Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion

The opinions of the critics regarding the Story of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion are quite diverse. Several critics, such as CGMagazine and New York Daily News, praise the character development and exploration of Zack Fair's backstory. They appreciate how the story provides important background information on Zack and offers a new perspective on Sephiroth's character. Additionally, Screen Rant commends the story for introducing important FF7 characters and exploring themes of duty, servitude, revenge, and redemption. TheGamer also highlights how the narrative expands on the original game's story, providing a trip down memory lane with bittersweet consequences. The inclusion of familiar faces and interactions with the cast of the main game, particularly Aerith, is seen as a real treat by Video Chums. On the other hand, some critics express negative opinions about the story. Comicbook.com mentions that while the story provides added humanity and context to pivotal plot beats before Final Fantasy VII's start, the self-contained narrative is a little less successful. GamesRadar+ criticizes the story for being melodramatic, filled with early-'00s style writing, and having disappointing character development and one-note cameos from familiar characters. The stilted script and cringe-worthy dialogue are also pointed out as noticeable issues by Screen Rant. Additionally, NintendoWorldReport criticizes the poorly-aged narrative trappings and Dexerto mentions that the story is virtually unchanged from the original release. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the story of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion has its strengths and weaknesses. It is praised for its character development, exploration of Zack Fair's backstory, and expansion on the original game's story. However, there are criticisms regarding the writing, dialogue, and certain character developments. The story is seen as enjoyable and engaging by some, while others find it overly complex or lacking in certain areas. Despite these mixed opinions, it is evident that the story adds depth to the Final Fantasy VII universe and provides fans with an emotional journey.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion are generally positive. Many critics praise the improvements made to the combat system, with App Trigger commending the cleaned-up and more enjoyable gameplay. Easy Allies mentions numerous changes that modernize the gameplay, such as tying basic attacks to the square button and introducing a new mechanic that enhances attacks and prevents flinching. Comicbook.com and PlayStation LifeStyle also highlight the fun and action-focused combat, with the latter mentioning smoother controls and less intrusive Digital Mind Wave (DMW) slots. The combat scenarios, including flashy sword attacks, magic abilities, and special moves, are considered the highlight of the game by Game Informer. Additionally, GamesRadar+ mentions the fantastic combat system with responsive controls and exciting dodging and rolling mechanics. However, there are some criticisms regarding the gameplay of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion. One common complaint is the repetitive nature of side missions, as mentioned by Comicbook.com, New York Daily News, and NintendoWorldReport. The reliance on random chance in the Digital Mind Wave system is also criticized by Game Informer, Screen Rant, and Shacknews. The simplicity and lack of depth in the combat system are mentioned by TheGamer, while Screen Rant points out that the AI is passive. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion has seen improvements and is generally enjoyable. The combat system is praised for its modern approach, smoother controls, and responsiveness. The inclusion of new mechanics and the retooled Digital Mind Wave system add excitement and variety to battles. However, the repetitive side missions and reliance on random chance in the DMW system are seen as drawbacks. Despite these criticisms, the positive aspects of the gameplay outweigh the negatives, making Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion a satisfying experience for fans of action-focused combat and Final Fantasy elements.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion are generally positive. Many critics praise the updated visuals and graphics, with some describing them as gorgeous and impressive. Easy Allies specifically mentions that the game has received a significant overhaul with newly recorded voice acting, menu design that matches Final Fantasy VII Remake, and brand new visuals consistent with assets from the Remake. They highlight the amazing character models and the enthralling environments, particularly the streets of Midgar. The New York Daily News also commends Square Enix for overhauling the visuals and adding detailed textures to characters and environments. They mention that the game has a "gorgeous coat of paint" and looks good on multiple platforms, including the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. NME expresses their excitement at seeing a 15-year-old game look so good, emphasizing that everything looks fantastic and magical. However, there are some criticisms regarding the graphics and visual design of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion. Some critics mention that while the visuals have been upgraded, there are still moments where the game feels like a remastered PSP game. CGMagazine notes that while the visuals are impressive, there are moments where the game still feels dated and doesn't match up to the quality of Final Fantasy VII Remake. Game Informer mentions that while the updated visuals are great, the presentation can feel stilted and slow, with awkward character animations and rough cadence in conversations. TheSixthAxis points out that the reuse of original CG scenes is jarring, and Screen Rant criticizes the confined and generic settings with hallway-like level design. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion has received a significant visual upgrade, with enhanced character models, updated textures, and impressive cutscenes. The visuals are generally praised for their beauty and the attention to detail put into the environments. Critics like Easy Allies and The New York Daily News highlight the positive aspects of the graphics and visual design. However, there are also criticisms regarding the game's visuals feeling dated or not matching up to the standards set by Final Fantasy VII Remake. CGMagazine and Game Informer express these concerns. Despite the mixed opinions, the overall sentiment leans towards the positive side, with many critics appreciating the efforts made to improve the visuals of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion are generally positive. CGMagazine praises the game for being fully voiced, with the original English cast replaced by the actors from Final Fantasy VII Remake. Easy Allies also commends the newly recorded voice acting and new soundtrack arrangements, stating that they sound great. GamesRadar+ highlights the re-recorded score, which adds to the energetic combat and overall experience. New York Daily News describes the voice acting and overall sound design as stellar, bringing the story to life in a way that the original PSP version couldn't. Video Chums mentions that the game features a beautiful soundtrack that has been masterfully enhanced, contributing to the overall experience. Xbox Achievements also praises the rearranged original soundtrack and the addition of fully voiced dialogue, enhancing the narrative. However, not all critics share the same sentiment. GameSpew criticizes the English voice acting, particularly for the protagonist Zack, describing it as horrendous. Slant Magazine mentions that the new voice track, although featuring much of Remake's cast, is constrained to the stiff and awkward direction of the original performances. This creates a steep barrier of entry for some players. Dexerto acknowledges that while the addition of full voice acting greatly improves the story and makes it more engaging, the transition from the original English voice cast can be difficult for some players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Sound Design and Music of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion are positive aspects of the game. The fully voiced dialogue, with the original English cast replaced by the actors from Final Fantasy VII Remake, is generally praised for bringing the story to life and enhancing the narrative. The re-recorded score and enhanced soundtrack arrangements are also commended for adding to the overall experience and punctuating the energetic combat. However, there are criticisms regarding the English voice acting, with some critics finding it horrendous or constrained by the original performances. Despite these negative points, the positive aspects of the Sound Design and Music outweigh the negatives, resulting in an overall positive reception among the critics.

