Every day that passes inches us closer to the inevitable release of Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core. Like a hungry vulture, we've been searching for the tiniest new bit of info on the game ... and today, we're finally treated to new scans, courtesy of Jeux-France.
These new images don't tell us anything significantly new except that the game still looks awesome. The graphics engine of this game may make your system catch on fire.
According to a new interview with the Crisis Core team, the PSP-exclusive prequel to Final Fantasy VII can feature up to 100 hours of gameplay. Tabata, one of the game's producers, admits that the title is about 90% complete, with compressing everything to fit on UMD one of the few remaining tasks for the development team. The game's main story will most likely take players about 30 hours, but "getting all of the materia in the missions and going out into Midgar for Sub-Events" can boost play time to the triple digits.
Crisis Core is certainly not the last project in the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII. The project's end will be determined by the likes of Nomura and Kitase. Fans of the series can expect a "wonderful" special edition, with details to follow soon.
For the rest of the interview, visit NeoGAF, where it's translated into English.
Have you heard of "Final Fantasy"? It's supposedly a big deal. In fact, it's such a big deal that two all-new Final Fantasy games are coming to the PSP handheld. Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core and Final Fantasy Dissidia are amongst the best-looking titles on the system, showcasing the technical prowess of one of the most beloved game publishers.
Check out new pictures from Famitsu:
Read - Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core Read - Final Fantasy Dissidia
It's not surprising that Square Enix plans on releasing a limited edition collection of goodies to accompany Crisis Core's Japanese release. The "Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary Pack" will be released on September 13th. The bundle will include Crisis Core's single, "Why" performed by Jpop star Ayaka. The Anniversary Pack will also include the new Shinra Potion, an energy drink in the same vein as the popular Final Fantasy Potion from FFXII's launch.
While these two are certainly nifty, we're surprised that a special Crisis Core-branded PSP hasn't been unveiled yet. If Monster Hunter and Tales of the World can get one, then so should Final Fantasy VII. We're sure a new color bundled with Crisis Core will effectively destroy the Japanese economy. In fact, if Sony doesn't plan on making one, we will ... and reap the profits.
For most of us, we're stuck simply looking at pictures and videos of Crisis Core, dreaming of how it plays. However, those lucky enough to be in attendance at the Square Enix party in Japan have had the chance to play the game ... and it's good. Let's here a few excerpts from the critics:
IGN can't help but gush at the graphics: "This is the watershed game that genuinely demonstrates just how powerful the PSP is."
1UP seems to love the new real-time battle system: "Combat looks to ultimately be Crisis Core's defining element ... Battles erupt frequently while players are running around the environments, but simple controls make these melees fast and enjoyable. Zack even auto-targets and runs up to his nearest foe, meaning that you can quickly dispatch weaker enemies with little effort."
Finally, Games Radar seems to love the story and how it really does expand greatly upon the original Final Fantasy VII: "We're very impressed with just how good it looks and how well it plays - and we're really excited to dive into a story that seems to have much, much more to do with the core story of FFVII than any of the other spinoffs."
With such glowing praise, the wait for Crisis Core has become physically painful. Who's going to join us in importing the game when it comes out this September?
All this hype about Final Fantasy Dissidius may have distracted you from Square Enix's other big exclusive heading to PSP. Crisis Core, the prequel to Final Fantasy VII, pushes the system to graphical limits many have never dreamed possible on a handheld. New (blurry) screenshots from The Magic Box show off some more of this incredible-looking game; they simply must be seen to be believed.
As the Square Enix party continues to draw near, it's clear that PSP fans will have a deluge of information to sort through. Can you feel that anticipation already dripping down your pants?
[Update: There's also a new scan, revealing a new character named Loveless. Thanks, Joe!]
Could it be true? Could Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core actually be coming out? After years of development, this hotly anticipated prequel is ready to strike Japan on August 2nd--at least, according to GameFront. Their source? Apparently, the most recent issue of Jump reveals the startlingly early release. However, as no scan was provided, we have our doubts.
If this release date holds true, EGM's Rumor Mill recent story about a year-long Crisis Core delay would be debunked. Certainly, with pre-orders already reaching overwhelming limits, an earlier release would be wise. We're keeping our fingers crossed. Until we find out more, join us in drooling at these new direct-feed screenshots at Ultimagame.com.
Final Fantasy fans are getting a lot of love on their PSPs. Square has a handful of new images from their upcoming Crisis Core and Final Fantasy Anniversary projects. This is just the beginning of Square's support on the system, with a surprise announcement supposedly coming on May 12th. Hopefully, all will be well, but according to The Magic Box, there is an unconfirmed rumor that most of Square's handheld lineup has been delayed to 2008, including Final Fantasy Tactics and Crisis Core.
The official Japanese website for Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core has been updated. On the site, you'll be able to gawk at some more CG movies, character designs, and gain a few tidbits about the game. There's even a PSP formatted wallpaper that you can download here. If that isn't enough, YouTube user Kadaaju has translated the most recent Crisis Core trailer so that us English-speaking fans can understand what to expect from this PSP-exclusive prequel to one of the most popular RPGs ever made. Check it out, after the cut.
Crisis Core is undeniably one of PSP's most hotly anticipated games. This exclusive title takes place before the events of the original PS1 classic, and it will have players unearthing more secrets from the beloved universe. Although players will take primary control of Zack, fans will love seeing many familiar faces, from Cloud, to Sephiroth, and even Aeris.
This new trailer reveals more of the game's incredible graphics, gameplay, and dialog-heavy storyline that should keep yaoi fanfic writers busy for years to come.
Warning: the following screenshots of Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core are not suitable for those who are pregnant, nursing, suffering heart disease, or have high blood pressure. Why? You may simply faint at how gorgeous these shots, available at Jeux-France, are. Ripped straight from Famitsu, these screenshots showcase quite possibly the best graphics on PSP so far. Hopefully, it'll play just as good.
Dream Games is a new weekly column where we explore a game we'd love to see on the PSP. Feel free to check in, and comment, every week.
Final Fantasy VII Does this game need any explanation? This 32-bit debut from Square put Sony on the map through the liberal use of CG movies that stunned everyone at the time. Some people really like the story, the characters, and the gameplay as well.
Why PSP? It makes a lot of sense to release the original right around when Crisis Core, the FFVII prequel hits our system. Considering UMD's greater storage capacity, the game would most likely fit on a single disc: none of this disc swapping nonsense to worry about!
Is it possible? Although Square seems keen on revisiting this franchise over and over again, it seems unlikely that Square will settle for a simple port. The Final Fantasy VII tech demo that appeared on the PS3 makes Sony's next-gen console the most likely candidate for a remake, hopefully complete with new Advent Children-style CGs.
Jeux-France, lovers of illegal magazine scans, has posted up some beautiful images of Square's upcoming Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core. The battle page (pictured) certainly impresses. Now that the game is 70% complete, hopefully, it won't be too long until we get some direct-feed footage directly from Square.
Crisis Core, the upcoming PSP-exclusive prequel to Final Fantasy VII had disappeared from the public eye for a while. Now it's back, and my desire to play it is ever increasing. The graphics look to impress and the "Power Surge" feature teases us with gameplay possibility.
We have faith that one day, the PlayStation Store will be accessible via PSP without the need for a PS3, and will flourish into a glorious realm of classic games, one that will be untouched by the competition. Of course, homebrew users will rip their own games ... but for the rest of us, this is my personal wishlist of PSone games that I'd like to see available for download.