Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core Comments by Simon Parkin

I know it's Final Fantasy, but I would appreciate some in-game screenshots in the article.

Edit: Sorry, by in-game I mean gameplay screenshots.

How come EG never NEVER use their own screenshots in the reviews? I mean I'd like to have seen what the actual game looked like here not the cutscenes. ;)

so this this a RPG, or not, or....

WORST PUN EVER.

Er, Metal_Slime's joke and the tagline of the article. :P

Almost as good as Conan then!

Cloud wasn't silent in FF7, he spoke, well had written dialogue at least, and there is a map in Crisis Core.

I'm playing through the game now, and I think its fair to say this is the only FF7 Compilation title of note, but that it still isn't an especially accomplished effort, the cut scenes receiving far too much attention at the expense of the game itself, nothing new these days sadly but still, it should be pointed out how unimaginative the side missions are, and indeed much of the side tasks, character and local colour that made FF7 an involving experience at the time. At the time being the key caveat - as I would hope developers could move beyond simplistic code of that era of narrative based role playing game development, find this, go there, put up with unending random battles that pose no challenge, seemingly to make the game fit that required "epic rpg scale," but now do it with more sparkly backdrops, expecting this from Square Enix is foolish I admit...

Oh and yes he voice acting is a bit annoying at times, however the script can be quite witty, the bit where Zack goes its all over runt he credits, was funny as I recall thinking FF7 was about the finish after the motorcycle chase in Midgar, and I would've been pretty happy at that, but then the world opened up, or at least as an impressionable teen I thought thats what it did, like no other game I'd played since Elite.

My main problem, either its the translation or the original script, but having the characters try to act hip in the world of FF7 isn't right for me. Hearing Aertih complement you for 'hustling' is just plain wrong...

I agree with EG's score.

The story is brilliant. The sense of nostalgia is unbelievable, revisiting locations I've not been to since finishing FF7 all those years ago from a different perspective, seeing what happened to Sephiroth and Cloud...

The actual gameplay is quite repetitive though. Battles are too frequent, and very easy to win. Soon as you learn how to use the evade button (took me about 3 seconds to do...) the game kind of breaks, as you will get Limit Breaks every other dodge and never take damage. (In fact, you end up with too much HP, as I had about 9000HP out of a possible maximum 2000.... work that one out...)

Dudefather: Yes. And no. It's kind of a hybrid.

Cloud was a silent protagonist?

Wha-?

Anyway, I've been burning through this over the last couple of days, and I'd say 7 or 8 is a fair score. Definitely the best of the FFVII spin-offs.

who need to be fooled to keep the dream alive
That's me! PS3 FFVII RRRRREMAAAAAKE!

FF has been stuck in the teenager 90s. Time to move on SE?

A 7 is probably slightly too generous imho. That coming from a self confessed PSP fanboy too.

Not a chance while Nomura games still sell as much as they do.

What? A review without actual gameplay screenshots? I'm ok with using promotional screenshots, but... CGI? Cmon

this game is really good. best game ive played on psp to date

'were this a game with any other branding it would be soon forgotten'
I'd say spot on EG.

I imported this from the US a while back, played for a few of hours and since then it's sat in the box while I've got around to playing some of the other fantastic games on the PSP.
Overall I'd say it's a pretty but average game ...one day I may get around to completing it but I'm not compelled to.

Cloud was silent... i.e. not voice acted, so you could put your own emotional content a direction into his scripting.

Much better games on PSP than this Tangoo (import Jeanne D'Arc from the US, crime that SCEE couldn't even be arsed to ship it in a UK box) but in a way you raise a point without knowing it, a game like this is good in the sense that it will hopfully chart and bring new PSP owners to the fray, and for that matter make older PSP users dust em off and buy some more games, or are people downloading Crisis Core for free as well?

