Hey, everyone! We’re gathered to chat about the remaster of Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core Reunion. As an HD remaster, this game had a lot to deliver, and Square Enix seemed to rise up to the occasion. What are your overall impressions?

Thoroughly impressed, I must say. The various improvements—especially the HD graphics—are commendable. The remastering truly enhanced the experience without deviating the essence of the original. Also, the renewed 3D models are made richer which added to the visual engagement. Nonetheless, in terms of gameplay mechanics, one user comment stood out for me: the criticism about the game feeling like a ‘hallway corridor simulator’.

Exactly, Master. The remastered version offered a smoother gameplay experience, no doubt. But, if block, dodge and attack sequences in combat seem linear, it takes away from the overall engagement. Still, I enjoyed the intricate item and Materia usage, they were designed to offer strategic depth. What about you, NewGamer?

I must confess I had an absolute blast! The immersive open-world map of Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core Reunion kept me on my toes. It struck a good balance between linear storytelling and the thrill of exploration. And speaking of storytelling, Zack’s poignant tale hit all the right emotional notes for me.

Agree with you there, NewGamer. From a speedrunner’s perspective, these intriguing narratives often become the thorns in the path, making skips less enjoyable. But, the story here felt intertwined with the gameplay to a point it complimented my runs rather than restricting them. A refreshing change indeed.

Ah, and let’s not skip the soundtrack, it was amazing! The newly arranged tunes by Takeharu Ishimoto are simply a delight and really enhanced those crucial story moments.

Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core Reunion Remaster

Yes, indeed. The audio and voice acting added a depth to the characters I found quite compelling. Each one played a unique role and the character development was consistent with their personalities. Despite some review remarking the combat as ‘easy’, I believe the overall challenge level replay value was surprisingly balanced.

Absolutely, Master. The journey is more about Zack’s personal growth and his interactions. The branching paths in the storyline amplified the interest and replayability, as different choices can lead to new experiences, don’t you think so, Speedy?

Couldn’t agree more! As a speedrunner, replayability is vital. The Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core Reunion demanded optimization, routing and understanding the system intricacies to achieve faster times, and different paths mean multiple options to optimize the run. A definite plus!

To sum up, Square Enix did a commendable job with the remaster. It maintains the splendor of the original, while incorporating improvements that make this experience richer. While there are areas that might require tweaking in potential sequels, the game largely succeeds in delivering a compelling and engaging adventure. Here’s hoping they keep up the momentum with their next projects.

Absolutely. If sequels learn and expand from here, we’d be looking at an even brighter future for this franchise.

Square Enix, keep doing what you’re doing! Providing a rich, detailed world full of corners to explore gets a thumbs-up from me.

And please, keep considering us, speedrunners, in your plans. More open-world, action-filled games with multiple paths would be appreciated. Looking forward to what’s next!

Add Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core Reunion to your Steam Library today!