Hello everyone! Some of the research I've done on Crisis Core has been compiled into the following video:
Information contained therein:
- The Debug Menus
- Real-Time Rendered Cutscenes
- Shun Moriya's Debug Room
- The Ghost Son
- The Lame, The Lying, The Weirdo
- Unused Maps
- "Don't test me!" alternate take
- The Debug Menus
Crisis Core is somewhat of an odd case, since you can't find a worthwhile amount of debug menus in the Japanese- or North American versions of the game. Instead you'll have to play any of the European releases to find functioning debug menus. Most of this data simply doesn't exist in the non-European versions.
- Real-Time Rendered Cutscenes
In the debug menus you can access most of the game's cutscenes. These include the pre-rendered cutscenes (titled "MF" in the menus, presumably meaning "Movie File") and their unseen, real-time rendered counterparts (called "Prod" in the menus, probably standing for "Production").
Anyone who has played this PSP game in a higher resolution than intended will have spotted that the movie files can become quite grainy.
- Shun Moriya's Debug Room
The only debug room, more akin to familiar debug rooms like from the original Final Fantasy VII, is the one belonging to the game's main programmer Shun Moriya. A wandering Tonberry says the following:
You can even save your game in this debug room. In case anybody wants a save file from the debug room, let me know.
- The Ghost Son
While Crisis Core isn't overflowing with unused text, unlike the original FFVII, it still has some neat bits.
During his time in Nibelheim, Zack can engage in a sidequest where he searches for the town's "Seven Wonders". A boy provides Zack with hints and rumors as to what the next 'wonder' might be. If you've found the first five wonders, the boy and his mother will appear when Nibelheim is burning. The mother is stuck in a burning house and her son is standing outside helplessly. If the player is fast enough they can save the mother from the flames and thus reunite parent and child.
In this unused text, Zack meets the mother again later.
- The Lame, The Lying, The Weirdo
Sector 8 of Midgar is a hotspot for unused text. One example is from earlier in the game when Zack is still a 2nd Class SOLDIER. A kid was going to speak to Zack and the player would then get three dialogue options.
- Unused Maps
There are three variations of a very unique unused map, one that seems intended for mako reactors and/or Midgar plate interiors.
Map A
Picture 1
Picture 2
Map B
Picture 1
Picture 2
Map C
Picture
I, for one, would have appreciated it if these maps had been used among the game's 300 missions.
- "Don't test me!" alternate take
An old discovery for anyone who kept track back when Crisis Core was first released, but interesting nonetheless.
The Japanese game has unused audio clips for voice performances. Find them all over at SilentTweak.
Sephiroth's alternate take of what in the English game is the line "Don't test me!" after he skewers Cloud with the Masamune is extra interesting though because we can hear it used in the Square Enix Party 2007 trailer (time stamp 6m08s). You'll notice the camera angle on Sephiroth is slightly different too.
Feel free to read my Crisis Core research thread over at The Lifestream, ask questions here or post your own knowledge.
Information contained therein:
- The Debug Menus
- Real-Time Rendered Cutscenes
- Shun Moriya's Debug Room
- The Ghost Son
- The Lame, The Lying, The Weirdo
- Unused Maps
- "Don't test me!" alternate take
- The Debug Menus
Crisis Core is somewhat of an odd case, since you can't find a worthwhile amount of debug menus in the Japanese- or North American versions of the game. Instead you'll have to play any of the European releases to find functioning debug menus. Most of this data simply doesn't exist in the non-European versions.
- Real-Time Rendered Cutscenes
In the debug menus you can access most of the game's cutscenes. These include the pre-rendered cutscenes (titled "MF" in the menus, presumably meaning "Movie File") and their unseen, real-time rendered counterparts (called "Prod" in the menus, probably standing for "Production").
Anyone who has played this PSP game in a higher resolution than intended will have spotted that the movie files can become quite grainy.
- Shun Moriya's Debug Room
The only debug room, more akin to familiar debug rooms like from the original Final Fantasy VII, is the one belonging to the game's main programmer Shun Moriya. A wandering Tonberry says the following:
Hello player!
My name is Shun Moriya.
Some Chinese female student call me 'Lao Mo'
'Lao' means old. 'Mo' means my name.
My hometown is Sagamihara city in Kanagawa Pref.
I like to develop video game.
But, to developing video game is sort of nightmare.
I think I can't wake from a nightmare til I'll be dead.
Sorry for my poor English. Thanks ;-)
You can even save your game in this debug room. In case anybody wants a save file from the debug room, let me know.
- The Ghost Son
While Crisis Core isn't overflowing with unused text, unlike the original FFVII, it still has some neat bits.
During his time in Nibelheim, Zack can engage in a sidequest where he searches for the town's "Seven Wonders". A boy provides Zack with hints and rumors as to what the next 'wonder' might be. If you've found the first five wonders, the boy and his mother will appear when Nibelheim is burning. The mother is stuck in a burning house and her son is standing outside helplessly. If the player is fast enough they can save the mother from the flames and thus reunite parent and child.
In this unused text, Zack meets the mother again later.
Woman: Mngh...
Thanks for your help during the fire.
I've been meaning to repay you somehow.
Woman: Oh, hello again!
Zack: How's your son?
Woman: Son...?
What are you talking about?
I don't have a son.
Zack: Huh?
Then who was that boy?
The boy who was calling for help outside?
Woman: You were alone out there.
It's interesting, though--I did have a son who died
ten years ago. He'd be about your age if he were alive.
Zack: He died!?
Ten years ago!?
Hmmmmm!?
How very strange…
- The Lame, The Lying, The Weirdo
Sector 8 of Midgar is a hotspot for unused text. One example is from earlier in the game when Zack is still a 2nd Class SOLDIER. A kid was going to speak to Zack and the player would then get three dialogue options.
Look! SOLDIER!
Yeah! SOLDIER! Can I have your autograph?
Zack: Sure, I'll give you an autograph:
A> Sign it as Zack, SOLDIER 2nd Class.
B> Sign it as Sephiroth, SOLDIER 1st Class.
C> Sign it as President, President of Shinra.
A>
Zack? I've never heard of you!
2nd Class? Aw, that's lame!
Hey, SOLDIER!
You're lame!
B>
You think you can lie to us just
because we're kids? You're not Sephiroth!
You're a liar!
C>
Holy-- He's the president of Shinra!
Wait, but "President" can't be your name!
Aw, you're just some weirdo!
You're a weirdo!
- Unused Maps
There are three variations of a very unique unused map, one that seems intended for mako reactors and/or Midgar plate interiors.
Map A
Picture 1
Picture 2
Map B
Picture 1
Picture 2
Map C
Picture
I, for one, would have appreciated it if these maps had been used among the game's 300 missions.
- "Don't test me!" alternate take
An old discovery for anyone who kept track back when Crisis Core was first released, but interesting nonetheless.
The Japanese game has unused audio clips for voice performances. Find them all over at SilentTweak.
Sephiroth's alternate take of what in the English game is the line "Don't test me!" after he skewers Cloud with the Masamune is extra interesting though because we can hear it used in the Square Enix Party 2007 trailer (time stamp 6m08s). You'll notice the camera angle on Sephiroth is slightly different too.
Feel free to read my Crisis Core research thread over at The Lifestream, ask questions here or post your own knowledge.
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