Wow at the Crystal Bearers Review.....

My fears for this game are still being wholly realized.....

http://www.gamespot.com/wii/rpg/finalfantasycrystalchronicles/review.html

5.5 very bad score. I thought it would at the very least get a 7.

*shrug*

It doesn't affect my decision to buy the game one way or the other. I know I'll enjoy it, but I am a Final Fantasy fanboy :P

wow....

that's all I can say. I find it rather odd that they complained about the combat and that being the only way to attack. That is Layle's power GS... wouldn't you whip people around if you could? I know I would

wow....

that's all I can say. I find it rather odd that they complained about the combat and that being the only way to attack. That is Layle's power GS... wouldn't you whip people around if you could? I know I would

danger_ranger95

Amen, brudda. Though I suppose they could have just put in a bunch of weapon shops and a deeply progressive skill system where you learn new spells and abilities since that hasn't been done befo...wait a second...

I'll still buy the game.

Hmm. 5.5. Nope I still feel very good about purchasing this game. I'm still very much enjoying it and have found these negative reviews regarding the game to really be off base.

Sure everyone has their opinion but I've found that what is said in the positive reviews to be far more representative of the game itself. Case in point GameSpot says the following regarding combat. "Shallow, repetitive combat ". I find this very surprising because the actual combat in the game is anything but that. However all FPS play the same. You pick your weapon and fire or use it as a melee weapon in close range. You throw grenades as well. Weapons might be different but it's always the same and there really is nothing more to it at all. Yet that is never call repetitive or shallow. However combat in Crystal Bearers where you can use enemies again each other, pickup various enemies and use their attacks as your own while holding them, hit the enemy with oil and then fire to do more damage, etc is called shallow and repetitive. Hmm. It does make one wonder.

They knock the game for lack of customization. How much do you usually customize characters in adventure games anyway? Near the end of the review regarding this topic shows they were looking for this to be a Final Fantasy RPG and not actually taking the game for what it is. Once again a Wii game gets knocked for things they wouldn't dare knock a 360 and PS3 game and knock the Wii game harder then necessary. They also are listing this as an action role-playing game. That right there is the problem. It's better to see this as an action adventure game. It isn't a role-playing game.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The game is a solid high 7s to 8 game. No way it's less then that. However this score is to be expected.

Guess we could add this game in the UnderRated List huh?

[QUOTE="danger_ranger95"]

wow....

that's all I can say. I find it rather odd that they complained about the combat and that being the only way to attack. That is Layle's power GS... wouldn't you whip people around if you could? I know I would

Khadaj32

Amen, brudda. Though I suppose they could have just put in a bunch of weapon shops and a deeply progressive skill system where you learn new spells and abilities since that hasn't been done befo...wait a second...

That's odd, because this game has that.

Find a new town? Go to the shop and see what new items you've unlocked, then have fun finding the order to combine them to unlock it's special ability.

Find a new enemy? Have fun finding out the three or four things you can do with it.

Don't like that the game doesn't give you hints? Find a newstand and read the UMA's. Actually read them, don't just scroll down to page 11 like it's a chore.

Meh... After seeing other reviews for the game, I can't say it's really that shocking.

Disappointing, but still expected. It's unfortunate the game wasn't more polished before they released it.

Meh... After seeing other reviews for the game, I can't say it's really that shocking.

Disappointing, but still expected. It's unfortunate the game wasn't more polished before they released it.

BuryMe

I actually got this game recently and will be starting in on it tonight... will be sure to report back, given that professional reviewers and I often don't exactly see eye-to-eye (Tales of Symphonia 2...).

[QUOTE="Khadaj32"]

[QUOTE="danger_ranger95"]

wow....

that's all I can say. I find it rather odd that they complained about the combat and that being the only way to attack. That is Layle's power GS... wouldn't you whip people around if you could? I know I would

SirSpudly

Amen, brudda. Though I suppose they could have just put in a bunch of weapon shops and a deeply progressive skill system where you learn new spells and abilities since that hasn't been done befo...wait a second...

That's odd, because this game has that.

Find a new town? Go to the shop and see what new items you've unlocked, then have fun finding the order to combine them to unlock it's special ability.

Find a new enemy? Have fun finding out the three or four things you can do with it.

Don't like that the game doesn't give you hints? Find a newstand and read the UMA's. Actually read them, don't just scroll down to page 11 like it's a chore.

I was too subtle.

I was poking fun at GS for saying the use of gravity was the only way to attack, even though it has so many varied uses and applications. I was basically saying that they were expecting this to be a mainstream Final Fantasy, complete with dozens of spells, dozens of abilities, hundreds of weapons and armor, being able to customize every piece of equipment you own and tweak your abilities as you see fit.

I was too subtle.

I was poking fun at GS for saying the use of gravity was the only way to attack, even though it has so many varied uses and applications. I was basically saying that they were expecting this to be a mainstream Final Fantasy, complete with dozens of spells, dozens of abilities, hundreds of weapons and armor, being able to customize every piece of equipment you own and tweak your abilities as you see fit.

