Remembering Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles - (GCN)

[@flaffy_p]

Give me another year and ask me again what I think about the game

[@SP_CEGH0ST]

The soundtrack to this game slaps so hard, the song that plays during the intro cinematic still gives me chills to this day

[@isenokami7810]

The original Crystal Chronicles was absolutely my jam, and I remember it fondly, but I was pretty much always a solo player. Which has led to me actually having a pretty good relationship with the remaster; after all, most people’s complaints with that were how multiplayer was handled, and I’m not using that. Edit: I do find it REALLY cool that Dolphin can now support the full four player experience, though. I’m still sticking with the remaster, since that’s just how I’m used to playing this, but yeah, Dolphin’s probably your best option for the multiplayer.

[@jamesbrincefield9879]

This game doesn’t get talked about nearly enough. The atmosphere it creates is unmatched. Even though I haven’t played it in over 20 years so many of this game’s random details, the banger soundtrack, and unique aesthetic and concept have always stuck with me. Organizing a weekend with four of my closest friends to finally play the game with a full party is a memory I’ll always cherish. We only ever did it that one time, but we didn’t stop until the sun came up the next morning. The more I think about it, the more grateful I am that it happened. It was an experience that’s almost wholly unique to this game and something I’m sure a lot of people never got to experience, and it only gets more difficult as time goes on and the original hardware gets more and more inaccessible.

[@Ikuruga]

You can't play the opening theme man it hurts too much

[@thomasffrench3639]

6:48 this is the most Saint Seiya thing I’ve seen in a video game. I’m happy you mentioned the PCE CD, it was a very Important system for RPGs. I wish we would pay more attention to that system for that genre. I mean we didn’t even get Tengai Makyou translated to English until like 2 months ago. And that is by fans.

[@AkaiAzul]

23:45 There was a side-quest where a Moogle was having an existential crisis, worrying that he and his species may actually *be* monsters and don't deserve to live with the rest of civilization because of their ability to survive in the miasma. You can help him discover the whereabouts of Carbuncles and when you do, you see that Carbuncles survive in the miasma because of the crystals in their forehead pushing the miasma away. For him, that was enough to give him reassurance that moogles are closer to carbuncles than monsters. Except it doesn't? Moogles don't have crystals, not even in the pom-poms....

[@wolfiesenpai]

Me playing this back in the day. No friends, no GBA and no cable :'(

[@genericworm2346]

ring of fates and echoes of time meant so much to me as a child, I'm incredibly happy to see the promise of them being covered. I beat the entirety of RoF except the final boss on multiplayer super hard mode - echoes of time sadly was corrupted and I could never get past the tower. I'm just excited to see what you have to say about them since you seemed to appreciate them a lot

[@NovaZoneTV]

Gonna give the script for those two one more once over but I'm hopefully gonna start that VO today. As you can guess, I have a bit less to say with those two individually but if you've played them, then you'd know why. The two're almost identical gameplay wise, and work off of this first game. RoF by far has the best single player campaign of the 3 dungeon crawlers though. It's not even close for me. If someone wants to get into the series on 1P, I'd rec RoF first.

[@chrispysaid]

I never forgot this masterpiece. The OST lives rent-free in my head.

[@MechaNoodle]

But sadly not on Spotify

[@ectoplasm]

"Remembering Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles" -- opens with a song from Final Fantasy X-2.

[@mrwang420]

One of my favorite games of all time. Was amazing on the Game Cube.

[@sleepy_turt]

FFCC is still one of my absolute favourite games of all time. I spent most of my playtime on single player tho, just because of the inconvenience of the GBA cables (I've been able to play thru it multiplayer since then and it's a cherished memory). One of the biggest inconveniences for single player was Rebena Te Ra, which is a dungeon I'd avoid at all cost because it's very clearly centered around multiplayer. There's also the added sadness of beating the final boss on your own, because you can end up losing all of your memories. You saved the world, but you don't remember any of it. You don't remember the journey that got you there. You don't remember years of your life. It's sad and tragic in a way I can't possibly write out in a youtube comment. Anyway, fantastic video :D I'm very excited to hear your thoughts on the other games because I put a lot of hours into them >:)

[@duncanedgin9433]

I played Echoes of Time a lot as a kid. Looking forward to that video, and this was a neat look at what I missed out on! Really enjoyed this!

