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Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core
Final Fantasy returns on the PlayStation
Portable in its latest epic entitled Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core that
is set in the wondrous and perhaps most popular Final Fantasy universe,
Final Fantasy VII that features the heroic Cloud and nefarious Sephiroth
as some of its legendary inhabitants.
This current storyline follows Zack who has
just signed himself to SOLDIER, a military organisation that has
questionable ties to Shinra, a corporate giant with poor morale
judgments. As Zack progresses through the initiation, he soon
realises that not everything is what it seems at SOLDIER and he refuses
to abandon his own morals who at his core, is the perfect hero.
Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core is Final Fantasy at its best with
features your traditional Japanese inspired RPG with a healthy dose of
adventure and some beautifully pre-rendered cutscenes that will draw you
into this rich universe of good versus evil.
The gameplay of Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core is pure Final Fantasy
that although doesn't offer too much new to the genre of series is still
quite a powerful and entertaining system. The player must embark on a
variety of different quests and also battle through an almost endless
plethora of enemies in order to build up your character's statistics and
challenge the various bosses throughout the game.
You can also purchase and find various
items and weapons in the game that assists in immersing you into this
rich gaming universe. "Luck" also plays a part in the title and during
combat with the Digital Mind Wave wheel will be spinning, this will assist
you becoming more empowered during battle and does spruce up the gaming
engine. However it is all random!
As you progress and defeat enemies, you are awarded experience that can
be used to "level-up" your characters which is quite in-depth and has a
medium learning curve for new players but seasoned veterans will pick
this up in no time.
During battles, you can use melee attacks, spells or
action points to assist you in the battles and although the title is not
real-time, the game has this "edge" and speed to it which almost gives
you the illusion that it is all happening at once.
Graphically, Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core is one of the most
impressive games on the console at the moment that contains detailed
gaming environments, realistic, albeit cartoony characters and some
amazing special effects, especially when you summon the creatures to
fight by your side.
Although the map where your character explores is
quite pale in comparison, the CGI cutscenes and battle scenes are truly
inspirational from their rich colour palette to wondrous special
effects. Brilliant from start to finish!
Musically, the title features your
traditional Final Fantasy inspired soundtrack that suits the genre
perfectly and will be as memorable as the other games in the series. The
sound effects are a little lacking but the series was never too strong
on sound effects, all in all, it's quite a well presented and sounding
title on the Playstation Portable.
In conclusion, Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core is one of the better Final
Fantasy franchises that has been successfully transported to the
portable world of the PSP with a strong gaming engine, beautiful
graphics and gameplay that you will come back to time and time again,
even though it can be frustratingly annoying but at the end of the day,
highly rewarding. |
