WARNING: The following entry contains spoilers to Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core as well as the original Final Fantasy VII.

Decided to add a NEWER New Year Resolution to my list - to finally complete Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core. For months, despite being at the end of the game, I actually put off completing this gem of a game for one reason - I knew what the ending would be and that it would break my heart. I knew tears would be shed, nevertheless set out to finish the journey of one, Zack Fair.

By the Goddess of Angst, I was feeling it. This is embarrassing to admit, but I spent the early hours of New Years Day in tears as I reached the end of the game, watching helplessly as Zack reached the end, going all that way to save Cloud (like a mother he was, bless,) nearly helped by the Turks, only to be gunned down by Shinra grunts. He held his ground, prepared to fight despite the odds and while you are actually switching between cutscenes and battle mode, the experience is just immense. Flashbacks of characters he has met take over the screen, for every mob you kill more appear, and - probably what hurt me most - was that as the battle goes on, Zack becomes weaker, not moving as fast, actually appearing wounded and the fight slot becoming broken. It made you realize this was the end and you were made to watch it happen. I remember the tug at my heart as we see from Cloud's eyes as he reaches out weakly for Zack, who is already on his way to face the opposition. I remember the heart-wrenching scene of Cloud crawling his way over to Zack's bloody body and his head being pulled down into a last effort hug on Zack's part. What really did it was Cloud's cry of anguish as the music kicked in and knowing what would happen in the original Final Fantasy VII. It was, however, interesting to see the first few moments of FF7 in full-blown CGI on such a small console and how it almost mimics the beginning of Crisis Core (albeit from Zack's perspective.) This was one way of reminding us of Cloud's personality "crisis" that later develops as he struggles to find himself.

Through Crisis Core, we became attached to Zack Fair after being able to see more of his character. We learn from FF7 that he was someone Cloud looked up to and was a caring friend who saved his life. In Crisis Core, we see him in glorious computer generated bishie goodness (I swear, nothing made me fangasm more than the screenshots of Zack in nothing but trunks doing squats on the holiday missions ;) .) The idea of him being nicknamed "Zack the Puppy" by his colleagues was endearing, illustrating the loveable soldier as an ethusiastic sweetheart, full of energy but sometimes quite careless. All he is, is but a memory and he will never be forgotten.

It is now very easy to see why so many fanfictions were written in favour of resurrecting him. He is clearly one of the fan favourites. Not to forget, though, that the slash factor in this game was at an all time high and it pretty much gave us "artists" more evidence to support our lovelies and fuel our creative juices. Zack/Cloud was practically supernova here; one scene I recall was their exchange in the Nibelheim inn in the bedroom (there's so many fanfics about this scene already albeit with more Mature rated goodness.) Another thing that made me just go all squeeish and squishy was a text message of sorts Zack gets while you wander around the town. It's a message from Cloud, talking about how much he looks up to Zack and asking if he wanted to go with him to his mother's house for dinner (was I the only one who thought this adorable?) We really see Cloud as a shy one in this game, full of insecurities. (The references to Cloud's motion sickness made me smile for some reason, maybe knowing what I know from the other game.) Of course, the game was full of other shipping potential - Zack/Sephiroth, Zack/Angeal, Zack/Aerith, Zack/Tseng, Zack/Cissnei, Reno/Rude, Zack/Genesis, Sephiroth/Genesis, etc.

The music certainly gave a nostalgic feel as most of it was the same from the original, but "beefed up" a bit, especially the battle music. And with "One Winged Angel" making a return, who could not feel the chill down their spine?

Better end the Crisis Core talk or I'll be here all night and start crying again.

(One last thing, thinking of going to Edinburgh this weekend, probably Saturday. Anyone fancy meeting up, make a day of it before work beckons on Monday? lol)