Crisis Core has always gotten a warm reception from the Final Fantasy fans. A prequel to Final Fantasy 7, it's widely considered the only good expansion of that game. Now, amidst the FF7 Remake trilogy, Crisis Core has seen a shiny remaster. Many fans are eager to play it, but the hardcore followers quickly distinguish themselves from the casuals.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion contains numerous Easter Eggs related to the mainline FF7 saga. Some of these references are hidden so well that they take mako-infused eyes to find. For those who do, though, they only increase the excitement for the next entry.
7 Familiar Scenarios & Characters
Crisis Core makes no secret of its connections to Final Fantasy 7. Several characters from that parent game have both big and small roles. Sephiroth and Aerith are the most prominent because of their relationship with Zack, but the title features additional appearances from Cloud, Tifa, and even Yuffie. They all have some role in the story, but their presence also exists for fan service.
That goes double for the visuals. The game calls back to a handful of set pieces. The opening train sequence mirrors the original game. Plus, like Cloud, Zack meets Aerith by crashing through the church roof. Maybe that's her type. Any one of these parallels are noticeable in themselves, but it takes a true fan to find them all.
6 7th Heaven
While wandering the slums, Zack meets a man with a dream. A random citizen wants to start a bar, but that's not all. He also wants said bar to have a woman who's...gifted (not to be lewd). Fans know he eventually fulfills that dream.
The mainline FF7 has 7th Heaven. The establishment lies in the Sector 7 slums, and Tifa works there as a bartender. That said, the place is really a front for Avalanche operations. They might have put up the guy's business just to humor him. Not to mention, it goes down along with the rest of Sector 7, so his dream was not to be.
5 Kunsel
This is an Easter Egg in the context of Final Fantasy 7 Remake. In that game, Kunsel gets a mention during the party's Shinra infiltration. He knows Cloud by name, implying that he's an old friend from work. The developers only threw that in because of his recurring role in Crisis Core.
Here, the Shinra trooper emails Zack at numerous points. These messages mostly play out like casual conversations. Sometimes, though, they contain important information about quests, items, and world events. One can assume Kunsel knows fellow Shinra grunt Cloud, as well, possibly giving him the same helpful hints. This develops the connection that fans see later.
4 Emerald Weapon
Among the optional bosses in Final Fantasy 7 are the Weapons. These armored behemoths awaken to defend the planet, and players can find a few of them roaming the open world. The Emerald Weapon is one such boss, waiting for someone stupid enough to challenge it in the ocean. That's definitely not where it is in Crisis Core.
Zack glimpses the colossus in the Banora Underground. It lays dormant in these mines, so it obviously doesn't move. Nevertheless, it's an imposing sight, dwarfing any other enemy in the game. Thankfully, fans don't have to worry about it until the subsequent FF7 Remake entries.
3 Sweet Rides
In true corporate fashion, Shinra has several projects in development. The company showcases a few of these in an exhibition room. Here, Zack can view various vehicles which the party commandeers in Final Fantasy 7. The bike that Cloud takes during their escape from Midgar immediately springs to mind, but that's too terrestrial.
With its limitless ambition, Shinra reaches for the sky. Its airborne vehicles are a sight to behold. A painting depicts the Highwind vessel that the party steals from Rufus Shinra. More noticeable, though, is the rocket. This is the same spaceship that Cid works on. Considering his mad genius, the company should have kept him closer. Maybe he could have brought its other projects to fruition.
2 Vincent's Coffin
It goes without saying that players would encounter some old faces in Nibelheim. However, this secret is buried (literally). Seeking out the wonders of the town, Zack enters a crypt beneath the Shinra mansion. He then finds a coffin with a person slumbering inside. Before players can see inside, the hero decides to let sleeping freaks lie. The waking duties go to his successor.
The dormant mystery man is Vincent Valentine, whom Cloud and company disturb during their visit to Nibelheim. He later joins their motley crew and reveals vital information about Sephiroth and Shinra. If only Zack had awoken him, then the hero wouldn't have been so confused by Sephiroth's insanity.
1 Tifa's Promise
Also buried in Nibelheim is Cloud's backstory, namely his relationship with Tifa. The game implies these characters have a past connection, but neither one is keen to elaborate on it. The most fans get is the occasional tease, such as Tifa waiting for her blonde-haired hero to save her when the time comes. This refers to a promise between the two.
When they were kids, Cloud resolved to join SOLDIER and become a great hero like Sephiroth. Tifa then said that he could aid her in a time of need. Unfortunately, he hasn't made it up the ranks yet. Cloud is just a grunt in Crisis Core. As a result, the shy kid is even more ashamed around his childhood crush.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion is available now on PS4, PS5, Steam, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.