Mark is living in a Materia world...

It’s fair to say George Lucas coined the term ‘prequel’. His second Star Wars trilogy gave the established universe even more depth by delving into the story’s past. Predictable perhaps, but they captivated old and new film fans alike [That's a matter of opinion! - Ed]. It was always Anakin Skywalker’s fate to become Darth Vader, but seeing it happen was still a powerful cinematic experience, thanks to the iconic status of the series and the powerful presence of its arch antagonist.

Crisis Almighty!

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is Square Enix’s tribute to Lucasarts. It is to gaming what the Star Wars prequels were to cinema. It is to Final Fantasy VII what Revenge of the Sith was to A New Hope. It’s the big, bombastic back story to the most beloved RPG of all time, featuring memorable locations, familiar faces, a tragically endearing main character, and a complex, troubled villain-to-be falling from grace in spectacular fashion.

As such, getting the most out of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII practically demands that you’ve played the original PSone role-player. If you have, you’ll absolutely adore this. If not, then you may see some of its intricacies go over your head, but will still find Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII an immediately playable, marvellously produced and at-times moving tale that rates highly as a must-play PSP exclusive.

Despite the subtitle, Crisis Core can’t be compared directly to Final Fantasy VII, because they’re very different games. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is a less traditional, more action-focused adventure than its forebear, featuring a set of innovations which perfectly suit the portable format.

Core blimey!

First up, battles. They seem random, with enemies appearing on screen from nowhere, but we get the impression they’re triggered by invisible markers. A couple of times we replayed an area, only to get the exact same fights with specific enemies at the very same points.

Its remarkable how well Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII adapts a turn-based template to real-time battles. Crisis Core controls more like a scrolling brawler; you run around and attack, block or evade at the press of a button; but the execution is typical FFVII, with L and R triggers scrolling through a list of actions in the bottom right corner while the battle flows on screen, and X activating the highlighted command.

These include standard attack and items, but also your equipped damage, recovery and ability Materia; the latter two consuming MP and AP points respectively. It’s a sophisticated system capable of creating powerful combinations, particularly with the more powerful Materia later on in Crisis Core.

The next innovation is the Digital Mindwave. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII’s DMW is the slot machine in the top left of the screen which spins with SP, gained from every attack. It dictates level-ups to protagonist Zack, his skills, Materia and activation of limit breaks. Like battle encounters it appears random, but is driven by some complicated calculations. The DMW can be unpredictable – you won’t level up for ages, only to do so twice in quick succession, and often you’ll get a limit break when you don’t need it – but overall it balances out and integrates well with the combat system.

Then you have the Three M’s: Mails, Missions and Materia Fusion. Accessible through the triangle menu, these add depth to the respective story, action and inventory of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, with mails making you feel like a member of SOLDIER, Missions providing an ideal portable pick-up-and-play challenge (plus some of the rarest Materia) and Materia Fusion letting you mix and match to make new, more powerful Materia.

Fantastic Fantasy finale

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is not without its faults. The camera isn’t great; Boss battles can verge between frustrating and sheer fluke, losing due to unblockable attacks, and winning via consecutive lucky DMW spins; Dialogue is very American teen angst; Cutscenes and limit break animations are unskippable (though they are pausable); And there’s one godawful stealth section.

However, this is still a masterful role-player boasting charm, innovation and action by the Bahamut-load. Visually rich for a handheld title with great- in-game graphics, luscious FMV and an astounding soundscape (listen out for Advent Children’s superb choral chanting), Crisis Core is by far the best of the FFVII spin-offs. Emotive, memorable and packing a real blockbuster finale, its essential playing for franchise fans and highly recommended for Final Fantasy VII newcomers.

GAME's Verdict

• A thoroughly well-done blend of action and RPG aspects that perfectly fits portable play.
• Phenomenal production values with great in-game graphics, fantastic FMV and astounding sonic selection.
• An emotive, moving and powerful prequel: essential for Final Fantasy VII followers and will introduce newcomers to the series in style. And that ending! *weep*
  

• The DMW system lacks skill, making battles, especially bosses, either infuriatingly hard or flukily easy.
• Unskippable cutscenes and limit break animations.
• One godawful stealth section where the camera in particular will cause you severe problems.

Review by: Mark 'Materia Girl Guy' Scott
Version Tested: PSP
Review Published: 06.06.08