Final Fantasy Crystal chronicles: Echoes of time
Sunday 5 October 2008 @ 5:19 pm | By Random J 3 CommentsAnother day another Final Fantasy game announced. The Crystal chronicles series has spawned another game in the form of Echoes of time. I’m usually skeptical about Final Fantasy announcements as Square rarely bring anything new to the table. But this game actually seems quite cool. You’ll see and know why after the vid.
The Square Enix developed Pollux engine will allow players to play the game together whether they’re playing on a Wii or DS. It’s great to see developers pushing DS and Wii connectivity – even if it did take 2 years. And as the trailer showed, the game is also playable online. DS players can play online with Wii players and visa-versa. Awesome news and one thing that was oddly missing from Ring of fates. Although now we know why.
Square Enix have not disclosed the control schemes and general specifications of the 2 versions of the game, although there will obviously be differences. It’ll probably boil down to preference in terms of which version you pick up. The DS will have dual screens which will allow speedy access to in-game menu’s and nifty stylus controls, but the Wii will have the benefit of being able to be played on the big screen.
I’m unsure of how this game will retail though: whether the Wii and DS versions will retail separately or come in a pack together for those who want to be able to play the game both at home on the big screen and on the go.
Final Fantasy Crystal chronicles: Echoes of time is slated for a January 2009 release in Japan. There’s no confirmed European, North American or Australian release date – but I’m sure Western gamers and those down under will see this by August 2009 the latest.
The connectivity between systems and the online play between systems is a good look indeed. I’m glad a third party is exploring new avenues where Wii and DS games are concerned. Hopefully if this game manages to pull it off well it’ll open doors for other developers to push the connectivity between the systems even further. The forthcoming DSi definitely lends itself better to future DS to Wii connectivity with its new dashboard and SD card support.
As stoked as I am for Echoes of time, I have to ask the question: What the hell is going on with The Crystal bearers!?
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Abraham 'Velcor' Duarte
David 'KidKobun' Bruno
Ivan 'Nahu' Lozano
Random J
Sol
I like the DS and Wii functionality. I’m glad there are doing this for the nextGen systems. GC and GBA had a game like this, but being able to play over the internet or even locally on both systems will be a great addition to multiplayer.
And I agree with J. Even though there isn’t a release date, the wifi functionality implies they want to take FFCC: EOT (x_x) outside of Japan.
Retailing a Wii game with DS graphics sounds weird to me, but at least the price points will match. Also, such cross platform play is pretty neat.
As for Crystal Bearers, I’m guessing its slowly becoming vaporware. Lets hope there will be another tease of it in an upcoming gaming convention.
Woo! Just what I have been waiting for.. A FF:CC game with easy connectivity so friends can play against one another- and hopefully the ability to save your game to the DS version and play with your friends on their Wii at their house.