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Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
by Ryan Kang
Thursday, January 22 2004
Squaresoft's return to the Gamecube is highly anticipated, and for good reason.
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Title:
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
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Platform:
Gamecube
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Publisher:
Square-Enix |
Developer:
Square-Enix |
#
of Players: 1 - 4 |
Genre:
RPG
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Origin:
Japan
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Expected
Release:
February 17, 2004 |
Grapevine:
Squaresoft's return to the Gamecube features Nintendo's vaunted connectivity feature for the GBA and Gamecube. |
For the past few years, Nintendo loyalists have lusted after the Final Fantasy series which up until now, have exclusively been released on the Playstation consoles. However, after February 10, 2004 the series will make a long awaited homecoming with its newest title, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles. The latest installment from the recently merged Square Enix, promises sights unseen with four “tribes” or classes, each having female and male character models. In addition to gender specific characters there are different appearances, which provide a variety of 32 different looks to choose from. CC also lets the player choose family occupation, affecting game play as each profession allows the player access to discounts or special items throughout the game.
Crystal Chronicles makes a departure from the familiar turn based battle system, and instead, opts for real time combat. Also the magic point and experience point systems have been removed so character stats, skills, and spell levels are modified when special items are found either in dungeons or bought at various markets dotting the landscape of the game world. Much like the Secret of Mana fighting system, the choice between physical or spell attack must be made on the fly and since there is no magic point system the player may cast to his heart’s content as long as they are not attacked during the casting phase. The change to this fast paced system might be a bit of a shock for those who are used the original games, but it is only natural for a newly reformed company to present a new style of play.
Although the game can be completed in single player, truly unique attribute of Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles is the multiplayer mode. When two or more people hook up to the GameCube with their GBA or GBA: SP’s, numerous options are unlocked. For example, the spell targeting system becomes more powerful when two players target the same adversary with two different spells, higher level attacks are unleashed. Also, a different map will appear on each GBA connected to the GC, so it is each player’s responsibility to inform the group of where monsters and items are, and where the players are located. Your family’s profession plays a bigger role in multiplayer as well. The storekeeper’s son can buy items at discounted a price, whereas the farmer’s daughter may be able to take seeds dropped by various enemies and turn them into items by planting them. While this is an ingenious way to promote teamwork, players can be easily pulled into fighting over items to boost their characters’ stats.
Ultimately Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles will reinvent the multiplayer RPG that was originally pioneered by games like Secret of Mana and Gauntlet. Also, it will be Nintendo’s first highly publicized title that features Connectivity.
--- Ryan Kang
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