Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Crystal Bearers Review

Pity the wayward Crystal series. While the main Final Fantasy franchise consistently offers a straightforward role playing experience, its subordinate brethren has incessantly jumped genres. From the multiplayer oriented Crystal Chronicles, the hack-and-slash exploration of Echoes of Time and the city-building of My Life as a King, the series has never established a persistent style of play. Recent Wii release, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers expands this affinity for variety by offering players an assortment of action-oriented fare. With a mix of gesture-based combat, Chocobo riding, light platforming, and even a bit of shooting, the title dispenses with most of the RPG elements the heritage might imply. Although ‘Squenix’ aficionados might be dismayed, Crystal Bearers sets its sight on casual appeal, and mostly succeeds.

Forgoing the characteristic narrative which ensnares a team of protagonists, Crystal Bearer’s focus is on a single adventurer- Layle. This approach is wonderfully effective, and gives the game’s storyline a sharp concentration. Picking up a thousand years after the presumed annihilation of the Yuke tribe in Crystal Chronicles, science and reason has dominated throughout the world. Magic has been subjugated, leaving the populous fearful of the lead character’s miraculous telekinetic abilities.  When the young outcast encounters a remaining member of the Yukes, he uncovers a conspiracy that could have devastating effects on the entire realm. Layle’s solitary persona is strong enough to maintain gamer’s attention, and is a refreshing departure from the conventional party system. 

Crystal Bearer’s range of gameplay mechanics are introduced through the game’s extended prologue, where players are taught all of the lonesome hero’s abilities. The game’s most conspicuous inclusion is Layle’s ability to move physical objects with his mind. By using the Wiimote’s IR pointer and pressing the ‘B’ button, players can grab any unsecured on-screen character or object. A fling of the controller along with the release of the button initiates a number of capabilities- from tossing an object, to dropping it gently in front of the protagonist.  Additionally, gamers may repel projectiles or take evasive a maneuver by performing a roll. The Wiimote’s directional pad is used to adjust the game’s dim-witted camera. Unfortunately, finding an optimal viewing perspective while hurling objects is unnecessarily cumbersome, while not adjusting the camera often results is an imprecise throw.

Players will use Layle’s abilities while navigating the game’s extensive open-world environment.  Wisely, combat is not as frequent as one might expect, and is typically confined to areas with an open Miasma Stream. When these nefarious whirlpools are open, they become monster generators. Players must eliminate all the enemies in the vicinity to close the flow of foes for an extended period of time. Outside, of conflict, your gravity-shifting powers are used to toy with the environment. Here the game realizes its potential as players anticipate the results of dousing a Cactaur with water.