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Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, originally released for the GameCube in 2003, pioneered the use of Game Boy Advance connectivity for multiplayer. This innovative feature, however, was limited by its hardware requirements. The recent remaster, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered, aimed to revive the game with updated graphics and online multiplayer, making it accessible to a wider audience. Does it live up to the potential?

A Lackluster Narrative

alt text describing the image- Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered gameplay showing the main character in combat

Don’t expect a gripping narrative on par with Final Fantasy VII or the emotional depth of Final Fantasy X. The story in Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered is disappointingly bland. Players take on the role of a character from Tipa, a village in a world plagued by Miasma, a toxic gas emanating from a fallen meteorite. The villages rely on special crystals to repel the Miasma, but these crystals require annual purification with Myrrh drops harvested from Myrrh trees.

alt text describing the image- Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered screenshot showcasing the in-game environment

The gameplay loop consists of yearly expeditions to collect Myrrh, gradually increasing in difficulty until the final boss is defeated. The narrative lacks character development and meaningful side plots. Encounters with adventurers from other villages, while hinting at a larger world, offer little substantial information or narrative progression. The repetitive nature of the core gameplay loop can feel tedious and uninspired.

alt text describing the image- Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered image highlighting the caravan feature

A Tedious Combat System (Single-Player)

alt text describing the image- Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered screenshot showing the main character and Stiltskin the moogle

The real-time combat system feels dated and unrefined. Players are accompanied by Stiltskin, a Moogle tasked with carrying the crystal chalice that protects from the Miasma. Movement is restricted by the chalice’s range, hindering fluidity and strategic positioning. The cumbersome menu system, lacking hotkeys for quick access to commands, further disrupts the flow of combat. Players are left with two unappealing choices: struggle with slow command switching or resort to hit-and-run tactics, neither of which is particularly engaging.

alt text describing the image- Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered in-game screenshot displaying the combat interface

The leveling system is equally frustrating. Instead of experience points and traditional leveling, players can only increase a single stat after completing a dungeon, choosing from Artifacts collected within. This forces repetitive dungeon grinding, exacerbated by the already tedious combat. Magicite, used for casting spells, must be re-collected in each dungeon, adding another layer of grind. While spell fusion offers some strategic depth, the constant need to replenish Magicite becomes a chore.

alt text describing the image- Screenshot of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered gameplay displaying the magicite system

Broken Multiplayer

While the original game focused on local co-op, the remaster shifted to online multiplayer. Unfortunately, the implementation is flawed. Connecting with other players proved unreliable, with frequent disconnections and matchmaking issues. While the potential for a more dynamic multiplayer experience exists, the technical hurdles make it difficult to access.

A Redeeming Soundtrack

alt text describing the image- Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered gameplay screenshot highlighting the visual style

One of the few bright spots is the soundtrack. From the uplifting “Sound of the Wind” to the varied battle themes, the music offers a welcome respite from the repetitive gameplay. It’s a shame that the lackluster voice acting diminishes the impact of the otherwise excellent musical score.

Conclusion

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered falls short of its potential. While the updated graphics are welcome, the core gameplay and narrative remain largely unchanged, retaining the original’s flaws. The broken multiplayer further detracts from the experience. While the soundtrack offers a glimmer of hope, it’s not enough to save this nostalgic disappointment.

Game Information

• Developer: Square Enix
• Publisher: Square Enix
• Genre: RPG
• Release Date: August 13, 2020
• Platforms: PC, Switch

System Requirements (Minimum and Tested – Not Available)

The original article did not provide specific system requirements.