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How Metascores Are Calculated
86
Advance Wars: Days of Ruin
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
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]
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.
 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.
90
NZGamer
Easily the best Square title on the DS available now, and possibly the best value for money title on the system too.
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.
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.
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.
83
Gaming Age
The story is well written and very entertaining, and the cast of characters really grow on you.
82
IGN
We’ve been watching Crystal Chronicles DS for over three years now, and the final product was well worth the wait.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
70
VideoGamer
But the harsh reality is that the excellent story is rather let down by the constricting control scheme.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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]
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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