathe the world in blah blah blah blah blah." I understand that sometimes you want to talk really deeply about theoretical stuff, but it's all garbage text. All of it. Devoid of any meaning. All it did was annoy me. I didn't care about any of the characters hardly at all.

Bottom line, if you are trying to squeeze blood from a stone and the blood you are looking for is FFVII content, then this will definitely do. I'd say about 50% of the game was actually worth playing. You play Zack and get to meet Aerith. There are some explanations about some of the things that happen in FFVII. One of the funnier moments, Zack finds Vincent in a coffin at the mansion in Nibelheim and says "Theres somebody sleeping in here.... Maybe I should leave him alone." made be laugh literally aloud. You patrol Junon for a bit. Yuffie and Tifa are also in the game. There are some alright scenes with Rufus and Rude (Turks). Some of the more difficult missions are sorta fun.

If you are into emulation, check it out. I wouldn't pay more than 10 dollars for the game though.