Info about CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION:

Official game description:
CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION-DIGITAL DELUXE EDITION
==============================================================
In addition to the game, you will also receive premium content such as a mini soundtrack showcasing the game’s powerful music, and an art book filled with gorgeous illustrations. Immerse yourself in the rich universe of CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION!  
\- “CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION” game  
\- Original mini soundtrack “CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION MINI SOUNDTRACK”  
\- Original art book “HEROES Past and Present The Art of CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII–“  
\*This upgrade pack does not include the CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION base game.  
\*This upgrade pack can only be purchased by customers who already own the digital download edition of CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION.  
\*The digital content included in this upgrade pack is identical to the extra content included in the CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION Digital Deluxe Edition.
Reviews & Accolades
===================
"Enjoyably frivolous fan service" - Recommended - Eurogamer
"One of the most impressive remasters ever" - 4.0/5 - VG247
CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION Digital Contents
========================================================
《 CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION Digital Contents 》  
You will receive a mini soundtrack showcasing the game’s powerful music and an art book filled with gorgeous illustrations. Immerse yourself in the rich universe of CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION!  
\- Original mini soundtrack “CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION MINI SOUNDTRACK”  
\- Original art book “HEROES Past and Present The Art of CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII–“  
\*This upgrade pack does not include the CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION base game.  
\*This upgrade pack can only be purchased by customers who already own the digital download edition of CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION.  
\*The digital content included in this upgrade pack is identical to the extra content included in the CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION Digital Deluxe Edition.
About the Game
==============
CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION is the HD remaster version of the smash hit prequel to FINAL FANTASY VII.  
In addition to all graphics being remastered in HD, fully voiced dialogue and new soundtrack arrangements make for a dynamic new retelling of a beloved classic.  
CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION follows the story of Zack Fair, a young warrior admired by the boy destined to save the world, trusted by men renowned as heroes of legend, and loved by the girl who holds the fate of the planet in her hands. The tale of Zack's dreams and honor—the legacy that connects him to Cloud—is revealed in full in this grand saga that has broken the limits of an HD remaster.
New Features
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\- All graphics fully remastered in HD, bringing the game to the latest console generation  
\- Renewed 3D models, including characters and backgrounds, enriching the visual experience  
\- Improved battle system providing a vastly smoother gameplay experience  
\- Fully voiced dialogue in both English and Japanese  
\- A newly arranged soundtrack from the original composer, Takeharu Ishimoto  
\- Steam version supports up to 120FPS.  
\*Recommended system requirements are set to 1920x1080 resolution and 60FPS, so playing at a higher resolution and/or framerate will require a display and PC with sufficient specifications to support them.

Release date: 13 Dec, 2022

Categories: Action RPG, Single-player Story, Real-time Combat, Character Customization, Character Progression


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Enhanced Gameplay & Visuals (weight 0.89): Players overwhelmingly praise the significant improvements in gameplay, combat mechanics, and graphics compared to the original PSP version. The remaster successfully modernizes the experience while retaining the original's charm, making it feel fresh and engaging for both new and returning players.
- Compelling Prequel Story (weight 0.84): The game's narrative is highly regarded as an essential prequel to Final Fantasy VII, providing crucial backstory and context for key characters like Zack, Cloud, and Sephiroth. Players appreciate how it deepens their understanding of the FF7 universe and enhances the emotional impact of the main series.
- Zack Fair's Charismatic Portrayal (weight 0.61): Zack Fair is consistently highlighted as a beloved and charismatic protagonist. Players connect with his optimistic personality, heroic journey, and tragic fate, finding his character development and relationships deeply engaging and emotionally impactful.
- Emotional & Impactful Ending (weight 0.22): The game's ending is frequently cited as a powerful and deeply emotional experience, often bringing players to tears, even those who already knew the outcome. The combination of the narrative climax, music, and character development creates a lasting impression.
- Improved Voice Acting & Soundtrack (weight 0.15): The addition of full voice acting for almost all dialogue, including previously unvoiced lines, significantly enhances immersion and character depth. The remastered and rearranged soundtrack is also praised for elevating emotional moments and battles.
- Accessible & Enjoyable Experience (weight 0.13): The game is described as an accessible and enjoyable experience, particularly for new players or those looking for a lighter, more focused Final Fantasy title. Its streamlined gameplay and engaging story make it easy to pick up and complete.
- Unique DMW Combat System (weight 0.07): The Digital Mind Wave (DMW) system is noted as a unique and interesting combat mechanic. While random, players find it adds a dynamic and often satisfying element to battles, providing unexpected buffs and abilities without interrupting the flow of combat.

