Those soft, eerie strings.
The tinkling glockenspiel motif.
The hero arrives on a train and anotherFinal Fantasy 7adventure begins.
It’s for fans of the original PSP game looking for an update.
It’s for fans of the original JRPG looking for an expanded story.
Crisis Core Final Fantasy 7 Reunion is a somewhat frivolous game, but it’s also a fun one.
While initially intriguing and full of dramatic irony, it’s all a bit unnecessary.
This feels like the definitive way to experience Crisis Core.
The overhauled battle system is also closer to Remake, given fresh immediacy.
With use, materia levels up to increase potency.
Despite customisation, Zack is the only playable character, which can become repetitive.
It makes me wish for another to stop materia gathering dust in a menu somewhere.
Returning from the original is the most innovative battle feature: the Digital Mind Wave (DMW).
This is essentially a roulette in the corner of battle that constantly spins.
Now, these moves are triggered by the player rather than automatically, adding some control to the randomness.
There are other improvements in this remaster too, particularly with sound.
All cutscenes are now fully voiced: it’s cinematic and indicative of Square Enix’s high production value.
As expected, the orchestrated score is lovely, from that evocative opening to the heavy rock of battle.
The PSP hangover continues with the hundreds of extra side missions, accessible at save points.
They soon become tiresome, but are necessary for levelling up and collecting strong materia.
It’s called Rebirth after all.
That’s certainly an enticing prospect.
