Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Rated

Thanks to Planet GameCube for their report on how the newly released Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is faring in the Japanese press. This GameCube action RPG, which came out on August 7th in Japan, but is now delayed until February 2004 State-side, scored 32/40 and a Gold Award in the often strict Famitsu Weekly, and a Famitsu reviewer commented: "The one player mode feels a bit lonely as the gameplay tends to become routine. However, the game becomes more interesting in the multiplayer mode, where players can execute combination magic and work together to beat the boss. The fun factor is doubled." There's more info via hands-on impressions at IGN Cube, who seem to like the single-player campaign somewhat better.

Comments

Captain Obvious?

[Anonymous Coward]

Anyone who has had a chance to play this game, or even realized how much they're banking on 4-player gameplay (as well as GBA connections) knows this would be the case.

There's no doubt that Square can make a good RPG. However, it is also quite obvious that while FF:CC may be a fun game to play by yourself, a 4-player co-op will be necessary to get the full enjoyment out of the game.

I eagerly await the day when online co-op is finally an option that many console games take advantage of, instead of concentrating on MMORPG or Deathmatch games.

Re:Captain Obvious?

[HuskerDu]

I think Mr. Anonymous here made a good point. I think that if more games took advantage of online content and connectivity like Phantasy Star Online has, online gaming would be a better place.

Personally I find it much more entertaining to team up with 3 other people to accomplish one goal, instead of trying to bash their brains in.

Then again, I guess that's why I'm a PSO junky. =)

Multiplayer where it's at

[evilhayama]

Nintendo is hoping that this will be the title that makes GBA connectivity popular, so the multi will be the best reason to buy this one. The Final fantasy name should ensure the sales aren't too bad.

Also, Famitsy scores used to be strict, but they're giving out a lot more high scores than they used to. Are games just better now?

Re:Multiplayer where it's at

[Anonymous Coward]

Typical cynical attitude where nostalgia clouds judgement. Let me guess, every game on the "insert system here" was great and a "classic," eh? :wishslashdothademoticonssoIcouldusetherolleyesone : =P

Overall I believe there is plenty of evidence showing that games have gotten better over the years, at least if you look at the ratio of crappy games: good games. There are plenty of games that aren't worth spending any time (let alone money) on, but there's also a massive pile of games that should be played (for one reason or another) but aren't. But instead of enjoying the fruits of what gaming has to offer, most "gamers" simply spend their time complaining about how "console A sucks" or "game B sucks," often without firsthand knowledge of said system or game.

Sure, gaming really sucks, which must explain why I seem to be having such a great time playing KOTOR and Viewtiful Joe this week.

Multiplayer magic...

[Jerf]

Multiplayer is like magic juice; add it to any game and it is instantly more fun.

Personally, I'd find the comment "The one player mode feels a bit lonely as the gameplay tends to become routine." to probably be pretty informative. Given the number of people who will not be able to come up with three other people to play this with... everyone I know has a console or three, but there's no way in hell four of us could consistently book time for this... even in high school four person groupings were often hard to come up with... I suspect this is going to be one of Squares rather-more-frequent-then-fanboys-admit blunders, rather then a success.

There is an empirical measure of this: Will Square do a sequel with this style? If so, I'm wrong; if not, I'm right.

Re:Multiplayer magic...

[August_zero]

I think it will sell well, and I think that it's going to be a solid game. Remember that a lot of people play Diablo 1 and 2 alone offline (not a majority mind you, but a fair number of people) so the lack of 4-player opportunities is not going to be a major disappointment for most people. The Gauntlet ports did fine in sales, Mario Party is a consistent series, and all of these games, by most people's standards, are not good single player games. Yet people buy them so we will just have to see.

Besides, I think square is at it's turkey quota for this year (see Unlimited Saga)