When Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis was announced at Summer Game Fest, many fans, including myself, were skeptical about its purpose and value. In fact I quickly dismissed it, as most people tend to do with a lot of mobile games. However, after taking a closer look and getting hands on, it's clear that dismissing it was a mistake. Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis takes players on an unforgettable journey by retelling the entire story of the original 1997 game with updated graphics and incorporates elements from various incarnations of the Final Fantasy VII series. It is a love letter to fans that combines both nostalgia and innovation, bridging the gap between classic and modern Final Fantasy VII experiences. I've never been happier to be so wrong about a mobile game.
Back to Its Roots
One of the standout features of Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis is its unwavering commitment to faithfully retelling the story that captivated millions back in 1997. I was told by Square-Enix that this game provides an opportunity for both long-time fans and newcomers to relive or experience for the first time the epic saga of Cloud Strife, Tifa Lockhart, Aerith Gainsborough, and the battle against the malevolent Shinra Corporation and the iconic villain Sephirothn, Ensuring that the essence of what made the Final Fantasy VII sereis is not lost in this mobile title.
Ever Crisis combines the charm of the original PlayStation One style, (isometric fixed camera angles) with a fresh coat of visual enhancements. Characters, environments, and battles have all been beautifully re-created breathing new life into the beloved world of Final Fantasy VII. The game strikes a delicate balance between honoring the nostalgic appeal of the classic visuals while providing a more immersive and visually stunning experience for modern audiences. The attention to detail is remarkable, with meticulously designed character models, vibrant landscapes, and set pieces from the Final Fantasy VII univrese.
What truly sets Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis apart is its incorporation of elements from various iterations of the Final Fantasy VII series. I'm told Characters not only can & will appear in their classic forms ( Good ole Hoof hands Cloud) but also in their modern renditions as seen in Advent Children and even the recent FF7 Remake. Weaving together the different incarnations of Final Fantasy VII into a cohesive and comprehensive narrative ensures that classic 1997 fans and modern fans well both have something they can enjoy in this mobile game.
Ever Crisis introduces a unique gameplay system that blends turn-based combat reminiscent of the original game with modern action RPG elements,for exmaple; You can navigate around the world from a isometric camera angle using touch screen controls or tapping where you want to go. The battle system has been mainstreamed, you simply wait for your ATB gauge to fill to different levels, once the meter fills you can select from certain attacks and even famous limit breaks like Clouds ’Braver’ attack. While this is was a demo I played, it felt good, you even has options to change modes, from ‘Attack’ to ‘Defense’ mode which was a option in the original 97’ game, where you cold slect 'defense" and take less damage from the incoming attack, and yes, in case you're wondering, the battles are random as you explore the locations, just like the orignal 97' game.
While I didn’t get to fiddle around menus in the demo, I could see things like Materia being used in the battles, so hopefully the level of character options and battle roles will be alive and well in Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis.
Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Final Fantasy VII series. By retelling the original story with updated graphics and incorporating elements from different iterations, the game succeeds in capturing the hearts of both longtime fans and newcomers. It stands as a shining example of how nostalgia can be reimagined without sacrificing innovation or straying to far off the game's orignal ideas & design. To simply put it, Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis is a love letter to the franchise. As fans, we owe it to ourselves to give this game the chance it deserves, as it has proven that dismissing it too quickly would be a grave mistake. While no release date has been announced, rest assured to keep it here at Shacknews.com for more updates.
