Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Remastered Edition

[Nester the Lark]

Here are a few more details:

The game will have an "imitate" feature, which basically means you'll be able to skin your character as various NPCs. This will be possible after collecting certain items, one of which are moogle stamps. In the original game, moogle stamps are used for unlocking tracks in the Blazin' Caravans minigame, so I wonder if that minigame has been removed. (No big loss if it has. It was just a klunkly Mario Kart clone.)

According to the PlayStation page, the game will include local couch co-op. I wonder how that will be implemented without each player having their own private screen.

Also, apparently you can have AI party members, which is something the original badly needed, although with online multiplayer, it's not as important here. (Not to mention, the AI party members in subsequent games were next-to-useless anyway.)

[Nester the Lark]

Here's a features trailer. It doesn't reveal much new except that the game will have a "free to start" model. A "Lite" version can be downloaded for free, and can be played online, but there are only three dungeons. However, they can join someone who has the paid version of the game and play through other dungeons, also.



Also, at 3:52... Wow, that is not what I imagined Siltzkin's voice to sound like.

I like that they've added voice acting for the characters, but I think it'll give the game a much different feel.

[Nester the Lark]

Today, August 8, is the 17th anniversary of the original Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles on the GameCube.

Getting into this series was a bit of a slow burn for me. I actually rented the original right after it had first released. I thought it was OK, but it was just after I had rented the GameCube remake of Resident Evil, which was my first time playing a game in that series, and it left an impression on me. So, every time I started up Crystal Chronicles, I wished I was still playing Resident Evil.

Then, I went through my phase where I felt like I was over RPGs. It wasn't until I decided to try My Life as a King on WiiWare in 2008 that I thought I should give the series another shot. I absolutely loved My Life as King, and so I bought a used copy of the original game. It was then that it finally clicked with me, and I've been a fan since.

I've only ever played the original in single player, so I'm looking forward to trying the multiplayer mode in the remastered edition. (Hope the online doesn't suck.)

[Nester the Lark]

One week to release.

Also, it looks like there will be paid DLC, including eight skins of characters from other games in the series. (Source) They'll be available separately, as well as in a bundle.

*sigh* I'm sure I'll sucker into getting it. Eventually.

I do have to commend Square Enix for never forgetting about Crystal Chronicles, even if it's more niche and less successful than other Final Fantasy games. They've included several characters from it in the Dissidia mobile game, Sherlotta is in World of Final Fantasy Maxima, and music from it was included in the Theatrythm music game.

Also, seeing the skins for Yuri, Chelinka, and Sherlotta makes me want remakes/remasters of the DS games Ring of Fates and Echoes of Time with the graphical style of the original Crystal Chronicles.

[Nester the Lark]

Square Enix has released a rather lengthy and detailed interview with some of the original members of the FFCC development staff, including Akitoshi Kawazu (producer), Kazuhiku Aoki (director), and Toshiyuki Itahana (character designer). It's a really good read.

EDIT: Also, here's a collection of concept art with commentary by Itahana.

[Nester the Lark]

Here's a video of Akitoshi Kawazu and Toshiyuki Itahana reflecting on the development of the original FFCC. (Turn on closed captions for English subtitles.)

[Nester the Lark]

Here's another video of Donna Burke singing "Morning Sky." She added some extra verses and new lyrics to this one.

---

EDIT: And here's my favorite, "Moonless Starry Night."