Could This be the One?
By Nikky

I dislike the new Square. I really do.

The company's greatest titles all ran within the Super Famicom era with arguably the best FF-games, "Final Fantasy IV," and later "Final Fantasy VI." Then came Square's most groundbreaking title, "Secret of Mana," which provided an active real-time battle system with an engaging storyline (perhaps, Square's best and most sophisticated), a sweeping score, and a memorable cast of characters, splashed with rapturous graphics. In SNES's closing, Square gave us the incomparable "Chrono Trigger," which has been 'spun off' to a ridiculous PlayStation title.

Lacking within the new RPGs, including FF7, FF8, and the oh-so-blasphemous "Legend of Mana," is the magic that the older titles used to, and still, invoke. Tetsuya Nomura's characters lack the charm and the originality of old-schooler Yoshitaka Amano (I-VI, IX). Amano's diverse brush drew characters with a sense of vulnerability, with a sense of fantasy, devoid of the anime/RPG clichés that plague Nomura's creations. Amano is a man that never draws the same character twice in different roles. He never renders his male heroes with the same tired, Aqua-Net-spiky hair-do, feminine curves, or tacky uniforms that Nomura does.

Also, the music is no longer the same -- it no longer breathes life or inspires. The new Final Fantasy songs are slowly becoming a brand of J-POP rather than their previous stylistics of subtle sweet arias and sullen requiems.

Square no longer dances with the same freedom or the same sense of wonderment. To tell you the truth, I have not been excited about a Square game since "Final Fantasy 9," which partially shifted the series back to its roots with an incredible cast of characters (but tedious, overwrought gameplay). That is... until now... Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles.

Why now? Because of its brash concept, which borders on the genius and the mad. And, because it, out of anything Square has ever done in the past few years, has potential for greatness. Specifically, it has the potential to replicate the power of "Secret of Mana" on a whole new level. Imagine spell casting and managing your stats without interrupting other players. And, more importantly, the title will be published by Nintendo, the company with strictest quality control in the video gaming world. If all of the vital ingredients come together -- music, characters, story, gameplay -- "Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles" will be a memorable, and yes, magical, RPG. And, it will convince the world to finally grab a Gamecube.

I ask you now, could this be the one?

If you wish to reply to this FF:CC Judgement or write your own E-mail me here.

The Second Side of FF's Face is Shown
By Kevin Laster

For the past few years, Square has become one of the most known publishers in the video game market today. When you ask any kid on the streets today who Square is, they will say they made FFVII and FFX. They will not mention anything else, plain and simple.

Did Square not also make FFVI, Chrono Trigger, and the other great RPG's out there? Not to the general public. In my own opinion, Chrono Trigger was the greatest Square RPG. But no-one knows what that is. Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles is a chance for the general public to get to know the roots of Square. And I am glad.

In a generalization, this looks like if FFIX was made into Kingdom Hearts. That would be the base... but it is so much more. The Character Designer from FFIX and Secret Of Mana is now working on the project... giving the whole game a 'Fantasy'... not a 'Oh-It-Could-Happen--In-A-Hundred-Years-Or-Not' style of a game. From the scarce details we have, we can know this game will be a milestone in FF history.

For those fortunate people to see FF: The Legend Of The Crystal anime would know a semi-history of the "crystal", and FFIX also mentioned the crystal near the end, so this game, of course, would have the crystal also. I am excited about the legendary Square story to come back... or in a semi form.

I am stoked for this game, wether you are or not you must admit, this is a break from normal FF games. Hopefully, this game will provide a good storyline, good gameplay, and we already know it will, good graphics. Good Luck to Square, and remember... just because Square is trying something different... doesn't mean it will suck (Hey, I liked the Bouncer!!!)

If you wish to reply to this FF:CC Judgement or write your own E-mail me here.

A lot of comments have been made about this game.
From bias and ignorant comments to well thought out ones.
Things like "kiddie" to "why Nintendo?" have been brought up.
Probably the most important is that it seems so different
from other FF's.
But, since when has Square kept a concept within different FF's?
Everything in each FF is so different from the last.
FFX's sphere grid is a good example.
Several people are mad that this game doesn't feature "real" characters with "good proportions".
But, they were wrong about Kingdom Hearts.
And they were wrong about FFIX.
All I'm worried about is the multiplayer part.
I think FF should stay one player.
But I might just be saying this because I am an only child and don't usually have friends come over. (I normally go to there houses =D)
I hope they let you choose if you want to or not.
Also, I hope they use CGI for the movies.
GC is extremely capable of good graphics.
Don't listen to what other people say, unless they have a GC and know what they are talking about.
Just look at Resident Evil and Resident Evil 0.
And not to mention Bloody Roar Primal Fury.
Anywho, another thing I am worried about is the way the GBA is going to be used.
I don't have a GBA, but I could probably borrow one from my friend.
Another thing that I noticed that was different from other FFs was that there aren't "fixed characters".
Instead of meeting new people and having them join you, you will pick them from the start.
Something just bothers me about this.
I like following the story of the main character(s).
However, I have confidence in Square.
I don't think they'll screw this game up.
As long as it has
-Good gameplay
-Memorable Music (Nobuo!!)
-A complex story
-And originality
However, how come there hasn't been any updates?
Is Square too busy to release new information?
I hope this doesn't effect the game.
They've let out more info one X-2 than FFCC.
I wonder how long they've been working on this game.
Most FFs take a long long time.
It seems they rushed this one..
Unless I don't know something they do...

Is this the gem? I believe so . . .
Fujee Deaf

Many biased people believe that Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles will be a huge, huge failure. Reasons:
1) Nintendo is publishing it
2) It has "kiddie style" graphics (which I will make a point about later)
3) Action-based
4) Multiplayer (which is probably the only one thing that will set this one apart from all the others)
5) No summons, which no one is really all that sure about at the moment.

This game looks as though it will be great.  Judging it now is really unfair, and I'm going to wait until I've played it, as should everyone else.
The graphics (a yes, the graphics) look much like Final Fantasy IX, and it is shot down because of that. . . NEWS FLASH! THE ART DIRECTOR AND CHARACTER DESIGNER IS THE SAME AS FINAL FANTASY IX! Maybe that is why? Obviously.
Overall, this may just be the one gem that will set Nintendo and SquareEnix back on track.  Here's hoping!

© THE GAME DESIGNERS STUDIO, INC FINAL FANTASY is a registered trademark of Square Enix Co., Ltd.

 

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