Zack Fair carries the FFVII prequel on his shoulders and it stays devastating to the very last minute. The Digital Mind Wave splits opinions but side missions are everywhere, and Ishimoto's score marks one of the PSP's peaks.
Your verdict
Category
Action RPG1 player16+
Description
Final Fantasy VII prequel narrating Zack Fair's years as a SOLDIER member before the original game's events. Published by Square Enix, released in Japan in June 2008. Digital Mind Wave combat system with dice and summons, over 300 side missions, soundtrack by Takeharu Ishimoto. Japanese multilingual release.
Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
MAX
Story
★★★★★
"Masterful"
A cinematic action RPG of polished design by Nomura, Midgar recreated and dazzling effects: the game unfurls a science-fantasy of astonishing richness for the handheld. The sumptuous cutscenes and the fluidity of the combat elevate every scene. This visual ambition, sleek and polished, pushed the limits of the PSP.
Signed by Takeharu Ishimoto, the music blends electric rock, orchestra and Ayaka's overwhelming "Why" to carry Zack's tragedy. From the nervy "The Price of Freedom" to the moving themes, every track strikes the heart. This sonic richness, intense and heartbreaking, makes the prequel an emotional peak.
A devastating prequel to Final Fantasy VII, the adventure follows a young idealistic soldier whose friendship and sacrifice will seal the fate of an entire legend. The tale casts a tragic light on events fans thought they knew. Carried by an unforgettable finale, it moves devotees of the saga and newcomers alike.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Chaining real-time battles, fusing materia and chancing your luck on the DMW reel weaves a loop where every side mission promises a payoff. Zack's rise in power, the summons and the hundreds of short quests rekindle the urge for "just one more." The slot-reel system divides, but attachment to the story and mastered farming keep a strong grip.
Difficulty
"Difficult"
Lifespan
"Massive"
Following Zack Fair before the events of Final Fantasy VII unfolds an action-RPG rich in brisk combat, the DMW system and hundreds of side missions. Driving the main quest, combing the optional content and optimising your materia fills long hours. That generosity, celebrated by fans, offers a lifespan RPG fans savour.
Technical info
💾1,1 GB📅13/09/2007
Published by Square Enix
Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII (PSP) price, value & rarity
The Japanese edition of Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII, the home of this prequel that boosted PSP sales in Japan and delighted fans of the Square Enix saga. Its appeal lies in this native-version status of a major title, prized for authenticity and local presentation, sustained by the lasting fervor around FF7. A reference piece for collectors in Japan.
Memorable bosses
A spectacular prequel, this adventure turns every major clash into a cinematic set-piece: titanic summons, copies of the flamboyant Genesis and emotion-laden duels that crest in one final heroic last stand. The mental-roulette system triggers limits and transformations in the heat of battle. Grandiose staging and dramatic tension etch these bosses into memory.
A cult cover
Zack Fair stands with the Buster Sword on his shoulder, gaze turned toward a sky heavy with promise and regret: the composition blends heroic drive with the melancholy that runs through the story. The Mako blues and Tetsuya Nomura's CG finish root the object in the world of Final Fantasy VII. Elegant and moving, it heralds a tragedy already written in the hero's eyes.
Is Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII still worth playing in 2026?
Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII puts the FFVII prequel on Zack Fair's shoulders and it stays moving until the very last minute. The real-time combat system flows, the Digital Mind Wave divides but side missions abound for dozens of hours of content. Takeharu Ishimoto's music signs one of PSP's peaks, especially the main theme. Cinematic staging remains impressive for the PSP. An absolute classic to know today.
