Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers | |
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Single-player, multiplayer |
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers[a] is an action-adventure game developed by Square Enix and released for Wii.[4] It was released on November 12, 2009 in Japan and on December 26 in North America.[2][1] The game received a mixed reception.
Gameplay
Unlike the
Synopsis
Setting and characters
The game takes place in the same world as Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, inhabited by four races; the peaceful Clavats, militaristic Lilties, magic-wielding Yukes and rebellious Selkies.[7] Each race being represented by a magical crystal. The story is set 1000 years after the events of Crystal Chronicles.[8][9] During the intervening years, a war between the Lilties and Yukes ended when the Yuke Crystal was destroyed, exiling the Yukes to non-existence and establishing a technologically-advanced kingdom. Their technology is based around crystal reactors, which generate power using fragments of the Yuke Crystal. Magic has become rare, used by those with crystal shards embedded in their bodies, dubbed "crystal bearers". Their powers, which have been in the past used for evil, cause crystal bearers to become both respected and feared.[9]
The main protagonist is Layle, a Clavat crystal bearer with gravity-manipulating abilities. On his journey, he accompanies the Selkie Belle, a member of the Selkie guild; the Selkie Keiss, am ambitious man determined to play a role in the Lilty Kingdom; and Althea, princess of the Lilty Kingdom.[10] An important supporting character is the Lilty engineer Cid, creator of the crystal reactors and a version of the recurring Final Fantasy character.[10][11] The main adversaries are the Lilty general Jegran, a supremacist who ruthlessly maintains the status quo; and Amidatelion, a surviving Yuke determined to restore the Yuke Crystal by any means.[10]
Plot
While escorting a cruise ship to the Lilty capital, Layle confronts Amidatelion as they launch an attack. Amidatelion uses their Crystal Idol to absorb energy from the ship. With the help of his friends, Layle pursues Amidatelion as they drain Lilty technology to empower their Crystal Idol, which can restore the Yuke Crystal. Jegran, determined to maintain his power over Althea and the Lilty kingdom, kills Selkie guild leader Vaigali and frames Layle for the crime, branding him as Amidatelion's ally. Layle goes on the run, reluctantly partnering with Amidatelion to survive Jegran's forces. He learns that the Yukes cursed the Lilty Crystal before vanishing, and despite the risk of activating the curse Amidatelion seeks to restore the Yukes and re-establish the Crystal Principle, a metaphysical force that created the world's crystal bearers. After catching up with them, Jegran reveals himself to be a crystal bearer. He kills Amidatelion, but Layle manages to save the Crystal Idol.
Althea captures Jegran, wanting to force him into restore her father whom he turned into crystal to power the Lilty capital's crystal reactor. Jegran instead drains the crystal of power, intent on founding a new principle, and identifies Althea as a crystal bearer. Layle, having decided to complete Amidatelion's quest and supported by his allies, saves Althea and defeats Jegran as the Yuke crystal is restored. As Jegran and Layle apparently die in battle, Althea and the restored Yukes use their magic to halt the curse on the Lilty Crystal. In the aftermath, the Crystal Principle is restored, and all crystal reactors and still-living crystal bearers lose their magic. Althea becomes queen and makes peace with the Yukes, while Keiss takes Vaigali's place as leader of the Selkie guild. Belle, convinced that Layle is alive, steals Keiss's ship to follow a lead. As the game ends, Layle is shown alive and still able to use his powers.
Development
When the
While previous Crystal Chronicles titles had a strong multiplayer element, The Crystal Bearers was designed from the outset as a single-player game. The decision was motivated by a wish to have players experience and be immersed in the journey of a single character. To promote a sense of united fun for both players and onlookers, in addition to trying something new for the series, the team abandoned RPG elements in favour of making the game an action-adventure.
The main protagonist Layle was designed to be relatable and personable so he could carry both the action-adventure gameplay and the wider narrative. The complete lack of weapons for Layle was so younger players could easily play the game, as he would not come off as visually violent compared to other Final Fantasy characters.[7] The graphical style of the game was intended to be more mature to match the concept of a single concept.[13] Toshiyuki Itahana stated he wants a more "world weary" protagonist, and wanted him to seem rugged, which influenced the hair design of the character.[17] The game features a more "mature" design to help bolster the heroic structure of the story.[13] Kawazu notes that the game should be enjoyable for even people just watching the game being played, and included shot changes every few seconds, a news ticker-type information feed on the bottom. He also noted that the protagonist had to look attractive in case the mothers of younger players saw them playing the game. One of the design changes that were initially opposed by the design team was the changing of character heights from "three heads high" to six.[14] Game artist Itahana wanted to make "an exhilarating tale of this great hero set against sweeping blue skies", which influenced many decisions in game design and story.[17] As a compromise to the Lilties's more traditional body types, a variety of types were included ranging from more traditional stocky builds to more humanoid characters like Althea. The costumes were designed to depart from the series' standard Western fantasy theme, with rugged outfits meant to exemplify adventure. Itahana took several trips to local hardware stores for inspiration. The early American aesthetic dominating the game was inspired by many on the team liking early Hoolywood western films.[7]
Music
The music of The Crystal Bearers was composed Hidenori Iwasaki and Ryo Yamazaki, with series composer Kumi Tanioka only making a small contribution due to her commitments composing the soundtracks for both My Life as a Darklord and Echoes of Time.[15][18] Iwasaki and Yamazaki originally wanted to emulate Tanioka's style with their work on The Crystal Bearers, but Kawazu and Itahana persuaded them to change into an acoustic style inspired by American music.[18] The music was intended to be different from traditional Final Fantasy, and was designed to be more "popular" and modern, and included country and western music.[15] This approach, like the clothing and world design, was inspired by early Hollywood films.[7]
Release
The game's existence was announced at
Reception
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | 66/100[27] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Famitsu | 30/40[28] |
G4 | [29] |
Game Informer | 5.5/10[30] |
GameSpot | 5.5/10[31] |
GameTrailers | 7.7/10[32] |
IGN | 6.2/10[33] |
Nintendo Power | 8/10[27] |
On its first day of release in Japan, The Crystal Bearers sold 26,000 units, which is about 34% of its initial shipment in the region.[34] The Japanese version sold 43,705 units by its second week of release,[35] and over 54,000 copies by the end of the year.[36]
The game was praised by
Notes
References
- ^ a b Spencer (September 14, 2009). "Yes, You Can Buy Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers This Year". Siliconera. Archived from the original on September 23, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
- ^ a b Spencer (September 15, 2009). "Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers Gravitates Earlier". Siliconera. Archived from the original on September 23, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
- ^ Infernal Monkey. "Crystal Bearers hitting Australia in February". aussie-Nintendo. Archived from the original on 2009-10-09. Retrieved 2016-02-24.
