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In a world ravaged by plague, the people depend on a blessed crystal. In order for this crystal to maintain its sparkle and power, Mirula Droplets are constantly needed. Every year, the Crystal Caravan travels forth to collect the precious Mirula Droplets in the darkest, deepest caverns of a far-off dungeon. The player and as many as three friends must make the vital excursion to save the villagers' lives, traveling through a wilderness overrun by monsters and other perils. Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles delivers the stirring story and stunning graphics fans have come to expect from the Final Fantasy series. [Nintendo]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 100
Into Liquid Sky
While there isn't much story in this game (which seems like going back to the FF:1 days) the game is incredibly addicting.
 100
Play Magazine
The combination of the action, high adventure, quaint bustling towns and villages, Moogle wisdom (like the Yodas they are) and the best Square soundtrack since the SNES days add up to the most immersive overall universe I've experienced on the GameCube, if not on any next-gen console. [Feb 2004, p.38]
100
Cinescape
The multiplayer is the best reason to play the game. It’s not worth it for the one-player alone, rather for the great experience with a group.
95
Loaded Inc
This is one of those games that you can sit down with three of your friends and really bond over. On many occasions we were yelling at each other over what was going on in the game, but when we managed to finally kill that boss, the reward was all that much better.
94
Nintendo Power
Crown FFCC the console king of multiplayer RPGs - all others are pretenders to the throne. Single-player moode is a rich experience, but it's dungeon-hacking party play that rules. [Mar 2004, p.116]
93
Next Level Gaming
A masterpiece.
92
XGP Gaming
Everything from the vivid backgrounds down to the little things like the water effects, the shadows, and even the way the myrrh moves in your chalice has been done so beautifully, it really takes your breath away.
91
PGNx Media
The soundtrack of Crystal Chronicles matches the game’s unique artwork and visuals very well, making it seem even more, um, “magical.” The sound effects are decent, but are definitely overshadowed by the soundtrack.
91
Computer Games Magazine
While some may balk at the cost involved, it's a ton of fun to play (multiplayer). [May 2004, p.11]
91
GamingTrend
While the single player portion of this title might be dull, if you happen to have three other friends and have 4 GBA consoles between you all, this is the perfect purchase. Never before has a game that highlighted teamwork come along like this.
90
netjak
Like in any game requiring human co-operation, it’s only as good as the people you play it with, but for those who put the time and effort into getting the crew together on, say, a weekly basis, you’ll find a game worthy of the Final Fantasy name.
90
GameSpot AU
With three or four players, GBA screens ablaze, this is nothing short of a tiny slice of gaming nirvana, and some of the most unabashed, undilluted fun to be produced for this generation of consoles.
90
Gamezilla!
The game’s mechanics are a breeze to master, but still offer up enough intricacies to make playing the game more about skill than random button mashing and luck.
90
EuroGamer
It simply feels more natural to select attacks, items and suchlike on the smaller GBA screen, and actually do the combat and exploration on the main TV screen - while there's even an added element of gameplay from the fact that each player gets a different map on their GBA.
88
TotalGames.net
FFCC combines the instant appeal of adventures like Wind Waker and StarFox Adventures with the best parts of the FF universe...The best thing to come out of Square since "FFVII."
86
GameCube Europe
A lavishly beautiful, unusually innovative, daring and unique breed of action- RPG that is sometimes a little too old-fashioned for its own good and occasionally marred by teething problems.
85
NintendoWorldReport
If you have the people and equipment to play it, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles is a great adventure that has no trouble standing out from the crowd of GameCube RPGs.
84
GameZone
While it is fun in single player it doesn’t even hold a candle to when you are playing multiplayer. The game can (and it does) get repetitive during some of the dungeons.
83
Armchair Empire
Square-Enix has successfully implemented interconnectivity in a way that not only makes sense, but also works.
82
Nintendojo
The controls are weird and strange. Nevertheless, Crystal Chronicles is a charming game and a great addition to the GameCube library of RPG’s... for multiplayer gaming purposes only.
82
RealGamer
The storyline is nothing outstanding but it serves its purpose and sets the scene for the adventures and battles that are to follow.
82
GamingWorld X
FF:CC will not disappoint too many gamers, it instead will simply expose them to another way that RPG videogames can be played.
82
Gamer's Pulse
The lack of an epic, driving story prevents the game from achieving the greatness of other Final Fantasy games.
80
G4 TV
It's not worth rushing out and buying four GBAs and link cables (you'll probably never use all that equipment ever again), but it's a must-have if you and your friends already have most of the required hardware and love multiplayer gaming. There's no other title quite like it.
80
1UP
Throw out the multiplayer and other gimmicks, and it sounds like a basic action RPG, doesn't it?... FFCC's core gameplay is older than the hills, and The Game Designers Studio hasn't done much to keep the 25-or-so-hour experience very engaging for solo adventurers.
80
Siliconera
Crystal Chronicles is more a kin to the mana series rather than the Final Fantasy series.
80
Adrenaline Vault
The multiplayer cooperative mode is the real reason to own Crystal Chronicles. Solving puzzles and overcoming foes requires absolute teamwork, and this sense of camaraderie is inexplicably addictive.
