Play Arts' New Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Figures

For those rabid action figure collectors and Final Fantasy fans out there, Play Arts has released details on a new set of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII figures to be available for sale in January 2009.

The collection will include Zack, Cloud and Aerith, all in their Crisis Core forms. The figures will be made of PVC and stand about 7 inches tall. They will be available for pre-order at $19.99 each or in a set for $58.39, which is 20% off the retail price after the figure official hit store shelves.

You can pre-order these figures at Kid Nemo.com

Review: Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
Square Enix
Available for the PSP

North American Final Fantasy fans experienced one giant moment of pure happiness on March 24, when Square Enix finally released Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, the long awaited sequel game to possibly the best role-playing game ever made, Final Fantasy VII. Even I experienced a magical tingle as I sat watching Crisis Core’s start menu cinematic and held my breathe as I beheld the now gorgeous looking Sephiroth, Cloud and Aeris in their newly remodelled skins.



Crisis Core: FF VII, a prequel to the events in FF VII, allows us to look into events of Soldier, the war with Wutai and the Shinra Corporation before the events of FFVII but this time we see the story though the eyes of a soldier named Zack, whom we have come to know only bits and pieces about.



The new combat system is still turn based but its much faster paced now, almost like you're playing a button masher and now Zack has a series of wheels called DMW determining his levelling up and limit breaks, based on Soldier points. Zack‘s actions are controlled by the player, while his companions' attacks are dealt out by the DMW. I found it frustrating to control items and magic spells with the new system, but without the fast pace system, I doubt Zack‘s lack of team element would work.

The controls were a little frustrating when it came to switching between attacks, magic spells and items, but it could be just me and my lack of time with my PSP. The DMW system though it seems random, actually deals out actions in a good amount of time, even though I would have preferred the old limit break and level up system from FFVII.

Missions come through the game either from the storyline or through the menu system, which allows you to go on side missions to gain experience or items. Each missions isn’t too long between save points either that it doesn’t make it hard for gamer to play it while on their lunch or on the bus.



The cinematic scenes in Crisis Core are comparable to the movie, FFVII: Advent Children graphics, but the game play scenes are more like Kingdom hearts graphics. The music is stellar, but when you're dealing with FFVII music how can it not be and the new heavy rock music that’s been added in , I find fits the game theme well. The sound effects have been ported over from the original FFVII which just add to the pulling of this fanboy's heart strings, but the voice that intros every battle in the game is bloody annoying -- she’s like the computer on the Enterprise but more annoying.

I can't help but be disappointed by the new confusing combat system and by the total lack of team battles, but honestly my fanboy love for FFVII can't let me put this game down, just for the very fact that I want to play through the storyline and all the great cinematics and music. Call out me for my fanboyism, but I will defend Crisis Core against the critics and say that's it’s a good game. Well worth the purchase and maybe even a PSP purchase, but that could be pushing it.

Rating: 8 out of 10
Buy it!

SQUARE ENIX ENRICHES A BELOVED FRANCHISE WITH

The Highly Anticipated Prequel Ships to Retailers Today,

Delivering a Tale of Epic Proportions to Fans across North America

LOS ANGELES (March 25, 2008) – Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix™ interactive entertainment products in North America, announced that CRISIS CORE™ -FINAL FANTASY® VII-, the much awaited prequel to one of the most influential titles in video-gaming history, has shipped to North American retailers today.

Before Cloud and Sephiroth’s now legendary confrontation and the ensuing battle that captivated millions of gamers worldwide, there was Zack Fair and his simple yet whole-hearted ambition to become a SOLDIER 1st Class. Players will now discover what was hitherto left untold, as they journey through the exciting and intriguing world of CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII-, developed exclusively for the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. Offering a compelling narrative coupled with breathtaking graphics and an action-packed battle system, this latest entry in the COMPILATION OF FINAL FANTASY VII series is sure to captivate both fans of the original FINAL FANTASY VII and newcomers alike.

Launch Event
To celebrate the arrival of this highly anticipated entry in the COMPILATION OF FINAL FANTASY VII, Square Enix is hosting an exclusive launch party at the PLAYSTATION®Store @ Metreon in San Francisco today, March 25th, at 6:00 p.m. The event will be limited to 200 attendees who will have the opportunity to purchase CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII-. Fans will also be able to get a first-hand look at concept art and all-new merchandise, win raffle prizes, and much more! The first 100 attendees in line will also receive a special commemorative shirt.

Strategy Guide
Fans can complete their gaming experience with the CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- Signature Series Guide, now available from BradyGames.

BradyGames is proud to present the CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- Signature Series Strategy Guide. This one-of-a-kind strategy guide provides everything you need to get the most out of CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII-; complete walkthroughs, detailed maps, in-depth coverage of all magic and skills, expert boss tactics, and a complete bestiary, and that’s not all! This awesome strategy guide also includes bonus content, an exclusive foldout and more! This strategy guide is the one and only official resource that allows you to play CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- at its maximum potential!

Visit www.bradygames.com and order your copy of the CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- Signature Series Guide today and receive a 20% discount! (Coupon code BGCCFF08)

Mobile Content
CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- content, including an assortment of VideoRings, is now available on mobile service provider Helio. Helio members can access the VideoRings microsite by entering “FANTASY” (3268279) on their mobile device and then pressing the “Jump” key. For more information on Helio, visit http://www.helio.com.

STORY

Seven years prior to the events of FINAL FANTASY VII—

The Shinra Company is rapidly increasing its influence through its monopoly on mako energy and military might. With the burgeoning city of Midgar as its base and symbol of prosperity, Shinra is on the verge of establishing absolute dominance over the world. SOLDIER is a group of skilled combat operatives within Shinra. The elite within the group—those strong enough to be deemed SOLDIER 1st Class—are respected and idolized by the citizenry.

Zack is a young SOLDIER 2nd Class who aspires to become a 1st. He spends his days carrying out assignments under the guidance of his 1st Class mentor, Angeal. During an operation in Wutai, a large number of SOLDIER members, led by 1st Class operative Genesis, go missing. The severity of the situation prompts Shinra executives to deploy even more SOLDIER operatives in hopes of bringing an end to the war with Wutai—and conducting an investigation into the mass desertion. The ones assigned to the mission are Zack, Angeal, and the 1st Class hero who is known the world over as Sephiroth...

What truths lie behind Genesis's disappearance? What secrets bind the three SOLDIER 1st Class operatives? For Zack, a cruel and fateful struggle awaits...

FEATURES

* Complete the FINAL FANTASY VII experience and reunite with the most recognized RPG characters created by world-renowned character designer Tetsuya Nomura
* Witness stunning graphics and gorgeous CG cutscenes coupled with top-notch voice acting in a 16:9 widescreen presentation, made possible by the PSP system
* Innovative DMW (Digital Mind Wave) system enhances the action-packed real-time battle system, allowing players to unleash special attacks or call upon iconic FINAL FANTASY summons
* Take on challenges with the all-new “Hard Mode” developed exclusively for the North American audiences
* Acquire unique accessories made available through 300 side missions to further enrich the gameplay experience

CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- is rated T (Teen). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings.
CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- will be available at North American retailers for the suggested retail price of $39.99 (USD). The official website can be found at http://www.crisiscore.com/.

Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core Videos

Japanese Trailer from December 2006



Japanese Trailer II from March 2007



Japanese Trailer 3 from August 2007



New Trailer from August with English Titles



Japanese TV Spot