FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: THE CRYSTAL BEARERS provides a fresh take on the FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES series as it combines the storytelling depth, expansive world and graphical quality of FINAL FANTASY with motion-driven, real-time action gameplay. In this world, realistic gameplay and fantastical art direction are brought together for a truly unique experience for Wii users around the globe. A thousand years after the original CRYSTAL CHRONICLES, the end of a great war has led to one tribe’s dominance, and another tribe’s apparent annihilation. The world has turned to technology, and magic is only used by outcasts called crystal bearers. Layle is one such crystal bearer, whose love of danger is about to send him on an extraordinary adventure.
- Enjoy a new chapter of the series that takes place a thousand years after the events of the original FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES, where technology has advanced to its peak and magic is considered taboo
- Encounter the first FINAL FANTASY game developed exclusively for Wii, complete with motion-driven gameplay and intuitive controls accessible for gamers of all levels. Enjoy a variety of actions including flying and third-person shooter style gameplay
- Step into the hero’s shoes and experience the action first-hand! Control Layle’s crystal bearer powers to battle adversaries, navigate through obstacles and move objects at will in a highly interactive environment
- Traverse the terrain, swing from high places or take a swim in a world in which all areas are open for exploration
- With an extra remote, friends and family can jump in to assist the player in times of need in special areas of the game
List Price: $ 29.99
Price: $ 14.95
Great game but may disappoint some…,
This game is a bit hard to review — you have to look at it from two angles:
1) If you are looking for a classic RPG Final Fantasy game then you will be disappointed. This is not typical Final Fantasy. Don’t buy this game if that is what you want. I’d give it 1-2 stars for a Final Fantasy game… but it should be noted, like all FF games they push the graphics and limits of the console and pay close attention to the story.
2) If you are looking for an action/adventure game in the same spirit as Zelda: Twilight Princess then this is your game. FF: The Crystal Bearers feels like a cousin to Twilight Princess and relies on much of the same strategy/game play/experience. I’d give it a solid 4 stars for a fantasy based adventure game.
If you go into this one with no expectations then you will probably be pleased.
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|A mixed bag for sure, but all’s well that ends well.,
I originally pre-ordered this game, then watched as numerous negative reviews flooded in when it came out. This worried me, but in the end I kept the order, played the game, and am glad because of it.
The combat takes a bit of getting used to, but eventually ends up being quite different and subsequently, very fun to play around with. You use telekinesis in battle to toss aside, pick up, or throw enemies and objects. You can throw enemies into each other, throw objects at enemies, etc. Experimenting on the best way to damage and destroy enemies is intriguing, and the various objects have different effects (i.e. throwing manure at a beast or throwing a bomb into a goblin for an explosive effect). In a time plagued by games that are essentially visually different concept copies of one another, this introduces something new. A fun little quirk is that your telekinesis also works in towns, so you can try messing around with the unsuspecting townspeople as well. I liked this realism; since Layle isn’t exactly the most moral main character, it makes sense that he would not restrict the use of his powers as soon as he enters a town (unlike many other games that prevent you from any such actions within the town/city atmosphere).
I do agree with some of the other criticisms that the controls are hard to grasp at first (especially getting the hang of raising enemies above you), but these difficulties typically disappear and the controls become intuitive after playing for an hour or so. I suspect that those who still have trouble after this time didn’t even glance at the manual; I don’t normally do this, but the controls in this game are so different that I felt it necessary to do so.
Most of the graphics are simply stunning (take a look at the stylized way Layle’s jacket flutters in the wind during the very first sequence of the game proves this beyond a doubt). Many of the villages and towns are well-thought out in terms of visual design, and even the bland, normal sequences in the field look fluid and refined.
The storyline is generally pretty intriguing, and it definitely offers some mysterious aspects that make you want to keep pushing forward. I never played the previous crystal chronicles games, and I wasn’t lost at all.
One disappointing aspect was that many of the people in towns literally have nothing to say. You can walk up to them, see their expressions, even bump into them and toss them into the air, but that’s about it. Only a few people in each area actually produce thought bubbles that signify that you can talk to them. I would have liked to see more options in this aspect, but if you don’t care about the useless chatter of the townspeople (think of all the additional characters in Zelda games who talk about generally non-relevant things), then you might actually like that this game gets straight to the point in terms of dialogue.
The biggest issue was the map system:
*The short range map (when enemies are present) is fine and looks/functions like the “radar map” in many fps. It works well for finding remaining enemies within the field. The overview map, on the other hand, is extremely vague and difficult to follow; it is barely helpful at all in finding your way to the next place you need to go.
*The one inspired part of the travel system is the fact that you can use your telekinesis to rip the arrows off of signs and carry them around with you. This is helpful because no matter where you go or which way you turn, the arrow will always point to its original destination.
Overall, I would recommend this game. Because of some questionable flaws, it’s not a five star game, to be sure, but it is a four star game.
RECAP
Pros:
Immediately gets into the story/action
Good storyline
Innovative battle system
All surroundings, including towns, allow for telekinesis interaction
Fluid and meticulous graphics
Inspired sign/guide dynamic
Cons:
Controls take getting used to initially (only one limited option for configuration change)
Poor/useless overview map
Most NPCs have nothing to say (no dialogue)
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