Aside from the main series, Final Fantasy has had its fair share of spin-offs that, while they may not get as much promotion, do incorporate many of the same elements as the numbered entries. Originally released for GameCube back in 2003, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles enabled players to partake in an epic journey to save their home from a poisonous smog that began to suffocate the world.
As the years have passed, Crystal Chronicles has become something of a forgotten relic. Though there have been other Crystal Chronicles games, the first one still holds a lot of value to longtime fans of the series, which is why Square Enix recently released a remastered edition of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles for Nintendo Switch, PS4, iOS, and Android.
With any remaster, there are sure to be a few things that the developers improved upon. However, there will always be a handful of things that can sometimes give players less of an incentive to delve into an experience that was meant to trump their nostalgia.
10 What It Does Right: Voices To Accompany The Dialogue
The original Crystal Chronicles game lacked voices to go along with the dialogue. This made it more tempting to skip dialogue that otherwise could’ve been important to the story.
The remastered edition now includes voice acting to accompany certain scenes, which does a great deal to help with immersing the player into this fantastic alternate world. While this might not be a big deal to everyone, voice acting is still a worthwhile inclusion overall.
9 What It Does Wrong: Character Customization Options
From the get-go, players have the option to choose between four tribal groups, each with their own pros and cons. Playing as a Lilty, for example, is better suited for players who want to fight up close and personal, while Yukes are more for players who want to become magic powerhouses. Still, players are not provided with a lot of variety in regard to how a character looks when they begin an adventure.
Sure, their hairstyle can be changed, but the customization could be much more in-depth to ensure that even two players beginning the game at the same time are radically different in terms of appearance.
8 What It Does Right: Improved Soundtrack & Graphics
Over a decade has passed since the original Crystal Chronicles first hit shelves as a GameCube exclusive. Generations of consoles have come and gone, and graphics have definitely gotten a lot better.
While the game still looks and sounds similar to the first one, it’s clear that the developers took the time to polish the dungeons, creatures, character models, and music. Crystal Chronicles Remastered is an experience that feels similar to the original game while incorporating a more modern look.
7 What It Does Wrong: The Solo Player Experience
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is definitely better with friends. Players traveling by themselves will still have fun, but the experience just won’t be the same.
Instead of having other party members to assist them in combat, they will be followed by a lone Moogle who can occasionally provide assistance in battle. However, they will largely be on their own against bosses that sometimes feel like they can’t be defeated by a single person alone.
6 What It Does Right: Captures The Look & Feel Of The Original
Despite going through a much-needed graphics and sound improvement, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered still managed to capitalize on the nostalgia factor. Players are still progressing through dungeons with the backdrop of saving their hometown while fighting some of the most horrendous monsters the franchise has to offer. During the adventure, players are reminded of the people they’re fighting for when they receive letters with gifts at the end of each boss battle, often related to their family’s line of work.
The remaster still feels like Crystal Chronicles, and despite its flaws, retains many elements that made players fall in love with this title in the first place.
5 What It Does Wrong: Lengthy Load Times
While the information age has arguably lowered the average person’s attention span, gamers, in particular, have always wanted things (whether it be a sequel or a whole new console) as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, the lengthy load times when matchmaking for Crystal Chronicles‘ online play, or even when entering and exiting dungeons during a solo run, will become a chore for many players.
4 What It Does Right: Provides Incentive To Gather The Best Equipment
In dungeon crawlers like Crystal Chronicles, the biggest incentive for players remains the promise of not only leveling up after defeating strong enemies but collecting rare equipment that can further bolster a player’s skills.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered promises players special treasures called Artifacts that will permanently increase their stats after each dungeon venture. There are also powerful weapons and sets of armor that they can pick up along the way to ease their travels as things gradually become more dangerous.
3 What It Does Wrong: Menu Navigation
Crystal Chronicles isn’t for the faint of heart. Players are traveling on their own in a land that is itself dangerous due to the toxic Miasma that surrounds the world. Because they’ll be traveling so far from home, they’ll need food, money, equipment, runes for magic, and other miscellaneous objects that they may find along the way.
Fortunately, Crystal Chronicles accounts for this with an extensive menu that separates items into different categories. This menu takes up the entire screen during the midst of the action, and for new players especially, it won’t be the simplest to navigate, especially during an intense boss fight.
2 What It Does Right: Extra Bonus Dungeons
The level of difficulty in this remastered edition is largely identical to the original, meaning that some veteran players may find the game a bit too easy.
To account for this, Crystal Chronicles Remastered offers a few extra dungeons of greater difficulty to challenge players further after they complete the main story. It is a nice addition that not only prolongs the campaign’s runtime but also provides an incentive for veteran players to revisit this world.
1 What It Does Wrong: Multiplayer Experience
Back in 2003, players who wanted to tackle their Crystal Chronicles adventure together had to both possess Game Boy Advances, as well as the cables needed to connect them to a GameCube. Not only would their Game Boy Advances serve as their controllers, but the console screens would serve as their menu screens, enabling players to check their inventory without having to take up the screen for their partner.
With wireless play offered across most gaming platforms today, this is no longer an issue, and players won’t have to worry about connecting game systems to play with their friends. Unfortunately, however, Crystal Chronicles Remastered doesn’t possess any kind of local multiplayer at the moment.
Even if they’re in the same room, players will need separate consoles and screens to play with one another, and they won’t be able to travel through towns together like before. Instead, one person sets up a room that the others can join, but the latter do not progress through their own stories, meaning that they could play for hours and not really have anything to show for it.
While this multiplayer experience caused outrage among players, prompting an apology from the developers, it’s still better than going at things alone.
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