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Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates

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Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates
77
8.2 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 41 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 11 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info

Publisher: Square Enix

Developer: Square Enix

Genre(s): Action, Role-Playing Game

Players: 4

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)

Release Date: March 11, 2008

Summary

The Great Crystal protects the land from the malefic glow of the blood red moon. Twins are born to this land, endowed with a shared, mystical power. Their peaceful life is suddenly changed with the rise of the blood red moon. All fates are etched into the crystal. [Square Enix]

What The Critics Said

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

1UP

It's balanced and has just the right loot curve, unlike games such as Champions of Norrath, which offer too many loot drops but nothing worth keeping. Come for the single-player appetizer, but stay for the multiplayer grandeur. Ring of Fates is a keeper.

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92

Cheat Code Central

An excellent title. It features memorable gameplay, stunning graphics, and a great multiplayer mode. It is also a very long title, and will keep you playing for quite a while.

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90

NZGamer

Easily the best Square title on the DS available now, and possibly the best value for money title on the system too.

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84

Worth Playing

A surprisingly valiant effort. It has variety and charm, and even though the RPG elements feel a bit wasted on the action-heavy gameplay, it still flows well.

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84

Games Master UK

A satisfying multiplayer adventure with more than an hint of "Phantasy Star Online" about it. [Apr 2008, p.70]

84

NGamer UK

Loses a tiny little something if you're not ever going to see the four-player stuff, but it's undoubtedly a very cool and enjoyable hack-'em-up no matter how you play.

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83

GameTrailers

Its no-nonsense, pick-up-and-play sensibility is perfectly portable, and for many Final Fantasy fans it’s an excellent stopgap while waiting for the DS remake of Final Fantasy IV.

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83

Gaming Age

The story is well written and very entertaining, and the cast of characters really grow on you.

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82

IGN

We’ve been watching Crystal Chronicles DS for over three years now, and the final product was well worth the wait.

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82

Gamer 2.0

Ring of Fates does what Crystal Chronicles couldn't do (make the game worth playing alone).

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80

GameSpy

Probably the best single-player dungeon crawler we'll see on the DS for some time. Game balance is great, the game looks beautiful, and there's even some really fun writing hidden beneath the youth/casual storyline.

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80

GameTap

Like its predecessor, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates is strong on action, and it's a kinder, gentler Final Fantasy that's relatively easy to pick up and play.

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80

GameZone

It’s an impressive and completely absorbing handheld game that does hack-and-slash action right as well as provide a story true to the Final Fantasy brand. It has its share of problems but they pale compared to the overall package.

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80

IGN AU

Things like AI and cluttered controls will test your patience, but never enough to sour the experience or remove the sheen of quality.

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80

G4 TV

Just as Diablo recreated the sheer joy of finding fifty bucks on the sidewalk, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates rinds and nails a perfect loot-rinse-repeat rhythm.

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80

Play Magazine

If you're a J-RPG/action RPG fan, you can't really go wrong with $39 spent on Ring of Fates. [Apr 2008, p.69]

80

Kombo

Despite the dodgy AI, Ring of Fates is easily a big step up from its predecessor. The action is more satisfying, the multiplayer is easier to get into, and the story mode is a huge leap forward.

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80

AceGamez

Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles - Ring of Fates surpasses the Gamecube original in terms of scope, ambition and gameplay, offering some truly inventive multiplayer moments.

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80

PALGN

While the shonky AI and cumbersome controls take away from the game, there is no denying that Ring of Fates is another solid gaming experience from Square Enix.

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80

RPG Fan

It isn't remarkably better than the first game, but it is a slight improvement.

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78

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Thanks to the awesomely balanced difficulty curve, I haven't had this much fun dungeon-crawling since "Diablo II." [Apr 2008, p.82]

76

Jolt Online Gaming UK

The multiplayer really does save this latest Final Fantasy game from suffering the indignity of a bad score due to incompetent AI.