[@RaidenKaiser]

I don't think fans have forgot square enix are the ones who forgot and treat this game with a level of apathy that's genuinely depressing. Like the remaster they did was pretty disappointing.

[@BNSecrets]

I know it's oft-maligned, but Crystal Bearers was my first final fantasy, and I still adore it to this day. It's not really a Crystal Chronicles outside of the races but it means a lot to me.

[@NovaZoneTV]

CB is a great little romp to me, as long as you toss out every preconceived notion of Final Fantasy. However, after playing it back to back with Stranger of Paradise and starting FFXVI at the same time, it's harder for me to say it's THAT big of an outlier. But I guess that'll be talked about in 2 or 3 months. I'm very excited to get that video out

[@BNSecrets]

@@NovaZoneTV Stranger of Paradise is one of my other favourite FF games! It's such a feelgood title when it really works well.

[@NovaZoneTV]

I loved SoP so much. I definitely wanna play at least my favorite dungeons on Chaos difficulty at some point in the future.

[@jamespaguip5913]

@@NovaZoneTV have you heard of the Guyver OVA and Guyver manga series?

[@Kelzo.]

aaahhh it's good to be back, and with a childhood classic. excited for this one :)

[@chpoit]

I wish that the multiplayer in the remake wasn't so dumb, I was so hyped to relive what I had with my brother, and perhaps even finish the game, but alas, they messed up, and the game will likely forever remain unfinished for me

[@mydadsacop123]

Godlike game, none of the other crystal chronicles compared

[@TankorSmash]

Haven't watched yet but remember bringing this game back to Blockbusters early because of how much we didn't like it. Blast of nostalgia

[@kringhetto]

I had a buddy back in middle school who kept trying to get all of 7s to play this with him. No one else had a game cube though, so we never got to play. I still regret that. Sorry Jeremy.

[@wolfiesenpai]

Short little onion dudes... strong attackers... THEY'RE LITERALLY ONION KNIGHTS!

[@UnluckySuperstition]

The Gamecube version's narrations were always something i loved listening to in each area. I really disliked the switch versions rendition of it; it sounds off to me- and i also dont like the rendition of the intro song on the switch version.

[@moondoor9031]

It's so frustrating that these old FF's exclusive games cannot be playable anywhere. The 3DS FF Explorers can only be playable on a 3DS -or by other means- and some Wii FF games have the same problem. For example, I love th Dissidia FF from the PSP but they didn't upgraded the game for new consoles, it's like some old exclusive games are just completely abandoned.

[@misterbxiv]

I was so sad that the one thing that needed to be fixed just got fucked a new way, multiplayer

[@000Codex]

Love a longer deep dive video

[@catherinenguyen4144]

14:25 someone made a video debut

[@flameonboi]

Man i remember solo'ing by myself for 200+ year, it was hard and quite tough inventory management cause (muh ultima weapon T o T). Good times.

[@AthosJosue]

Saturn emulators work perfectly since decades ago.

[@train4292]

You’re back!

[@NovaZoneTV]

Cigarette store was far this time

[@isenokami7810]

Funny story with the Striped Brigands: the guide I have told me the event where you run their moogle over is only the midpoint of their plot line, and that if you do charge through it cuts their plot short. Now, that seems to be the case in the remaster, I distinctly remember finally seeing it through there…but those later events never triggered on GameCube. So for years before the remaster, I just let them rob me repeatedly waiting on a conclusion that never came.

[@ASiberianWeasel]

I beat the original on single player, and still did the same with the remaster and had my lonely fun with it, but man they fumbled it. When the remaster was announced, it felt so meant for me, and I was excited that they might put more attention into the subseries. Even now, I almost have a sliver of hope. The setting and all its charm and presentation shouldn't be punished for obtuse mechanics.

