Is Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion Worth Playing? Absolutely.
As both a loyal fan of Final Fantasy VII since 1997 and an avid gamer focused on critiquing gameplay experiences, I can definitively say that Crisis Core Reunion is an excellent remaster well worth your time. For newcomers and longtime fans alike, Crisis Core provides an impactful prequel story that expands the FF7 universe in meaningful ways.
A Faithful Retelling With Modernized Presentation
Crisis Core Reunion is a faithful remake that retains the original‘s narrative and charm while upgrading the graphics and combat. This provides the best way for new players to experience a beloved classic.
The visuals have been stunningly improved compared to the 2007 PSP game. Characters like Zack and Sephiroth gain more detail and life through higher polygon counts, better textures, and vastly improved lighting.
Environments also benefit – the steampunk city of Midgar now feels like a real, lived-in location compared to the original‘s static backdrops. For comparison, other PS2/PSP remasters like Persona 3 Portable haven‘t seen nearly as dramatic graphical changes.
These visual upgrades aren‘t on par with big-budget new games like Final Fantasy VII Remake. But Tose‘s overhaul preserves the art direction while gracefully evolving a portable title into a modern console experience.
| Visual Aspect | Original PSP | Reunion Remaster |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 272 | Up to 4K |
| Framerate | 30 FPS | 60 FPS |
| Texture Detail | Low | High |
| Character Models | PS2-era polygon counts | Higher poly counts with normal/specular maps |
| Lighting | Flat, baked-in lighting | Dynamic lighting, shadows, & post-processing |
The combat also receives a welcome evolution. Zack controls even better thanks to tightened up inputs and camera angles. Targeting foes during hectic battles is easier than ever before.
These modernizations are thoughtfully applied while retaining Crisis Core‘s spirit as a bite-sized portable action RPG.
Gripping Story That Expands FF7‘s Lore
Experiencing Crisis Core‘s story first-hand is the biggest reason to play. As a prequel, it provides invaluable context that makes FF7‘s events even more impactful.
Seeing Zack‘s unwavering optimism and honor fleshes out his personality beyond FF7‘s references to him as Cloud‘s friend. His mentorship of the shy, unconfident Cloud we meet here pays off when we see Cloud‘s cocky persona in FF7, knowing it was adopted from Zack.
Crisis Core‘s ending tore my heart out the first time I played it in 2007, and still hits just as hard today.
We also gain deeper insight into Sephiroth before his shocking actions in FF7. Sephiroth‘s descent into madness becomes more gripping when you‘ve seen the human side of his friendship with Zack. His layered characterization here makes him a much more nuanced villain.
Key events like Aerith‘s death and the Nibelheim incident take on richer meaning when experienced alongside these characters‘ full backstories. This illustrates why Crisis Core is such an essential, canonical entry in the FF7 saga.
Hundreds of Hours of Content
While Crisis Core‘s critical path story takes under 30 hours, completing all side quests can easily double your playtime. These optional missions add light-hearted scenarios to balance Crisis Core‘s melancholy story.
The streamlined portable style structure means most missions take just 5-10 minutes. It‘s easy to knock out a few quests during a lunch break or commute. This pick-up-and-play approach makes Crisis Core feel like a relaxing, Habit-forming mobile game.
Between story replays and hunting for hidden unlocks, completionists can sink over 100 hours into seeing everything Crisis Core has to offer. Consider these estimates from HowLongToBeat.com:
| Playstyle | Average Time |
|---|---|
| Main Story | 18.5 hours |
| Main + Extras | 36.5 hours |
| Completionist | 76.5 hours |
Crisis Core hits a sweet spot – longer than a 3 hour indie game, but more concise than a sprawling 80+ hour RPG. This balance makes it respect players‘ time while still delivering a meaty experience.
Multiple Ways To Play
Square Enix thankfully released Crisis Core Reunion across multiple platforms, so players can choose their preferred way to experience Zack‘s journey based on budget and ownership.
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X offer the definitive way to play, with 4K resolution, smooth 60 FPS framerates, and near-instant load times. For players with high-end consoles, this is the way to go.
However, the Nintendo Switch port is admirably optimized. The graphics hold up nicely even at 720p resolution in handheld mode. For players wanting that authentic portable Crisis Core experience, the Switch version delivers.
And budget-conscious gamers can still enjoy Crisis Core on PS4, Xbox One, and Steam. While not as optimal, the game‘s merits still shine through even at base last-gen specs.
Rewarding for All Players
Crisis Core Reunion proves itself as a rewarding remaster whether you‘re a FF7 veteran or newcomer.
Fans will love seeing backstory on Cloud, Sephiroth, and Zack. Crisis Core‘s story retains its emotional impact, and the refined gameplay improves combat. This is the best way to re-experience Crisis Core.
But newcomers can also dive right in to discover a self-contained story that enriches the events of FF7. You‘ll bond with Crisis Core‘s version of Cloud years before his cocky FF7 persona. The game is welcoming to all players.
So for any gamer – long-time FF7 fan or someone with just a passing interest – Crisis Core Reunion emerges as a remaster done right. This second chance to experience Crisis Core‘s poignant story is not to be missed.
