In the scheme of
things, Final Fantasy should have remained on Nintendo’s various consoles since
the franchise found its home in Japanese homes via the Family Computer (or what
we in the States would later call the Nintendo Entertainment System). It wasn’t
until several years later (and a number of Final Fantasy games on the original
PlayStation) that a Final Fantasy game found itself on Nintendo’s GameCube.
Aside from the Crystal Chronicles game, more Final Fantasy games (plus other
interesting Square Enix titles) have been finding their way on to the Nintendo
DS with some success. So, as a fan of the first Crystal Chronicles game, Final
Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates is a very welcomed addition on the DS.
Ring of Fates
tells the story of twins Yuri and Chelinka who suddenly find themselves on an
epic quest that revolves around the Great Crystal and an ancient prophesy. It is
up to them – as well as their friends Meeth, Alhanalem and a Selkie youth named
Gnash – to set out to do battle against a growing evil that threatens everything
they hold dear including their kind father. The journey, of course, won’t be
easy considering the fact that many obstacles will get in their way but make no
mistake the adventure is a good one.
The game is
filled with charming characters that really stand out so it’s hard not to like
the story or the situations that bring these characters together. As we find out
in the beginning of the game, the twins are the center of a prophesy that states
that these twins who share a special power will use the Great Crystal for good.
It is, however, Yuri that gamers control and navigate through the huge world
map. Using Moogles (the game’s cute magical characters) to offer up a brief
tutorial, you’ll learn all the basics including combat and how to solve puzzles.
Yuri can pick up objects and toss them about or pick up puzzle pieces to open
gates.
Your companions
also play a huge role in the game, many of which have their own unique Tribe
Abilities. Yuri, for example, can unleash a powerful blow with his weapon. At
times you’ll have all four main characters battling on screen at once and thus
adding their own special attacks or magic. Along the way you’ll find various
items you can use for your character such as different armor pieces and weapons.
You start the game with a light axe your father gives Yuri and Chelinka but
there are other more powerful weapons along the way. You can always buy new
equipment in shops in the various towns you’ll find along the way and there are
treasure chests aplenty.
Much like the
Final Fantasy III remake on the Nintendo DS, Ring of Fates has plenty to see and
do. You’ll not only be exploring various dungeons and caves but also a number of
other environments. Different places also have different enemies and Final
Fantasy fans will certainly recognize many of the monsters that make up this
game’s universe. Thankfully, combat is fairly simple and you can even unleash
some basic combos. Yuri can pick up enemies and toss them against walls or do a
jumping slash. You can even combine attacks with the other characters in the
game.
There are some
challenging puzzles to solve in the game but most of them are puzzles that
require you to open doors by pulling latches or dropping a puzzle piece into a
puzzle box. Other times you can push a block on a pressure pad or to fill a gap
in the road. The early puzzles are not very difficult to solve so you won’t find
yourself stuck or scratching your head over what to do next.
The game also
includes a multiplayer mode that allows you to team with up to three other
gamers wirelessly. Multiplay mode allows you to form a party that has you
picking from different races and genders and take your created characters on a
quest in Free Mode. The environments in this mode come directly from the game’s
main Story Mode so you’ll be visiting familiar locales such as Rebena Te Ra.
It’s an interesting mode, to say the least, but it is hindered by framerate
problems similar to the framerate stutter that plagues the single-player Story
Mode.
That’s right,
the framerate is a major problem in this game and it does get bad during
multiplayer and sometimes in the single-player game when you’re in a massive
battle. The game does feature online functions using the Wi-FI connection but it
is reserved to trading Moogles with others. It’s hardly a worthy substitute for
going on quests with other gamers. Still, with a game with solid controls and
good use of the touch screen, you can’t complain too much. Using the Stylus you
can unleash your Tribe Abilities as well as other things.
The game’s
graphics are actually downright gorgeous but not in the same league as the Final
Fantasy III remake on the DS. Still, what is seen here is nothing to sneeze at
seeing as there are detailed environments and character models both in-game and
during the wonderfully colorful cut scene sequences. Even the visual effects are
impressive in this game. Ring of Fates also has a lovely cinematic score that
plays throughout the game and, while some of it sounds like your average RPG
fare, the rest of it gives the game it’s epic feel. The voice acting is another
highlight and you’ll swear that this game sounds like a good anime feature.
Overall, gamers will be very impressed with the quality of both the visuals and
the audio.
Final Fantasy
Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates is not just a worthwhile Final Fantasy game
for the Nintendo DS but it is also a charming and well-executed game fans should
not miss. It has its share of problems, of course, but they are overshadowed by
a great story, an epic quest and an interesting multiplayer mode. If you’re a
Final Fantasy fan or love the Crystal Chronicles brand, this is a game you
should pick up right away.
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Gameplay: 8.0
The world map
offers plenty to see and do and the story is written well so expect likeable
characters and an interesting tale of heroism. While the framerate takes a dip
one too many times throughout the game, it’s easy to forgive this major flaw due
to the overall grandeur of the quest.
Graphics: 9.0
The graphics
are actually quite pretty and the animated cut scenes are what you might expect
from a Final Fantasy game. The in-game environments and character models are
also handled beautifully in the game. The DS is certainly capable of displaying
some great graphics.
Sound: 9.0
There’s a
gorgeous soundtrack that plays throughout the game and the voice acting is
really top notch (except for the voice behind Alhanalem). The quality of the
sound effects is also at the top of its game to the point that you’ll really be
impressed with the DS.
Difficulty:
Medium
Some battles
require you to really level up and take advantage of your characters’ Tribe
Abilities. There are also some challenging puzzles but they’re nothing that will
cause gamers to be stuck.
Concept: 8.5
Wonderful
storytelling and great production values make for a sweeping tale of adventure
and nicely designed characters to fill this created universe. There is much to
the game even though the battles are pure hack-and-slash and you can even play
the game with up to three other friends. Even the touch screen is implemented
well.
Multiplayer:
8.0
If it wasn’t
for the poor framerate, the wireless four-player multiplayer portion is good
fun. Thanks to Wi-FI connectivity, you can create your own avatar and tackle on
the quest together as well as trade Moogles online.
Overall: 8.0
Calling Ring
of Fates a truly fun and enjoyable Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicle would
actually be an insult. It’s an impressive and completely absorbing handheld game
that does hack-and-slash action right as well as provide a story true to the
Final Fantasy brand. It has its share of problems but they pale compared to the
overall package.
