Discover what Square Enix has put into Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII for PSP.
Square Enix's Crisis Core takes you back to Midgar, seven years before the events of Final Fantasy VII, putting you in the role of the ill-fated Zach.
Zach is a SOLDIER 2nd Class, an elite combat operative of the Shinra Company. More than a commercial organisation, Shinra is the ruling political force - the company is everything. It is Shinra that is behind the current construction project of Midgar, a massive floating city that will dominate the world. Zach's dream is to make SOLDIER 1st Class, following in the steps of his mentor Angeal.
Crisis Core charts the events leading up to the acclaimed Final Fantasy VII, from the perspective of this rash young SOLDIER. Zach's loyalty and honour are tested to the limit as SOLDIER operatives defect en masse from the company and he is drawn into a tangled web between the 1st Class operatives Angeal, Genesis and Sephiroth.
For Crisis Core, developer Square Enix has introduced a new control scheme that is geared towards controlling a single protagonist in real time combat. Different actions can be performed ranging from basic attacks and item use - potions, remedies, etc - to specific, assigned abilities such as combat manoeuvres and materia - magical spells. Pressing the X button triggers these abilities, this can be quickly selected from horizontal menus using the PSP system's L and R buttons. This departure from the previous turn-based gameplay of traditional Final Fantasy games works well with a single character, adding dynamism and speed to the combat engagements.
Another new addition is the DMW, or Digital Mind Wave system, which represents a SOLDIER's unique power. DMW is represented by a slot machine reel that spins during combat and matching numbers or images allows Zach to perform special manoeuvres and change his state. As the game progresses you will be able to collect more powers and images for the DMW.
Practice of course makes perfect and the opening levels in which you square off against Shinra's warring neighbours, the Wutai, give you ample opportunity to get to grips with these new elements.
As ever the storyline concentrates on and explores a theme, in this case loyalty and honour, which adds greater poignancy for those familiar with Final Fantasy VII. The consequences of this theme are conveyed via Square Enix's signature cutscenes, which are as sublime as ever.
A dream come true for fans of Final Fantasy VII, Crisis Core enables you to explore the backstory of a classic from a unique perspective. However, its well crafted combat and story are not just for the initiated and Crisis Core stands firmly on its own feet as a PSP game not to miss.
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