Final Fantasy: Crisis Core (Square Enix), PSP

Jul 21 2008

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EVERY time an old classic is wheeled out for a comeback you always worry about whether past glories can be recreated.

Thankfully, the latest in the Final Fantasy series doesn’t darken the memory of its predecessors.

This PSP-only version picks up the story of Zack, a minor character in FFVII, and is essentially a prequel to the main title.

But thankfully it hasn’t been an after-thought as the game cranks the expectation of PSP gamers to the next level. Crisis Core proves that the handheld format doesn’t mean that you have to put up with clunky controls and iffy graphics.

Anyone who has played any Final Fantasy titles before will find a few minor tweaks to the control system (it isn’t too difficult to get your head around), but they’ll also be pleased to see that all of the other mechanics are still there in one form or another.

To inexperienced players, the gameplay might seem a bit samey, but once you get into the game the challenge gets harder and you really find yourself getting involved in the action.

Graphically, the game oozes quality. Never before has the PSP looked so good. But the cutaway movie scenes which link the action can get a bit tedious, especially as you can’t flick through them – fine if you’re playing for the first time but a bit of a pain if you’re going back over it again.

That’s merely a minor fault in a game which could well alter the future destiny of handheld gaming.