Ever Crisis Will Never Be A Memory, To Me

Final Fantasy VII : Ever Crisis launched in 2023 as a mobile gacha game compiling the different media of Final Fantasy VII. The game will officially shut down on October 6, and I can't help but think back on my time with the game. Over these 3 years, there have been events, some more interesting than others, a plethora of weapon and attire drops, and consistent chapter releases from games from the compilation, which were my personal favourite aspects of Ever Crisis. I enjoyed the idea of being able to play the compilation wherever I went, and I was pleasantly surprised by the interesting lore found in The First Soldier. I ultimately feel sad Ever Crisis is shutting down, and look back on the good, and bad, with a bittersweet feeling.

The Nostalgia Trip

The best thing about Ever Crisis was that I was able to revise my favourite Final Fantasy, and its spin offs, with relative ease on mobile. The chapter and episode nature allowed for quick, satisfying sessions. It was like getting mini dopamine hits. I wanted to make it my goal to complete the entire compilation on Ever Crisis. On their original consoles, I have completed OG FFVII and Crisis Core, and I have watched Advent Children, but have still to complete Dirge of Cereberus. With the sudden announcement of closure, I won't be able to complete this goal, but will settle with completions of the new The First Soldier stories, and Before Crisis, a game never released outside of Japan. I absolutely loved The First Soldier Episode I and Before Crisis, and believe the additional lore makes the world of FF VII, which is already so enriching, that much greater. Glenn’s appearance in Rebirth felt earned to me, because I experienced his story in The First Soldier. I am currently hoping to finish Episode II before service ends, and find the origins of the Masamune unexpected, but very intriguing. Without Ever Crisis, I wouldn't have experienced these lore enriching stories, so I feel happy I played while it lasted.

Gacha Go Man

The thing that annoyed me most about Ever Crisis, and what led to me playing more intermittently over time, was Gacha FOMO. At the beginning I used to enjoy doing the daily draw with my younger brother and hoping for gold weapons. It was fun when we got all blues, and it was fun when there were golds. What started to weigh down the experience was the constant new releases of content. I couldn't keep up, and stopped trying so I wouldn't keep feeling so overwhelmed. While the system did drag things down, I still felt joy obtaining Cloud and Tifa’s Advent Children outfits, as well as Aerith’s Songstress Dress. Joy was felt getting these, but the system was very overwhelming itself.

The Known Journey was Fun While it Lasted

I know the compilation of VII already exists, but I felt so happy when Ever Crisis released. With Rebirth being my favourite game, playing the games that allowed for it to exist, wherever I went, was really fun. I wish the game wasn't a live service one, and that it could exist as an option to play forever. While I am sad how things turned out, I will always remember the memories of comparing draws with my brother fondly, as well as completing event stories to pick up cool gear. All in all, Ever Crisis was what makes VII so great to me, it was something that made me feel.

By Rain Friction

04/10/2026