You've probably seen the ads. Cloud Strife looking moody in high-definition, Sephiroth showing up with short hair, and a combat system that looks suspiciously like the 1997 original but shinier. Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis is a weird beast. It’s a mobile-first "gacha" game that tries to compress the entire compilation of FF7 into a single app. Honestly, it’s a massive undertaking. Square Enix and Applibot basically promised the world: a remake of the original, the Crisis Core prequel, the First Soldier lore, and even the obscure Before Crisis story, all under one roof.
It’s easy to look at this and see a cash grab. I get it. The stamina bars, the multiple currencies, and the relentless banners for new weapons feel like a lot. But if you strip away the mobile fluff, there is a legitimate RPG buried here that most players completely overlook because they’re too busy hitting "Auto-Battle."
The Sephiroth Problem and Why Lore Matters
Most people jumped into Ever Crisis for the nostalgia. They wanted to see the Midgar bombing run again. But the real meat—the stuff that actually justifies this game's existence—is The First Soldier story arc. This isn't the failed battle royale game of the same name. It’s a narrative prequel set decades before Cloud ever stepped off a train.
We see a young Sephiroth. Not the "I want to drop a meteor on your head" Sephiroth, but a teenage soldier who actually had friends and a semblance of a soul. Seeing him interact with Glenn, Matt, and Lucia provides a context that Remake and Rebirth only hint at. If you’re skipping the dialogue here, you’re missing the most important character development the franchise has seen in ten years.
Young Sephiroth is a beast in gameplay, too. He’s a magic-focused powerhouse. But here’s the thing: the game doesn't tell you how to actually build him. Most players just slap the highest "Power" rated gear on him and wonder why they can’t clear the EX missions. Power level is a lie. It’s a vanity metric that combines your stats in a way that often ignores actual synergy.
Mastering the Combat Without Spending a Fortune
Let’s talk about the Materia system. In the original 1997 game, Materia was everything. In Ever Crisis, it’s a grind. You’re crafting, over and over, hoping for a "Pro" or "Legendary" roll with flat percentages.
Stop focusing on the rarity color.
A Blue Materia with a 5% Physical Attack boost is infinitely better than a Gold Materia that rolled HP and Magic Defense for a physical dealer like Cloud or Zack. You have to be ruthless with your inventory. If the sub-stats don't match the character's role, fodder it. It’s a waste of time otherwise.
The combat itself is all about the Stance Dance. You’ve got your Attack Stance and your Defense Stance. If you stay in Attack Stance while a boss is charging a "Big Move," you’re going to die. Period. Even if your power level is 20,000 above the recommendation. You have to watch the casting bar. The moment it appears, you swap to Defense. This increases your damage reduction and heal potency. It’s a rhythm game disguised as an RPG.
Why the Gacha Isn't as Bad as You Think (Mostly)
Square Enix uses a "Stamp Card" system. It’s a pity mechanic that is actually fairly generous compared to games like Genshin Impact. If you save your Blue Crystals—don’t spend them the second you get 3,000—you can guaranteed a specific "costume" or weapon.
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Costumes are the real prize.
Weapons come and go. You can pull them randomly later. But costumes? They provide massive stat boosts and "R-Abilities" that define a build. Aerith's "Floral Garb" or Cloud's "Zidane Outfit" (from the FFIX crossover) aren't just cosmetic. They are the difference between being a glass cannon and a sustainable god.
The Overworld and the Grind
The "remake" sections of the original FF7 story use a cute, chibi-style overworld that looks like a modernized version of the PlayStation 1 sprites. It’s charming. But the movement is clunky. You’ll find yourself getting stuck on corners while trying to find those hidden chests.
The chests are worth it, though.
They often contain "Draw Tickets" or weapon upgrade materials that save you hours of grinding the Enhancement Quests. Speaking of grinding, use your "Stamina Boost." You can spend 3x the stamina to get 3x the rewards. Never, ever run a dungeon on 1x stamina unless you’re just bored and have all day to kill. Time is the most valuable currency in Ever Crisis.
