What Happens After Crisis Core (PSP)? Story Order & Sequels

If you are at the end of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (or Reunion), the "next" event is the game's tragic conclusion: Zack Fair's death on the outskirts of Midgar, passing the Buster Sword to Cloud Strife. This bridges directly into the opening of the original Final Fantasy VII.

Chronological Story Order (The "Compilation")

1. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (Prequel, ~7 years before FF7)
2. Final Fantasy VII (Original 1997 / Remake Project)
3. Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (Movie, 2 years post-FF7)
4. Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII (PS2 Shooter, 3 years post-FF7)
5. Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4/PS5/PC - Alternate Timeline/Sequel)
6. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (PS5 - Part 2 of Remake Project)
7. Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier (Battle Royale, Mobile - Canon lore)
8. Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis (Mobile - Retells Compilation + Original)

Key Narrative Beats Post-Crisis Core

• Cloud's Identity Crisis: Cloud merges Zack's memories with his own, believing he was the SOLDIER 1st Class.
• Sephiroth's Return: The Nibelheim incident (shown in Crisis Core) triggers Sephiroth's descent into villainy.
• Aerith's Fate: Zack's girlfriend; her story concludes tragically in FF7 (Disc 1).

Which Should You Play Next?

• For the Classic Story: Play the original Final Fantasy VII (available on Switch, PS4, Xbox, PC, Mobile).
• For Modern Graphics/Gameplay: Play Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4/PS5/PC), then Rebirth (PS5). Note: Remake/Rebirth assume knowledge of the original plot and diverge significantly.
• For Zack's Legacy: Advent Children (film) shows his spiritual influence on Cloud.

Crisis Core Reunion (2022) remasters the PSP game with updated graphics and full voice acting—ideal if you played the original PSP version long ago.