It’s time for another look at CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION!

This highly-anticipated prequel to FINAL FANTASY VII launches in just a few weeks - December 13, 2022, to be precise, but before that, we wanted to give you another sneak peek at what to expect.

We have a lot to show you, including a look at fan-favorite character Tifa Lockhart, some new information about the magic and abilities in the game, and a brand new gameplay feature that involves the iconic Buster Sword! So let’s get on with it!

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Introducing Tifa

• Voiced by: Britt Baron

Zack doesn’t just cross paths with Cloud and Aerith - he also encounters another beloved FINAL FANTASY VII character: Tifa Lockhart!

Tifa is a young girl who lives in the town of Nibelheim. She’s also Cloud’s childhood friend.

Tifa is chosen to guide a Shinra investigation team, led by Zack and Sephiroth, to the Nibelheim mako reactor.

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New feature: The Buster Sword battle stance

Once Zack acquires the Buster Sword, he can make use of Battle Stances and Strong Attacks.

This is a new gameplay element added for this new version of CRISIS CORE that allows Zack to expend AP (attack points) to take up a Battle Stance. This changes his regular attacks into heavy-hitting “Strong Attacks” or greatly enhances the damage done by abilities.

Block enemy attacks using the defensive effects of the Battle Stance, then unleash an immensely satisfying counter strike action with Strong Attacks.

While performing a Strong Attack, Zack will not flinch if hit by enemy attacks and will continue his attack!

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Minigames and sub-events

While playing through the story, Zack can take on various different minigames and trigger sub-events.

Completing minigames will earn items and gil, including some items that are required to trigger certain sub-events.

Physical fitness test (squats)

You can play the squats challenge in the training room of the Shinra Building. Perform more squats than the opponent can within one minute to win.

Building the flower wagon

Sub-event involving building a flower wagon for Aerith. Hand Aerith the items to use as materials and build a unique creation.

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Mail

As the story progresses, Zack will receive mail from various people.

Some emails supplement the story with extra background information and others reveal unexpected sides of different characters, allowing you to dive deeper into the world of CRISIS CORE.

There are also fan clubs for Sephiroth, Genesis, Angeal and Zack. After fulfilling the special conditions required to join, Zack will receive exclusive mails sent members of each club.

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Magic

By equipping Materia, Zack can access powerful magic. Using magic consumes MP - powerful spells will use an enormous amount, so be careful!

Here are a couple of spells you can use in the game:

Energy

Magic that fires a projectile which homes in on an enemy and has a piercing effect upon impact.

Flare

Magic that creates an explosion, inflicting massive damage to all enemies.

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Abilities

Some materia lets Zack use powerful abilities in battle. Abilities consume AP and can be unleashed at the end of a regular combo. They increase in potency depending on the number of hits landed.

Let’s look at a couple:

Poison Blade

Ability that initiates a slash attack that inflicts the Poison status ailment. Poisoned enemies will lose HP gradually over time.

Hammer Punch

A technique that inflicts damage that ignores mitigation effects provided by the target’s VIT stat. The more AP Zack has remaining, the higher the damage.

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Summons

In battle, the DMW (Digital Mind Wave) system triggers randomized effects, based on the combination of numbers and images that appear on the slots.

When the DMW enters Summon mode, all the images change to summons and it becomes possible to unleash the summon monster’s Limit Break.

Here are a couple of these powerful Summons:

Odin unleashes Zantetsuken!

Phoenix can use Rebirth Flame!

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Chocobo Mode

Some mission rewards include additional images for the DMW. Once these images have been acquired, the DMW can transition into Chocobo Mode!

If the images align while in Chocobo Mode, you can use a Limit Break. Last time, we introduced some of these, including Chocobo Stomp, and Cactuar’s 1,000 Needles. Now, let’s reveal a couple more you could get:

Moogle: Moogle Power

The level of all materia that Zack has equipped will increase.

Cait Sith: Courage Boost!

Removes all negative status effects and temporarily enhances multiple attributes.

…or it could be a dud.

Of course, if the images on the DMW don’t align in Chocobo Mode, you could get a ‘dud’ result that inflicts damage and stuns Zack.

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That’s all we have to show for now - but you don’t have to wait long to see more. CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION launches on December 13, 2022, for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam!