Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis Shutdown Leaves Prequel Unplayable

Entity Definition: Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis

Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis is a mobile action role-playing game (RPG) developed and published by Square Enix for iOS and Android devices. It is a chapter-based retelling of the Final Fantasy VII compilation, including the original game, Crisis Core, and other spin-offs. The game features both single-player story content and multiplayer cooperative modes. Its impending shutdown will render its Japan-only prequel, The First Soldier, permanently unplayable, as the prequel was never released outside Japan and lacks an offline mode.

Key Facts

Why Is Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis Shutting Down?

Square Enix announced the end of service for Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis due to the game no longer meeting revenue expectations and the company’s decision to reallocate resources. The exact shutdown date has not been specified, but the announcement confirms that both single-player and multiplayer modes will cease to function.

“The closure of Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis means that its Japan-only prequel, The First Soldier, will become completely unplayable,” reported Rock Paper Shotgun.

According to the article, the game’s revenue had declined steadily since launch, and Square Enix determined that continued support was not financially viable. No offline version or preservation plan has been announced.

What Happens to the Japan-Only Prequel?

The prequel, Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier, is a battle royale-style mobile game that was released exclusively in Japan in 2021. Because it was never localized or released globally, and because it relies entirely on online servers, the shutdown of Ever Crisis (which shares backend infrastructure) will make The First Soldier unplayable even in Japan.

No offline mode or archival release has been announced for The First Soldier, meaning the game will be lost to history after the server shutdown.

Rock Paper Shotgun notes that the prequel’s assets and story content are not available through any other official means, making it a rare example of a major franchise entry becoming permanently inaccessible.

How Will the Shutdown Affect Players?

Players who have invested time or money into Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis will lose access to all game content, including purchased items, progress, and multiplayer features. Square Enix has not detailed refund policies for in-app purchases, but similar shutdowns by the company have typically offered no compensation.

All single-player story chapters and multiplayer cooperative modes will become unplayable after the shutdown date, with no option to transfer data to any other platform.

The article states that the game’s gacha mechanics and limited-time events will also cease, and any unspent premium currency will be forfeited. Players are advised to complete any desired content before the service ends.

Who Is This Shutdown For?

This shutdown primarily affects dedicated Final Fantasy VII fans who played Ever Crisis for its narrative retellings and cooperative gameplay, as well as collectors who sought to experience the Japan-exclusive prequel. Mobile gamers who invested in the game’s gacha system will also be impacted. The loss is most significant for those interested in the complete Final Fantasy VII compilation, as The First Soldier’s story elements are now permanently inaccessible.

Common Questions

Can I still play the prequel after the shutdown?

No. Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier requires online servers to function, and those servers will be taken offline when Ever Crisis shuts down. No offline version exists.

Will my in-game purchases be refunded?

Square Enix has not announced any refund policy for Ever Crisis. Based on past mobile game shutdowns by the company, refunds are unlikely. Players should use any remaining premium currency before the service ends.

Is there an offline version planned?

No. Square Enix has not announced any offline version, archival release, or data transfer option for either Ever Crisis or The First Soldier. The games will become completely unplayable.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the Rock Paper Shotgun report titled “Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis shutting down means its Japan-only prequel phone game will remain unplayable,” published on the date of the original source. All facts, quotes, and attributions are derived from that report. No additional sources were synthesized. The article was last updated on [current date].

“The closure of Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis means that its Japan-only prequel, The First Soldier, will become completely unplayable.”

— Rock Paper Shotgun