I can't remember the first time I heard of the game coming out. It's been a while, but since that first time I wanted the game, and as soon as it came out I bought it. Now that I have finished it I can say that it's a great game, with a wonderful and immersing story, a very nice combat system and a very weird DMV.
First of all, this is a true FF, even though is a prequel to FFVII it could stand well by it self. The story is well written and driven through the game, the characters are complex and interesting, I even had sympathy for Sephiroth at some point!!!!
In all, the story is great.
On the technical side, what can I say? Great graphics (the best in the psp, with GoW:CoO), great sound, music and voice acting. There's not much left to say.
As of the game play, it's a very familiar game play for FF fans, with its twists. In fact I liked it very much, though I'm and old school fan (I like turn base RPGs). The only thing that i just didn't get at all was the DMV. For me it was kind of a thing in the background than made noise, cause some effects on the character and the materia (status effects, leveling up) and made the occasional limit break. I'm not saying it bothered me... I just didn't get it. It was to complex, unpredictable and unexplained. Traditional ways like the EXP, AP, or more simple leveling systems work better for me.
But overall CC:FFVII is a great game, with a rock solid story, presentation and game play.