Internet Satellite: Final Fantasy - Countdown to Crisis Core

The time is almost upon us to receive the latest installment in the 'compilation of Final Fantasy VII'; the PSP game Crisis Core. Amongst fans of Square Enix's world-renowned RPG franchise Final Fantasy, the seventh episode is arguably the most famous and well loved. Final Fantasy VII, released back in 1997, was the first Final Fantasy game to appear in 3D on any platform, and also the first to be readily available to western gamers. The game clocked up an average of 40+ hours game play, filled with love, laughter, tragedy and unforgettable characters. It is a testament to the game that even now, 11 years since first entering our lives, Final Fantasy VII is still going strong, with a string of sequel games, animated films and merchandise still hugely popular.

As mentioned, Final Fantasy VII is one of the few in the gaming series to have gone beyond a single game, birthing sequels in various media formats. Before Crisis is a mobile phone based game centering on The Turks, an organization featuring in the original game and who play a major part in the history of the Final Fantasy VII world. Dirge of Cerberus was a sequel game focusing on Vincent Valentine, a side character from the original. And now we have Crisis Core, the long awaited prequel game centering on Zack Fair, a character only witnessed through flashbacks in the first Final Fantasy VII.

I'm not here to review the game, as I haven't yet played it, but the hype is building and the reviews so far seem largely favorable. It would be easy to assume this game will rock the foundations of the gaming world simply for being a scion of the famous Final Fantasy VII, but that would be short-sighted. Square Enix learned this the hard way with the afore-mentioned Dirge of Cerberus game. On paper it sounded so good; Vincent Valentine, the dark, mysterious and downright awesome secret character from the original game getting his own spin-off title. The reality however, resulted in an infuriatingly repetitive and basic shooter, with our character running through uninspiring locales (the opportunity to bring back key locations from Final Fantasy VII was criminally underused) basically doing the same thing level in and level out. The story was involving, the cut-scenes were amazing, but the gameplay itself left much to be desired.

After the lukewarm reception to Dirge of Cerberus, Crisis Core was in danger of being viewed in the same light. However, Crisis Core being a prequel will speak to fans on a different level. Players will visit scenes and events hinted at in the original, experiencing the tragic story of Zack Fair first hand. Anyone having played the original will doubtless know the outcome of this game, and it promises to be a moving experience regardless of gameplay.

This all goes to represent the evolution of gaming on the whole. Video games are no longer solely about the immediate satisfaction through gameplay, rather they have branched into an intricate media in which to voice a compelling story. RPGs by definition are expected to contain a weaving and involving storyline, wherein the gameplay is a complement to the experience rather than governing it. The trick is to find the right balance; a dynamic story to follow is great, but if the gameplay lacks the player will feel cheated, plodding through hours of levels as a means to an end. Conversely brilliant gameplay can still be a curiously empty experience if there is no deeper involvement to merit your actions.

For all their hits and misses in the past, let's hope Square Enix find the right balance for Crisis Core. If ever a video game deserved such treatment, it's this one.

Rich writes for the pop culture or memorabilia site starstore.com and its blogs, covering the latest and greatest in film, TV, music and comics merchandise and collectibles.

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