Square Enix's PSP prequel to the PlayStation smash Final Fantasy VII was recently announced to be getting a remaster during FFVII's 25th-anniversary stream. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion is the first time that Zack Fair's tale has been available outside of Sony's handheld, and it's also coming to Switch this winter.
Yesterday, IGN reported that Square Enix shared a brief update on the game, detailing some of the changes that are coming to this HD remaster, which include a few tweaks to some of the original game's fundamentals.
One of Crisis Core's differences from the original Final Fantasy VII was its battle system. While turn-based, it was a little bit more action-oriented, with the ability to move Zack around the field and use skills while scrolling through a menu — depending on what Materia he had equipped. Now, in the remaster, Square Enix is making adjustments to this to make it more "menu-based".
We don't know exactly what that means, or whether it'll be similar to Final Fantasy VII Remake's mode that lets you swap between turn-based and action combat, but from what we've seen so far, it looks pretty close to the PSP original, so we'll have to wait and see!
Other changes coming to Reunion are the usual touches we get with remasters — improved camera and new UI — but also more music arrangements from the original game's composer, Takeharu Ishimoto, who is known for composing the soundtrack to The World Ends With You and its sequel, NEO: The World Ends With You.
- Further reading - Gallery: Square Enix Shares Brand New Screenshots Of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion
The last change is that more cutscenes will now have voice-over added to them. The remaster will feature a new voice cast — Zack Fair's voice actor in Remake is Caleb Pierce, and it sounds like he's making a return in Crisis Core as well — so much of the dialogue has probably been rerecorded, but it'll be great to have even more VO for the rerelease.
If you miss playing Crisis Core on your PSP, then the Switch is likely the place to get this upcoming remaster! We're looking forward to revisiting Zack Fair, Sephiroth, and Cloud Strife's past when Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion hits this winter.
How do you feel about the proposed new battle system? Let us know in the comments!
[source twitter.com, via ign.com]
Comments 28
This looks like an incredible remaster - perhaps too incredible for the switch to handle? I'm waiting to see what the catch will be...
@BranJ0 Maybe they forgot to add "Cloud Version"
I'm still wondering how the switch version is going to look
@BranJ0 Switch version retains the PSP version's visuals. I kid, I kid! I'm getting this on PS5, but I hope that the Switch version isn't watered down too much.
I hope that "menu oriented" mode isn't as bad as FF7Rs "Classic mode", that one was aweful. As someone how vastly prefers turn based combat over action oriented combat I'd definitely love to see a proper turn based mode implemented into those games.
That way I might actually give FF7R2 a chance despite disliking FF7R a lot (mainly because of the combat system)
Physical copy preordered. I never played the original release, so I'm quite looking forward to this.
@mariomaster96 Strange you say that because I really liked the FF7R combat system despite being a FF traditionalist and thinking I really wouldn't.
I am looking forward to this remake but will probably get it on PS4/5 as I can see the Switch version running okay, but obviously not as well as on the bigger boys.
@KayFiOS maybe it will be upscale resolution for the Switch version by using AMD FSR. Square did that with the Switch version of Life is Strange True Colors.
Moving the battle system to menu based shows they are at least on the right track. This has the opportunity to be one of the best Final Fantasy games since the ‘90s, for me at least.
Idk this looks like a switch game to me. It’s Definetly something that could run great if done correctly
The original Crisis Core wasn't turn-based, it had very clunky action-oriented combat. You could only take a certain number of extra abilities with you as Materia, and scrolled through them with L and R (I think), selecting one with X. Triangle was Block, and Square was dodge, all done in real-time.
You can still see the original's attack "menu" in the bottom right of the UI in those shots. Though I think now you may be able to also use Materia with button combo shortcuts? And your regular "Attack", without using Materia, may have a dedicated button now, I'd assume.
While I had play the original Crisis Core, this remake seems to look and feel more like Ultra Age. An action game I too also enjoy but a bit short. I usually beat these in less than 2 days. Hopefully there's new post-game contents to make me want to return to play this.
The tweet doesn't say 'MORE menu-based battle system... It just says 'NEW menu-based battle system' which could just mean a modern overhaul for the UI. And like someone else already commented, the original game wasn't turn based. Though it wasn't very fluid either.
We'll just have to wait and see.
The real question for me is should I get it for PS5 or Switch? Portable mode or 4K with higher frame rate? Hmm.... I might get it for Switch on day 1 and pick up a copy for PS5 when it goes on sale...
@OnlyItsMeReid I agree, this doesn't look too demanding. Most of the environments look like corridors and small open spaces. Nier looks graphically better and more tricky to port even if its a 5 year old game.
I'd be happy if they gut the battle system for FF7 Remakes. CC had its moments, but it was clearly something that needed a bit more thought put into it. The DMW being the worst part of it and sadly one of the elements staying in this version of the game.
This is going to make my holiday!
Gonna preorder it next week love this one
This remaster looks so good!! So many great improvements made as well. All the cutscenes from Crisis Core are ridiculously nostalgic for me, so this will be a must buy. I can't believe the Switch will have Nier Automata and Crisis Core on the same console. Now if only a proper port of Birth By Sleep could follow suit one day...
Still no port or remake of Before Crisis, the segment relegated to defunct Japanese cell phones.
@Ulysses
Maybe with the next Switch
I still have the original. Well be nice to play Crisis Core using a proper analogue stick. On the PSP you have to use that little nub.
@TopazLink Why'd you call it clunky? The only thing I found a bit weird was that you had to time your button presses and couldn't just mash like you do in any other action RPG, but once I got used to that I found it quite nice, even with the semi-randomness of the DMW. I had more trouble adapting to Type-0's control scheme, even though it's better on paper.
@wazlon On a PSP Go, you can use a DualShock 3, though you're still limited to the imprecise inputs of the nub, which becomes apparent when you have to move the analog stick quite far before you change directions in-game.
Sorry to be Mr. Direct but... Will it run native on Switch or nah?
Never played since I didn't want a PSP, so definitely going to give this a shot, but may wait awhile as many Switch ports seem to do better after a few updates and fixes.
I didn't even know this was getting a remaster or coming to Switch, I'm definitely getting this
@nintendoknife Maybe clunky wasn't quite the right word, it's just because of the very deliberate nature of it, and the in-built wind-up for every action. I couldn't think of a better way to describe it at the time.
I do really like the original, so I hope I didn't give off the impression that I dislike it. I just needed to get my thoughts out into a comment when I read it deing described as "turn-based" when it isn't.
@mariomaster96 wow, I'm not alone. So glad to hear this about ff7 remake on this site. Agree w the entire comment 100%!!
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