As a long-time Final Fantasy fan on my 4th playthrough of Crisis Core Reunion, I‘ve painstakingly collected every piece of mail to earn the “Mail Completionist” trophy. Trust me, it‘s no small feat!
Some story mails come naturally from playing the campaign. But others require obscure side quests that are easily missed if you don‘t know where to look. After lots of trial and error over 120+ hours of total playtime, I‘ve compiled this complete guide to unlocking the trophy without wasting time.
Here‘s everything you need to know about collecting all 18 unique emails for 100% completion:
How the Mail System Works
Before diving into mail locations, let‘s quickly overview how Zack‘s inbox functions. As you adventure, characters will send Zack emails that appear as notifications in the top-right corner of the screen.
To view the emails, access the Main Menu then select “Mail” to reach Zack‘s inbox. Emails are sorted into the following folders:
| Folder | Description |
|---|---|
| SOLDIER | Messages from fellow Shinra military members |
| Lazard | Memos from Director Lazard |
| Shinra News | PR statements from the Shinra Electric Company |
| Friends | Personal mails from Zack‘s close acquaintances |
| Spam | Unsolicited junk messages |
| Shinra Truths | Anti-Shinra content from inside whistleblowers |
| Shop News | Advertisements from stores and vendors |
| Keepers | Dispatches from Angeal‘s fan club |
| Genesis Girls | Updates from Genesis Rhapsodos fan groups |
| Hero News | Publications from fan clubs honoring famous SOLDIER 1sts |
https://i.postimg.cc/m2mgxOjm/Crisis-Core-Mailbox.jpg
Zack‘s inbox organizing emails into handy folders
In total, there are 102 obtainable mails across the 10 folders. However, the Mail Completionist trophy only requires 1 mail from each of the 18 unique senders. So getting repeated emails from the same sender does not count extra.
This means you can focus on the first email received from major characters and organizations. But it also makes some missable if you don’t speak to specific NPCs or finish hidden side quests under special conditions.
Let’s break down how to get all 18 mandatory mails reliably:
Story Mails
The good news is many mandatory emails come naturally from progressing Crisis Core Reunion‘s main storyline without any special effort. I‘ve marked these as “story mails” since the plot triggers them automatically.
As long as you keep playing chapters in order, you‘ll organically collect story mails at specific story beats.
SOLDIER Folder Story Mails
These fellow SOLDIER members will mail Zack updates as allies:
Kunsel
- His first mail comes after completing the Virtual Reality training simulator in Chapter 1. This serves as a tutorial for the mailing mechanic.
- Kunsel also sends the most story mails out of anyone, but you only need the first for Mail Completionist.
Luxiere
- Automatically received when visiting Aerith‘s church during the Chapter 5 storyline.
https://i.postimg.cc/CxhKK9k2/Crisis-Core-Kunsel-Luxiere-Mails.jpg
Kunsel and Luxiere‘s story mails come from progressing the chapters
Lazard Folder Story Mail
As Director of SOLDIER, Lazard will mail official mission directives.
Lazard
- His mandatory email comes after the story scene at the mountain path save point during the Chapter 3 Wutai side quests.
https://i.postimg.cc/vHP5FyzG/Crisis-Core-Lazard-Mail.jpg
Finish the Chapter 3 Wutai quests to get Lazard‘s story mail
Shinra News Folder Story Mail
Shinra‘s PR department will send politically crafted newsletters as propaganda.
Shinra News
- Obtained automatically after finishing the Chapter 1 training mission required as part of the opening chapters.
https://i.postimg.cc/FK9rmdgt/Crisis-Core-Shinra-News-Mail.jpg
Shinra News‘ story mail comes from completing Chapter 1‘s training
Friends Folder Story Mails
As Zack‘s closest acquaintances, key allies will email personal updates.
Cissnei
- Although missable early on, you‘ll automatically get a mail from Turk Cissnei in Chapter 7 sent to reassure Zack.
Cloud
- Upon entering Nibelheim Inn during the pivotal events of Chapter 8, you‘ll receive Cloud Strife‘s first fanboy mail.
Tifa
- After getting Cloud‘s mail in the Chapter 8 Inn scenes, exit the Inn then open Tifa‘s message.
https://i.postimg.cc/QNjhKr3j/Crisis-Core-Friends-Story-Mails.jpg
Speaking with major characters like Cissnei, Cloud, and Tifa triggers story mails
Spam Folder Story Mail
In Zack‘s junk folder, he‘ll also get one story mail from this sender:
Treasure Princess
- Received from interacting with the exclamation point ladder in Mako Reactor 5 during Chapter 3.
https://i.postimg.cc/mgb04bqX/Crisis-Core-Spam-Story-Mail.jpg
The Treasure Princess spam mail waits inside Mako Reactor 5
That covers the 10 story mails that naturally occur from playing Crisis Core Reunion‘s chapters in order.
