Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers
By Harold Goldberg,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Fantasy RPG with sexy outfits and crass weapons.
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Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers
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Based on 1 parent review
Fine for 11+
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What’s It About?
What a wide ranging, wildly divergent adventure! In FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: THE CRYSTAL BEARERS, you find yourself playing the role of Layle, a bored, disaffected young mercenary who has the power of telekinesis and who pilots a really cool plane through canyons. As the story begins on a massive airship, many monsters attack Layle. During your effort to save the world (what else did you expect?), you'll deal with four tribes whose personalities range from peaceful to antagonistic to mysterious.
Is It Any Good?
The great and admirable thing about Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers, a game that took nearly half a decade to make, is that it takes chances in an effort to change some of the tried and true aspects of role playing games. It mixes in elements of on-rails games and shooters. It also tries hard to make accurate use of the Wii remote, which has never been a particularly accurate device -- except in the mini-games genre.
Sometimes this play mechanic works well; but just as often using the Wii remote is a painful experience -- especially as the game becomes harder as you proceed. But you'll enjoy what the game calls the Miasma Screen during which many monsters come at you to be defeated. While there's no blood, you will die more than occasionally. Even though the game can be frustrating, it's clear that Final Fantasy fans with a mind open to new ways to play an RPG will enjoy the experience. For others, however, the game may seem like a mish-mosh of styles and story with an occasionally inaccurate Wii remote to boot. And when you use that pig which shoots deadly lasers out of its udders, it may just be too much for some.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the wide variety of characters you meet. Which of the four tribes do you like most, the mysterious Yukes, the bandit Selkies, the peaceful Clavats, or the dominating Lilty?
Do you like the mix of gameplay styles? Why or why not?
What do you think of the main character, Layle? Is he obnoxious or do you like his style?
What do you think of your telekinesis (lifting things with gravity defying power)? Is it easy or hard for you to pull off?
Game Details
- Platform: Nintendo Wii
- Available online?: Not available online
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release date: December 26, 2009
- Genre: Role-Playing
- ESRB rating: T for Alcohol Reference, Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes
- Last updated: August 31, 2016
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