Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition Reviews
Dated design, clunky multiplayer systems, and unacceptable load times make playing Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition a terrific chore.
The original was hardly viewed as a classic even at the time and while a lot of work has gone into this remaster it can't hide the game's intrinsic shallowness and repetition.
I imagine Square Enix will get the online working consistently in due time, negating a huge chunk of this review. But even if it does someday become consistently available, I worry it won't greatly improve on the final product. Too much of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition is tied to an experience that is no longer available. The moment in time that made the GameCube original possible has long passed, and trying to capture that nostalgia with so many missing pieces, is a fool's errand.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition retains plenty of its original charms, enhanced by updated visuals and audio, but with its defining local co-op diluted by clunky online play, it simply doesn't stake a strong enough case for its return.
Quotation forthcoming.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered is a lot of things, but a classic is not one of them.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition is perfect for those who want to preserve the original game, but have too much elements that are aged badly.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles was never the best Final Fantasy. We can't even say that it was the best spin-off of the series. However, it was and still is a very special and magical game. And it offers a more than remarkable cooperative experience. Back in the day, the limitation of having to use multiple GBAs for multiplayer was a handicap for many. The current problem is that the online of this remaster does not quite solve it, putting obstacles through an absurd progression system. Despite everything, it is still a very fun and addictive title. As a remaster, I could be more careful.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition could have been a success had it simply nailed the multiplayer, but cumbersome limitations make it difficult to enjoy with friends. Overall the Remastered Edition is a prettier, yet lesser experience all these years later, so unless you're itching for that sweet hit of nostalgia and don't mind playing with strangers, it's perhaps best to sit this journey out.
Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition is an almost great update on the original. While the game itself is still fantastic and the new content is fun, the online only multiplayer leaves a lot to be desired in terms of quality and features.
Without much reward for playing single player-and an obtuse and difficult to navigate multiplayer system-Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition simply creates too many barriers to entry for the player to overcome. While the simple gameplay could be fun with an easier interface, the complicated multiplayer will likely only be enjoyed by the most hardcore of fans. Not an outright bad game, but certainly a difficult game to play.
It's not the worst remaster but Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles should have been a great remaster but Square just didn't do enough to make the game feel like it belongs in this day and age. Co-op is a chore to even get started and having no couch co-op to play with your family takes away the identity of Crystal Chronicles and what made it such a stand out - traveling and exploring as a family.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered is certainly prettier than the GameCube release, but with a definitive lack of local co-op and some bafflingly poor online multiplayer choices, that's about all this remastered classic has going for it.
The epic Caravan campaign is more enjoyable than ever on current-gen consoles, and fans of the original Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles should definitely check out the freshly remastered version.
As a mostly solo experience, Crystal Chronicles is a decent, if somewhat repetitive dungeon crawler -- but this remaster should have been so much more.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered brings back a beloved GameCube classic for a new generation, and while the game is virtually the same, new additions to the core experience make for an amazing remaster.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is a game that I hoped to love, but with all of its shortcomings in the Remastered Edition, maybe some things are just better left in the past.
The only standout aspect of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Remastered Edition is the new multiplayer accessibility, while the additional content hardly justifies its status as a remaster.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
As it is right now, with social distancing and self-quarantining being the norm in the United States, I can't recommend this title.
As someone who remembers playing the original Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles, I’m surprised about how well the game holds up after more than a decade and a half. Admittedly, some aspects of its visuals and mechanics feel dated and schlepping around on bucket duty can be a pain. Overall, however, the game remains fun to play, especially when doing so with other people thanks to its new online features and crossplay. Pick up the free "Lite" edition if you want to try it out first.