Author Topic: Square Enix Releases Crystal Defenders on WiiWare  (Read 2780 times)

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Offline Nick DiMola

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Square Enix Releases Crystal Defenders on WiiWare
« on: January 29, 2009, 06:08:07 PM »
The cell phone tower defense game has just been ported, modified, and released in Japan.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=17643

 Square Enix announced early last week that their cell phone tower defense game was receiving a port to the downloadable services of all of the current generation systems. The WiiWare version, which was released just two days ago in Japan for 1,000 Wii Points, is titled Crystal Defenders R1 and is a downgraded port of the Final Fantasy Tactics themed game.    


Crystal Defenders R1 features fewer characters than in its iPhone source material. According to Square Enix, the game was designed for first time players to learn how to use the game's basic towers. As such, the berserker, hunter, and tinker towers have been removed from the title with only the soldier, black mage, white monk, archer, time mage, thief, and dragoon towers remaining.    


R1 is not a direct port of the first piece of the Crystal Guardians series, W1, as it includes the dragoon tower, an addition found in W2. Though not officially announced, the R1 appendage to the name likely indicates that Square Enix will release future expansions to the title.    


The rival Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 releases of the same game will instead be enhanced ports and will be titled simply, Crystal Defenders. These versions will include all of the Crystal Guardians series, W1, W2, and W3, plus additional content, and will be released sometime in the spring.    


Currently there is no official announcement for release outside of Japan, but given the title's existence on iPhones worldwide, an eventual worldwide release is likely.

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Offline Kairon

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Re: Square Enix Releases Crystal Defenders on WiiWare
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2009, 06:20:18 PM »
I am SAD that it seems to be stripped down. Sad and HUNGRY! Er... angry.

However, I am actually attracted to the game's positioning as a starter-TD for the franchise... I mean, I've played tons of TDs already, but the idea is appealing and I won't say no to a simple game I can relax with. After all, Kirby is a beginner's platformer.

Maybe they'll use DLC to introduce more complexities to the game, sort of a way for players to get just as complex a game as they want.
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Offline TheYoungerPlumber

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Re: Square Enix Releases Crystal Defenders on WiiWare
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2009, 09:30:10 PM »
I'm confused. Why would S-E release a "starter" version on the Wii, and then a full version for the other two console platforms? I mean, are they planning on also releasing a full version on Wii alongside the 360 and PS3 versions? It doesn't make much sense to whet Wii owners' appetites, then assume they have (or are willing to buy) another system to play the "full" version.
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Offline Kairon

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Re: Square Enix Releases Crystal Defenders on WiiWare
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2009, 09:45:40 PM »
I'm also confused. *boggle*
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Offline Pale

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Re: Square Enix Releases Crystal Defenders on WiiWare
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2009, 10:09:22 PM »
Seriously this makes no sense at all. So it's less than the iphone version I have but costs more money?

This makes ZERO sense.  Let me tell you, the iPhone version isn't a very big game, so to have it be even smaller will leave many people frustrated.  It's a similar game to pixel junk monsters for a similar price, but if I'm reading this press release right it will only feature THREE LEVELS, each with two difficulties.

THREE LEVELS! That's nothing.  Pixel Junk monsters had at least, what.. 15?

I encourage everyone to not buy this.
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Offline Pale

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Re: Square Enix Releases Crystal Defenders on WiiWare
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2009, 10:24:25 PM »
I should clarify that the two difficulties in each level do features SLIGHT map changes... but not a ton.
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Offline Nick DiMola

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Re: Square Enix Releases Crystal Defenders on WiiWare
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2009, 10:30:31 PM »
Yeah the Wii version seems really lame in comparison to the other two versions. I'm guessing Square is going to release each version of the W series as a separate R game on WiiWare, eventually charging Wii owners a massive $30 for the entire game.
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Offline Jonnyboy117

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Re: Square Enix Releases Crystal Defenders on WiiWare
« Reply #7 on: January 30, 2009, 01:31:22 AM »
Blech.  I'll probably try the XBLA version, since I like tower defense games.

It's a shame there aren't more (and better) tower defense games on Wii, since the pointer is perfect for controlling them.  The only other one I know of is a kids' game called Defendin' de Penguin.  I'd be genuinely interested in trying that one, except that it's published by Crave.  I'm trying to think if they've EVER released a good game...
« Last Edit: January 30, 2009, 01:33:14 AM by Jonnyboy117 »
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Offline KDR_11k

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Re: Square Enix Releases Crystal Defenders on WiiWare
« Reply #8 on: January 30, 2009, 04:39:49 AM »
Pathetic. Are they trying to sell HD cosnoles to make some money back on FF13 or what?