Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII - Gameplay

Gameplay

Before Crisis is a real-time action role-playing game. The game uses 2D graphics as the player moves along in a side-scrolling manner. Gameplay is divided up between several modes of play. "Episode Mode" involves the player playing through the game's main storyline, completing various objectives in order to continue on in the game. "Free Mode" allows the player to play extra missions to gain experience and items, some of which are exclusive to "Free Mode". "Rescue Mode" is activated if the player is defeated during "Episode Mode", at which point they have two options; either restart and lose points, or allow themselves to be imprisoned, and the wait for other players on their network to rescue them.

Characters have hit points and magic points, and can level up upon acquisition of experience, at which point they can equip new weapons and armor. Materia is present in the game, but must be acquired by the player via a system called the Materia Generation System. The player must take a picture with their camera phone, and the game synthesizes that picture down to its base color. Depending upon the dominant color, lighting, and other factors, the game produces a Materia of a certain type. For example, a dark green picture results in a Bio Materia, a blue picture results in a Cure Materia, etc. Once acquired, Materia can be leveled up as in Final Fantasy VII. Before Crisis also features Rank Points (RP), which are awarded during the completion of objectives in all three modes of play. After a certain amount of RP has been acquired, special bonuses are unlocked, such as stronger armor and weapons, and extra Materia slots. The player is also given a rank, based upon how long they have been playing the game. The higher their rank, the better the bonuses the player gets.