During today's Nintendo Direct, Square Enix announced that Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion, the remaster of the originally PSP-exclusive Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, will release for PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Seires X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC on December 13. As previously reported, the game will come with a complete graphics overhaul, a newly arranged soundtrack, and an updated combat system.
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Square Enix has released a new trailer to commemorate the release date announcement, which we've embedded below.
First things first: we’re excited to announce that CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION has a release date: December 13, 2022!
That’s quite a holiday gift, and what better way to celebrate than by showing you some new screenshots, and revealing more information about the game?
First, take a look at the new trailer, then read on and we’ll discuss everything from the characters to the battle system!
What is CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION about?
Seven years before the events of FINAL FANTASY VII, the Shinra Company rules from Midgar, the city of mako, wielding an enormous level of influence and military power.
The story follows SOLDIER 2nd Class Zack Fair - a member of a group of elite operatives within Shinra with powerful combat abilities.
Zack, along with his seniors Angeal and Sephiroth, is sent on a mission to investigate the mass disappearance of his fellow SOLDIER operatives.
What he discovers will change his life - and the lives of those around him - forever.
Characters
You’ll meet many interesting characters in CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION - some of whom you may recognize from the original FINAL FANTASY VII or FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE.
Of course, with CRISIS CORE being set a few years before those games, they may be a little different than you remember…
Cloud is a rather introverted young man who joined Shinra because he aspired to be a SOLDIER operative like Sephiroth. He’s from Nibelheim, where a mako reactor is located, and serves as an infantryman.
Cloud meets Zack on one of his missions, where they become fast friends.
Tseng
Voiced by: Vic Chao
Tseng works for Shinra as the Vice Director for the Investigation Sector of the General Affairs Department - also known as "Turks".
He has a cool demeanor and isn’t one to show much emotion, but through his assignments, he and Zack develop a relationship of trust that is akin to friendship.
Cissnei
Voiced by: Kayli Mills
This young woman is the youngest person to ever join the Turks. Because of her upbringing in an orphanage, she finds herself unable to leave troubled people alone.
Lazard
Voiced by: Francis Ausley
Although the Director of SOLDIER is not a fighter himself, he is trusted as an understanding supervisor who keeps the operatives in line.
He has achieved this position at a young age, but his past remains mysterious.
Hollander
Voiced by: Jason Marnocha
Hollander is a scientist who used to conduct important SOLDIER-related research for Shinra. However, he was defeated in a power struggle and relegated to a marginal position in the company.
He is currently being pursued due to his suspected involvement in the “mass SOLDIER desertion incident”.
Yuffie Kisaragi
Voiced by: Brandilyn Cheah
Yuffie is the daughter of the leader of Wutai. Even as a child, she tries to fight the invading Shinra forces and protect Wutai - unfortunately, she is not yet fully capable and can’t get things quite right...
Ever since meeting Zack, she’s been sending him junk mail and pulling him into her treasure hunts.
Battles
Next up, let’s talk about the battle system!
Combat in CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION combines intuitive real-time action with a command system that lets you unleash the familiar FINAL FANTASY series magic and abilities.
The game also features the unique “Digital Mind Wave” (DMW) system, which triggers randomized effects such as enhanced status and the ability to use powerful “Limit Breaks," to make battles more strategic.
Read on, and we’ll explore multiple aspects of the battle system, from materia and abilities to how the DMW system works in practice.
Materia
By equipping materia, you will be able to use magic and abilities in battle and enhance your status. In addition, the effects of the DMW system can further enhance materia, allowing for even more powerful effects!
There are lots of different types of magic materia, which give you access to a wide variety of spells, including:
Fire
Fire magic that tracks the enemy and releases an exploding fireball.
Dark Thunder
A magic skill that deals lightning damage as well as poison and silence status ailments to enemies in its path.
Abilities
Also gained by equipping materia, abilities are skills that can be used by consuming AP. They typically consist of various melee attacks that utilize the sword and can be linked with standard attacks.
Here are a couple of examples:
Assault Twister
Zack spins twice on the spot, slashing surrounding enemies.
Jump
Zack jumps vertically, plummets toward the enemy and generates a shockwave.
While jumping, you can dodge enemy attacks.
The Digital Mind Wave (DMW)
The Digital Mind Wave - or DMW - is a system unique to CRISIS CORE. Slot reels automatically spin during battle and produce various effects depending on the images and numbers aligned.
When numbers align in the DMW, it’ll activate an effect corresponding to that alignment. For example, you may get the following effects:
7 7 7: Invincible (limited time)
6 6 6: Critical (limited time)
5 5 5: Null Physical (limited time)
4 4 4: AP Cost Zero (until battle ends)
3 3 3: Null Magic (limited time)
2 2 2: MP Cost Zero (until battle ends)
1 1 1: Invincible (limited time)
Getting 7s on the DMW is beneficial and can have useful effects:
7 7 * : MP Cost Zero + AP Cost Zero (limited time)
7 * 7 : Null Physical (limited time)
* 7 7 : Null Magic (limited time)
7 * * : AP Cost Zero (limited time)
* 7 * : MP Cost Zero (limited time)
* * 7 : Endure (limited time)
Limit Breaks
When the same images align in the DMW, you’ll also get a powerful Limit Break that corresponds to the pictured character. For example:
Angeal: Rush Assault
Tseng: Air Strike
Aerith: Healing Wind
Cloud: Meteor Shots
Summons
When the DMW enters summons mode, all the images on the reels become summons. The player can perform a Limit Break that features one of these powerful entities, including:
Ifrit: Hellfire
Bahamut: Megaflare
We hope you enjoyed this latest dive into CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION.
