Import review:Crisis Core is a game associated with the most highly regarded PlayStation RPG of all time. No pressure, mind, because FFVII fans were probably already expecting nothing but mediocrity after the PS2's middling Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus. Well, here's the good news: Crisis Core is not an average game. It's an exceptional one.
For a start, it pushes the PSP hardware like never before. From the quality of its FMV cutscenes to the finely detailed and richly textured in-game environments and character animations, Crisis Core is technically flawless. And for players who are hoping for a nostalgia trip, Crisis Core delivers by revisiting many of FFVII's locations, in glorious PSP-vision. It's like seeing FFVII 's world with new eyes.
It's not all show, either. There's an inventive and engaging game at Crisis Core's gooey warm centre, pushed on by a battle system that wouldn't be out of place in a chip shop: line up three identical icons on a rolling fruit machine display at the top of the battle screen, and you'll trigger an attack linked to whichever icon you land. This setup means that every battle you enter develops in a slightly random way.
Fantasy reboot Crisis Core focuses on the adventures of Zack, Cloud Strife's old army buddy, and you have real-time control over Zack in all situations - both when exploring Gaia and when engaging in battle. Zack's movements are smooth and he's easy to control (but we'd recommend D-pad control over the PSP's analogue stick, because the stick feels a bit ambiguous).
Although it's not on the same scale as Final Fantasy VII, Crisis Core is no lightweight. The main track of Zack's quest can be seen in about 12 hours, but there are hundreds of peripheral missions to extend playtime significantly. Crucially, there's no downtime - no dawdling - and the battle system never becomes tiresome. The result is all the quality and depth of FFVII coupled with PSP's unique accessibility and immediacy.
Crisis Core is a fine PSP adaptation of FFVII's key qualities, taking inspiration from its dramatic cutscenes and magic (Materia still has a big role), but cutting away the fat (lengthy wandering, and an overlong centre) to present the critical core of FFVII's enduring spirit.
PSW Staff
// Overview
Verdict
Crisis Core is more than a nostalgia trip for FFVII fans - it's a fresh and exciting game in its own right, and arguably the single most impressive application of the PSP's power.
YAY! Go CVG for giving this the score it deserves - this game rocks!!!
I've been playing the Japanese version since it came out and I'm loving every minute of it!
It's definitely a game worthy of a PSP purchase, and I know I'm going to love it even more when the English version finally comes out...whenever that is!
I clocked this in Japanese it's a top game even though I didn't have a clue what was going on. However it is an all out action RPG that's much more linear than traditional Final Fantasy games. It also has the best CG sequences I've ever seen in any game.
Eventually I will buy a PSP, I've been holding off for the slim-lite version. This is one game I would get a PSP for - hope they do some sort of bundle with it.
I agree - there was no way that I was waiting until next summer for the chance to play this game!!!
this is the first time that I have imported a Japanese RPG and despite being quite text heavy it's not actually that hard to play. I am about two-thirds through the game now and have only got stuck a few times.
First of all, I would just like to say that I don't actually own this game, my neighbor does. I have played it extensively though and I (IHMO) would have to disagree with the score given. I would have maybe given this game a 7 or an 8. The controls could have been better and, to me, the gameplay felt a little dull. I've had my PSP since a month after the US launch and I still havn't found a game worthy of upgrading my firmware, from 1.5, to play current games. (emulators FTW!) Tempted by GTA:LCS, but I figured that it would come to the PS2 or Xbox and I was right. (about the PS2 that is) If recent sales of the PS2 are anything to go by, I should expect to see this game on there as well. However, if $ony wants to sell a few more PSP's they should end the PS2 or not allow game developers to port PSP games to the consoles. Just my opinion though.
First of all, I would just like to say that I don't actually own this game, my neighbor does. I have played it extensively though and I (IHMO) would have to disagree with the score given. I would have maybe given this game a 7 or an 8. The controls could have been better and, to me, the gameplay felt a little dull. I've had my PSP since a month after the US launch and I still havn't found a game worthy of upgrading my firmware, from 1.5, to play current games. (emulators FTW!) Tempted by GTA:LCS, but I figured that it would come to the PS2 or Xbox and I was right. (about the PS2 that is) If recent sales of the PS2 are anything to go by, I should expect to see this game on there as well. However, if $ony wants to sell a few more PSP's they should end the PS2 or not allow game developers to port PSP games to the consoles. Just my opinion though.
I personally think it's worthy of CVG's score, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I am sure this will get mixed bag reviews when it is released in the west.
My personal bug-bears are the camera which can be a bit annoying - it's easy to loose your bearings after those random battles and the DMW for me feels a bit hit and miss sometimes...
FF7 has been dead to me since Advent Children. Wish they'd leave the franchise alone now- it was a brilliant game, with a superb story (though I remember plenty of typos!), it's a shame they've crippled it. Crisis Core maybe descent enough, but can I really trust this review? Square haven't made descent FF game since... well, 7!
Copyright 2006 - 2009 Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath, UK BA1 2BW England and Wales company registration number 2008885
, now I have to buy a bloody PSP 
.
. HINT HINT CVG......
