I can't say I'm entirely surprised by the news that Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis is shutting down less than three years after its launch. The mixed reviews on Steam and dwindling player numbers suggested that something was off, and it seems the gacha mechanics just didn't resonate with the fanbase as Square Enix had hoped. It’s disappointing since they were trying to weave together elements from such iconic segments of the franchise. I loved the idea of experiencing the entire FF7 narrative in one package, but the relentless grind and monetization push likely turned many away. It’s a shame, but with the way the gaming landscape is evolving, it's clear they need to rethink their approach if they want to keep fans engaged.