Our Verdict
If you're looking to relive Gamecube memories, then maybe wait until controller support is added
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is an action RPG originally released on the Gamecube back in 2003, and has just received a remaster across a bunch of different platforms, including mobile. The remaster includes cross-platform multiplayer and allows players to enjoy up to 13 dungeons for free, before asking $24.99/£24.99 for the entire game. That’s not all the remaster has to offer though. There is a new high difficulty dungeon and bosses to unlock after completing the main campaign.
That’s all very nice, but what is Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles like to play? Well, to put it as bluntly as possible, it’s disappointing. The soundtrack for the game is uplifting and a classic, but the new English voice acting leaves a lot to be desired. Characters sound the same, which is especially terrible if you have a cute little Moogle sounding like a heavily armoured guard.
The problems don’t end with irritating voice acting though. The biggest problem is a combination of the touch screen controls and lack of controller support. The result is gameplay that feels like a chore and is easily put down after five frustrating minutes.
The combat involves swiping through a tiny box to cycle your moves, which are: attacking with your weapon, defending, or casting spells. Casting spells takes an eternity, and, compounding the misery, you have to hold to cast with one finger and slide a small target onto the enemy to do damage. Unless you are far away from the enemy, you won’t be able to cast a spell and aim it before you get hit.
This is where the frustration kicks in. If you get bored of casting spells and the unnatural aiming system, then your only option is to go and whack them. This is also where you face a trade off, as you have to swipe on the tiny box to swap your attack to defence or just run in circles to avoid taking damage.
I can’t emphasise enough how simple a fix it would have been to have a button for attacking, one for defending, and a final button for spells. Instead, we are left with a clunky, unresponsive, one-touch control system that is totally unavoidable thanks to the lack of controller support.
This clunky feeling isn’t reserved just for combat, it rears its ugly head in the menu as well. Moving your caravan around involves clicking on tiny red arrows that follow the path on the road. Often it takes more than one tap before your caravan moves in a direction, which adds to our misery.
Overall, can I recommend this game to you? If you have been looking forward to replaying this game from your Gamecube days, then I would hold off until Square Enix provides controller support or better touch controls. However, the game is a free trial, so you can just play the free section and then decide if it’s worth the money.
You can grab a free copy of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles from the App Store and from Google Play.