Common complaints:
- Repetitive & Tedious Gameplay Loop (weight 0.99): Players frequently criticize the game's core gameplay, citing repetitive combat, monotonous side missions, and a grind-heavy structure. This often leads to a feeling of tedium and a lack of engagement, making the experience feel like a chore rather than fun.
- Outdated Design & Mechanics (weight 0.96): Many reviewers feel the game's design, including its mission structure, random encounters, and overall mechanics, is severely outdated. This is largely attributed to its origins as a PSP title, which limits its appeal and functionality on modern platforms.
- Inconsistent Visuals & Animations (weight 0.93): The game suffers from inconsistent graphical quality, particularly in cutscenes, where many original PSP-era CGs and animations are retained. This results in blurry, stiff, and outdated visuals that clash with the updated character models and environments.
- Poor Story & Character Execution (weight 0.91): The narrative is often described as fragmented, convoluted, and poorly paced, with many finding the dialogue cringeworthy and character motivations unclear. This detracts significantly from the emotional impact and overall enjoyment of the story.
- Overpriced for a Remaster (weight 0.86): A common complaint is the game's high price point, which many feel is unjustified for what is perceived as a minimal remaster rather than a full remake. Players believe the lack of substantial changes and retained flaws do not warrant the cost.
- Flawed Combat System (weight 0.86): The combat system is frequently criticized for being monotonous, overly reliant on the DMW slot machine mechanic, and lacking strategic depth. This often leads to an unbalanced experience, with players either one-shotting enemies or facing sudden, unfair difficulty spikes.
- Subpar Voice Acting Overall (weight 0.8): Beyond Zack, the general voice acting for many characters is considered a downgrade from the original, with performances often described as flat, awkward, or overly exaggerated. This impacts the emotional delivery and immersion in the story.
- Detracts from FF7 Lore (weight 0.12): Some players feel the game's story, particularly the inclusion of characters like Genesis and certain retcons, negatively impacts the established Final Fantasy VII lore. It is seen as inconsistent with the original and the FF7 Remake series, potentially harming the overall narrative.

Gameplay feedback:
- Repetitive Mission Structure (weight 0.35): The game features hundreds of side missions (around 300) that are highly repetitive, often reusing the same few map layouts, enemy types, and objectives. These missions, while numerous, are frequently described as tedious and designed to pad out game length, reflecting the game's original handheld design for short play sessions.
- Action-Oriented Combat System (weight 0.24): The combat system is action-based and real-time, a departure from traditional turn-based Final Fantasy games. While some find it simple or button-mashy, others appreciate its dynamic nature, responsiveness, and the strategic possibilities offered by Materia combinations.
- Deep Materia Customization (weight 0.14): The Materia system is a core gameplay element, offering extensive customization through fusion and leveling. Players can create diverse builds and powerful new abilities by combining different Materia and items, which is a significant source of enjoyment and strategic depth.
- Prequel to Final Fantasy VII (weight 0.13): The game serves as a crucial prequel to Final Fantasy VII, focusing on Zack Fair's story and providing essential backstory for key characters and events leading up to the original FFVII and its Remake. It helps establish the world and context for the broader FFVII narrative.
- Remastered PSP Experience (weight 0.1): The game is largely a faithful remaster of the original PSP title, retaining its core gameplay, story, and mission structure. While it features updated graphics, voice acting, and quality-of-life improvements, its handheld origins are still evident in its design.
- DMW Slot Machine Mechanic (weight 0.09): A unique and prominent feature is the Digital Mind Wave (DMW) system, a slot machine that constantly spins during combat. It randomly triggers buffs, limit breaks, summons, and even influences character and Materia leveling, adding an element of chance to battles.
- Variable Difficulty and Grind (weight 0.09): The game's difficulty is often described as easy on normal settings, especially if players engage with side missions. However, higher difficulties or specific optional challenges can require significant grinding, which is often tied to the repetitive mission structure.
- Random Enemy Encounters (weight 0.05): The game features a system of random enemy encounters, where monsters appear suddenly on the map. While some encounters are unavoidable, many can be bypassed by carefully navigating map edges, which some players use to mitigate the grind.
- Buster Sword Proficiency System (weight 0.04): A specific mechanic involves the Buster Sword proficiency system, which allows Zack to unlock new abilities and increase damage output by using the Buster stance and specific combat techniques. This system adds a layer of progression to Zack's signature weapon.
- Single Playable Character (weight 0.03): Players control only Zack Fair throughout the game, with no party management or character switching during combat. This design choice emphasizes Zack's personal journey and solo combat style.