[@DarkSlayerJ]

I never got to experience this games multiplayer as a child more than one single time. I still remember the Summer day I saw this game on G4 being shown off with a friend. We had just gotten out of the pool and were in the living room at my house watching TV as we sat on dry towels. We both said the game and way to play it with the link cables looked so cool and that we both really wanted to play it. A year or so later, I had the and a GBA (SP at that point?) and he had two link cables, his own GC, and his own GBA. So, whenever I went over to his house, I'd try to play it with him. We only did it once. For whatever reason he just didn't want to. Before and after that, I played it solo. I never grinded stages for stats (The thought never even occurred to me till years later), and one night while at a different friends house, at like 2am, I got to the final boss on year 12-15(?) just barely with probably around stats in the high 30/40s. I struggled extra hard with the parasite, barely beat the first phase of the final, and never once got farther than a few hits on the final fight before giving up. I never beat the game. When I found out about the remaster, I was beside myself with joy. I was to the moon and back again. I talked about it and got so happy with everyone I could. Then I bought it, played it for a few minutes, and never touched it again. It felt off. Wrong. The controls didn't feel right at all. Nothing felt like my memories of it. I had recently, 2 years prior, just played a short session (I think up to year 4?) I grinded stats a little, and had a bit of fun, but stopped playing as life got rough. It felt just as I remembered it. I. Love everything about this game. The way the world changes, the miss-able story and quests even, the choices and world. Everything about it will forever live in my memories as a timeless game that I failed to truly experience. I hope one day I can though. Thank you for this video, I can't wait for the next ones.

[@keanu7318]

do you ever plan to do KH3. Love your content btw.

[@NovaZoneTV]

The plan is to do it after I play KH4. I liked how the current vids came out where I knew the end point. Exception is if KH4 goes into extreme development limbo. Then, I'll do a KH3 video earlier. My guess is that KH4 news will start trickling in 2 or 3 months after 7 Rebirth. Square's done well about not flooding the market for major releases lately. Usually, they've been marketing "the big game" and a bunch of medium or smaller scale projects.

[@Sonnance]

Never got to play much of the first game, for the reasons you mention here, but always had a soft spot for the series thanks to the sequels. Ring of Fates especially, because man, that story... Really cool to see the series get some recognition, and cool to finally see what the first game's deal was! A little sad I didn't try harder to play it now, honestly. I'd always gotten the sense it didn't have much story beyond vibes, but it actually went some really cool places! Might see if I can coerce- I mean convince some friends to do a playthrough together. Regardless, good stuff, man! Definitely looking forward to seeing you cover the sequels!

[@nerdmom13]

I totally did buy all the components. Had the game cube and game. Used Facebook to buy the gba’s and the cords lol so much nostalgia!

[@arcaneScribbler]

I wish the remaster was better. This game is really dear to my heart.

[@rhast57]

Me and three friends were actually able to play this together on the GameCube. Loved this game, but I think it was fun because I played with friends. I don't think it would have been so great alone

[@brendowego]

I miss this game so much. I never really got to try multi-player as a kid due to the hardware, so when the remake came out, I was all for it. Too bad I couldn't recommend it to anyone. It's a shame they couldn't figure out how to sync multiple players' stories together. I don't even think it would be that hard either, just keep track of the Myrr count for each player and if they match increase it for both players, if they don't then just the host gets the increase. That way, if the host is the one with the least Myrr, they can catch up and then everyone can move at the same pace. Also form the party before logging into the map, not before logging into the dungeon.

[@NovaZoneTV]

I'll get to it next time, but Echoes of Time's multiplayer legitimately had an almost perfect solution... on DS and Wii...

[@chadnorris8257]

Honestly you'd think the towns would be built around these myr trees, rather than crystals that need recharging every year. :P

[@NovaZoneTV]

I mean, they can't move the giant crystals. They're super big. So they have to stay wherever they are. And the myrhh trees don't ward off miasma, that's why they all have boss monsters right in front of them...

[@coolkimy6372]

I had a really fun time with this game back then, couldn't afford a memory card so I had to try to beat it without one with my cousin. I remember playing a selkie and adding the other characters on the caravan just to not make her feel lonely. After playing the remaster version, you can see a lot of things haven't age well sadly. Regardless, I do have great memories of this game. (The ost is great)

[@FredrIQ]

What is the piano music in the intro? It's familiar but I can't place it.

