Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Ring of Fates Review

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Game Review: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Rings of Fate (DS)

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Rings of Fate succeeds where the original …

The original Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles had some great ideas, but ultimately failed on a crucial front: namely, it required an exorbitant number of peripheral appliances in order to role. The multiplayer-centric title needed a split up cable and a Gameboy Advance for each player: an obstruction that overshadowed the otherwise-enjoyable game. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Rings of Fate, the new DS successor, alleviates many of the original's issues, suffering merely from too much ambition.

The DS has proven to be a capable platform for the iv-player action. The system's local WiFi multiplayer capabilities allow for the seamless local multiplayer experience that the original hoped for. Unfortunately, the lack of online multiplayer and the mostly mundane single player make this a title that'south simply worth buying if yous have the friends to play it with.

To exist fair, Square-Enix has done a lot of work on the game'south story mode. What was once a completely multiplayer-oriented game has at present become something that's well-rounded. The single-thespian campaign includes a full story, complete with melodrama, plot twists, and take a chance. At that place's vocalization acting, cutting-scenes, FMV: the full Foursquare-Enix treatment. However, when information technology comes down to it, the unmarried player feels more like a tutorial for the multiplayer game than a truly compelling RPG experience on its ain. There's a definite improvement, to be sure, just it'south obvious that single-player is not the principal allure.

Gameplay-wise, Rings of Fate forgoes the original'south "urn" gameplay—which required i player to nurse a movable particular that players had to fight about or face certain death—for simpler, real-time action-based 3D dungeon crawling. Because each of the game'due south iv chore classes—warrior, mage, archer, support—has a special ability that is used to solve puzzles in dungeons, there are a number of permutations to each surface area you visit: a sign of superior level design that enables whatsoever party configuration to work. That simplicity is matched with a robust magic system every bit well every bit a pretty solid, though admittedly straightforward, crafting system.

The magic system draws on the thought of dispensable magic much similar Final Fantasy VIII. Players boodle orbs called "magicite," each of which represents a one-employ cast of a given spell. Combining spells on a single spot using "spell stacking" allows players to mix spells to form more advanced ones. Casting Fire twice, for instance, makes a stronger spell called Fira. This becomes more involved as the team works together to stack upwards of half dozen spells to brand the game's well-nigh powerful magic.

The addition of some pretty hardcore platforming elements makes the entire feel much more engaging, as players will non simply be allowed to stray from the pack but at sure points will be required to do and then. Equally a effect, the game'south many dungeons are extremely varied. The platforming adds some interesting environmental puzzles to the game, which range from jumping puzzles to some interesting challenges that involve picking upwardly and throwing each other to reach previously unreachable spots. At the core of the game play, though, is still the timeless hack-and-slash, mob-looting, dominate-killing action that fans of the genre volition enjoy—all with the added Square-Enix shine.

The equipment system rewards repeated runs of the game'south dungeons simply as much as the New Game Plus modes that follow the game's stop practice. Looting diverse items in dungeons will let yous to fill up out custom orders likewise as craft weapons and armor. The diverse items draw on recognizable Final Fantasy pieces like the Dragoon and Samurai armor and about all of the gear tin exist worn by any of the 4 classes, assuasive players to truly tailor a graphic symbol to their liking.

There are some modest but noticeable problems. Some occasional bouts of slowdown will occur with whatever more than two players—especially when one player jumps into the menu during a dungeon. The nonadjustable camera can as well crusade some occasional headaches. And, of course, the lack of online multiplayer hurts. Simply, if you're looking for a strong multiplayer dungeon crawler to share with friends who live near you, you lot'll find no finer DS title than Terminal Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Rings of Fate.

Verdict: Purchase
Developer: Square-Enix
Publisher: Square-Enix
Platform: Nintendo DS
Toll: $39.99
Rating: E10+

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Source: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2008/03/game-review-final-fantasy-crystal-chronicles-rings-of-fate-ds/

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