Game Card
Final Fantasy: Crystal Defenders (Xbox360)
- Publisher:
- Square Enix
- Developer:
- Square Enix
- US Release:
- EU Release:
- n/a
- Number of players:
- n/a
- Reality Factor:
- Fantasy
Review
We play Final Fantasy: Crystal Defenders...
Square Enix’s Final Fantasy: Crystal Defenders started out life as a mobile phone game and by playing it on the Xbox 360, you can see why. It’s probably the game with the most simple design and structure I’ve played on a console to date. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad thing, it just means that perhaps when you see the words ‘Final’ and ‘Fantasy’ next to each other your brain might go over to the recent, awesome-looking FFXIII HD mega-trailers circulating the Internet. Crystal Defenders R1 looks nothing like that at all.
The presentation is more like that of a NES game. In fact, the whole thing looks like Final Fantasy III. The sprites are blocky, detail is at a minimum: there’s no high def make over for this one. The overriding question is however, does it need to look good to play good? Well, as this is a Tower Defence strategy game (I’ll explain later for those of you who don’t know what that is) that by its very nature is one of planning and tactics, I’d have to say that after a while I really didn’t notice that my 360 was actually in the dark ages rendering pre-’95 sprites against static, 16 coloured backgrounds.
So if this is a case of gameplay over graphics, then what of the gameplay? Well, it’s beautifully simple. You place either an Archer, a Monk, a Black Mage or a Soldier on a map as various beasties, with various strengths and weakness travel across a set path that goes from one side of the screen to the other. Your four heroes all have different abilities. For example, the Soldier is strong but can only cope with one enemy at one time; the Monk is weak but can hit multiple monsters as they go past. The idea of the game is to stop the enemy getting to the other side of your map thus stealing your crystals.
The number of characters you have on the map at one time is limited by the amount of Gil (Final Fantasy money) you have, so it’s not just a case of filling the map from top to bottom and gaining an insta-win. You earn more Gil for each kill so each round you can beef up your on screen party as the enemy levels up and gets harder to knock down. It is a really simple premise brought to life with a really simple execution but it’s bloody hard. Yes, Crystal Defenders R1 had me tearing my hair out after about 15 minutes. In fact, I was so poor at it I couldn’t break past the Easy barrier. (I’m pathetic, I know)
For those of you who aren’t as rubbish as me, you’ll be interested to know that there are two more levels: one that has more detailed maps with intricate pathways and coloured crystals that you can place on the map, each colour giving extra powers to your army and making for a more tactical contest. The hardest level is just everything times 10: maps, monsters and tactics to make your eyes bleed. It’s one for the hardcore. Seriously, if you’re of a weak disposition, you need not apply.
In true old-skool Final Fantasy fashion, the music is twee and repetitive. Now, the old cronies among us will smile at this news as this will take them back to the days when they were children and light-gun games were all the rage. Even though I can class myself in that category too, I still found it a bit annoying and after about 30 minutes I resorted to Xbox 360’s custom soundtrack option. Although criticizing the sound, is somewhat missing the point.
In terms of longevity, Crystal Defenders offers up hours, days, weeks worth of gameplay. There are over 100 levels to master which, if you’re honest with yourself, is a lot. Of course, strategy games aren’t for everyone, so I recommend downloading the demo first before you take the plunge. Just don’t be put off by the game’s retro look and give it a chance.
However, if there’s one thing that highlights the game’s cosmetic failings, it’s the price. At 800 MS Points it’s simply too much money for what is a mobile port. For that amount of moolah I’d want something with a little more production value. Still if you’re a Final Fantasy nut and need to own every game, or if you love a good pick up and play strategy game, then you can’t go too far of base with Crystal Defenders R1.
Top Gaming moment: Getting past level 10. (I was rubbish at it)
The presentation is more like that of a NES game. In fact, the whole thing looks like Final Fantasy III. The sprites are blocky, detail is at a minimum: there’s no high def make over for this one. The overriding question is however, does it need to look good to play good? Well, as this is a Tower Defence strategy game (I’ll explain later for those of you who don’t know what that is) that by its very nature is one of planning and tactics, I’d have to say that after a while I really didn’t notice that my 360 was actually in the dark ages rendering pre-’95 sprites against static, 16 coloured backgrounds.
 |
 |
|
| It’s good to be alive, in 1995! | You’ll need to utilise some special powers if you’re to get rid of the tougher enemies. |
So if this is a case of gameplay over graphics, then what of the gameplay? Well, it’s beautifully simple. You place either an Archer, a Monk, a Black Mage or a Soldier on a map as various beasties, with various strengths and weakness travel across a set path that goes from one side of the screen to the other. Your four heroes all have different abilities. For example, the Soldier is strong but can only cope with one enemy at one time; the Monk is weak but can hit multiple monsters as they go past. The idea of the game is to stop the enemy getting to the other side of your map thus stealing your crystals.
The number of characters you have on the map at one time is limited by the amount of Gil (Final Fantasy money) you have, so it’s not just a case of filling the map from top to bottom and gaining an insta-win. You earn more Gil for each kill so each round you can beef up your on screen party as the enemy levels up and gets harder to knock down. It is a really simple premise brought to life with a really simple execution but it’s bloody hard. Yes, Crystal Defenders R1 had me tearing my hair out after about 15 minutes. In fact, I was so poor at it I couldn’t break past the Easy barrier. (I’m pathetic, I know)
 |
 |
|
| The Gil you have, the wider the choice of hero and crystal you have at your disposal. | One of the easier levels, believe it or not. |
For those of you who aren’t as rubbish as me, you’ll be interested to know that there are two more levels: one that has more detailed maps with intricate pathways and coloured crystals that you can place on the map, each colour giving extra powers to your army and making for a more tactical contest. The hardest level is just everything times 10: maps, monsters and tactics to make your eyes bleed. It’s one for the hardcore. Seriously, if you’re of a weak disposition, you need not apply.
In true old-skool Final Fantasy fashion, the music is twee and repetitive. Now, the old cronies among us will smile at this news as this will take them back to the days when they were children and light-gun games were all the rage. Even though I can class myself in that category too, I still found it a bit annoying and after about 30 minutes I resorted to Xbox 360’s custom soundtrack option. Although criticizing the sound, is somewhat missing the point.
 |
 |
|
| The Malboro are smokin’! | The varied backdrops help to keep the game looking fresh with each new level. |
In terms of longevity, Crystal Defenders offers up hours, days, weeks worth of gameplay. There are over 100 levels to master which, if you’re honest with yourself, is a lot. Of course, strategy games aren’t for everyone, so I recommend downloading the demo first before you take the plunge. Just don’t be put off by the game’s retro look and give it a chance.
However, if there’s one thing that highlights the game’s cosmetic failings, it’s the price. At 800 MS Points it’s simply too much money for what is a mobile port. For that amount of moolah I’d want something with a little more production value. Still if you’re a Final Fantasy nut and need to own every game, or if you love a good pick up and play strategy game, then you can’t go too far of base with Crystal Defenders R1.
Top Gaming moment: Getting past level 10. (I was rubbish at it)
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Launch Trailer
Posted 12.03.09
Length 02:17 Views 358
User Comments
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