This month, we get Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time.  What can we expect from the latest in Square-Enix’s offshoot FF franchise?

If you got to play the first Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles for the Gamecube with some friends, I’m god damned amazed.  In order to play a solid, four player game, you needed a Gamecube, the game, four Gameboy Advanced units, four GBA to GC connector cables, and three living bodies with which to play.  I once managed a three player match.  We only made it through the first chapter, and I honestly couldn’t tell you how much fun I had, because we were all so juiced off of having actually pulled off such a miraculous feat that the game could’ve bent us over the couch and anally violated us with a rumble-pack and we still would’ve thought Square had published the next coming of Christ. 

For those uninformed, FF:CC was a real-time RPG title in which up to four cutesy characters ventured out into the wilderness to collect special dew in their chalice needed to protect their home town.  One player had to tote around the chalice (known lovingly among many circles as “Cup Bitch”) while the others hacked and blasted their way to the giant bosses.  The game wasn’t especially long, focusing mainly on the multiplayer aspect.  Players used their Gameboys to control their character and view other information such as their equipment, spells, stats, and map on the game screen.  It was innovative, but a pain to get organized.

Various off-hand sequels have gently tapped shelves since then, including a Wii-ware city building simulator that shared little more with its prequel than the world’s intriguing races (which you couldn’t even recruit without paying extra for the add-ons).  Now, in the time of wireless everything and unquestioned Internet multiplayer, it’s heading back to its roots with FFCC:EoT (even the acronym is a mouth full) in late March, for both Wii and Nintendo DS.

So, did they improve things this time around?  Yes and No, say those who have got their hands on the newly released Japanese versions. 

• The Chalice has gone by the way-side, a point unanimously adored by all.  No more Cup Bitch.
• The Wii version is, for the most part, a port of the DS version.  The two screens needed to play are set side-by-side on the TV.  The right screen is interacted with using the Wiimote, mimicking the touch screen menus on the DS.  The graphics are slightly crisper, but otherwise the same.  If you have a Mii avatar, you can wear his face as a mask on your character.  Yay?

• Multiplayer is handled via the Wii and DS wireless connections, or over the Internet.  Locally, only one player can be on the Wii version, and all three of the other possible players must connect with a DS.  Two Wiis cannot connect to each other in the same room.  Over the Internet, any mix of four Wii and DS games can connect together, communicating with emotes and directions available on the Stylus/Wiimote menus.  Which ever way you do it, every player does need their own system and game disc/cart.

• Some think that four player split screen is an option, due to the screenshot above.  This shot comes from the Japanese trailer for the game, and is just part of the various screens swirling around and joining that happen during the course of it.  Multiple sources have claimed that, at least in Japan, there is definitely no split-screen local multiplayer support.  Bad Square-Enix for even implying such a thing might exist.
• Again, the game doesn’t seem all that long.  In hours, I’ve heard the number 20 tossed around.  Playing with friends seems the goal again.  There is some apparent split between the single and multiplayer games, as their was some hype about being able to jump back and forth between the two.  I predict Legend of Zelda: Four-Swords style co-op puzzles.

Sadly, it seems things haven’t gotten a whole lot easier when it comes to squatting around the couch and getting your CC on.  Personally, I think it looks like the best bet for most with the choice will be to get the DS version, and just link with friends when the chance arises, like any other DS game.  The occasional couple may own one DS and one Wii, and wish to play together with one on each, but aside from that, the Wii version just seems like the inferior counterpart.  Sadness.

What are people saying about "Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time"?

Read the rest or join the discussion here on the forums. If you're not a member of the forums, register first.