Final Fantasy isn’t exactly known for releasing well-received spin-offs from its main titles. Titles such as World of Final Fantasy or Final Fantasy Theatrhythm were celebrated on their initial release, but just as quickly forgotten when the next main title hit the shelves. Other titles such as Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII or Final Fantasy X-2 are ones that many audiences love to pretend never happened. Still, there are a few exceptions. Die-hard fans forever hold Final Fantasy Tactics on a high podium as a standout, especially with the 2007 PSP remake titled War of the Lions. Both versions received high praise from fans and critics alike.
Now, after finishing the last wave of DLC for Final Fantasy XV, the newest expansion of Final Fantasy XIV Online, and between everything for Final Fantasy VII Remake, Square-Enix has found time to revisit another favorite side title, and is bringing it to modern consoles and smart devices. Going all the way back to 2003, fans can get ready for Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition.
One thousand years before the events of Crystal Chronicles, an alien meteorite carrying a life form known as the Meteor Parasite shattered the Great Crystal. With the world’s protecting light dimmed, the parasite unleashed a poisonous miasma, killing anyone it touched. Still, hope was not lost. The Great Crystal’s fragments were able to ward off the miasma, but not destroy it. What’s more, the fragments’ power needed to be refueled with myrrh that could only be gathered from magic trees.
In Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition, players take control of a band of adventurers in charge of gathering myrrh to keep the world’s crystal fragments alive. As they travel across the world they learn more of the world’s history and forgotten legends, all leading up to how to reform the Great Crystal and defeat the alien parasite once and for all!
Being the first Final Fantasy game at the time released on Nintendo hardware since Final Fantasy VI (1994), and a non-numbered game, long-time fans of the series didn’t know what to expect. Despite that, those who gave it a fair shot were delighted by its multi-player features, making it one of the first Final Fantasy games you could enjoy with your friends, locally only. Some even argue that it wasn’t worth playing solo as many powerful magic spells and combat abilities were only usable in multiplayer mode.
Lack of friends won’t be an issue this time around as the remastered edition will feature online multiplayer and cross-platform support. Other new features include character voice-overs in battle and new skins.
Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition is set to release for Nintendo Switch, PS4, Android, and iOS on January 23rd, 2020.
