Parents' Guide to

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

By Brett Molina, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Rich role-playing game with a powerful plot.

Game PSP 2008
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 3 parent reviews

NojEsco
NojEsco Adult
August 5, 2020
age 12+

Unreal Violence but Genuine Emotional Impact - Great for Older Children and Adults

Crisis Core is a semi slow-burn prequel to Final Fantasy VII (the original, not the remake...quite). Because of these, along with some rather mature themes during a couple of brief moments, I don't recommend this for anyone too young, or anyone whom has not played the original Final Fantasy VII, for the emotional impact will be lessened. Beyond that, however, I think this game is outstanding and should be played by anyone with a PSP. The controls are generally quick to learn, the violence, while at times constant, is hardly negatively impactful, the artistic aspects of the game are outstanding, the music is of high quality, and the game itself contains more than enough content. But the biggest draw is the story, which is an intensely emotional journey following Zack, a man with the power to become a hero, and would like nothing more, only to discover that the world isn't nearly as simple as he thought. Admittedly, the story does take a while to actually get going, with only Chapter 2 being the only emotionally involving chunk during the first 1/3 of the game. However, the second act of the game moves the pieces on the board in very effective and compelling ways, and the final act is increasingly tragic and heartbreaking, culminating in a final sequence of events that I still get emotionally moved by, despite first playing this game a full decade ago. When I beat the final boss, I always get chills because of the emotional ride the next 30 minutes will bring. The game is recommended for any kids whom played the original FF7, and beyond some mature themes (such as people blessed with power but now physically degrading), there's nothing that one should consider inappropriate for children. There's romance but no sexual content (or even anything hinting at this), and every major stretch of action is dictated by the main character's consistent objectives; this makes it so that none of the violence feels random - instead it all feels meaningful. And Zack is the embodiment of hope, which makes him a great central character for younger audiences, as well as some older ones just starting to get a little jaded. He believes in the good of people, always does everything he can to protect those in danger, and even when all seems hopeless, he continues forward, simply because he believes that even the slightest amount of hope is enough to keep going. This is as good of a message as any to pass to a new generation.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Warri
Warri Adult
August 4, 2010
age 12+

Good game for 12+

The violence in the game it's not for little kids but not disturbing there is some language but it's rare

This title has:

Too much violence
See all 3 parent reviews

What’s It About?

The events of CRISIS CORE: FINAL FANTASY VII occur before 1997's Final Fantasy VII. You play the role of Zack, an elite operative working for military giant Shinra Company. The story kicks off with Zack and mentor Angeal investigating the disappearance of a colleague and his large squad of soldiers. Plot is dominant, which sometimes means sitting through gorgeous yet frequent cut scenes. But Crisis Core boasts an interesting tale of Zack's ascent through Shinra and the tight relationships he develops along his journey.

The mix of combat and exploration is well balanced. The X button controls all your attacks, while the top buttons allow you to toggle between sword slashes and powers known as Materia. Magic spells include a thunder strike, fire attack, and cure ability. You can also scour your inventory of potions and other items. To minimize damage, you can block or dodge attacks. Along with those skills, Zack utilizes a Digital Mind Wave, or DMW. The DMW lets Zack channel previous experiences with other characters into a powerful attack. A slot-machine style reel sits in the left corner. As you engage in battles, the wheel randomly pops up. If three characters' faces appear in a row, you'll execute a special attack. Spinning along with these faces are numbers which, if aligned properly, allow Zack to level up his character and powers. Three 7's, for example, gives Zack an overall level boost. It's an intriguing concept, but there's too much unpredictability. You get little control in determining which powers and skills you want to amplify.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (7):

The Final Fantasy franchise has made its mark for cinematic, engrossing storylines. The latest chapter on PlayStation Portable, Crisis Core, picks up that tradition with a captivating plot and solid gameplay system. If you need a break from the main story, Crisis Core has dozens of side missions where you can pick up bonus items to power up your character. Often, they're rather short and simple, like clearing out an area of enemies. It's perfect for a portable since you can hop in and out quickly if you're short on time.

Interfaces for your inventory and Materia are easy to navigate. You can also fuse Materia together to create new powers, as well as check e-mails from Shinra associates and other characters you meet in your travels. You're also encouraged to interact with others to gain information to aid in your progress. Crisis Core serves as a worthy addition to any PSP or Final Fantasy collection with a rich storyline and solid yet satisfying action.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the success of the Final Fantasy series. What is it about these games that make them so popular? How prevalent should story be in a game? Should it be told through cut scenes or include more immersive elements?

Game Details

  • Platform: PSP
  • Available online?: Not available online
  • Publisher: Square Enix
  • Release date: March 25, 2008
  • Genre: Role-Playing
  • ESRB rating: T for Teen
  • Last updated: November 4, 2015

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