Now let‘s tackle the 8 senders with missable mails that are permanently lost unless you speak to hidden NPCs or finish obscure side quests before progressing too far.
Missable Mails
While story emails will eventually come through regular play, there are a handful of missable mails that require going off the main path to obtain.
These are sent from hidden characters and organizations after fulfilling special conditions like:
- Speaking to isolated NPCs
- Completing convoluted side quest chains
- Joining all the fan clubs
- Finishing certain missions extremely quickly
If you advance too far in the story or complete the associated chapter, these missable mails become permanently unobtainable and block you from the Mail Completionist trophy.
So to prevent that heartbreak, let‘s cover how to get all 8 missable emails reliably:
Friends Folder Missable Mails
Two tricky missable mails hide deep in the Friends folder from these obscure senders:
Wonder Hunter
- To obtain this missable mail, you must first complete Crisis Core‘s lengthy 7-part side quest spanning Chapters 7 – 9 titled “The Seven Wonders of Nibelheim”.
- This marathon puzzle sequence has you investigating spooky urban legends across Nibelheim including a haunted mansion, missing children, and a weeping cliff face.
- Most players don‘t even realize it exists since it involves revisiting obscure locations and examining tiny environmental clues.
- Once you solve all seven brain teasers, the Wonder Hunter will mail Zack congratulating your exceptional sleuthing skills to mark the mail as collected.
https://i.postimg.cc/zvhtgqqz/Crisis-Core-Wonder-Hunter-Mail.jpg
Completing Nibelheim‘s convoluted Seven Wonders side quests earns the Wonder Hunter‘s missable mail
Obtaining this mail essentially requires finishing an entire hidden game within Crisis Core‘s own secret side content. But the payoff is extremely rewarding lore and this gratifying missable mail from the Wonder Hunter.
For full guidance on tackling this expansive slew of puzzles, see my dedicated Seven Wonders Guide.
Spam Folder Missable Mails
The Spam folder holds two additional missable emails from sneaky ninjas:
Anonymous
- This secret mail can only be obtained by completing the remote Mission 8-4-6 during Chapter 3.
- You only have a limited window to finish this optional combat simulation before the mission expires. So it‘s easy to overlook during your first playthrough.
- Make sure to regularly check available missions, travel to remote training grounds, and polish your fighting skills to clean up all the extra content. This will reveal hidden mail rewards like the elusive Anonymous spammer‘s message.
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The Anonymous spam mail comes from finishing optional Mission 8-4-6 quickly before it vanishes
Yuffie
- To add the boisterous Wutai ninja Yuffie Kisaragi to your mailing list, you must rapidly complete Mission 8-5-6 also located in Chapter 3.
- This intense combat exercise against a dozen Shinra mechs must be finished under a strict 10-minute time limit, so come prepared with Zack‘s strongest Materia loadout!
- If successful, the brash teen sends her eccentrically titled “Notice” mail to reward your efficiency mastering Crisis Core‘s battle system.
https://i.postimg.cc/d1Dqgdk6/Crisis-Core-Yuffie-Mail.jpg
Yuffie‘s spam mail requires dominating Mission 8-5-6 before the 10-minute deadline
Like Anonymous, Yuffie‘s mail comes from proving your speed and skill conquering optional missions before their availability expires.
Shinra Truths Folder Missable Mail
Deep within the Shinra Truths folder exposing corporate scandals, one special whistleblower will mail Zack covert intel if you follow secret conditions:
Reporter
- This shifty journalist offers Zack a risky proposition when encountered randomly in Chapter 5 next to the fountain in Sector 8 Plaza.
- Choose the dialogue option \”Let him go\” when prompted to free this defiant muckraker.
- Afterwards, he‘ll mail Zack confidential Shinra leaks as thanks for your ethical choice.
- Since this quick interaction is easy to miss, it‘s smart to speak with every NPC you find in crowded Midgar hubs like Sector 8 to avoid skipping any mail opportunities.
https://i.postimg.cc/SQc3Scd1/Crisis-Core-Reporter-Mail.jpg
Select the correct dialogue path when confronted by this sneaky reporter to receive his Shinra Truths mail
Without the right dialogue response, you‘ll miss the reporter‘s mail permanently along with the vital intel in his Shinra Truths mailbox.
Shop News Folder Missable Mail
Buried in the commercial Shop News folder, one particular Midgar retailer will mail Zack exclusive offers by completing their covert side job:
Shop News
- To receive this limited-time sales pitch, locate the City Planning Executive NPC inside Shinra Headquarters during Chapter 5.
- Optional Mission 6-2-1 unlocks after speaking to this corporate manager.
