More Information
Rating: 
-
This game is great at first, but when you continue, you realize it's the same repetitive button smashing over and over. The story is good, and the game play is comparable to Drakengard, though I found Drakengard more challenging.
The high ave. rating for this game is due to FFVII fanboy hype. This game's okay when compared to other games, but awful when compared to Final Fantasy as a genre.
Rating: 
-
I myself have not played any Final Fantasy game since VII first debuted nearly 10 years ago. What I remember of that game was that it was one of the most in depth games pertaining to the story and overall it was the best RPG I had played. It was one of the most memorable experiences I had ever had of playing any game.
Just recently, Crisis Core was released on North American soil. I had no idea what to expect, but my friend recommended picking up the game a few weeks before its release. I picked it up the day it came out and I literally haven't stopped playing it. I've had to recharge my PSP about three or four times already! But seriously, this game is totally distracting me from my Xbox 360, because I can't turn off my PSP.
First off, the graphics are gorgeous considering it's on PSP. The cutscenes and summons are unbelievably detailed, as expected from final fantasy games. The voice acting is pretty good, though the dialogue can be over-the-top cheesy at some points. Materia Fusion is pretty useful because there's lots of combinations as long as you have plenty of spare materia. The story alone is just amazing, almost possessing the magical traits of the original FFVII.
However, there are some things that bother me while playing this game as well. The side missions start out as fun, but because of their repetition of almost same scenarios they start to feel like doing a chore more than enjoying the game. Also the battle system is somewhat hard to handle, you'll be constantly pressing the X button, and the triangle button for defending against attacks sees little use because frankly it's pointless to defend when you're surrounded by enemies. You'll only really use the triangle button during battles with only one monster or a boss. It can be quite annoying using the DMW spinning reel because it's completely random, making it sometime take forever to level up you or your materia. It may sound like I'm bashing the game around too much, but the game is just so fun and the story is so good these things seem very minor.
Bottom line, the game is not perfect, but it does come close. Take it from me, I'm no Final Fantasy fanboy, I don't even play RPGs that much, but when a good RPG comes around, I don't let it pass me by. Pick this game up once you get the chance, you're missing out on one of the best games to come out on the PSP.
Rating: 
-
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.
Rating: -
This game is simply awesome and yes, finally something that cures the long wait for Final Fantasy 13 to be released on PS3.
Forget those cartoonish looking FF series released on the DS - and medicore FF on PSP, or the sad sequel X-2 - This is the closest to a real FF game since FF12. Top notch graphics, FF-worthy storyline, familiar characters and old acquitances from FF VII... and thank goodness a real FF battle system - ONLY BETTER - with real-time actions!
The action portion (attacks, dodge, block) are real-time actions where you go up to a person and attack, or press square or triangle to dodge or block - while some magic and healing are minor menu flipping in the lower corner. I do have one minor complain if anything - sometime in the heat of battle it gets too hectic look at the menu to see exactly which menu you are on, the result is you might have pressed "Potion" a couple times when you meant to press "attack". Well, wasting 100 gil, but no biggie.
Besides the usual FF storyline, yet another action-based side-quest "Misson" system! (love action based side-quest such as hunts and missions, hate card-playing) You can perform many missions right from the beginning to gather materia and other rare items, and if you can fight through the game, yes you can fight through the missions! Completing one mission usually unclocks serveral others, talk about motivation!
Overall, about 7 hours into play and not yet bored one minute. Just an awesome game, and yes Cloud, nice to see you too. Overall, a real big FF game on the smaller PSP screen. Now I am definitely looking forward to FF XIII on PS3.
Rating: -
When Square-Enix puts out a numbered Final Fantasy title, it never disappoints. But it's been painfully clear that any Final Fantasy spin-offs based on those games will miss the mark. Such is the case with Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. If you're expecting the same engrossing gameplay and engagement you had playing the original Final Fantasy VII, you'll be sorely disappointed.
The bad:
-Horrible, and I do mean HORRIBLE play control. You can seriously play through the battles blindfolded. All you do is simply hit the X button. The character moves on his own. Square-Enix should've either given us traditional turn-based battles or fully controllable God of War-style battles, not this weak combination of both.
-The actual game is very short, with only 10 chapters. After two hours of play, I was already in chapter 4, and that's after taking a good chunk of time doing side-missions as well.
-Side missions extend the game slightly, but they're also very short and not very engaging.
-DMW, which is a slot-machine-type meter that spins throughout the battle. The player has no control over it, and this is what determines if you or your attributes level up, or if you perform a limit break or use a summon. Basically, your progress and level is determined entirely at random (A level up happens when the first and last symbol match AND this corresponds to a 777). No skill is required.
So why, you ask, did I give this game 4 stars?
The good:
Story - Plain and simple, the story is absolutely incredible. The cutscenes are stunning, especially for the PSP. The voice acting is the best I've ever heard...period. The characters are convincing and engrossing. The atmosphere throughout the game is classic FFVII, and this alone is why you won't be able to put the game down.
A review from GameInformer said that it's well worth trudging through some of the worst gameplay ever just to see this story to the end, and I whole-heartedly agree. I'm hooked on it, and I'll gladly waste hours on side missions in the hope that I'll randomly level up, just so I can be strong enough to beat the final boss and bridge this story with Final Fantasy VII.
More Information
HOMEDebt Consolidation - Bankruptcy - Reggaeton Videos - Home Insurence - Bankruptcy 