Remasters, when done well, can be impressive. However, what's even more impressive is when they're used to turn a pretty so-so title gameplay-wise into one that's actually worth playing. That's certainly the case with Crisis Core Reunion, especially now that it's been divorced from its woefully messy control scheme thanks to the PSP lacking triggers and a right analogue stick.
Despite being aware of how Zack's story plays out thanks to being in various internet circles over the years, seeing it play out in its entirety for myself still resonates. It would be a halfway-decent story otherwise, but Zack's personality and charisma really sell the whole game. He's a happy-go-lucky goofball who's never not down to clown, which really helps to ground an otherwise melodramatic tropey narrative.
It's a treat whenever the story crosses over or interjects with characters and events from FF7, and that makes for the most compelling parts of the story, whereas the whole Genesis and Angeal plotlines, even with Zack there, lay on the cheese a little too thick most of the time. Thankfully, the occasional scenes with Zack and Aerith are so sweet and fun that they balance out whatever faux pas the story otherwise makes.
The real-time combat is a treat, and the DMW system provides a nice bit of RNG in battles. I predicted it would become a nuisance over time since you don't necessarily have direct control of how it plays out, but it helped contribute to keeping the battles interesting and stopping them from getting too stale and repetitive.
That said, while they aren't mandatory, to get some pretty essential and useful upgrades and gear, you do need to dive into the game's side missions, which are incredibly formulaic, at least by design. They do pepper in some fun narrative elements here and there in an attempt to keep it fresh and engaging, but it really is the case that once you play one of them, you've ostensibly played all of them.
Still, despite some setbacks, Crisis Core Reunion is a fun time. While I can see some purists arguing that both the original and remaster weren't necessary to begin with, I beg to differ. Seeing Zack's journey in this and how he plays a present and future role in the character development of both Cloud and Aerith is truly compelling and, in my opinion, adds even more contextual depth to their journeys in the original story.
7.5/10
Despite being aware of how Zack's story plays out thanks to being in various internet circles over the years, seeing it play out in its entirety for myself still resonates. It would be a halfway-decent story otherwise, but Zack's personality and charisma really sell the whole game. He's a happy-go-lucky goofball who's never not down to clown, which really helps to ground an otherwise melodramatic tropey narrative.
It's a treat whenever the story crosses over or interjects with characters and events from FF7, and that makes for the most compelling parts of the story, whereas the whole Genesis and Angeal plotlines, even with Zack there, lay on the cheese a little too thick most of the time. Thankfully, the occasional scenes with Zack and Aerith are so sweet and fun that they balance out whatever faux pas the story otherwise makes.
The real-time combat is a treat, and the DMW system provides a nice bit of RNG in battles. I predicted it would become a nuisance over time since you don't necessarily have direct control of how it plays out, but it helped contribute to keeping the battles interesting and stopping them from getting too stale and repetitive.
That said, while they aren't mandatory, to get some pretty essential and useful upgrades and gear, you do need to dive into the game's side missions, which are incredibly formulaic, at least by design. They do pepper in some fun narrative elements here and there in an attempt to keep it fresh and engaging, but it really is the case that once you play one of them, you've ostensibly played all of them.
Still, despite some setbacks, Crisis Core Reunion is a fun time. While I can see some purists arguing that both the original and remaster weren't necessary to begin with, I beg to differ. Seeing Zack's journey in this and how he plays a present and future role in the character development of both Cloud and Aerith is truly compelling and, in my opinion, adds even more contextual depth to their journeys in the original story.
7.5/10