- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release Date: Dec 13, 2022
- Also On: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
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Dec 13, 2022I’ve always loved Crisis Core, it’s a foundational kind of game I remember fondly from my youth. It came out at just the right time, born during the dawn of the now thriving YouTube generation of millennials, featured proudly in Windows Movie Maker AMVs and cutscene compilations. Make no mistake, my enjoyment in Crisis Core is far from ironic or “cringe” that many might associate with those. It’s common to reflect back on that era negatively, but to me, Crisis Core represents the pure innocence of youth and the earnest mistakes associated with it. Zack’s story is so endearing and captured the attention of so many teenagers across the world for a reason. We got to see someone struggle to stay afloat in a system far larger than himself and do his best to keep his innocence intact. As I played this on my Nintendo Switch, I felt sent right back to that part of my life. I even got the urge to play it under my covers late at night as if to hide from parents I no longer live with. Repackaging those feelings, and cutting as much of the bloat as possible is commendable. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion strives to be the experience we remember, rising above the game we actually got.
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Jan 3, 2023We found in Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion a title that surpasses what we can consider a remaster, offering a deluxe visual revamp with engaging chapter-based gameplay that is ideal for the Nintendo Switch. Its structure may be a little repetitive at times, but it's still a very enjoyable ride for the fans.
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Jan 16, 2023While Crisis Core‘s shorter length is surprising, given the depth of the story it tells, the hooks it digs in are well worth unearthing. The trio tale of Angeal, Sephiroth, and Genesis is a relatively hidden side chapter of the FF7 Compilation, but it provides a deep, emotional core that will likely resonate in Rebirth and beyond.
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Jan 3, 2023Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion is a spiffy remake of a game that is very evocative of its time and place. As long as you keep that context in mind, you’ll likely have a really good time with it. The story has its ups and downs but the likeable protagonist and fantastic ending make it worth the weaker bits. This Switch port is quite good, and that makes it easier to enjoy the game portably, as was originally intended. A knock-down-the-door must-have this is not, but those who want to dig deeper into the world of Final Fantasy VII will find no better alternative.
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Dec 16, 2022Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion feels like a blend of a remaster and a remake given how much it has improved, and it perfectly suits portable play. It is a surprisingly great experience on Nintendo Switch in handheld, and is a joy to play even on Steam Deck out of the box. We need more remasters like this from Square Enix in the future.
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Dec 13, 2022If you’re a graphics purist, definitely pick Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion up on a next-gen console. However, I believe the Switch version gives you a more authentic PSP experience, the portability allows you to complete side missions while watching something on TV, and it still looks absolutely wonderful. Oh boy, I just really love Final Fantasy VII.
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Dec 12, 2022Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion is everything that we hoped this remake would be. It takes a great game once shackled to handheld-only hardware and brings it forth to a new generation with a fresh coat of paint. Though some may be put off by its mission-based gameplay structure or the sometimes ridiculous writing, its excellent combat, gorgeous presentation, and heartfelt narrative combine to make this one that no RPG fan will want to miss out on, especially those who were fans of Final Fantasy VII. Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion is a fantastic addition to the Switch’s ever-growing library of great RPGs, we’d advise you to give this one a go.
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Feb 25, 2023Looking at the entire game, Crisis Core is an extremely important title for the Final Fantasy series, but a lot of its luster was lost in time or simply better realized in games that came after it. The main crucifix of Reunion is making a great remaster on top of a flawed gem of a title. For fans of the original, Reunion is the perfect remaster, while other Final Fantasy and action fans would probably be better with a full remake to realize the premise potential.
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Dec 15, 2022Evaluating any remaster is fraught with difficulty because a person's enjoyment of it is almost always tied to how much they connect with the original game. My connection to Crisis Core is only in my experience with the original Final Fantasy VII and then the more recent Remake and its Intergrade DLC. Make no mistake: I love the world and characters of Final Fantasy VII, but that's not enough to make Crisis Core Reunion an easy recommendation. Much of its gameplay is repetitive and its narrative only pays off in fits and starts. Those who want to see and do all that this Reunion remaster offers will find dozens of hours of content, but outside of its compelling protagonist, Crisis Core feels fairly hollow, and it should be judged in a 2022 context as a home console experience. As such, its appeal will be limited more to diehard fans than RPG players as a whole.
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 823 out of 1020
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Mixed: 5 out of 1020
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Negative: 192 out of 1020
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Dec 15, 2022
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Dec 14, 2022Love this game. An old classic revisited again. Stellar story and characters, plus the updated battle system is really fun.
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Aug 28, 2023