Performance notes:
- Excellent Performance and Optimization (weight 0.12): The game is highly optimized, running smoothly at high frame rates (60-120 FPS) on a wide range of PC hardware, including lower-end 'potato PCs.' It also performs exceptionally well on portable devices like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally X, often at high settings.
- Improved Visuals and Graphics (weight 0.09): Players consistently praise the remastered graphics, noting significant improvements over the original PSP version. Character models, environments, and effects have been updated to a high standard, often compared favorably to late PS3/early PS4 graphics or even approaching FFVII Remake quality.
- Minimal Loading Times (weight 0.01): Players report that loading screens are almost nonexistent, especially on modern machines and SSDs, contributing to a seamless gameplay experience.
- Stable and Bug-Free Experience (weight 0.01): The game is noted for its stability, with players reporting very few, if any, crashes, glitches, or bugs during extended play sessions.
- Enhanced Combat Effects (weight 0.01): The addition of more dazzling skills and effects has made combat feel more impactful and exciting.
- Modernized User Interface (weight 0.01): The game features a completely modernized user interface, improving the overall player experience.
- Controller Input Issue (weight 0): One user reported an issue where Steam input needs to be enabled for correct controller input, otherwise only keyboard/mouse prompts are shown.
- FPS Cap at 120 (weight 0): The game has a maximum allowed FPS cap of 120.
- Workable Game Size (weight 0): One player mentioned that the game's file size is manageable.

Recommendations:
- Consider Sale Purchase (weight 0.66): A significant number of players recommend purchasing the game only when it's on sale, citing concerns about its full price not matching the content or quality. Many feel it's a worthwhile experience at a discounted rate.
- Story is the Main Appeal (weight 0.66): The game's story is consistently highlighted as its strongest asset, often described as emotional and impactful. Many reviewers suggest that the narrative alone justifies playing the game, even if other aspects are lacking.
- Gameplay Expectations (weight 0.55): Players should not expect the same level of polish or gameplay as the FF7 Remake series. The game retains elements of its PSP-era design, which may not appeal to modern RPG gamers or those expecting a full remake.
- Essential for FF7 Fans (weight 0.44): The game is overwhelmingly recommended for fans of the Final Fantasy VII universe, especially those invested in the Remake and Rebirth series. It provides crucial backstory for characters like Zack, Sephiroth, and Cloud, enriching the overall FF7 narrative.
- Play Order Recommendations Vary (weight 0.43): There's conflicting advice on when to play Crisis Core. Many suggest playing it before FF7 Remake or the original FF7 for full context, while others recommend playing it after to avoid spoilers or to appreciate Zack's story more deeply.
- Watch Story Online Alternative (weight 0.39): For players primarily interested in the plot or those hesitant about the gameplay, a common recommendation is to watch story summaries or cutscene compilations on YouTube instead of buying and playing the game.
- Manage Side Missions (weight 0.38): Players frequently advise against completing all side missions, suggesting they can be tedious and may trivialize the main story's difficulty. Focusing on the main narrative or a select few missions is often recommended.
- Remaster Quality and Nostalgia (weight 0.38): The game is seen as a good remaster of the original PSP title, offering improved graphics and a more playable experience. It particularly resonates with those who played the original and are looking for a nostalgic revisit.
- Consider Voice Acting Mods (weight 0.11): Some players recommend using mods to revert to the original PSP voice actors, particularly for Zack's character, suggesting it enhances the experience for those who prefer the original performances.
- Achievement Guide Recommended (weight 0.02): For players aiming for 100% completion or all achievements, consulting an online guide is highly recommended due to time-limited events and the structure of side missions.

