Video Games

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

B+

For PSP. Rated for ages 13 and up. $39

DON'T CALL IT A REMAKE: Final Fantasy VII for the original PlayStation is probably the most famous role-playing game ever released in the U.S., and there's a growing number of fans eager for publisher Square Enix to remake the epic game for the cutting-edge PS3. While Crisis Core isn't that remake – and it's for the portable PSP – it is a fun prequel to FFVII.

DRAW YOUR SWORD: Crisis Core is more of an action game than the original FFVII. The combat occurs in real time as you dice up bad guys with your sword or bombard them with magic while they defend themselves, rather than selecting your attack and waiting for your turn in the battle. Die-hard role-playing fans might be displeased, but it does make the game much faster-paced.

SCRIPTWRITER NEEDED: Crisis Core revisits a lot of the locations and characters from the original game, which is great, but is burdened with the same slightly absurd dialogue and spiky-haired, High School Musical-esque characters.

BOTTOM LINE: Crisis Core is probably the best role-playing game on the PSP right now.

Victor Godinez