Khadaj32

I remember that this happened in the WiiWare game My Life as a King, too (which also, coincidentally, got a 5.5) - the fact that you couldn't personally engage in combat was treated as a huge negative against the game, despite the fact that that was, well, kind of the whole idea...

[QUOTE="Khadaj32"]

I was too subtle.

I was poking fun at GS for saying the use of gravity was the only way to attack, even though it has so many varied uses and applications. I was basically saying that they were expecting this to be a mainstream Final Fantasy, complete with dozens of spells, dozens of abilities, hundreds of weapons and armor, being able to customize every piece of equipment you own and tweak your abilities as you see fit.

GabuEx

I remember that this happened in the WiiWare game My Life as a King, too (which also, coincidentally, got a 5.5) - the fact that you couldn't personally engage in combat was treated as a huge negative against the game, despite the fact that that was, well, kind of the whole idea...

Agreed! I actually recently read some reviews concerning MLAAK, since I played through it again, and I saw so many "It does what Dark Cloud does, only worse." comparisons, also complaining that you can't actually partake in combat. Confused me greatly.

I stopped listening to Gamespot's reviews as soon as they started handing out 9's like candy to the 360 games.

They'll probably give Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom an 8 and say MvC2 for the 360 is better. :lol:

I stopped listening to Gamespot's reviews as soon as they started handing out 9's like candy to the 360 games.

They'll probably give Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom an 8 and say MvC2 for the 360 is better. :lol:

Crazyguy105

Yup, same. I watch the video reviews, only to get a glimpe of gameplay. Other than that, I don`t bother with "professional" opinions.

I stopped listening to Gamespot's reviews as soon as they started handing out 9's like candy to the 360 games.

They'll probably give Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom an 8 and say MvC2 for the 360 is better. :lol:

Crazyguy105

Wow, it didnt even get a video review

That would also explain that

I don't care what gamespot said. As a Final Fantasy fanboy, I must buy that game.

I don't care what gamespot said. As a Final Fantasy fanboy, I must buy that game.

kikitube

Amen. Here, have a cookie.

What hurts is anytime a game outside the brick layer formula comes out it gets bashed hard. So now theses developers get back into cookie cutter action to ensure sales and thatgame reviewers stay pumped for the next installment. The people that really matter can't buy every fps and hack n slash so we pick. This is why so many games get shelved, trashed, traded, and etc. We are always just getting upgrades of already existing games.

The formula bores me.

Crystal Bearers does miss some steps that keep it from being an epicblockbuster action adventure. But the horrific reviews are most likely going to keep this game from ever getting another installment to make it the critical franchise that the consumer wanted and needed. Hope we continue to absorb into markets and ideas ( ART ) and don't take the professional's guiding hand too serious.

YES, I KNOW MY BLOG AND WHAT NOT!!

I kind of agree with the review. I was really hyped for this game ever since they announced it when the Wii wasn't even out. I thought that it looked great in all the gameplay videos I watched, but it was a huge disapointment to me. The game feels rushed and shallow. There's no real depth to it that makes you want to continue. 5.5 on GameSpot means "mediocre", and that's what this game is.

What hurts is anytime a game outside the brick layer formula comes out it gets bashed hard. So now theses developers get back into cookie cutter action to ensure sales and thatgame reviewers stay pumped for the next installment. The people that really matter can't buy every fps and hack n slash so we pick. This is why so many games get shelved, trashed, traded, and etc. We are always just getting upgrades of already existing games.

The formula bores me.

Crystal Bearers does miss some steps that keep it from being an epicblockbuster action adventure. But the horrific reviews are most likely going to keep this game from ever getting another installment to make it the critical franchise that the consumer wanted and needed. Hope we continue to absorb into markets and ideas ( ART ) and don't take the professional's guiding hand too serious.

YES, I KNOW MY BLOG AND WHAT NOT!!

RudySolo

I can't say I feel the same amount of sympathy as you about the subject, especially when names like Square-Enix and Final Fantasy are involved. If S-E wanted this game to be as big as its main Final Fantasy efforts, there was nothing stopping it from doing so, except its own ambition and focus behind the project. Mistakes can be made, but something has to be said about getting things right the first time around, too, and that's not what happened with Crystal Bearers. For a key game, it looks like the core gameplay mechanics for CC:CB weren't given the care they needed to actually stand out in a positive light, and at the end of the day, this is no one's fault but S-E's. It's hard to blame reviewers for giving the game poor marks when the game has been in development as long as this one did, and it still couldn't establish a sense of control that was worth playing with.

I'm all for mixing up the formula and all, but if you're going to go outside the box, make sure you do it right and with the same heart that you would give your tried and true franchises the FIRST TIME, especially if you're a publisher/developer with the right tools to do so. I'm having trouble believing that was the case with Crystal Bearers, at least from a gameplay perspective, quite honestly.

