FF7 CC Story Gameplay

Good news to all FF7 fans (especially newbies and/or 'no-RPG player' like me: It is possible to clear this game without using any external guides, strategy/guide books, hints, tips, etc.! Be confident and just play crisis core like any RPG gamer would - 1) search every corner, 2) open any chests/treasures/boxes/cupboards/wardrobe/etc. where possible, 3) save game often, 4) use map frequently to navigate directions, 5) take note of what townspeople say when you approach to talk to them, 6) and what can kill you or aid you during each quest. By following the above advices I guarantee that you will complete the game smooth sailing. And enjoy the story cut scenes along the way! :-)

I am sure everyone would be familiarised with the game menu easily, so I will just go through briefly. Consumable items like potions, remedy, elixir, soma, etc. are limited to 99 per item, so save and spend sparingly. Accessories such as amulets, rings, bands, ribbons, shocks, etc. are also found in Items menu, main difference is that Accessories may be slotted as Equipment. **Items may also be used for Materia Fusion, which opens during early-mid game progress. Also, complete Mission 7-2-1 to enable adding Items in Materia Fusion.** As for Materia itself it has an individual menu. You may slot a few in the early stages of the game, and maximum of 6 will be available later on. Look under the Equipment menu to check Zack's stats, slot in Materia and Items to boost him up. Initially if i recall, you may only place 1 item as Equipment. Mid-game progress opens another slot, and that's the maximum until when you feel like trying to clear out Mission 7-2-2 for Keychain to unlock one more slot, and Mission 7-2-5 for Backpack to unlock the final slot. **From my experience as a 'no-RPG gamer', I have completed the game with only 2 slots. So I know most FF7 fans shouldn't have a problem too (trust me, it's really possible and you can finish the game smooth sailing as promised).**

Next, DMW [a.k.a. Digital Mind Wave]. Remember the old FF7 when you were used to be highly dependent on materia and spell castings? As you slowly unlock your way the shadowed faces inside the DMW menu, I am sure some will be very familiar. In crisis core, my gaming experience so far has generally low dependence on offense materia (e.g. fire,thunder,ice) and I equip the more conservative and 'no-RPG gamer' style of barriers, cure, regen materias. Yep, this is crisis core now, not the old FF7. So it seems like crisis core is living up to its 'Action-RPG' category now, as you would be using much more physical attacks instead of spell castings. Anyway, if your mind is still confused about DMW and spell casting materia, I suggest you relate DMW to the old FF7's 'limit breaks', since they happen randomly and similar to the old FF7, it is uncontrollable. As for the spell castings, just tell yourself that it is still the same, just that it is less time consuming and graphical to use one now (remember old FF7 where you cast fire for example and you had to wait ifrit to do his thing?). Anyway, 2 good things to know about DMW - 1) Uncover all the faces, even at 0% you will get an Accessory [Fury Ring]; 2) If they are all used up to 100%, re-enter the DMW menu to load up your Accessory collection with one of the most powerful Accessory in the game known as the Genji Armor.

We are now left with the last 2 menu in the game. If you are intrigued in the story, check and read all the Mails! They can be fun and interesting, and on a more serious note, they do give some clues to get certain stuffs. Last but not least, Shops. They are moderately important throughout the game, though just a couple of shops and their items being sold (e.g. potions,remedies,soma,etc.) should help you clear the story game. Fret not, if you just want to clear the story mode, you DO NOT have to work your way to clear ALL the missions to unlock all the shops. Of course, there are secret shops to unlock to acquire some powerful Items and Accessories (logical RPG game idea), but once again I remind you that you do not need to seek to unlock all the shops to complete the story game.

That's all for now, do check my other posts for latest FF7 crisis core hints, tips, tricks updates!



***ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Thanks to various web sources such as Absolute Steve's FAQ, GameSpot, GameFAQs, IGN, Mahalo.com, Atma Xplorer, and all others who contribute sharing game information to help players with their games and excel! :-)