- ^ Nix (2006-05-06). "E3 2006: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Wii". IGN. Archived from the original on 2008-03-26. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
- ^ a b c d e Kohler, Chris (June 9, 2009). "Hands On: Crystal Bearers, the Action-Packed Final Fantasy". Wired. Archived from the original on December 27, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f Siliconera Staff (December 18, 2009). "Akitoshi Kawazu Discusses Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers". Siliconera. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Hoffman, Chris (September 2009). "Crystal-Clear Difference". Nintendo Power. No. 245. Future US. pp. 38–49.
- ^ "FF: Crystal Bearers Update". IGN. 2007-05-16. Archived from the original on 2007-05-20. Retrieved 2007-08-24.
- ^ a b スクエニ、Wii「FFCC クリスタルベアラー」【特集第1回】 世界観編:リルティ族が支配する世界を舞台に物語が展開. Game Watch Impress (in Japanese). 2009-10-06. Archived from the original on 2017-08-07.
- ^ a b c スクエニ、Wii「FFCC クリスタルベアラー」【特集第2回】キャラクター編:クラヴァット族のレイルなど4つの種族が存在. Game Watch Impress (in Japanese). 2010-10-07. Archived from the original on 2017-08-07.
- ^ Farokhmanesh, Megan (2015-03-20). "The Changing Looks of Final Fantasy's Cid: Fashion Experts Weigh In". Polygon. Archived from the original on 2016-04-19. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ^ a b c d Nick (August 1, 2009). "Iwata Asks – Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers – Part IV". Nintendo. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- ^ a b c Craig Harris (May 16, 2007). "Interview: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles". IGN. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e Nick (August 1, 2009). "Iwata Asks – Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers – Part V". Nintendo. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Fletcher, J. C. (2009-06-11). "Interview: Square Enix's Akitoshi Kawazu on Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers". Joystiq. Archived from the original on 2009-06-12. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
- ^ a b c Nick (August 1, 2009). "Iwata Asks – Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers – Part VI". Nintendo. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ 1UP.com. Archivedfrom the original on August 19, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2007.
- ^ a b "Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles -The Crystal Bearers- Music Collections". Video Game Music Online. 9 December 2009. Archived from the original on 2017-07-04. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
- ^ "Square Enix Announces Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles". IGN. May 18, 2005. Archived from the original on 2012-07-28. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ^ Harris, Craig (2007-05-16). "Interview: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles". IGN. Archived from the original on 2009-02-02. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
- ^ "FF: Crystal Bearers Update". IGN. 2007-05-16. Archived from the original on 2009-01-31. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
- ^ Mitsuru Kamiyama (June 6, 2007). "Director's Voice". Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles News (Japanese). Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
- ^ JC Fletcher (2008-02-22). "GDC08: Square Enix no-comments FFCC Crystal Bearers". Joystiq. Archived from the original on 2012-10-11. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
- ^ Ashcraft, Brian (2008-11-14). "Rumor Smash: Square Enix On Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Canning Rumor". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 2012-10-07. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
- ^ "FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: THE CRYSTAL BEARERS - Global". Archived from the original on 2009-04-01.
- ^ YouTube. Archived from the original on 2016-03-16.
- ^ CBS Interactive. Archivedfrom the original on March 26, 2017. Retrieved 2016-04-19.
- ^ a b Gifford, Kevin (November 4, 2009). "Crystal Bearers Shot Through The Heart, Famitsu's to Blame". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
- G4tv. Archived from the originalon January 2, 2010. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
- ^ "Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers". Game Informer. December 26, 2009. Archived from the original on February 6, 2010. Retrieved 2016-04-19.
- ^ Carolyn Petit (January 4, 2010). "Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Crystal Bearers Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on November 26, 2015. Retrieved 2016-04-19.
- ^ "Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers Review". GameTrailers. December 18, 2009. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-19.
- ^ Mark Bozon (December 18, 2009). "Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers Review". IGN. Archived from the original on December 25, 2015. Retrieved 2016-04-19.
- ^ Ishaan (November 15, 2009). "Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Crystal Bearers Not Flying Off Store Shelves". Siliconera. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
- ^ "【ゲームソフト販売本数ランキング TOP30】集計期間:2009年11月16日〜11月22日". Archived from the original on 2010-07-15.
- ISBN 978-4-04-726511-0. Archivedfrom the original on 2015-06-27.