[@NovaZoneTV]

It's the title screen music from Final Fantasy X-2.

[@Zoeila]

I only played the first one on single player but loved it

[@SerrantDaFoeII]

This game, and the way Squeenix sent it out to die, was the ultimate proof, the final stab in the chest I needed to have my opinion on the company completely soured. I was looking forward to this so much, I even bought my fiancee a copy so we could play together... and the progression system just broke me. There were so many ways to go around it, and they chose the absolute worst, and I still can't fathom why (other than something something mobile gaming). It will forever remain one of the hardest sobering moments about the heartlessness of the industry towards its own history, especially considering we're talking about a game that, if nothing else, has a lot of heart, and I'm convinced it's the reason why so many still remember it fondly. Remasters are a fantastic way for players to remember the good old times, sure, but also a way to bring in new audiences, both those who were curious but never could try the originals, or those who might discover a hidden gem, and especially considering the accessibility problems the original release had, this was a fantastic chance to breathe life into a classic which, like you brilliantly put it, time forgot (oh the irony). But this? This wasn't it

[@AnAverageGoblin]

companies aren't your friend lmao.

[@SerrantDaFoeII]

@@AnAverageGoblin I mean, yeah sure, go off on your condescendence. Never said they were. But there are some companies that are definitely more consumer friendly than others, and what I'm trying to get across is the fact that Squeenix has lost my faith. Does that get across to you or...?

[@redmagejack]

“Oh hey a video about Crystal chronicles! I just bought the switch version and wanted to get a group together to try and multiplayer it like I didn’t get to as a kid! … What was that about the port not being great?”

[@NovaZoneTV]

I'm sorry you had to learn about this in the "5 minutes of rambling slapped on at the last minute" section of a dumb KZbin video 😔

[@redmagejack]

@@NovaZoneTVHey, I'd rather learn from an entertaining creator than on my own. I'll probably still get some friends totry it when it goes on sale next. I'm glad this video came up on my radar! Looking forward to the rest of this series and your catalogue.

[@Voice_of_p]

they really fu up the remaster

[@sadie9728]

Speaking of waiting years for fantranslations: Fate/Extra CCC finally just got a fantastic full translation for the psp

[@leonardodelimaferreira8509]

Is it a good idea to release a final mix so close to those 3 original releases? I kinda wanted to see each separately first and give the comp a watch later on to help with the views, but now I'm kinda inclined to just watch the "final mix" one, specially for possible corrections that you'll make

[@NovaZoneTV]

There is no reason to watch the individuals today. I had less changes than i expected but went ahead with the supercut because parts 1&2 flow better as one for me (I wrote them at the same time), and it's what I always said I'd do.

[@renoslash1890]

I recognise that Dragon..

[@whitemage34]

Final Fantasy:Crystal Chronicles was a mobile game at one point Final Fantasy:Crystal Barrers was my first introduction to the Crystal Games I loved it

[@ajflink]

I wonder how much releasing the MegaMan Starforce games on modern consoles and/or PC by Capcom will be a hassle. They cannot simply emulate the game. I guess the Switch could kninda get away with that, but that's it.

[@NovaZoneTV]

ZX and Advent did that thing with the 2nd analog stick as a cursor, but idk if that'd be as pretty for SF. Might just be the only option? That BN collection sold too much for them to not rerelease SF.

[@ajflink]

@@NovaZoneTV Yeah. Not sure how you would do it otherwise.

[@GlitchedVision]

@@ajflink the only SF that outright 100% required the touch screen was the first one, the second and third had button control options for absolutely everything. Also, there's a fan made mod of the first star force that replaces the touch screen stuff with button controls so it wouldn't be that hard to just make that light tweak.

[@NovaZoneTV]

That's good to know. tbh, I've only played SF1 atm so I kinda assumed they were all like that

[@ajflink]

@@GlitchedVision That would be ideal.

[@jamespaguip5913]

Nova zone I have question have you heard of Guyver biobooster armor manga or anime series?