The voice acting in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion has received mixed opinions from the critics. Several reviewers, such as CGMagazine and New York Daily News, praise the voice acting, with the latter specifically mentioning it as stellar and contributing to the immersive experience of the game. The returning actors from Final Fantasy VII Remake, as noted by Comicbook.com and TheSixthAxis, are appreciated for tying the two games together and adding a delightful touch. Additionally, PlayStation LifeStyle commends the game for featuring full voice acting, which is seen as an excellent upgrade over the original. These positive opinions highlight the successful portrayal of characters and the improvement in storytelling through voice performances. However, there are also negative opinions regarding the voice acting in Crisis Core. GameSpew criticizes the English voice acting, particularly for the protagonist Zack, as horrendous. GamesRadar+ finds the voiceover performances disappointing, with characters lacking subtlety and speaking without any hint of nuance. Slant Magazine mentions that the new voice track, while featuring much of the Remake's cast, is constrained to the stiff and awkward direction of the original performances, creating a steep barrier of entry. MMORPG.com also notes that the spoken dialogue remains unchanged from the original release, which some may find awkward and cringe-worthy. These criticisms highlight issues with delivery, lack of subtlety, and the retention of outdated performances. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion is a mixed bag. While some reviewers appreciate the returning actors and the immersive experience created by the voice performances, others criticize the stilted delivery, lack of subtlety, and the retention of awkward performances from the original release. The positive opinions from CGMagazine, New York Daily News, and PlayStation LifeStyle are countered by the negative views expressed by GameSpew, GamesRadar+, Slant Magazine, and MMORPG.com. It is evident that the voice acting in Crisis Core elicits both praise and disappointment, making it a divisive aspect of the game's overall reception.

In terms of the technical performance, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion received mixed reviews across different gaming platforms. Starting with the positives, the PS5 version was praised for its improved load times compared to the original PSP version. CGMagazine mentioned that the PS5 version benefited from faster load times, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Additionally, Shacknews also highlighted the quick load times as a positive aspect of the game. Moving on to the negatives, Easy Allies expressed that despite the improvements in Reunion, it still felt like a PSP game at its core on the PS5. They mentioned small areas to explore and stiff animations, which could potentially detract from the overall immersion. Furthermore, the presence of frequent random enemy encounters was mentioned by Easy Allies as a frustration, although battles were not overly long and escaping was an option. Switch players experienced a mixed bag of technical performance. NintendoWorldReport mentioned that the Switch version of Crisis Core Reunion largely maintained a stable 30 frames-per-second, but occasional stuttering was observed. The target resolution of 720p when docked and 540p in handheld mode was also noted. On the other hand, The Mako Reactor stated that the game ran well on both Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck, with only minor issues on the latter. For PC players, the opinions were more varied. Dexerto criticized the PC port for being clunky and requiring the use of a controller instead of mouse and keyboard controls. However, XboxEra praised the game's performance on PC, stating that it had a stable framerate. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion has its technical strengths and weaknesses across different gaming platforms. The improved load times on the PS5 version were appreciated, while the PSP roots and occasional frustrations with random encounters were mentioned as drawbacks. The Switch version generally maintained a stable framerate, but occasional stuttering was noted. The PC version received mixed reviews, with criticisms about clunky controls but also praise for stable performance. Despite these varied opinions, it is clear that the technical performance of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion had both positive and negative aspects, ultimately leaving room for improvement in certain areas.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion are mixed. Some critics, such as CGMagazine and Easy Allies, appreciate the game's numerous side missions and optional content, which provide additional gameplay and rewards. Easy Allies specifically mentions that the bite-sized nature of these tasks makes them accessible and quick to complete. GameSpew and Xbox Achievements also highlight the presence of optional missions and extra content as a positive aspect of the game's replay value. However, several critics express concerns about the repetitive nature of the side missions. Comicbook.com, GamesRadar+, Screen Rant, and TheSixthAxis all mention that the side missions can become dull and overshadow the main story. Screen Rant specifically notes that the side quests lack relevance to the characters and plot, reducing their overall value. Additionally, NintendoWorldReport raises the point that the game doesn't provide enough incentive to complete all the extra missions. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that while Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion offers a significant amount of optional content and side missions, the repetitive nature of these tasks and their lack of relevance to the main story can diminish the game's replay value. Positive aspects, such as the improved visuals, revitalized gameplay elements, and the opportunity to gain new materia and items through side missions, are acknowledged. However, the negative aspects, such as the repetitive and dull nature of the side missions, overshadow these positives. Critics like TheGamer and WellPlayed appreciate the narrative significance of some side missions, but this is not enough to outweigh the overall sentiment of repetitiveness. Ultimately, players looking for replay value in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion may find enjoyment in the optional content, but may also encounter a sense of monotony and lack of incentive to fully engage with it.