Erm... well, about Crisis Core. Mind if I explain why Crisis Core might not be for everyone?
I did tried playing it, but there is something about it that I just don't like about. As someone who prioritizes gameplay over story when it comes to video games. Crisis Core is just plain boring gameplay wise(in my opinion, of course). You walk around, get random encounters. So far so good... until DMW comes around.
I don't mind getting buffed by a pachinko machine, but if the game decided to pause the game every 5 seconds just to force me seeing that machine may(OR MAY NOT) roll a power surge annoys me. Not to mention that the challenge of the main game just seems lacking. Most of the time, you'll simply run around an enemies to critical on their butts. The missions, which also being the other big part of the game other than the main quest, is also repetitive. You just go there, kill the enemy that is visible outside of battle, and that's about it.
And of course, let's not forget the infamous...
The game also suffers from a difficulity problem, where it'll be either too easy(Normal), or too difficult(Hard).
@SuperNovaI'd probably suggest playing Crisis Core only if you prioritize the story much more than the gameplay(I can't evaluate the story yet because I have yet to play FF7. That game is just too old to even look at for me. :/), and you can deal with the rather repetitive and lackluster gameplay.
Welp, but it all up to you whether to play it or not to, though.