Weapons: Overboosting is the Real Game
A single copy of a weapon like the Murasame is okay. But to make it viable for late-game content like the Battle Tower or High Difficulty Events, you need to "Overboost" it. This means pulling duplicates.
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This is where the frustration kicks in.
However, the game gives you "Weapon Parts" through events and the exchange shop. You can slowly upgrade your gear without spending a dime if you’re patient. Focus on one "Main" weapon for your top three characters. Don’t try to level up everyone at once. You’ll run out of grindstones and gil before you even reach level 50.
Current Top Tier Characters
- Cloud: The versatile king. If you have his Murasame or Skysplitter, he’s your primary DPS.
- Aerith: The only healer you really need. Her Fairy Tale wand is mandatory for its AOE heal.
- Tifa: A debuff specialist. If a boss hits too hard, Tifa’s Tiger Fangs can neuter their attack power.
- Zack: Great for single-target damage and survivability, especially with his Crisis Core gear.
The Misconception of "Pay to Win"
Is there a ceiling for F2P (Free to Play) players? Yes. You probably won't be top 10 in the ranked Dungeon Rankings. Those spots are reserved for the "Whales" who spend thousands.
But for the story? For the events? You don't need to spend a cent. Square Enix is surprisingly liberal with giving out free pulls during anniversaries and collaborations. If you play the long game, you can clear 95% of the content with just the resources provided by daily missions and season passes.
The "Pay to Win" aspect mostly applies to the "Crash" difficulty fights. These are purely for bragging rights and a fancy icon. They don't lock important lore or story content behind them. If you can accept that you won't have every shiny gold weapon at max level, the game becomes a lot more fun.
Actionable Steps for New and Returning Players
If you're looking to actually progress without hitting a wall, follow this logic. It isn't about playing more; it's about playing smarter.
1. Priority One: The Story Complete as much of the story missions as possible first. This unlocks crucial features like the Synthesis Lab, Chocobo Expeditions, and higher-tier enhancement quests. It also gives you a massive influx of crystals.
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2. Focus Your Summons
Don’t pull on every banner. Wait for a "Limit Break" banner or a collaboration. These usually feature weapons that are significantly more powerful than the standard pool. Check community sites like Ever Crisis GG or the Reddit discord to see if a weapon is "Must-Have" or "Easy Skip."
3. Chocobos are Not Optional
Get your Chocobo expeditions running 24/7. They bring back "Medals" and experience items. More importantly, they find items you can trade for rare "Memories" used to unlock a character’s stat tree.
4. The Stat Stream
Go into your character's Stat Stream and prioritize "Limit Break" upgrades and "Materia Slot" unlocks. These are permanent buffs that stay with the character regardless of what weapon they are holding.
5. Daily Routine
Log in, do your three "Premium Quests" (these are limited daily and offer the best rewards), clear your stamina on whatever weapon materials you currently need, and check the "Co-op" medals. Helping others in Co-op is the fastest way to buy out the monthly shop.
Ever Crisis is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s a way to keep the world of Gaia in your pocket while we wait for the final part of the console Remake trilogy. Treat it like a side hobby, manage your resources with a bit of skepticism toward the "Buy Now" pop-ups, and you’ll find a surprisingly deep RPG experience.
Stop worrying about the leaderboards. Just enjoy watching Cloud and Sephiroth fight together for once, even if it’s only because you pulled a lucky ticket on a Tuesday afternoon.
To maximize your account's potential immediately, check your inventory for any "Weapon Exchange Tickets" you might have missed in your gift box; using these to grab Aerith's Fairy Tale or Cloud's Murasame is the single best move a beginner can make. From there, focus entirely on clearing the "Trial Sub-Quests" to increase your maximum stamina cap, which will drastically reduce the time spent waiting to play during major limited-time events.