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| From: Square Enix
Buy New: $63.04
New (6) Used (6) from $40.95
Rating:  65 reviews
Sales Rank: 4464
Platform: Sony Psp
Genre: role_playing_games
ESRB: Teen
Media: Video Game
Edition: Limited
Age: 12 - 20 years
Operating System: Sony PSP
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7 x 4.1 x 0.6
MPN: 90722
UPC: 662248907253
EAN: 0662248907253
ASIN: B0010YOQIW
Release Date: March 25, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Brand new, never opened, in stock, and ships right now.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Pretty Cool March 26, 2008
joepeezy4sheezy (California)
5 out of 7 found this review helpful
I just picked up this game today and have only played for about an hour. If you are like me and have been put off by the "so-so" spin-offs that many games seem to be emulating these days, this one seems to regain some notoriety.
First, the cutscene graphics are simply amazing. If you liked Advent Children, this game emulates the same standard that that film had set. The gameplay graphics are similar to that of Dirge of Cerberus. For the PSP, they are stunning (imo).
The only qualm with the game that I have after an hour of gameplay, is the gameplay. The cutscenes are where this game shines. You basically run around hitting the X button killing guys and monsters and little numbers shoot out all over the place, which by all accounts are basically meaningless in this type of game. To put it bluntly, it is as if Square took the crappiness of Dirge of Cerberus with the awesomeness of God of War; the end result of this combination is mediocrity personified in a game that is derived from a classic.
I think that if you liked FFVII, then you will like the story aspect of this game. To me, it is worth the mediocre gameplay to see the amazing scenes that follow.
All in all, it is not that bad.
The fantasy Begins... March 26, 2008
Aziz Al-Masri
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
What is there to say about Crisis Core:FF7? Well the major point is ANY, and I mean ANY fan of the original Square masterpiece NEEDS to buy this game. There now for the many other gamers
The story is fleshed out enough for any non player of FF7 will understand, the combat and magic system are easy to use and master. Some may call the combat too easy, but lets remember this is a game for a portable system. Who wants to play a couple of missions while waiting only to die multiple times.
The DMW is probably the most...well weird part of the game, it does not allow the player to control summons, limit breaks (the character super moves), or allow the player to level up. This may seem like a big minus but after about an hour of play it doesnt bother you anymore.
So to sum it up:
+
Great story with fun characters that FF7 players will love
Easy Combat System
Side Quests are perfect for players on the Go
Great Soundtrack (You will need headphones to completely enjoy this)
DMW after a couple of hours
MUST OWN FOR FF7 FANS!!
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Loading times
Some voice acting is uninspired...im looking at you Genesis
Non FF7 players may not get the complete experience
Combat System may be too easy for hardcore RPG fans
DMW...for the first couple of hours
The REAL-DEAL Final Fantasy Game on PSP... March 26, 2008
K. S. K (USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
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.
 Surprisingly big for a handheld game April 28, 2008
Kevin D A Major (Barrington, NH United States)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is a prequel to that 1997 PlayStation masterpiece. In it, the player controls Zack Fair, SOLDIER 2nd Class, as he tries to solve the mystery behind Project G.
Like most RPGs, the most important thing is the plot. It is interesting, then, that Crisis Core's story is at once both flawed, yet somehow satisfying.
The bulk of the plot has little to do with Final Fantasy VII. There are cameos (Yuffie makes an early appearance), and Zack does play a minor part in some events alluded to in the original game, but its strongest ties to Final Fantasy VII are shown in the late chapters during the infamous Nibelheim incident. The rest seems rather like an effort by the developers to delay getting to that pivotal point for as long as possible.
Thankfully, the story is saved by strong characterization and decent voice acting. Zack is a pretty likeable fellow, despite falling prey to some standard anime hero cliches. At the very least, he's a refreshing change of pace from the antiheros polluting the digital landscape today. Angeal and Genesis are two new characters. Unfortunately, both are a bit bland. Angeal is the stodgy, family-honor-above-all type, whereas Genesis is primarily a pretentious villain. All hype, but very little substance. Aerith is mostly like her Final Fantasy VII counterpart - kind, sweet, a bit ditzy. Sephiroth fills the brooding quota nicely, and actually has a much appreciated hint of dark humor.
The gameplay is most likely the attribute that will determine review scores. Materia makes a comeback, but opperates somewhat differently than it did in the original game. Materia are magic orbs that grant Zack both abilities (magical or otherwise) as well as stat boosts. He can equip six at a time. The most notable aspect of materia, however, is the ability to fuse two materia (and later, one item) into a new materia. This gives the player the ability to customize Zack's stats as well as grant him powerful new abilities. Zack can also equip up to four items which also impact his stats.
Combat is fun and simple, but has a twist. Everything is done in real time. You'll control Zack around the battlefield, automatically targetting the nearest target. The most notable feature of combat is the Digital Mind Wave, or DMW.
The DMW is a slot machine in the upper left of the screen that is always cycling through images and numbers. If two numbers are 7, you'll get a status boost for a short duration. If the first and last image are identical, combat will stop, and the slots will cover the entire screen. It is here where several things can happen: Zack's materia will gain a level, Zack himself will gain a level, or a limit break will be triggered, resulting in a special attack or summoned monster spell. The 'problem' with the DMW is that it's seemingly random (although one's EXP does seem to be counted in the background, so Zack will gain levels at a normal rate) and there's no way for the user to control the slots. There's a large amount of luck involved getting a useful limit break (or any limit break at all). I personally don't mind the DMW, but your mileage may vary.
Graphically, the game is a powerhouse. It looks very impressive, and makes the world of Final Fantasy VII seem very much alive. Action is fluid, and even the non-pre-rendered cutscenes are impressive. It's one of the best looking games of the year, regardless of platform.
Musically, Crisis Core is very strong. Between its original tracks and the reimagined originals, the game leaves little to be desired on that front. I actually got chills watching the title screen's movie, and much of that stems from the music. Simply great.
In closing, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is a great game. Square-Enix crammed a whole lot of game in a tiny package, but it doesn't suffer for it. Instead, it's one of the best experiences of the year, a must for Final Fantasy VII fans, and a worthy addition to any gamer's library.
A beautiful game. March 26, 2008
John Barrett (Philadelphia, PA USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
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.
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