Square Enix announced that its upcoming Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion remaster will be wholly voice-acted.
In a blog post on the Square Enix website, Content Communications Manager Duncan Heaney shared that Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII would have full voice acting in all cutscenes, side quests and incidental events. Heaney said the game would feature both English and Japanese voices, allowing fans to choose their preference. In the original Crisis Core on PSP, only important scenes had voice acting, while most of the game's dialogue was presented through text alone.
The blog post detailed other changes featured in the remaster, such as a newly arranged soundtrack by original Crisis Core composer Takeharu Ishimoto and completely overhauled graphics. Crisis Core's signature combat system, known as Digital Mind Wave (DMW), will also be modernized to bring it closer to resembling the real-time battles of Final Fantasy VII: Remake. Square Enix said it had reworked attack timings and animations to make combat smoother and more satisfying.
The story of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion acts as a prequel to the FF7 remake, handing players control of ex-SOLDIER and Cloud Strife's former teammate Zack Fair. The game covers the years leading up to the mako reactor bombings covered in FF7 and follows Fair as he uncovers the truth behind a nefarious Shinra secret known as Project G. Fans have long clamored for Crisis Core's comeback, with many considering it an integral part of the story of Midgar. Despite this, Square Enix has said it has no plans to remake other FF7 spin-offs like Dirge of Cerberus or Before Crisis, both of which added different character perspectives on the FF7 in-game universe.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion will also act as extra credit for players awaiting the release of the next chapter in Cloud's story, due for release in late 2023. Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth will pick up directly after the first game's cliffhanger and acts as the second game in a planned trilogy covering all three discs of the original Final Fantasy VII game. Square Enix has said the game will be a PlayStation 5 exclusive to accommodate its "vast world." Creative director Tetsuya Nomura has also previously opined that series newcomers can enjoy FF7 Rebirth without playing FF7 Remake, claiming it will be a "fresh experience."
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion launches Dec. 13 on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Windows and Nintendo Switch.
Source: Square Enix