Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Update

via ign

Square Enix has at last started to share details on the new DS entry in the Crystal Chronicles series of Final Fantasy offshoots. These first details on Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates, come our way via the latest issue of Famitsu.

For those who were concerned that the drop in system specs from the GameCube to the DS would result in dumbed down gameplay, we've got some good news for you. Ring of Fates actually adds some complexity to the original Crystal Chronicles gameplay system, thanks to a fully 3D world. Differences in surface height have an effect on battle.

Fighting is action oriented once again, with up to four players cooperating on the battle field. As with the original, the game uses a simple button setup, with the A button used for magic and standard attacks, and the B button used to pick things up. The targeting ring also returns with the sequel. By holding down the attack button, you can specify an area over which you want your magic and healing to work.

Square Enix has added a few new elements to the game. You can now jump, which promises to give the game a more action feel. The stylus can be used for direct manipulation of the menus that appear on the bottom screen -- that's right, all the action takes place on the top screen.

But the biggest change is in the absence of the Crystal Cage. In the original, the world and all areas of play were surrounded in a poisonous mist. In order to protect yourself, you had to carry a Crystal Cage device around wherever you went, with one player physically transporting it as your party advanced through the world. With the Crystal Cage missing this time, you're free to move around as you please.

The only thing up in the air right now seems to be the method to be used for multiplayer play. The game's character designer, Toshiyuki Itahana, said in an interview with Famitsu, that Crystal Chronicles is meant to be played as players speak to one another in order to time their spells and movements. The game will have close proximity wireless play, but internet-based play via Wi-Fi is something that's currently being looked into. Itahana mentioned the possibility of a different type of play through Wi-Fi, with Famitsu speculating that perhaps item exchange and downloads could be what results.

Those who plan on playing alone will be pleased to learn that Ring of Fates has a story mode for single players. The story surrounds two main characters, Yulie and Cherinka. This brother-sister pair are twins, and while they have their own distinct personalities, they're said to have been born at the same time from a single force.

Also playing a big role in the game are two crystals, one good, one not so good. The not so good one has been bringing pain to the twins' home town, which is how the story begins.

The theme of the storyline, according to director Mitsuru Kamiyama, is brother-sister and family love. There will also be an element of character growth. While the main characters start off young, they grow as the game progresses. Kamiyama promises a full single player experience this time, with a storyline that will make players laugh and cry.

Unfortunately, there's no word yet on when we'll get to play through Crystal Chronicles in single player mode, but we don't anticipate a long wait, at least not in Japan. A demo will be shown at the Jump Festa comic/videogame show this weekend in Tokyo, so the title can't be too far off.