bit-tech Shopping: Sony Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (PSP)

Rating: 10

Time with product: 4 Months

Strengths: Innovative DMW system, unbelievable FMV cutscenes, great storyline

Weaknesses: There really were none

Summary: Many of us gamers cut our teeth on Square's Final Fantasy VII when it came out on the Playstation. In fact, the existence of that game was the main reason I bought a playstation in the first place. Now, decades after the fact, Square has returned to its most successful franchise to fill in some of the story gaps in the original.Let me say right from the start that FF: Crisis Core is stunning. There are huge numbers of cut scenes worked into the story and it's almost as if you're watching a movie rather than playing a game at times. I think it's the best graphical game to come out on the PSP thus far.The basic storyline follows Zack, the Soldier whose identity Cloud later incorporates into his own in the FFVII game. Before meeting Cloud, Zack had a full life advancing as a Soldier and meeting many of the characters from the world including Aerith, Tifa, and Sephiroth. Many questions are answered including where the buster sword came from, why Sephiroth went nuts, and what really happened at Nibelheim. In my opinion, the game is worth buying just for the storyline alone.In addition to the story, the gameplay is excellent. In combat, you have free motion control of Zack as you can run around monsters, diving and blocking to avoid attacks. Your own attacks can be as simple as attacking with your sword or using one of a plethora of materia. There's also a DMW system (a sort of slot machine with 3 tumblers) which constantly spin and when the imagines match or certain number combinations come up you gain abilities or execute limit break attacks. The randomness of the DMW can be a bit frustrating when you're looking for one specific result, but in general it adds a bit of unexpected spice. There's absolutely no reason not to pick up this game, even if you're not a final fantasy fanatic. It's written well so that you don't need exterior knowledge about the storyline and the plot and combat will keep you engaged for hours.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2 Weeks

Strengths: graphics, music, cut scenes

Weaknesses: long and deep, not much suited for short periods of play

Summary: One of the best looking games on the PSP. It?s amazing what they?ve done with this title?s graphics and content. I?ve only just started the game and it?s been great so far. It?s not quite as ?tough? as previous FF titles (less random battles/level grinding) which is fine with me. I?ve been turned of in the past with FF titles constant random battles and grinding. As I?ve eluded to, it?s not quite the same formula as with past FF titles, but I think the differences make for better and smoother gameplay. So if you?re into the traditional FF format, you may want to rent it first. But if you?re open to some tweaks, you should pick up this title.

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Great graphics, cut scenes and traditional Final Fantasy Score.

Weaknesses: Mission Repetition, Action RPG gameplay instead of traditional FFVII turn based system.

Summary: Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core tells the back story of the characters that we have come to know and love from Final Fantasy VII. It is amazing what they were able to pull off graphically on the PSP in Crisis Core. Many might be disappointed with the Action RPG fighting style instead of Turn Based like original Final Fantasy VII but it does fit with the story and makes you feel like you have more of a hand in winning your battles. There are a lot of items to collect if you are into that style of playing or you can just play through the story just grabbing stuff as it comes along and still enjoy the game without all the treasure hunting. Any Final Fantasy fan should add this to their PSP library.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2 Weeks

Strengths: Looks great. Good story. Good gameplay.

Weaknesses: A little quirky.

Summary: Crisis Core is a great game, but it has some quirks. The graphics look great and the story is a great throwback to the original Final Fantasy 7. The story is great, plenty of gameplay, good combat, and looks great. Overall, it's great, but I had a buddy who was turned off by some of the systems. There are some quirks to leveling and a few other things that some may not like. But I thought it was great.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2

Strengths: amazing graphics for psp, fun gameplay

Weaknesses: some randomness in the battles

Summary: The long awaited return to the Final Fantasy 7 universe. It's what fans have been waiting for and this game doesn't disappoint.Rather than being a RPG this game takes on an action RPG format similar to the Kingdom Hearts series also from Square.You play as Zack, who is a character you meet earlier, making this game a prequel.The action is fast and in real time and you take on enemies face to face, with lots of other abilities you learn along such as magic and defensive attacks. The graphics in this game are astounding, the best you will see on the PSP thus far. The sound is great too.If you want a great game for the PSP, or love the Final Fantasy series you owe it to yourself to pick this game up.