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75

Deeko

At the end of the day, Ring of Fates is an entertaining multiplayer game that also houses a somewhat entertaining single player mode. The multiplayer mode though, seriously, that's where the fun is.

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75

GameSpot

A few problems keep it from being a classic, but Ring of Fates is still a capricious caper whether you're on your own or playing with pals.

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75

Destructoid

Since Square has been so crazy about spin-offs these days, I was expecting this title to feel a little hollow, but it actually comes through. Had the oddly unnatural use of the touch screen not been an issue, I think I would have gone from liking to loving it, but in the long run it's a flaw worth looking past.

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75

GamePro

A solid title that boasts some amazing production values. It's single-player campaign tends towards mindless hack-and-slash gameplay and there are some noticeable slowdown flaws, but it's still offers up a good dose of fun, especially if you're looking for a dungeon crawler with a bit Final Fantasy flavor.

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72

Official Nintendo Magazine UK

A mixed bag mangled by repetitive combat and a magic system that could have used a little more thought. But behind its failings is a story that is worth sitting through. [Apr 2008, p.66]

70

The New York Times

The story is engaging, but the game’s primary focus is on bashing an unending supply of monsters. For the most part, this involves approaching monsters and pressing the attack button.

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70

Zentendo

Still too deep and complex for a casual audience, but not deep enough to satisfy the other end of the spectrum, which is atypical of a Square-Enix title or any game with the name Final Fantasy in it.

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70

Wired

I wouldn't unhesitatingly recommend Ring of Fates to anyone who's not already a genre fan, but if you're like me, you need to play this one.

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70

GameDaily

The game's technical shortcomings are too noticeable. The slowdown is horrendous, especially in multiplayer, there's zero Wi-Fi multiplayer action, some of the non-functional camera angles suck and in-game artificial intelligence becomes sporadically idiotic. It's a fun little portable RPG, but these Rings could've used resizing.

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70

Nintendo Power

For most game series, what we find in Ring of Fates would be acceptable; for Final Fantasy, it is a major concern. [Mar 2008, p.84]

70

Eurogamer

It's in the multiplayer that Ring of Fates excels, and we have no problem with recommending it thoroughly to anyone who fancies some co-op action RPG fun with their friends.

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70

VideoGamer

But the harsh reality is that the excellent story is rather let down by the constricting control scheme.

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70

Armchair Empire

If you're patient enough, and can regularly resist the urge to throw your DS against a wall, you're likely to find a really good handheld RPG in Ring of Fates. For those with less patience, you might want to give this one a pass, if only to preserve your DS from violent impacts.

Read Full Review >
67

Game Revolution

If Square Enix had only managed a better spell-stacking mechanic or upgraded the game’s multiplayer capabilities, this could have been a great game.

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67

GameShark

Final Fantasy – Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates is a great game if you plan on purchasing it with the intent on playing it primarily with other people.

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60

Edge Magazine

In quests played with up to three friends the experience improves, but the game does nothing clever, original or compelling enough to recommend local questing over MMOs. [May 2008, p.95]

60

NintendoWorldReport

Sadly, Square-Enix still hasn't nailed the multiplayer component, and the obvious faults in its single-player gameplay will turn off most everyone else.

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60

Game Informer

It’s a poor excuse to round up the gang. Presumably, the reason why your friends are your friends is because you share some common interests. Do some of those together instead.

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57

netjak

With Ring of Fates, I feel like the seed of a great game is in the card. It just was never allowed to come to fruition, and the end result is a game that feels half-completed.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.2 (out of 10) based on 11 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Ricky T. gave it a9:
Got the game today so this an initial review. Graphics are good, game seems fun so far. First and second dungeon seem to be a challenge, but not impossible Only flaw so far is the control system - you need to use both hands as the stylus at the same time which is impossible, not even using a hand instead of the stylus is a viable alternative as often all 3 are needed at the same time!

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