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Wii

How I Almost Played FF: CC: The Crystal Bearers

by James Charlton - September 27, 2009, 1:29 am EDT
Total comments: 18 Source: TGS Show Floor

We spotted a long booth with several empty Wii kiosks, with no line at all – mustn’t be a Dragon Quest or Final Fantasy we thought, until we realised what it was: the Wii-exclusive Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles single-player adventure RPG game, the Crystal Bearers!

When I started up the game the booth assistant asked me if I wanted to start in the middle of a level, or from the beginning of the game.

I thought for a moment, then decided on starting a new game from the start, figuring I could at least see the opening cinema and maybe learn a bit about the story.

Big mistake.

After about two to three minutes of dialogue between the crew of a huge airship, the opening sequence starts.

It’s the same scene from the trailer, in which a young blonde-haired guy on top of the ship holds a huge mini-gun and then proceeds to jump off shouting, “Yahoo!”.

Finally I had control, and the Wii pointer came on screen. I could blast away at some huge birds attacking the ship as I glided through the air, which was very cool.

But as soon as I started to take control, it was taken away again! Another long sequence of the main character fighting hand-to-hand with a long-necked bird-looking guy, who he had just pulled out of a swirling blue portal.

After another lengthy cut scene introducing a large warrior-type guy and a girl who likes to take photos of everything, the ship starts to go down and I get control again.

This time I’m using the analogue stick to control the airship through a canyon, chasing some bad guys up ahead while trying not to crash into the sides.

This lasted about a minute, and then the ship crashed and scraped along the ground until it eventually came to a stop right next to a huge city.

Another lengthy cinema starts, and lots of talking ensues.

I’ve now been “playing” the game for almost 15 minutes, but I'm finally controlling my guy around the town. I point to an object and lift it with my force-like powers, and I move it around in the air for a bit and then throw it across the room.

That was the point when I got a tap on my shoulder.

Time’s up, sir.

No wonder there wasn’t a queue to play this, since anyone watching in line probably had almost the same experience as the person holding the Wii Remote!

To be fair though, it does look pretty with a feeling of good production values, and now more than ever do I want to play this game properly and see what the combat is like.

Talkback

BwrJim!September 27, 2009

"Ha Haa" said nelson..

That's a typical Square demo.

BlackNMild2k1September 27, 2009

You should have got back in line behind yourself and played again, only starting at the halfway point.

MoronSonOfBoronGarnet Red, Contributing WriterSeptember 27, 2009



...

...

NNNNNNGH

Hey, this is good news. It means we're getting the same kind of quality game development and attention to detail that their main franchises are known for!

*gahhh* I had to get that out of my system...

You would think that SE would tailor their demos such that people could actually PLAY the game.  Everybody knows their titles have nice cutscenes, so what's the point of show people that?  Leave that to their commercials.

KDR_11kSeptember 27, 2009

When did Square hire Hideo Kojima?

steveySeptember 27, 2009

Quote:

it does look pretty with a feeling of good production values, and now more than ever do I want to play this game properly

This is why the gaming industry is going down the tubes.
Pretty Graphics =/= good production values =/= good game play.

I miss 16bit graphics, back then you didn't need hundred man teams dedicated to making hi-res models and plotting out cut scenes. Rather there was a small cooperative group focused solely on a unique game concept they think will be fun without a multimillion dollar budget to burn.

KDR_11kSeptember 28, 2009

"unique game concept" meaning "platformer with a new mascot".

Just wanted to clarify: the reason there was no line was because technically they were done demo-ing for the day (there was a sign that mentioned as such). It just so happened we got in just as the final people were finishing up their play time.

famicomplicatedJames Charlton, Associate Editor (Japan)October 03, 2009

Quote from: gypsyOtoko

Just wanted to clarify: the reason there was no line was because technically they were done demo-ing for the day (there was a sign that mentioned as such). It just so happened we got in just as the final people were finishing up their play time.

That is true, but I don't remember seeing a long line during the rest of the show either...

How was it on the public day though?

PeachylalaOctober 12, 2009

Quote from: KDR_11k

When did Square hire Hideo Kojima?

Long cutscenes are nothing new to Square, my friend. They have been whoring them since FFVII on the original Playstation. They become bearable when the plot and character development is decent/good. On the other hand: Final Fantasy X/X-2.

broodwarsOctober 12, 2009

Quote from: Peachylala

Quote from: KDR_11k

When did Square hire Hideo Kojima?

Long cutscenes are nothing new to Square, my friend. They have been whoring them since FFVII on the original Playstation. They become bearable when the plot and character development is decent/good. On the other hand: Final Fantasy X/X-2.

*draws his sword*

Did someone just badmouth Final fantasy X?  You can knock X-2 all you like, but X was actually pretty awesome outside some horrible English VA work (like the infamous "laughing" scene).

PeachylalaOctober 12, 2009

You and I did not play the same game it seems.

Oh well.

broodwarsOctober 12, 2009

Quote from: Peachylala

You and I did not play the same game it seems.

Oh well.

IMO, Yuna's story in Final Fantasy X is the best of all the numbered Final Fantasy games, and considering my fondness for FF6 that's saying something.

PeachylalaOctober 12, 2009

FFX was linear, way too linear. And the story was merely okay, not great. And the characters, also the same.

Here's hoping FF:CC Crystal Bearers isn't on the same level of mediocrity.

KDR_11kOctober 13, 2009

More importantly FF10 was boring to play.

PeachylalaOctober 13, 2009

Quote from: KDR_11k

More importantly FF10 was boring to play.

Basically this as well.

StogiOctober 13, 2009

No doubt, but for some reason, I loved that soccer mini-game.

I had the best players all maxed out by the time I got bored with it.

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