Other player notes:
- Nostalgia and Fan Service (weight 0.35): The game strongly resonates with long-time Final Fantasy VII fans and those who played the original PSP version, evoking significant nostalgia. It's seen as a 'love letter' to the series and its characters, particularly Zack Fair.
- Essential FF7 Prequel Story (weight 0.29): The game serves as a crucial prequel to Final Fantasy VII, providing extensive backstory for key characters like Zack, Cloud, Aerith, and Sephiroth, and offering vital context for the events leading into the FF7 Remake trilogy. It's considered essential for understanding the broader FF7 universe and lore.
- Modernized PSP Remaster (weight 0.26): This title is widely recognized as a high-definition remaster of the 2007 PSP game, Crisis Core. While it features updated graphics, full voice acting, and quality-of-life improvements, it largely retains the original story, core gameplay, and overall feel of the PSP version, rather than being a full remake.
- Mixed Opinions on Story Quality (weight 0.23): While some find the story captivating and well-written, others describe it as 'cringe' at times, with confusing or poorly explained plot points. The pacing is also noted as either too quick or padded with extraneous content.
- Zack Fair's Character Focus (weight 0.14): The game prominently features Zack Fair as the protagonist, deeply exploring his character, journey, and relationships with other key figures. Many players express strong affection for Zack and hope for a different fate for him in future FF7 installments.
- Emotional and Impactful Narrative (weight 0.08): Players describe the story as emotional, sad, and impactful, particularly its ending. While some find it melodramatic, it effectively conveys a sense of unavoidable tragedy and leaves a lasting impression on players.
- Voice Acting and Technical Aspects (weight 0.08): The game features new voice acting, with Japanese VA being highly praised. However, some players note that the game's visual quality and animations can still feel reminiscent of its PSP origins, despite graphical updates.
- Completionist Playtime (weight 0.03): While the main story is relatively short (around 10-15 hours), achieving 100% completion, including all achievements and side content, can extend playtime significantly, often requiring guides for missable items.
- Genesis Character Reception (weight 0.01): The character Genesis elicits divided opinions among players; some find him cool and enjoyable, while others consider him the 'worst character' due to his cryptic dialogue and overall portrayal.

