Overview

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is the game everyone has been waiting for! The game excels in terms of graphics and sound, and the gameplay is like none ever seen before, putting it in the position to boast in the areas of replay value and challenge. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles has the perfect balance between the elements of an RPG, the trill of an action game, and the fun of a party game. Well done, Square Enix!

Body

Story - Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles continues to amaze me in how unique it is, especially in terms of story. The game is set in a world unlike any other. Imagine a world covered in a lethal fog, called miasma, that when exposed to, can kill you in a matter of seconds. Picture the people of that world's joy as they figure that magical crystals can protect them from miasma by naturally creating a force field around itself. Think of what the people saw when they first saw their crystal fade because of lack of myrrh, a magical liquid that keeps crystals "alive." Wonder how families felt as they sent their relatives off into the world to retrieve myrrh and bring it back to their crystal so that their town can survive. That is the world of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. But, the story doesn't end there. As you, and your caravan, set out, you meet friends and foes. You also learn about the world and uncover the secrets of the miasma. If you take the time to listen to the story, you will see how beautiful a story Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is. (10/10)

Graphics / Sound - Unbelievable! Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is a graphical and musical wonder. Square Enix gave this game the greatest possible graphics a GCN game could get. The world is lush and colourful, and the characters are as realistic as they come. I applaud Square Enix on this outstanding graphical achievement! Also, the game's music is one of the best (if not the best) music I have ever heard in a video game! Seriously! Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is one those games that has that catchy music that makes you want to hum, whistle, or even sing. It's so good! If you don't believe me, just hear for yourself in the MIDI section of this site. It is amazing how Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles raises the bar on how music and graphics in games should be! (10/10)

Gameplay - Welcome to the world of a role playing/action/party game! The gameplay of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is like none ever seen before! Before you start playing multiplayer, you need to have a GBA for each player, and a cable (you don't need a GBA for single player but multiplayer is funnier). Your party of 2-4 people are placed in a level. The team members rotate chalice duties (the chalice holds your portable crystal that protects you from the miasma so don't leave it's ring!). Each of the players have special info on their GBA's. One has the map, the other has the enemy scouter, the other has the enemy tactics, and the other has treasure finder. The key to success is sharing your information. You can also use your GBA's personal screen to manage your inventory and other personal things. Now fight together using strategy and teamwork and get to the boss. Beat him, get the myrrh, and get out. It is impossible to truly describe how great the gameplay really is without me showing you. You just have to believe that it is amazingly fun! (10/10)

Replay Value - This is a very important component of a game. If a game is fun for a little, there is no point in it. But Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles isn't that way. Because of its variety of levels, unique storyline, and intriguing graphics and sound, the Replay Value of it is extremely high. I don't think I'll ever stop liking this game! (10/10)

Challenge - Square Enix did great here. They found the perfect difficulty that most designers never find. The game isn't too easy as to not be fun but it isn't too hard as to make you beam your controller at the wall. There's few games out there like this and I'm glad Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is one of them. I had to bring down Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles for this but I couldn't think of any better section. The only challenge that may be frustrating is trying to find three friends, four GBA's, and four cables and get them all under one roof at the same time. Luckily, that's not a problem for me but it is for most other people. So I'm having to rank Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles down for this, even though it isn't even Square Enix's fault. (9/10)

Summary

As for me, this is one of the games of the century! Give this game a chance and you won't be sorry, I promise.

Percentage Overall Score: 98%