- Finish that job then check your Shop News folder for the mail reward.
- But don‘t dawdle! This mission and the associated mail both vanish after Chapter 7.
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The Shop News mail requires finishing a hidden job for Shinra‘s City Planning Executive quickly before it disappears
So don‘t neglect Crisis Core‘s remote side missions and be diligent about conversing with every NPC. This one vanilla corporate consultant secretly offers Zack premium discounts if you complete his personal request in time!
Keepers Folder Missable Mail
Expand your social circle by schmoozing one of many fan club presidents for collector‘s items:
Keepers of Honor
- This missable mail comes from the president of Angeal‘s fan club who lingers in Chapter 2 near the fountain in Sector 8 Plaza.
- Simply chat with the leading Angeal fangirl to join the club and receive Keepers of Honor updates.
- Like most fan clubs, this mail is available briefly before the NPC disappears and enrollment closes. So join immediately once spotted!
https://i.postimg.cc/vH52yhYM/Crisis-Core-Keepers-Mail.jpg
Joining Angeal‘s fan club in Chapter 2 adds the Keepers of Honor to your mailing list
Don‘t let the opportunity to hobnob with presidents of Zack‘s celebrity fan clubs slip away! Their membership memorabilia mail rewards are exclusively offered for a limited window.
Genesis Girls Folder Missable Mails
While scanning Sector 8 Plaza andLOVELESS Avenue for fan clubs in Chapter 2, also be sure to befriend these two Genesis Girls presidents:
Red Leather
*Seek out the young woman in the red leather coat named Rosso to join the Genesis fan club and receive their newsletter.
Study Group
*Then head to LOVELESS Avenue where an enthusiastic fangirl offers membership to her Genesis poetry reading club after a quick book quiz.
https://i.postimg.cc/C5PqPXCH/Crisis-Core-Genesis-Girls-Mails.jpg
Befriending the leaders of rival Genesis fan clubs unlocks rare collectible emails
These Red Leather and Study Group emails may seem trivial at first. But obtaining insider publications directly from Genesis Girls presidents themselves offers invaluable rare memorabilia for serious collectors!
Hero News Folder Missable Mails
Lastly, two more esteemed fan club figureheads will mail Zack VIP-only content in the Hero News Folder:
Silver Elite
- During Chapter 5, the president of Sephiroth’s fan club with flowing white hair and trademark Masamune blade fountain pen roams the Sector 5 Park.
- Approach and accurately answer her trio of Sephiroth trivia questions to join Silver Elite’s exclusive fan club.
- As a privilege for elite members only, she‘ll share Silver Elite publications immediately after enrollment.
https://i.postimg.cc/vHSDXKRK/Crisis-Core-Silver-Elite-Mail.jpg
The Silver Elite mail comes from impressing Sephiroth‘s #1 superfan with fanboy knowledge
Zack Fan Club
- Later in Chapter 7, return to Shinra HQ and chat with the bubbly blonde receptionist gushing about the brand new Zack Fair fan club.
- Simply speak to her after the Junon airport battle to receive the inaugural Zack Fan Club newsletter announcing your celebrity status as newest hot rookie 1st Class SOLDIER.
- Be sure to follow up since this mail is easy to overlook when returning to Midgar between missions!
https://i.postimg.cc/vHnm48Lw/Crisis-Core-Zack-Fan-Club-Mail.jpg
Don‘t forget to visit Shinra‘s front desk girl when back in Midgar to get updates from the Zack Fan Club
With your natural charisma and a bit of fan trivia knowledge, cozying up to Shinra‘s devoted fan club leaders grants access to their members-only distributions documenting your journey to fame!
Mail Completionist Trophy Reward
Once you‘ve collected the full checklist of 1 mail from all 18 senders through story progress and hidden side content, Crisis Core will reward your networking efforts with this notification:
https://i.postimg.cc/vHx7Lqh0/Crisis-Core-Mail-Completionist-Trophy.jpg
The “Mail Completionist” bronze trophy formally commemorates your success befriending Crisis Core’s full cast of characters. With all penpals accounted for, you can proudly 100% the game’s mailing system!
Final Tips
If you get stuck hunting down missable mails, here are some final tips:
- Talk to every NPC. Optional missions and mail rewards often unlock from obscure dialogue choices.
- Finish side content ASAP. Missable mails and missions expire quickly as you progress chapters.
- Check mail frequently. This helps track your progress with all senders.
- Use Chapter Select. Replay past chapters if you realize you missed a mail opportunity.
Following this guide carefully, you should unlock Crisis Core‘s “Mail Completionist” trophy smoothly in a single playthrough!
Let me know in the comments if this guide helps you complete Zack’s mailing list and earn the trophy! Now get out there and start socializing with everyone you meet as a friendly 1st Class SOLDIER would!