Heh, sure am being harsh on this game, seeing as I'm still playing it, I know its bad, but I'm still curious as to how they've reimagined Nibelheim (won't say any more than that incase some people haven't played FF7).

http://uk.psp.ign.com/articles/880/88086...

stop stealing jokes from other websites.

He wasn't a silent protaganist though - that means no dialogue, written or spoken, like Chrono in Chrono Trigger or Gordon Freeman. Bit of a glaring mistake that - no idea how FF7 could possibly have worked if he was.

Barrett would probably have sworn at Cloud more often, if thats even possible of course :p

I'm up to Juon at the moment, recycling scenary twice is a bit cheap I'd say (but then this game is cynically designed from the off, the going around all the locations from FF7, as if thats pretty much all there is to the worldof Gaia) but oh yeah back in Midgar, the lack of on board train seemed a bit cheap too.

Wow I sure am nitpicking, but then this kind of game invited it by having players 'go over' a game fans hold in high regard, making the faults of Crisis Core all the more obvious.

Final Fantasy: The War of the Lions took me about 70 hours to finish. And a cool 70 hours they where.

I'll stay on that high a little while longer, and avoid this until it ends up cheap on ebay or some chops bargain bin.

Damn good game. Bought it quite a while ago while out in the states.

Well worth it, probably closer to an 8.... for me anyway, you do need to like FFVII.

What the hell, its a decent PSP release and with little else on the horizon that makes it an essential purchase.

If you are a fan of Final Fantasy VII there is nothing you can do but to buy this game for the ending alone.

I have to say I am pleasantly surprised by this. Despite being a little repetive (and not being a complete FF7 fanboy) I'm actually loving this game. It may not be perfect but I've not enjoyed a handheld game as much as this in a long while. It has to be noted, although Square Enix may be trying to earn a few extra quid of the franchise, the production values are top level.

Any one know if it's the same voice actors as Advent Children?

Any one know if it's the same voice actors as Advent Children?

Yes, it is.

I remember a time when reading a review on EG was almost guaranteed to raise a chuckle, regardless of the game, system or final score.

Lately, the obsession with fan-baiting aside, their writing style gradually has become more and more dour and "Edge-like", which is real shame. As for the final paragraph, which accuses anybody who thinks the game better than the reviewer has decreed is "fooling themselves" is frankly insulting.

How did such a great website become so lost up it's own arse?

A little harsh. Mr. Parkin sounds rather jaded. Personally I'd go with an 8 for this. And Dirge of Cerberus WAS a good game. Grrr.

I think the only stupid that fools himself is the reviewer of this game in Eurogamer.I have the game and its great ,certainly the best RPG on a handheld ever seen.

Come on EG ,you can surely have other people aside from these drunk monkeys writing the reviews cant you ?

Fine, it was deleted, so I'll try again.

Stop. Stealing. Taglines. IGN did this joke two weeks ago.

Christ.

dethprojekt: just so you know this piece was written and submitted about a month ago. It's an easy pun so it's hardly beyond the realms of possiblity that two writers might come up with variations of it independently of one another, is it?

Closer to an 8 for sure. Storyline is a bit sentimental and feels sometimes a bit too JP / Teen oriented (but no way near ballbusters like Lost Odyssey) but I think the battle system is good (at least it's not boring), nice atmosphere and great, awesome graphics (I prefer them to GOW even if I know many will not agree). FMV isn't that much after all and well balanced within the gameplay (and very well designed and directed).
Yes I agree, it is one of the best rpgs on a handheld for sure, really made me pick up my PSP after catching dust for a while... still have to play Disgaea, which will be next, once I finish off FFVII:CC

@ FladgeMangle: "As for the final paragraph, which accuses anybody who thinks the game better than the reviewer has decreed is "fooling themselves" is frankly insulting."

I quite agree, and nearly said the very same thing.

I'm playing it at the moment. Nice to see the back-story to FF7, and the gameplay is solid enough; as the reviewer says, portable, bite-size chunks. I like, and I'd say it's a "good" 7/10.

