Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion for Switch 2 is an easy recommendation for newcomers

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion was announced and released for Nintendo Switch 2 earlier this month during the Nintendo Direct. As with many other Square Enix games, it has no upgrade path or save transfer from Switch 1 to Switch 2. I've played Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion on almost every platform I own already, and I was curious to see how the Switch 2 port would look and feel compared to the PS5 and PC versions. I don't own it on PS4 or Xbox so I cannot comment on those versions. I decided to focus on the game played on base PS5, Switch 1, Switch 1 on Switch 2, the new Switch 2 version, and the Steam version across PC handhelds for this article.

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion visuals and performance options on Switch 2

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion on Switch 2 ships with a graphics and performance mode. The latter is the default and it targets 60fps. Both modes deliver a visual upgrade over the Switch 1 version. Square Enix's Switch 2 releases so far have disappointed in how they handle save data and upgrading, but the visual uplift is almost always worth it for newcomers at least. This holds true for Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion as well. 

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion Switch 1 vs Switch 2 and handheld boost mode

Before getting to comparisons with the PC and PS5 version, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion is a portable game for me. I was curious about how the native Switch 2 version would look and feel compared to the Switch 1 release played via handheld boost mode on Switch 2. I used the Switch 2's accessibility zoom options and my phone camera to showcase how Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion looks moving from Switch 1 handheld on Switch 2, Switch 1 handheld with boost mode, Switch 2 performance mode, and Switch 2 graphics mode handheld. 

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion Switch 2 vs PS5 and PC

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion was a cross generation release, and while many Square Enix games ended up being lacking on Switch 1 compared to other platforms, I thought Tose did a fantastic job translating the visuals to Switch 1. It was soft, but held up well all things considered. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion on PS5 and PC was a very well-optimized game delivering a locked 60fps in my testing on even base PS5. The PC version can even do 120fps on supported hardware including PC handhelds. 

Note: For the docked/TV comparison above, I used 4K capture from all versions and cropped to show the difference in clarity, reflections, and more.

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion on Switch 2 is a step below the PS5 version (note that PS5 only has a 60fps mode) even in its graphics or quality mode. That isn't to say that it looks bad, but this is one to skip on Switch 2 if you only play docked and own a PS5. As for PC handhelds, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion is generally a good experience across everything, but the rumble on Switch 2 alongside the ability to dock it and play on TV, makes it my favorite version right now if I had to buy a single new release. 

Note: For the handheld comparison above, I used Steam's screenshot functionality on the PC handhelds and the Switch 1/ 2 system capture functionality. I cropped the images to show the differences and mentioned the frame rate target in that location for the PC handhelds.

The visual cuts are there, but the 60fps target mode holds up very well all things considered. If this had save transfer or an upgrade path from Switch 1, it would be the easiest port to recommend so far from Square Enix when it comes to Switch 1 and Switch 2 cross generation releases.

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion load times across Switch 2, Switch 1, PS5, Steam Deck, and PC

To measure load times, I tested Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion for Switch 1 (SD card), the Switch 1 version on Switch 2's internal storage, the Switch 2 version installed to internal storage, Steam version (internal storage on Deck and Ally), and the PS5 version on the internal storage on base PS5. The results below are in seconds and I measured the time taken to load the title screen and an early game save.

While every version loads very fast barring Switch 1, I am impressed with the Switch 2 port. I will say that every version forcing you into the splash screens that are unskippable is annoying, but this isn't a Switch 2-specific problem. 

Is it worth buying Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion on Switch 2 if you already own it on Switch 1

Since there is no upgrade path or save transfer, this is only worth buying for existing owners if you want to replay the whole game. I absolutely will recommend Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion on Switch 2 alongside the PS5 and PC versions to newcomers. In fact, with a solid handheld and docked experience with a 60fps target, I'd even play it on Switch 2 over PS5 since you can play it handheld and docked. This is definitely better than the last gen console releases. It just is a shame to see Square Enix put all this effort into ports that would be slam dunk upgrades for existing owners, but are held back by business decisions. 

Given the push Square Enix is doing for the Final Fantasy VII remake series on Switch 2, having a native version of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion is great, especially since this is a solid release overall and a good upgrade over the Switch 1 version. I hope we see a native release for NieR: Automata next or even a port of NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139...