80
Gamenikki
A wealth of multiplayer gameplay, but only after spending yourself poor on hardware.
80
GamePro
Soloing is a bit repetitious and slow, but gather some friends - and a whole lot of hardware - and you're in for one of the smartest, weirdest, and most magical four-player adventures you're likely to play. [Mar 2004, p.85]
80
Village Voice
As with any role-player, there's a mess of shit to track: money, spells, elements, keys, letters, artifacts, trades, treasures, ailments, weapon parts, and your favorite foods (I like star carrots!). The multiplayer concept, like the game's pastoral setting, is much more elegant.
80
Game Power Australia
It's not for everyone – strange quirks such as the bucket-carrying mechanic and the expensive hardware needed to enjoy its multiplayer make it less accessible than traditional Final Fantasy games, but so long as you're not expecting an epic narrative, you'll enjoy what the first GameCube Final Fantasy has to offer.
80
GMR Magazine
The level of satisfaction you derive from Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles correlates directly to whether you look at it as a poor man's Final Fantasy or as the best damn game of "Gauntlet" you've ever laid eyes on.
80
Just RPG
A gameplay experience in the 20-60 hour range...That said, the debilitating single-player deficiencies, along with the outrageous hardware requirements for multiplayer caused my rating to take a significant hit downward.
80
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Daunting as the setup might be, give Chronicles a chance and you'll likely get hooked. It's a simple, beautiful, and rewarding experience. [Mar 2004, p.124]
80
eToychest
Save for a superbly annoying final level and boss, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles is a quality game in most every respect...To play this as just a single player title is to do the entire effort an injustice.
80
Cheat Code Central
It will appeal to "Diablo" and "Zelda" fans alike. It's pace is well-balanced and the action-oriented nature of the gameplay will ensure that it appeals to a wide audience.
80
GameSpot
It's not for everyone--but, in the end, Crystal Chronicles can be a tremendously entertaining multiplayer game for those willing to work together to overcome some obstacles both in the game itself and in its design.
76
IGN
Something feels a little off. I don't know whether it's the lack of cohesive storyline, or that the gameplay elements were so surprisingly simple. Poor controls also plagued my enjoyment.
76
BonusStage
The game's single player mode is void of any real entertainment values.
75
GameSpy
The single-player game is too easy and the multiplayer game is too impractical. If Square had found a way to balance the multiplayer gaming, this would have been a fantastic title.
75
Gamer's Hell
I enjoyed playing the game even though it is more Diabloesque than like Final Fantasy.
75
Gamers Europe
The game may look impressive, but given a play test we can't help but be a little disappointed.
75
Gaming Age
If you enjoy hack and slash games you should have a good time with Crystal Chronicles...a great attempt at connectivity and a fun game as long as you have the massive hardware requirements needed to fully enjoy it.
75
Deeko
A fantastic multiplayer experience, though the necessary hardware requirements and rather clunky interface make it a title that may put some people off.
75
WHAM! Gaming
While it has a fine single player component, the game only realizes its true potential if you go through the trouble of rounding up three friends with Game Boy Advances.
70
Gamestyle
While obviously lacking in the story department, neither the single nor multiplayer modes really capture the Final Fantasy zeitgeist, instead having more in common with action-adventure titles like Gauntlet or Zelda. [Import]
70
GamerFeed
The graphics are outstanding, the teamwork aspects are unique and enjoyable, and even in single player there's fun to be had. On the other hand, using the Game Boy Advance can be a hassle from time to time.
70
NTSC-uk
An excellent multi-player romp, but in single player, it’s merely a diluted example of the other games in the series. [JPN Import]
70
Boomtown
Square have tried to give us a chance to tell our own stories through this game, but their rules and prerequisites are often too restricting and the rewards not always enough.
70
Game Informer
Although many of its elements tie into the greater Final Fantasy universe, this is but a faint echo of what you hve come to know and love...There's little here that truly excites. [Feb 2004, p.104]
70
Yahoo! Games
The good things about Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles are REALLY good, and the things that are bad really hurt.
69
Nintendophiles
It’s not the worst game I’ve ever played in my life; in fact, it’s fairly decent, but it’s just so disappointing. Like all Nintendo gamers, I had high hopes for this game and we got a totally half-assed game.
67
Game Revolution
The bland single player holds it back, but things get much better when you play with friends.
60
Edge Magazine
It offers one of the most beautiful worlds ever created on a console, heavy with atmosphere and wonder, laden with the treasures of the Final Fantasy heritage. However, it asks too much expense and hassle and it inflicts too many setbacks, frustrations and restrictions to come close to being a fair exchange.
60
games(TM)
Unfortunately, though the multiplayer game is certainly better than the experience offered by playing alone, it has its own flaws that turn what could have been great fun into something lacklustre. Perhaps if Square Enix had tried something a bit more traditional rather than being blinded by Nintendo's claim that connectivity is the way forward, this wouldn't have been the case. [Mar 2004, p.102]
Darian B. gave it a10: Mike K gave it a9: Scott H. gave it an8: Sam gave it a 9: H and K Wright gave it a 10: EMILIO gave it a 10: Eric L. gave it a 9: |
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