The RPG Files: Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion Review

mmorpg.com:

With the Final Fantasy VII Remake story train now barreling down the tracks, it was only a matter of time before Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII reappeared over a decade after its launch, built from the ground up for a new audience. Does it work? Shockingly, it's better than the original release in nearly every way. 

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, as mentioned before, tells the story of Zack Fair, a SOLDIER First Class working for the Shinra corporation as what is basically a glorified mercenary. Taking place before the events of the first FF7 release in 1997 – and if you have played Remake, you know why I'm making that distinction – Crisis Core shows Zack's rise through the Shinra ranks, as well as his interactions with established characters like Sephiroth and Aerith, along with new notable names Angeal and Genesis, to name a few.

This story has no noticeable changes from the original launch, which is obviously how it should be, but also makes me slightly disappointed. Obviously the prequel story being remade at all is a sign that Square Enix feels this backstory is important enough to where FF7 Remake is headed that it needs to be retold, so leaving it as it was before is logical. However, unlike FF7 Remake and Intergrade which also teased where the story goes from here, Crisis Core offers no new nuggets of information. While this obviously wasn't required, it's a bit disappointing to play through the game half-expecting some sort of allusion to FF7 Rebirth, only to not get it. 

The biggest improvement Reunion brings to the table, meanwhile, is the much improved combat mechanics. Modern development tech has allowed the team behind this remastering to fully harness the Final Fantasy/Kingdom Hearts hybrid feel the