Gamespot Wii reviews are a joke. TheColbert

...So,did you read the review?

[QUOTE="TheColbert"]Gamespot Wii reviews are a joke. VGobbsesser

...So,did you read the review?

Why gamespot reviews get so much hate, i will not know. considering this game has been getting pretty mixed and low reviews everywhere else, why hate on GS also for giving it a low score?Sonick54

Reviews usually don't affect my opinion on whether or not I will purchase a game, unfortunately for this one I was really waiting for some media feedback because I currently have a very small budget. It has been getting mixed scores all across the board so I will have to skip it.

I'm wondering if there are many reviewers that know the Final Fantasy is meant to be corny.

I've played some games in the 5 range that I enjoyed but because it was the type of game I enjoyed. If you are a FF fan, I'm sure you will like the game better than a 5.5. On Metacritic, Game Informer gave it a 5.5 also. A 5.5 is not a bad game but medium. I'm sure FF fans will enjoy it.

A 5.5 is not a bad game but medium.

ScreamDream

Well, objectively speaking a 5.5 is solidly below average (based purely on the numbers, mind you). An average score is a 7-7.5.

And I deliberately edited in "score" in the place of where I had previously written "game", because I realized that a number is not a game at all. :P

[QUOTE="ScreamDream"]

A 5.5 is not a bad game but medium.

GabuEx

Well, objectively speaking a 5.5 is solidly below average (based purely on the numbers, mind you). An average score is a 7-7.5.

And I deliberately edited in "score" in the place of where I had previously written "game", because I realized that a number is not a game at all. :P

Oops been a while since I looked at the table. I still have enjoyed games that were rated in the 5 range though.

I'm wondering if there are many reviewers that know the Final Fantasy is meant to be corny.

LegatoSkyheart

[QUOTE="LegatoSkyheart"]

I'm wondering if there are many reviewers that know the Final Fantasy is meant to be corny.

BrunoBRS

I'd say since the modern-day recitation of the spoony bard.

Including Wedge and Biggs in every game might have something to do with it too.

Some of us want the cookie cutter RPG's. I was psyched when I first saw some footage of this game. It finally looked like an excellent SquareEnix rpg with high production values wascoming to the Wii. I'm not made of money, and I like nintendo games too much to switch, so I went the Gamecube and now Wii route for gaming. Needless to say, I don't get to play many good rpg's - I think the last I played was Tales of Symphonia, which was a while ago. (I'm not counting its sequel, since that game was fun, but not awesome.) Throwing critters into each other looks fun for a bit, but not for 15 hours. And if I'm buying a Final Fantasy game it sure as heck better last longer than 30 hours.

Why I can hit the attack menu button over and over in Final Fantasy 7 and never get bored is beyond me, but it's true. Sue me. I'll probably buy this game when it's in a bargain section for $20.

[QUOTE="BrunoBRS"][QUOTE="LegatoSkyheart"]

I'm wondering if there are many reviewers that know the Final Fantasy is meant to be corny.

SirSpudly

I'd say since the modern-day recitation of the spoony bard.

Including Wedge and Biggs in every game might have something to do with it too.

The Crystal Bearers is a great action adventure game, with a fantastic story and visuals, nice gameplay, and IMO one of the best of 2009. It has some flaws off course, but not enough to make it a 5.5 game, that's GS bashing, I'm more with Famitsu's 30/40.

Some of us want the cookie cutter RPG's. I was psyched when I first saw some footage of this game. It finally looked like an excellent SquareEnix rpg with high production values wascoming to the Wii. I'm not made of money, and I like nintendo games too much to switch, so I went the Gamecube and now Wii route for gaming. Needless to say, I don't get to play many good rpg's - I think the last I played was Tales of Symphonia, which was a while ago. (I'm not counting its sequel, since that game was fun, but not awesome.) Throwing critters into each other looks fun for a bit, but not for 15 hours. And if I'm buying a Final Fantasy game it sure as heck better last longer than 30 hours.

Why I can hit the attack menu button over and over in Final Fantasy 7 and never get bored is beyond me, but it's true. Sue me. I'll probably buy this game when it's in a bargain section for $20.

fudawg45

Just for the record, you are NOT going to be randomly throwing around King Behemoth, Lost Emperor, Hydra, Marlboro, the Iron Giant, the bloodbones trio, and the Death Machines at ALL. And you will definitelynot be taking downthe Goblin Samurais, Tonberry Queens, flans, cactaurs, fenrir monsters,and the ludicrously large/weirdly designedbattle fields within the alloted time limits withoutany understanding of the monsterstraits orstupidly high-end equipment relative to the monsters you are facing.

And though the main story is a lot shorter than those of the numbered FFs, you will spend a lot of time trying to get all 330 medals (the acheivements of this game, which most reviews keep forgetting to expand upon).