If there were one issue with Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles on the Nintendo Gamecube, it was the high cost of entry for multiplayer. Prohibitive in 2003 due to the need of a GameBoy Advance, link cable and batteries for each player; it is even more restricted today given the age of the required hardware. Fortunately, Square Enix is taking an alternate route with their Remaster. Although the full multiplayer experience will only be available between those who own a full copy of the game, a more limited experience will be offered through a free “Lite” demo edition at launch on the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android platforms.
In Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Lite, adventurers can play through the game’s first three dungeons in both single-player and online multiplayer-modes. This will essentially cover players through the first in-game year, before being unable to progress any further. However, the opportunities expand if at least one member of the group has a retail copy of the game. In this case, a party of up to four caravanners can adventure through 13 dungeons together with one full copy of the game.
Personally, I like the approach Square Enix has taken. I have friends who probably wouldn’t purchase the game outright, and would love the opportunity to have some small adventures with me before purchasing. Furthermore, cross-device support is available in the lite version as well, meaning it is a perfect option for when you have friends around who may not be lugging their consoles behind them.
Square Enix has also detailed a number of other new improvements made to Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition compared to its original release, including:
Quick Chat – new tactical commands to give easy text-based instructions to teammates during online multiplayer play.
Magic Timer – a new Timer mechanic, helping players to synchronise and combine their magical attacks to unleash more powerful abilities.
UI Improvements – Increases to material capacity limits allow for more trouble-free adventures and a mini-map has been added to the game’s UI ensuring players always have a tactical understanding of their environments.
Additional Difficulty Modes – after finishing the main scenario, high difficulty dungeons will be available for daring adventurers to explore, including the Mine of Cathuriges which will include powerful enemies and new challenges alike. These challenging post-game dungeons are exclusive to the full release of FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES Remastered Edition.
Updated Soundtrack – over 50 musical tracks have been newly-composed especially for FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES Remastered Edition by the original game’s composer, Kumi Tanioka, including newly-recorded versions of the beloved theme songs Sound of the Wind and Starry Moonlit Night.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition is due to launch on the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android platforms from 27 August 2020.
