Crisis Core Strategy Guide Review
BradyGames' Detailed Game Reference for Final Fantasy VII Prequel
Aug 15, 2009
Not many games have had the huge cult following that Final Fantasy VII has developed since its release in 1997. Its own strategy guide was massive and well-written by the standards of the time, so when Square Enix developed the game's prequel, Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII, the guide had as much to live up to as the game did.
BradyGames did not disappoint. With guide writer Doug Walsh at the helm, the publisher created a highly detailed guide containing a plethora of maps, walkthroughs that leave out nothing, and extensive appendices.
Maps of Crisis Core
Crisis Core is divided up between Zack Fair's relatively short story with Shinra's SOLDIER (only ten chapters) and his 300 SOLDIER missions. The guide is divided up rather similarly, with information about the story in one section and information about the missions in another, and maps are strewn throughout each section.
Each story chapter begins with the area maps that Zack will traverse and every item and e-mail Zack can obtain is clearly marked. Similarly, each of the 300 missions has its own map that marks all chests and where the mission's boss can be found. The latter is exceptionally helpful, especially for instances where the enemies are rather bothersome and the player just wants to get to the boss as quickly as possible.
Zack's Walkthroughs
Zack's story may be short, but there is plenty for him to explore and uncover within each chapter. The walkthroughs for the story will ensure that players do not miss a thing. In addition to knowing where Zack will be going thanks to the maps, they will know exactly what enemies he will face, where to pick up new missions, where to find mini-games, and where to pick up bonuses such as joining fan clubs, finding hidden chests, and solving the seven wonders of Nibelheim. And yes, for each chapter with a boss fight, the guide provides a detailed analysis of the boss as well as strategies for an absolute victory.
The missions are a different story, because there is nothing for Zack to do except for fight enemies and defeat bosses. As a result, each mission walkthrough is only one or two paragraphs of advice on how to prepare Zack materia and equipment-wise as well as how to beat the boss and occasionally the enemies if they are troublesome. If the mission has any lurking Magic Pots, the guide alerts the user to both their presence and what materia they require to be appeased.
Zack's Costly Punch
However, after using the guide for several missions, it becomes very apparent that Walsh preferred one materia over any other—Costly Punch—and recommended its use repeatedly throughout the missions. This doesn't seem like it would be a problem, but Costly Punch cannot be obtained until much later in the game unless the player creates it with fusion, and the players can only do this if they complete one particular mission.
As a result, for those players who either do not have Costly Punch or prefer not to use it, they will often have to come up with their own strategies, which defeats the purpose of having the guide at times.
Appendices and Extras
The guide's appendices are some of the best found in any strategy guide. It provides lengthy lists of all materia, accessories, items, shops, and enemies, including statistics and where to find or unlock them. If players need to look up where to find anything within Zack's world, they will have no trouble doing so.
As an added bonus, Walsh and BradyGames included their "23 Wishes," tips for successful gameplay and where fans can find fun Final Fantasy VII references. There is also a gorgeous art gallery in the back of Square Enix's concept art and a pullout chart for help understanding materia fusion.
For players who want to get everything they can out of Crisis Core, BradyGames' official strategy guide will definitely lead them there. They may need to ignore the emphasis of the Costly Punch materia, but that doesn't detract from the overall high quality of the book.
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