The events of Crisis Core – Final Fantasy VII begin when Zack Fair, a soldier in the SOLDIER unit, and his mentor, Angeal Hewley, are assigned a mission to support Shinra’s war efforts in Wutai. Amid the fierce battle, Angeal mysteriously disappears, and Zack is tasked with finding him, along with another missing soldier named Genesis Rhapsodos, who defected under mysterious circumstances. However, Zack soon finds himself trapped in a complex web of secrets, discovering that Genesis is not just a rebellious soldier but part of a secret scientific experiment aimed at creating super warriors using the cells of Jenova, the enigmatic alien entity.

Zack’s journey is not just a battle against enemies but an internal struggle between his loyalty to Shinra and his discovery of its dark truth. Throughout his journey, he meets key characters such as Angeal Hewley, the wise soldier and wielder of the iconic Buster Sword, who becomes Zack’s mentor; Sephiroth, the legendary hero who will later become the world’s greatest enemy; and Cloud Strife, the young soldier who never expected to become a hero. He also crosses paths with Aerith Gainsborough, the gentle girl who captures his heart in fleeting yet unforgettable moments. As events escalate, Zack finds himself caught between betrayal and danger. His heroic downfall begins when he becomes a target of Shinra after uncovering the truth. In the final scene, he stands alone against an entire army, fighting to his last breath as his strength fades against overwhelming odds. In a grand and emotional moment, he entrusts the Buster Sword to Cloud, urging him to fulfill the dream he could not achieve. This farewell scene remains one of the most emotional moments in the Final Fantasy series.

Crisis Core offers a different experience from the series’ traditional combat system, combining real-time action with RPG elements. Players control Zack in dynamic battles that allow them to perform basic attacks, use Materia-based magic abilities, dodge, and block, making combat both fast-paced and strategic. Zack can now quickly evade attacks, sneak behind enemies for critical strikes, and follow up with powerful magical assaults.

One of the most notable additions to the gameplay is the Digital Mind Wave (DMW), a slot machine-like system within battles where images of characters Zack has encountered spin. When matching symbols align, players receive special enhancements or unleash powerful limit breaks. While this system introduces an element of randomness, it strengthens the emotional connection to the story, as Zack’s power is linked to his bonds with others. Beyond the main storyline, there are hundreds of side missions that allow players to explore the world, engage in additional battles against formidable foes, and collect rare resources. The game also offers extensive Materia customization, enabling players to fuse different magic abilities to create new and powerful skills, allowing for personalized combat strategies.

Compared to the original Final Fantasy VII PPSSPP Rom, Crisis Core breathes new life into the story with greater depth and detail, giving Zack a leading role after being a minor mention in the original game. The improvements go beyond the narrative, extending to a smoother and more fluid combat system, moving away from traditional turn-based commands. In terms of graphics, the game takes full advantage of the PSP’s capabilities, offering more detailed character models and high-quality cinematic cutscenes, especially in the remastered version, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion, which enhances lighting, shadows, and animations for a more polished experience on modern platforms. The soundtrack has also been updated, making the atmosphere even more impactful, particularly during the game’s dramatic moments.

Overall, Crisis Core delivers one of the most profound stories in the Final Fantasy universe, enriching beloved characters and offering a heroic yet tragic journey that remains unforgettable.