This game is not fun
Simply put, it is a cg movie that you watch. In order to advance to the next scene you have to push the x button 5000 times. They call this button mashing 'combat mode'. There is nothing fun, interactive or engaging about it in my opinion. This is coming from a guy that really enjoys rpg's.

This is something for fans only. Or 12 year olds who liked Kingdom Hearts and want something 'edgier'. Pure simpleminded garbage.

Great game but a few issues.....
First, great story line. Enough said.

Second, the play control. It needs work. The character acting on his own is not what I wanted in FFVII Crisis Core. You almost have no control. A game like this should have play control comparable to God of War like the other review mentioned. It worked in God of War. Why didn't they use in Crisis Core?????

Third, leveling up is a pain. It's like you are playing a slot machine. Leveling up this way makes it hard to play even the easy mode at times. And because of this, you may have to spend unneeded long hours playing the game just to get to a certain level. And sometimes if you don't, you will not progress at all.

Fourth, the HARD MODE.....The hard mode is very, very, very hard unless you spend lots and lots of time leveling up everything. Also, there is some trial and error involved. MATERIA FUSION IS DEFINITLEY GOING TO HELP YOU TOO. You will need to search everything around you as well. You have to experiment with different combinations to see what will work. Also, the attack rating will stay at 255 no matter how much you level it up.

SEPHIROTH in the hard mode.....If you are not at level 55 or better no less, don't even try.

GENESIS in hard mode.....The first of the three final battles with Genesis is devastating. After he transforms for the first battle, he looks like a combination of BAHAMUT FURY and OPTIMUS PRIME on steroids. My mouth dropped. At level 55, I knew I didn't have a chance so I quit and started leveling up some more. So, my guess is level 60 or better no less is where you must be.

IF YOU ARE NOT CURSING BEFORE YOU START THE HARD MODE, YOU WILL BE BY THE TIME YOU GET HALF WAY THROUGH IT. I KNOW.

AGAIN, THE HARD MODE IS VERY, VERY, VERY HARD. THERE BETTER BE SOMETHING SPECIAL AT THE END OF THE GAME FOR THOSE WHO BEAT THE HARD MODE.

THIS GAME IS TOO TOO SHORT. THREE OR FOUR DISC'S WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT. IF THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A GREAT RPG TO PUT ON THE PSP, FFVII WAS THE RIGHT CHOICE. SO, WHY DIDN'T THEY JUST USE THE ORIGINAL FFVII'S IDEAS AND PERFORMANCE IN CRISIS CORE????? THAT WOULD HAVE MADE CRISIS CORE AN EVEN BIGGER SUCCESS.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE ORIGINAL FFVII MADE SPECIALLY FOR THE PSP AND AN UPDATED VERSION OF FFVII: CRISIS CORE TO CLEAR UP THE SHORT COMING'S THAT HAS MADE MANY GAMERS SOO UPSET.

Im done with this crap
Hello my fellow fans of FF. I loved this game. Great visuals, ok game play (though not what I expected at all), and a cool story.
So why one star. Because I didnt ask for this. No one did. Raise your hand if you wanted a prequel... No one... Ok what about the game FFDOC... A few hands... Ok... Did anyone ask for a movie about what happened after... Only a handful... How surprising... No one really wanted this crap. We just want a redone version of FF7.
Stop yanking our chain and give us what we want already. I hear rumor they are scared it wont sell that well. We bought FF7 on the PS1, and PC (we even illegally downloaded it off the net many times). We bought FFAC, FFDOC, and now FFCC. Why do they torment us?
I bet you all my paychecks for the rest of my life that it would sell like snow cones in FL during summer. If they remade it for the PSP with graffics from FFCC then heck yeah, or they could do it on the PS3 with FFAC graffics and Id buy a PS3 just for it.
I am never buying another game from Enix or associated companies until they remake FF7. I hope others will do the same. Im tired of this crap. I want FF7 gosh darn it.

For Die Hard Final Fantasy VII Fans
This game is the one reason I shelled out 169.99 for a PSP. I went to the launch party in San Francisco and received a Shinra T-Shirt as well as a Shinra ID Card. I must say after watching all the gorgeous footage it made me relive my days playing FFVII on the old Playstation back in High School.

Pros:
-Graphics are amazing!
-Story is very compelling
-Familiar places give me chills...
-Music is great as well
-Voice acting is one of the greatest I have seen

Cons:
-Controls are a bit clunky for movement
-The Slot Machine level ups were a bit of a turn off... random.

Thats about it... I believe if you have been wavering on getting this game... I think you should pick it up! The bonus Shinra UMD case is nifty as well. If you loved FFVII this is a MUST!

CC with UMD
This is a wonderful and refreshing return to Midgar. The combat system is great and contrary to many other reviews, the slot machine style DMV is an innovation and works for you more than against. The limited edition UMD Case.... Some pictures it looks leather, some pictures it looks like a solidly constructed rubberized case. This case is, in actuality, a very cheaply made piece of plastic akin to a promotional toy you'd get with a kid's meal. The clips inside look like they'd snap extremely easily. It holds two UMDs. I'm not trying to disuade you from purchasing the copy with the case (it's the same price, you'd be stupid not to.) I'm definitely not saying you shouldn't buy the game (this has nothing to do with the amazing game, in fact I'm telling you to buy it even if you have to buy a PSP too so you can play it). I'm merely informing you on the case quality so you don't get your hopes up too high in regards to the limited edition free gift.