gokudbgtrules's Full Review: Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles for GameCube
Name: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
System: GameCube
Release and development: Square-Enix (Game Designer’s Studio)
US release date: 11-18-2003
Development and/or staff origin: Japan
Supported devices: Memory Card
Genre: Action RPG
Background: Since the conception of the GameCube in 2001, it had been rumored that 3rd party developer Square-Enix corporation would release a Final Fantasy game for it. Hiroshi Yamauchi setup a fully owned division of Square-Enix named “Game Designer’s Studio”. The Game Designer’s Studio is dedicated to game creation exclusively for the GameCube. The reader of this review must keep in mind this is the first Square-Enix released game title for the GameCube and is also not considered to be at all related to its correspondingly titled series.
Story elements score: 9 out of 10
Story elements: The basis for Crystal Chronicles is to retrieve drops of a material that abolishes the poisons of the world. Crystal Chronicles defiantly lacks complexity in the area of plot compared to other Final Fantasy games. Though without comparison to the other Final Fantasy series the story does quite well and can become quit entertaining with the progression of game play. The execution and development of the plot can be described in comparison of a decent anime’ movie. Once you overlook that Crystal Chronicles shares the same title of games with much deeper and epic plots, the story becomes a true delight.
Game play system score: 10 out of 10
Game play system: Crystal Chronicles does away with the Final Fantasy battle system and adds a real-time one. Game play of Crystal Chronicles can be compared to the Legend of Zelda: wind waker game, thus abolishing any true similarity to the other Final Fantasy series. Hp has been replaced by a hearts system, and Mp does not exist as it is replaced by magic charge times. Leveling up is changed from an experience system towards one that is based on items that give strength, more life, stronger magic, etc. Game play can be accomplished by one or up to four players simultaneously. Crystal Chronicle game play significantly excels in multiplayer mode yet can be easily enjoyed as well in single player mode. A reminder for those that want the multiplayer mode, a game boy advanced and link cables are required for each player. In single player mode only a standard GameCube controller is required, a game boy can still be used in single player mode to view expanded stats.
Environment and artistic value score: 10 out of 10
Environment and artistic value: One of the few features that Crystal Chronicles does share with the games of a similar title are the environmental and artistic conceptions. The Character designs as well as each environment lives up to the Final Fantasy glory.
Graphics score: 10 out of 10
Graphics: The conceptual artistic design of Crystal Chronicles translates seamlessly into beautifully render graphics. Crystal Chronicles however does lack pre rendered FMV’s yet this does not really pose any problems. If for no other reason, the graphics are a redeemable quality for the Final Fantasy traditionalist. Option menus and non 3D graphics for screen stats also are designed really well. It is very impressive that Square did such a good job on the Graphics with only recently being introduced to the GameCube hardware.
Sound score: 8 out of 10
Sound: The sound system of Crystal Chronicles is well integrated and the audio samples are at a respectably high quality. The only problem is the lack of sound FX verity, almost none exist. The lack of voice acting is also somewhat disappointing (since it is shared in other Modern FF titles). The lack of variety of FX really adds to featureless side of Crystal Chronicles.
Music score: 9 out of 10
Music: Final Fantasy traditionalists will appreciate the musical score of Crystal Chronicles as it is similar to other Final Fantasy titles. The soundtrack is exceptional in orchestration yet needs to have more variety than it posses. Opening vocals should have remained the original Japanese; Yae (the Japanese vocalist of the original version of Crystal Chronicles) did a much better job than the person in the English release.
Replay value score: 8 out of 10
Replay value: Crystal Chronicles is rather short and the replay value really does lack a lot of depth. Multiplayer mode is a big plus in the area of re-playability, as in single player mode the gamer will soon grow uninterested. Though a lot of items for certain areas can only be retrieved by returning numerous times to a certain are throughout the game, this can be completed without fully replaying the game. A welcomed addition would have been the opportunity to play the game though in a plus mode using the items retrieved and levels obtained in the first time around.
Overall score: 10 out of 10 (only a 4 out of 10 for the Final Fantasy Traditionalist)
Bottom line: Once you negate that Crystal Chronicles is a true Final Fantasy it becomes rather enjoyable. Crystal Chronicles boasts a perfect game play factor, excellent graphics, and great music, but still has a lot of shortcomings. If you own a GameCube then Crystal Chronicles is worth getting.
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