Square Enix’sFinal Fantasyuniverse is flooded with spin-offs, with many of them receiving the re-release or remake treatment in recent years. In particular, the one that’s been arguably front of center is the remake of the classicFinal Fantasy 7. Many of the pieces of this expanded lore have been re-released on some level, but one:Before Crisis Final Fantasy 7, a mobile game that never reached audiences outside Japan.
Launched in 2004, it offered players a fresh perspective on the world ofFinal Fantasy 7, focusing on the mysterious organization known as the Turks. Despite being the first mobile-exclusiveFinal Fantasygame developed by Square Enix, it never made its way to Western audiences due to technological limitations at the time. Now, withFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthdone andCrisis Coreenjoying a remaster, it’s time to giveBefore Crisisa second chance,ideally ahead of the much-anticipatedFinal Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3.
Crisis Core’s Final Fantasy 7 Reunion’s Success Proves the Demand for More
Crisis Core Final Fantasy 7received a successful remasterbefore the release ofFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth, proving that fans have an appetite for prequel content. The focus on Zack Fair and his role within theFinal Fantasy 7universe was originally a hit, selling over two million copies. Zack additionally became one of the popularFinal Fantasycharacters.
Before Crisiswould fit perfectly into this model. With the expanded lore ofFF7Remake, the story has become more than just another prequel—and given the ways in which the Turk’s stories have already been fleshed out, it’s safe to assume that we will learn more about them in the last part of the trilogy.
An HD-2D Remaster of Before Crisis Final Fantasy 7Is An Ideal Path Forward
One of the biggest questions surrounding a potential revival ofBefore Crisisis how it could be reintroduced to modern platforms. A free-to-play mobile format might seem logical given the original platform, but a better solution would be anHD-2D remaster, similar toOctopath Traveler.
The HD-2D format is already popular among fans ofFinal Fantasyand other RPG franchises. It preserves the essence of 2D pixel art while incorporating high-definition effects that make the experience feel fresh. The original game’s style is a real-time action style featuring 2D graphics as the player moves along in a side-scrolling manner. Keeping the pixelated style of the characters, but sharpening and even updating the backgrounds in-line withFinal Fantasy 7 Remaketrilogy would be a great way to keep the nostalgic feel of the game while also bringing it up to modern standards.
Western Fans Finally Deserve to Play BeforeCrisis
For many fans, the most frustrating part ofBefore Crisiswas its Japan-only release. While Western audiences eagerly awaited a localization that never came, the game remained one of the few pieces of theFinal Fantasy 7Compilationthat never left Japan. Given howinterconnected theFinal Fantasy 7Remakeuniverse has become, it seems only fair that Western fans get to experienceBefore CrisisbeforeFinal Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3arrives.
The timing could not be more perfect.Before Crisisoffers insights into the relationships between Shinra, the Turks, and AVALANCHE. The Turks’ role expands in the latter part of the story, and would serve as a way to heighten the emotional impact of important events like the ones at the Temple of the Ancients.
A Revival of Before Crisis Would Complete the Compilation
Re-releasingBefore Crisiswould finally make theFinal Fantasy 7Compilation availablein its entirety to global audiences. WithFinal Fantasy 7 Crisis Core Reunionalready remastered and available,Before Crisisis the missing piece of the puzzle that fans deserve beforeFinal Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
WHERE TO PLAY
Discover a vibrant and vast world in this standalone entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project, which retells the story of the genre-redefining RPG across three distinct games. Iconic heroes Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith and Red XIII have escaped from the dystopian city Midgar and are now in pursuit of Sephiroth, the vengeful swordsman from Cloud’s past who was thought to be dead. This new adventure can be enjoyed by all players, even those who have yet to play Final Fantasy VII Remake or the PlayStation original. Expect a new standard of cinematic storytelling, fast-paced combat and rich exploration across a vast world.