Emotions:
- Satisfaction (weight 0.28): Players are highly satisfied with the game's compelling story, particularly its role in deepening the Final Fantasy VII universe and providing crucial backstory for characters like Zack and Cloud. The updated graphics, improved combat system, and various quality-of-life changes in the remaster also contribute significantly to a positive overall experience, often exceeding expectations for a classic title.
- Disappointment (weight 0.17): Disappointment stems primarily from the game's repetitive and often monotonous gameplay, particularly in side missions, which many feel are uninspired filler. Other significant causes include the perceived lack of a thorough remaster (retaining outdated mechanics and low-quality original CG cutscenes), inconsistent voice acting (especially for Zack), and a high price point for what some consider an insufficiently updated port.
- Frustration (weight 0.15): Frustration is largely driven by the game's repetitive side quests and the grind required for progression or achievements. Players also express annoyance with the random DMW (Digital Mind Wave) system, inconsistent difficulty spikes, and various technical or design flaws such as unskippable cutscenes, repetitive combat dialogue, and clunky controls, which detract from the overall experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.06): Players feel excitement due to the game's immersive story, its crucial role as a prequel to Final Fantasy VII, and the anticipation it builds for future installments like FF7 Rebirth. The improved visuals, smooth performance, and engaging combat system of the remaster also contribute to a thrilling experience, especially for those eager to revisit or discover Zack Fair's journey.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.05): Nostalgia is a strong emotion, primarily evoked by revisiting a beloved PSP-era classic. Players fondly recall childhood memories of playing the original game, appreciating the remaster's faithful recreation of the story and characters while enjoying the updated visuals and quality-of-life improvements that enhance the experience of a cherished past title.
- Sadness (weight 0.05): Sadness is overwhelmingly caused by the game's tragic and emotional ending, particularly Zack Fair's fate and the separation from Aerith. The impactful story, combined with poignant music and the added context for the broader Final Fantasy VII narrative, deeply affects players, leading to a profound sense of loss and regret for the characters.
- Admiration (weight 0.03): Admiration is primarily directed towards Zack Fair's character, who is widely praised as an ideal JRPG protagonist for his optimism, loyalty, and compelling character arc. Players also admire the developers' efforts in modernizing the game, the quality of the plot, and the emotional impact of the story, recognizing the game as a significant contribution to the Final Fantasy VII universe.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.03): Players experience enjoyment from the game's engaging story, well-developed characters, and dynamic combat system. The overall experience, including the music, visual effects, and the game's role as a prequel, contributes to a fun and satisfying playthrough, making it a favorite for many Final Fantasy fans.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Joy is expressed through a deep love for the game, often intensified by the remaster's improvements and the ability to finally play an enhanced version of a beloved story. Players find joy in the engaging characters, emotional story, beautiful graphics, and fun gameplay, leading to a desire to replay and a strong overall positive experience.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger arises from the perceived low quality of the game, particularly its combat and voice acting, leading some to seek refunds. Players are also frustrated by the game's pricing, design flaws (such as the 'evil grind' and lack of evolution from the original), and specific character portrayals or narrative choices that negatively impact the Final Fantasy VII lore.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Players appreciate the character of Zack Fair, the game's faithfulness to the original, and the developers' efforts to modernize it with quality-of-life changes and updated graphics. The game's ability to connect details to the wider Final Fantasy VII story and its emotional depth, especially the ending, are also highly valued.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom is primarily caused by the game's repetitive side missions and combat, which often involve endless corridors and generic monster encounters designed to pad content. The narrative's pacing and villains' dialogue also contribute to a lack of engagement, making long play sessions feel tedious for some players.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance stems from repetitive elements such as constant 'Activating Combat Mode' prompts, repetitive music during side missions, and the luck-based DMW system. Players also find specific character dialogue, the 'uncanny valley' effect of some visuals, and the perceived lack of meaningful improvements in the remaster to be irritating.
- Love (weight 0.01): Love for the game is expressed through a deep affection for its story, characters (especially Zack and Aerith), and its role as a remake of a favorite title. Players cherish the overall experience, finding strong enjoyment and a renewed connection to the Final Fantasy VII plot despite any perceived flaws.
- Affection (weight 0.01): Affection is strongly felt for the character of Zack Fair, his story, and his dynamic with Aerith. Players express a deep liking for Zack's character design and the emotional connection fostered through his narrative.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from the game's convoluted plot points, particularly its reliance on the vague Loveless poem and unclear character motivations. Players also express confusion regarding the game's identity as a remaster or remake, its initial mechanics, and why original English voice actors were not retained.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Players are pleasantly surprised by the game's depth, emotional impact, and the unexpected quality of the remaster, often exceeding their initial expectations. The extent of graphical improvements and the overall enjoyable experience, even for those outside the usual genre, contribute to this positive surprise.
- Regret (weight 0): Regret is primarily associated with the purchase and time spent playing the game, with some players wishing they had not bought it or had refunded it sooner. This emotion often arises from a negative overall experience, particularly after reaching the ending.
- Amusement (weight 0): Amusement is found in the game's perceived 'campy' story, cheesy dialogue, and absurd mechanics, leading some players to find it 'so bad it's funny.' Specific character quirks and the slot machine-like system also contribute to this lighthearted enjoyment.
- Anticipation (weight 0): Anticipation is driven by the desire to play the game, especially for those looking forward to understanding the backstory for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Players are excited about Zack's return and the prospect of completing achievements or optional bosses in future playthroughs.}