FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: THE CRYSTAL BEARERS provides a fresh take on the FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES series as it combines the storytelling depth, expansive world and graphical quality of FINAL FANTASY with motion-driven, real-time action gameplay. In this world, realistic gameplay and fantastical art direction are brought together for a truly unique experience for Wii users around the globe. A thousand years after the original CRYSTAL CHRONICLES, the end of a great war has led to one tribe's dominance, and another tribe's apparent annihilation. The world has turned to technology, and magic is only used by outcasts called crystal bearers. Layle is one such crystal bearer, whose love of danger is about to send him on an extraordinary adventure.

I found the first part of the game to be fun and interesting but the game does not live up to all the hype surrounding it. I have not played in recent Final Fantasy games so I did not go in with the expectations this game would be like the rest of the games in the series. I think the game leaves the player with a lot to be desired. Alhough I have listed more Cons than Pros, the game does offer some fun aspects. I suggest renting the game first.

Pros:
Allows you to play in cut scenes
Badges are fun to earn
Cut scenes are fun to watch
It is fun using the Wii controls
Great visuals

Cons:
Dialogue gets repetative
Interaction with characters gets boring
Fighting gets repetative
Only can use one ability
Storyline makes little sense
Side quests are not intersting
Wii controls are sometimes hard to use

This game was fabulous to play--interesting, interactive, and very cool--but there were a few quirks that irked me to no end, such as the lack of a compass or interactive map. It was somewhat frustrating to try and find things (not to mention the lack of any real weapons) but after defeating the game and going back for a second run, I found it a lot easier to understand. All in all, a great game, one of my all-time favorites.

Having played several games in the Final Fantasy series, I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this game. What I got was an adventure-type story game, with a great fighting aspect in it, as well.

Setting-The Lilty kingdom holds dominion over all over tribes, but they aren't evil. However, the Selkie tribe bears a grudge against them, and refuses to live with them by living on land apart from the Lilty tribe. The Clavats are a peace-loving tribe that tries to get along with everyone. The last tribe, the Yuke tribe, vanished years ago, never to be found. You play as Layle, a Clavat crystal-bearer. A crystal bearer has a crystal embedded in them, giving them powers for them to use for good or evil.

Story-While you are escorting an airship, it is attacked by a Yuke, who steals the crystal power from the airship then takes off. You chase after the Yuke, using your powers to try to find out why it stole the crystal's power and what it plans to do with the crystal's power.

Gameplay-The gameplay is a little hard to learn, but once you do learn it, it's quite easy. You use the attached nunchuk to move around, and you use the wiimote to pick up items/people/monsters using your mind. This is your "special ability" because of being a crystal bearer. You can then throw the item you picked up at anything you would like to by using a flick of your wrist, allowing you to break open things and attack monsters. In fact, throwing monsters and throwing things at monsters are the only ways to fight in this game. However, you are not required to fight in this game (except for special, main battles); that is not how you level up. You level up by finding items and money and having moogles (white, flying creatures) make things such as amulets for you, in order to raise attack, defense, luck, and more. However, the majority of the game is to go from town to town defeating "main" enemies, following the Yuke, and basically keeping the story going.

Graphics-The graphics are very well done in this game. From the backgrounds to the tiniest details, these pictures are beautiful.

Sound-The music is nicely done in this game, overall, but it does get a bit boring, as the same songs are repeated over and over. The voice acting is very nicely done, as well.

Fun-This game is really fun. Whether you enjoy fighting or following an adventure story, this game will be great fun. It isn't boring like the gamecube version; instead, it has a very interesting story and nice combat.

Length-The one reason I took off a star is because of the length. Although, some people have said it lasted longer for them, it only took me about 15 hours to complete this game. That was really short, in my opinion, and unfortunately, I don't feel a strong need to replay the game. There are some extra goals that will keep some gamers playing after the final battle, such as finding the hidden item here, or using this monster to defeat this monster, but as for the main story, it is over rather quickly.

All in all, I recommend this game to most gamers. It isn't hardcore fighting like some of the games in the Final Fantasy series, but it has a great story with some really fun combat options.

This game deserves a sequal. There are a lot of great ideas in this game that could become even better with some more time. The plot is awesome especially if you follow the Cristal Chronicles series and the cut scenes are just awesome. Definitely give it a shot and have an open mind.

This game is pretty lame. It's not even really a game at all. There is no gameplay. All you do is run from one town to another and watch cinema sequences. There are no weapons to get or magic to learn or experience to gain. There is nothing. It's basically just like watching a movie. Square Enix if you are reading this please make a real Final Fantasy role playing game for the Wii and don't waste our time with this overpriced garbage.