[@thomasffrench3639]

I watched it and I was bored out of my mind

[@jamespaguip5913]

@@thomasffrench3639 the Guyver ova and manga series is really good, so I don’t know what your even talking about, the Guyver OVA had a lot of good fights. Unless if you preferring to the Guyver 2005 version probably yes is kinda boring but the Guyver OVA is really good

[@thomasffrench3639]

@@jamespaguip5913 I'm talking the OVA from the 80s/90s.

[@jamespaguip5913]

@@thomasffrench3639 really the one guyver 12 episodes OVA right? Because I kinda thought the OVA was much gory and grimdark compared to the reboot from 2005 but that’s ok Guyver is not for everyone because I really love the Guyver manga and OVA it’s really good. But yeah I know what you mean it’s ok I was interested in the idea of Guyver but it’s good but I really appreciate your comment thank you 🙏

[@NovaZoneTV]

I've heard of it. Haven't ebgaged with it.

[@phealtalk]

you haven't seen clone hero?

[@wolffster25]

This was a fantastic video it captures everything that makes Crystal Chronicles special and why the remaster is such a disappointment. This was the first FF game I played I only had a GameCube at the time. Also no GBAs so no multiplayer 😢. I would later play FFIV and that would be the first FF game I finished. I would not finish CC until the remaster I did get some enjoyment out of it by showing people how to get the ??? element. I remember using some website to discover that I was not clever enough to read between the lines 😅. This game is special and I wish the remaster was better but it’s ok I still have my memories. BTW you definitely earned a sub from me I’m looking forward to the rest of your series!!!!

[@NovaZoneTV]

Glad you enjoyed it! Yeah, gonna try to finish the final drafts of Parts 2 & 3 this weekend. No promises on release, but both will be out at least before the summer...

[@Bazzlieo]

I never forgot it 🥰 I love it, I just wish the remaster wasn’t so poorly executed

[@brad3950]

This game was like a mini Monster Hunter

[@SlyHikari03]

For sure. The music also kinda has a monster hunter vibe to it too. I’d love if Kumi Tanioka did a monster hunter score.

[@bangalgar]

Didn't og get a remake?

[@ShadowReaper072]

Played this on game cube, still have it. did actually get my brother to play with me a few times, but neither of us wanted to carry the stupid chalice. btw, I got to year 58. because I liked playing it and I wanted EVERYTHING. I still don't have the DARK weapon tho. played as a lilty, kinda gave up on the dark weapon.yes I did beat the final boss, several times actually because it was fun. also I was OP as shit when i first met the final boss.

[@NovaZoneTV]

Honestly, the ultimate weapons in Crystal Chronicles 1 are so rediculous to nab. Just because of the partial luck involved. Probably one of the most annoying to get in any FF I've played. It doesn't beat the 3D version of 4 though. That has annoying ones because of some wack grinding required for it.

[@warrencaldwell3155]

Yo this was my first final fantasy 😅

[@PyroKitsuna11]

I kinda liked the 2 ds games if this series

[@Lucifronz]

Can't really be "forgotten by time" if it got a remaster, now can it?

[@sadie9728]

It's on the Switch but I think because the multiplayer is gone, the game without it is what's been lost. I remember when it came out and that was kind of it's selling point.

[@graceggale]

YUKES ARE BASED

[@GuardianArk15]

18:46 still super salty about how they messed up the remake.

[@goldengamer-b2z]

honest thought i like the style of ff9 better then the style they use in ff4 remake and ff15 pocket edition

[@NovaZoneTV]

I think the style they used in FFIV does a great job of making Amano's art come to life. The proportions feel very in line with his old Tatsunoko work but put to DS. But of all the FF games with an SD style, 9 has my favorite look. I think partially because it's main cast and most of the supporting cast have such varied body shapes. Feels like an old Tezuka manga.

[@chicodepuertorico1450]

Time didn't forget it. It fucking flopped! TWICE!

[@sonicyvan7492]

FF CC remaster is simply one of the worst game I ever played in my life.

[@CorgiRS]

Why? A lot of things are made better for solo and there’s actually a post game to grind (albeit hard alone) You really feel every upgrade and the progression in the game is nice for the style of gameplay

[@AnAverageGoblin]

never liked the Crystal Chronicles sub series. ugly art, ugly character designs, ugly everything. quirky awful gameplay good riddance.