One of the best PSP games to date
 

Disclaimer: If you aren't a fan of Final Fantasy VII, this game probably won't hold a lot of value to you. Sure it is fun but the story is a huge part of it and you'll simply lose something from it. If you haven't played Final Fantasy VII but would like to, I recommend playing the original first, as it will allow you to get the most out of this.

With that out of the way, this game is exceptional. You guide SOLDIER: 2nd Class Zack Fair through the trials of his aspirations to become a 1st Class. All the while learning the history of the Shinra Inc., how Sephiroth became the evil man he is today, and what set the now-legendary Cloud Strife on his fated path.
Gameplay: This is an action RPG in which you control Zack Fair for the entirety of the game. Using the L and R buttons, you switch between Attack and Item commands, as well as equipped materia. (Materia being the glass-like spheres from FF7 which allow you to cast magic.) The battles take place in real time. You are restricted to an 'arena' size, but the combat works a lot like Kingdom Hearts, complete with Block and Dodge Roll.
Of course the component that gets the most attention is the Digital Mind Wave (DMW) which is a slot-machine-like display in the upper right corner. It continually spins as you fight and the results give you stat bonuses. The pictures are comprised of people important to Zack and three of the same person will net you a Limit Break, usually relating to that character. There are also numbers. Three 7s will level Zack up, two of any number will level up the materia in the corresponding slot, and so on.
Sometimes it can get repetitive, but it can be pretty deep if you make it with accessories and fusing materia and the like. It is rewarding, all in all.

Graphics: Breathtaking. Throughout the entire game you will find yourself astounded that a handheld device could produce such graphics. In-game graphics are easily on par with early to mid-life PS2 games and Square's famous FMVs are nearly on par with Advent Children and those in Dirge of Cerberus.

Sounds: The effects are all satisfying. There is a great soundtrack, the original tracks are great. But the most dramatic are the nostalgic remixes of classic Final Fantasy VII tracks. Nibelheim's theme, the battle and boss themes, Aerith's theme, and the ubiquitous One-Winged Angel are all here in champion form. On the whole, the english voice actors do a fine job portraying the characters. Some lines are delivered awkwardly (particularly Angeal). But standouts such as Genesis, Sephiroth and Zack give outstanding performances. As do the rest of the Advent Children cast that reprise their roles.

Story: And this is what it's all about. The fact that the gameplay is fun is a mere bonus to this incredible story. Not only do you still care about the characters from FF7, but you come to know new ones. And, in the case of Sephiroth, get a glimpse at him back when he was a hero and not a villain. Anyone who played Final Fantasy VII knows how the game will end, and that sense of looming makes you wish for the game to wear on for the sole reason that you don't want to see Zack meet with his fate. I can count on one hand the video games that have brought me close to - or made me cry - and this one is definitely on the list. A beautifully bittersweet ending brings this game to a close that you will not soon forget.

Read the whole story.
Source / Author: Anonymous

About this Article: Final Fantasy Crisis Core is a beautiful game is an article about  Final Fantasy Crisis Core, submitted or written by or about  Anonymous,  posted to Zergwatch on 03/27/2008.  It has an article popularity score of 191 and a rating of 0.00 out of 5.  Other similar topics on Zergwatch include:  Final Fantasy,  Final Fantasy Crisis Core and  Final Fantasy Chronicles.

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