How the fuck did the reviewer miss the map function? I used it all the time, and the game would have been much more annoying without it.

Just press []

Any one know if it's the same voice actors as Advent Children?

Yes, it is.

Cool really liked the film, so think this is a definite for me at some point

"As for the final paragraph, which accuses anybody who thinks the game better than the reviewer has decreed is "fooling themselves" is frankly insulting.

How did such a great website become so lost up it's own arse?"

I would add, "how did a great website lost the respect it should have for our holy cows ?"

"I know it's Final Fantasy, but I would appreciate some in-game screenshots in the article. "

First thing I wanted to bemoan on here, I am tempted by this game, but a couple of actual screens would have been cool. I suppose I can go and google search for them but that's besides the point.

Read the first three paragraphs; they are almost entirely off. Therefore skipped to the last, which, surprisingly, is almost entirely off. Kudos if the rest in between is not. Chances are the rest is a waste of time as well, though. Final Fantasy VII, in my opinion, stands the test of time and still stands out.

"I remember a time when reading a review on EG was almost guaranteed to raise a chuckle, regardless of the game, system or final score.

Lately, the obsession with fan-baiting aside, their writing style gradually has become more and more dour and "Edge-like", which is real shame. As for the final paragraph, which accuses anybody who thinks the game better than the reviewer has decreed is "fooling themselves" is frankly insulting."

Oh well, people are fooling themselves all the time. Take Mr. Parkin, for example. He is fooling himself into thinking he knows what he is talking about.

screen-shots a plenty:
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?art...

+ videos, and articles and much more!:
http://www.eurogamer.net/game.php?game_i...

@miiguel

Damn youse...that's not the point...I shouldn't have to go out of my way and look for them ;)

/sarcasm mode off

Just tried to help, honestly.

And while I'm a sucker for RPGs, I agree with the guy, if this had any other name but Final Fantasy ppl wouldn't be this verbosely-agressive, that's for sure.

Is onr of the best handheld RPG ? hummmm..., maybe..., but that's hardly an achievement, is it?

I didn't even read the review; there's no need, EG reviews aren't really worth reading anymore, to be honest. The comments section is usually the best "review" for a game on EG :)

I got Crisis Core this morning and I'm enjoying it immensely so far. Battling is fun, the graphics are awesome and I love the music! :D

I also try to do that sometimes: "IT'S THE BEST EVA! lalalalal! can't hear you! can't hear you!" :)

At least this installment doesn't have the ridiculous mile-high jumps, the Dragonball combat*, the unbelievably bad "emo" whining and the stupid script/story that the god-awful Advent Children and Dirge of Cerberus had.

Crisis Core gets a huge plus from the fact that it doesn't star a whiny idiot like the other Compilation games - I'm finally able to play a Final Fantasy 7 game without cringing during the cut-scenes! Another plus comes from the visible lack of Nomura-iffic belts and zippers. Nomura can go screw himself.

I'd still give it seven or eight. Underneath the lovely FF7 coating, CC isn't really much.

*Okay, a few cut-scenes do go to Dragonball land.

@miiguel

I know you were, cheers for the info ;)

I think I'm going to be shelling out for this come payday, looks and sounds pretty good, from the review and user comments.

One 8/10 and EG's journalistic intregrity is forever in disrepute!

"One 8/10 and EG's journalistic intregrity is forever in disrepute!"

Which one do you mean, MGS4 or AoC? ;)

Disenfranchised: no word better describes Final Fantasy VII's once-upon-a-time lovers. Where fans of the seminal RPG would once announce their devotion to the game with boldness, nowadays - outside of the dew-eyed cosplayers and fanfic writers - few would be so ready to admit this is a world and clutch of characters they once adored.

Huh? A sweeping statement and one I suspect is misjudged. FFVII fans are a pretty ardent bunch, and as for having once adored? I still love it to bits, and I suspect many others do. This review comes across as patronising and ill-informed. Not one of Eurogamer's finest.