I know I am a bit shit when it comes to reviewing older games, and I am trying to be a smidge better with that. I have played a few PS2, PS1 and Gamecube games. Well I’ve started them, took no footage to upload and then carried on playing other stuff instead. I do believe however I can somewhat be let off the hook here. Even though this is a PS5 game, it’s a remake of the PSP classic from 2007. Which I was actually gonna get round to reviewing so really this helps me out as I can get footage to add to this review.
Now, for me I am a Final Fantasy fan boy, especially when it comes to 7. My first tattoo is that of the Fenris wolf emblem Cloud as in the film Advent Children. I’ve played the original on PS1, I’ve played it on the PS1 mini, I own the remake, the film, Crisis Core on PSP and even Dirge of Cerberus on PS2. So with the remake/sequel however you wanna describe what’s being done to the series having a fresh coated Crisis Core was a no brainer for me.
Now in terms of a remake, it’s more of a remaster. Fundamentally it’s the exact same game. They’ve just reworked the graphics so they look more up to date. They still don’t come close to the 2020 remake mind you, and I haven’t actually gotten around to playing the PS5 intergrade version with the Yuffie DLC yet. That is definitely on my list before Rebirth drops. In this updated version though, they have tweaked the combat system, so it’s more in line with the 2020 remake, which is for the best. All the dialogue is now voice acted which just adds a little more depth to the story, and everything just plays, handles and looks nicer.
As mentioned above with this being a remaster, you’d expect a full visual and fidelity upgrade. This isn’t the case. It doesn’t look bad by any means, especially if you compared how the PSP graphics looked to this version. It definitely brings it up to date but as it doesn’t really sit much past mid level PS4 graphics to be honest, maybe not even quite that far along. As such in some places it does come of clunky, along with certain textures or models looking better. This flickers in and out especially in dialogue, some of the enemies look great though, and again others no so much. It’s overall a bit mismatched, and I think considering they probably were just gonna all but leave it initially, at least we got we what did in the end. The CGI cutscenes still look great, if not slightly outdated but I’d argue that’s a small point in the grand scheme of things.
The game itself isn’t very long, you’ll clock in around 12-15 hours to just do the main story, which for if you don’t know is the story of 7. This is the prequel explaining how and who Clouds memories get smushed up with, in his slight PTSD state of being. You play as Clouds mentor and friend Zack Fair, with some returning support characters in the Turks, Aerith and Sephiroth, the one winged angel himself, popping up throughout the run of the game. The main meat of the game though comes in at the side quest or missions. Now this sits a nice and hefty 300 missions to work through. This will really add a lot of extra playtime on if that’s your sort of thing. Most of these don’t take long to do just a couple minutes a pop. I did stop at the 44% mark and just carried on with the story. I may one day return to do a platinum run on this game, as that doesn’t seem particularly difficult. I just couldn’t be fucked to do another 150+ missions. These all take place in mini dedicated areas, which have loot boxes scattered around which keeps you topped up of potions and accessories. So for the most part you don’t need to use the in game shops it’s just a waste of gil. All play out the same find the mini boss fight, trigger it and kill them fuckers dead.
Combat in this game is alright, it’s not the best, if nothing else just a bit repetitive. You can attack, block dodge and lock on. Pretty standard stuff. You have a preset combo, which can’t be improved upon or added to, only changes slightly once you finally get tre buster sword in chapter 5. You use materia to do your magic attacks or slot in stat boosting ones instead. You still have materia fusion where you can upgrade existing moves with extra attack points or to merge together to make newer stronger attacks. What I do like about the combat in this game though as long as you’ve unlocked their image you have a mini slot machine going in the top left. This allows for summons and for high damage special attacks kinda like if you had a support summon trigger. These in some of the boss fights are indispensable.
I wouldn’t say there is too much more to talk about with this game without it becoming a spoiler heavy review. If you are a returning player to the 7 series or just jumped on since the remake, I would definitely recommend playing this game. It takes place in Midgar still, with returning and familiar areas. Most of the characters will be recognisable, and to some degree this is just a bigger explanation of what is told throughout the original anyways.
It does add to the story even if just a bit of fan service, and I imagine Zack is going to play a bigger role in the second part of the remake trilogy. making it at the very least worthwhile just to know whose who. Bringing the graphics up to a more modern standard along with the added dialogue and voice acting refreshes a long forgotten gem on the PSP. Where sometimes the magic casting was a bit clunky, and combat a bit slow. As well as health being capped at 9,999, and MP/AP at 999. here you have limit breaks and equipment that allow you to go to 99,999 and 9,999 respectively instead. This helps bring in a few varied builds which ultimately work better. It ups the re-playability as well as having a soft new game plus mode for once you’ve cleared the main story to go back in again. Plus if you are a trophy hunter you know have he added bonus of those being there to add to your collection.
Overall I’d rate this game a 8/10, Highly Tasty. A great game in the ever growing Final Fantasy 7 universe. All the updates make this worth your time, if for no other reason in that it’s a fairly short game which does let it down though even with the revamping. Expanding it further and making it a complete remaster would’ve worked better here. I think maybe adding a bit more flesh to the story and maybe making the areas bigger and more explorable, would’ve done wonders. Everything has been scaled somewhat but you can tell with how big the mission areas are that it was made for the smaller portable console of the PSP. Some of the restrictions shine through still and I think that hampers what could’ve been a truly stellar remake.
Released December 13th 2022, Sony Playstation 5
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