Final Fantasy Chronicles
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Final Fantasy Chronicles
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 Final Fantasy Chronicles box art |
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| Developer(s) | Square, TOSE |
| Publisher(s) | Square Electronic Arts |
| Series | Final Fantasy Chrono |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation |
| Release date(s) | NA June 29, 2001 [1] |
| Genre(s) | Console role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: T (Teen) |
| Media | 2 CD-ROMs |
Final Fantasy Chronicles is a compilation of Square's console role-playing games Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger, released for the Sony PlayStation on June 29, 2001.[1] TOSE ported both titles from the Super Nintendo Entertainment System; each had been previously released as individual PlayStation ports in 1997 (Final Fantasy IV) and 1999 (Chrono Trigger).[2][3] Several bonus features were added to each game, such as art galleries, bestiaries, and cutscenes—including computer-generated full motion video used at the beginning of Final Fantasy IV and anime scenes used throughout Chrono Trigger.[4]
Final Fantasy Chronicles was received well by players and critics, who praised the peripheral features and the fact that Square was offering RPG classics to a new generation of gamers.[4][5][6] Conversely, reviewers sharply criticized "long and frequent loading" between areas and battles due to poor emulation.[6][5] Enough copies of Chronicles were sold to warrant a second release as part of Sony's Greatest Hits in June 2003.[7]
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In Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger, the player controls a set of characters, closely following the console role-playing game genre. The methods of viewing and controlling the characters are separated by three different "screens": the overworld, where the characters traverse to different locations; the field map, where the characters explore locations such as towns and dungeons; and the battle screen, where the characters fight with monsters or other enemies.
Final Fantasy IV introduced the Active Time Battle, a system designed by Hiroyuki Ito. It centers around the player inputting orders for the characters in "real time" during battles. Each character is balanced through certain strengths and weaknesses; for instance, a strong magic user may have low defense, while a physical fighter may have low agility.
Chrono Trigger's gameplay deviates from traditional role-playing games in that, rather than random encounters, most enemies are openly visible on field maps or lie in wait to ambush the party. Contact with enemies on a field map initiates a battle that occurs directly on the field map itself rather than on a separate battle screen. Chrono Trigger uses an updated form of the Active Time Battle introduced in Final Fantasy IV, with additions such as "Techs" that rely on enemy positioning and abilities of characters. Other features are the employment of time travel and a "New Game Plus" option.
Final Fantasy Chronicles features two previously-released ports by TOSE; Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger were released separately, and Final Fantasy IV was re-released as a part of Final Fantasy Collection, all published in Japan.[8] Chronicles was designed and directed by Kazuhiko Aoki, supervised by Fumiaki Fukaya, and produced by Akihiro Imai.[9] It was created as a follow-up to Final Fantasy Anthology, a compilation of Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy VI.
A compilation of Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger was in consideration in December 2000, with Final Fantasy Anthology's success a key decision factor.[10] Final Fantasy Chronicles was announced by Square Electronic Arts on April 17, 2001. Jun Iwasaki, president, mentioned an "overwhelming number" of requests to re-release Chrono Trigger, and believed the compilation of it and Final Fantasy IV would "appeal to fans of the original games and introduce a new generation of gamers to some of our classic titles."[11] Final Fantasy Chronicles was released on June 29, 2001 to take advantage of Columbia Pictures' marketing campaign for Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.[12] An event was held on July 10 in San Francisco, primarily to celebrate the film The Spirits Within and release of Final Fantasy Chronicles. It featured a cosplay contest, a memorabilia raffle, and booths to play Final Fantasy Chronicles and Final Fantasy X.[13]
The original Final Fantasy IV was released in North America as Final Fantasy II in 1991, with various "Easytype" modifications.[14] These were removed in the Final Fantasy Chronicles version, and the game was re-localized, achieving a script closer to the Japanese script by Takashi Tokita.[9] Chrono Trigger, released in 1995, was already localized by Ted Woolsey, but the Final Fantasy Chronicles version has a few modifications.
A primary addition to both games is full-motion video. Final Fantasy IV features computer graphic sequences, while Chrono Trigger features anime-style sequences designed by Akira Toriyama that "help further tell the story of Chrono Trigger." Final Fantasy IV was given gameplay features such as a two-player mode, a "Sprint Feature" to "enhance and quicken gameplay", and the "Memo File" system to "reduce saving time." Chrono Trigger, instead of added gameplay features, has an "Extras Mode". This features databases such as a bestiary and a gallery of artwork created in development.[15]
Music from Final Fantasy Chronicles is a set of two separately-released compact discs published by TokyoPop. Final Fantasy IV Official Soundtrack and Chrono Trigger Original Soundtrack were both released on August 21, 2001. Final Fantasy IV Official Soundtrack has 44 tracks of 63 minutes in total and includes an arranged version of "Theme of Love" by Shirou Satou. Chrono Trigger Original Soundtrack, 25 tracks and 73 minutes in total, includes three arrangements by Tsuyoshi Sekito and an arrangement of "Chrono Trigger" by Hiroshi Hata and Kalta Ohtsuki.[16][17] In addition, a strategy guide written by Dan Birlew was published by BradyGames on July 2, 2001.
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Final Fantasy Chronicles was commercially and critically successful, becoming the top selling PlayStation title for two weeks, and scoring an average of 89% in Metacritic's aggregate, a review tallying website.[22][24] Gaming website IGN rated it 9.4 and awarded an "Editor's Choice Award", calling the game a "must buy" for RPG fans.[4]
GameSpot reviewer Brad Shoemaker gave the game an 8.5, but cited "muffled sound effects" in Final Fantasy IV, and was displeased with frequent loading in Chrono Trigger. He added that the visuals were "stupendous" when the games were originally released, but they now look dated and will "turn off those looking for a bigger thrill for their gaming dollar".[5] Marcus Lai of Gaming Age was disappointed with a lack of additions, calling the ports "barebone games" and claiming that the full motion videos are "nice touches to both games but don't add much".[25]
- ^ a b "Final Fantasy Chronicles". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/ps/rpg/finalfantasychronicles/tech_info.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=stats&tag=stats;techinfo. Retrieved on 2008-06-29.
- ^ "Chrono Trigger for PS". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/ps/rpg/chronotrigger/index.html?q=Chrono%20Trigger. Retrieved on March 3.
- ^ "Final Fantasy IV for PS". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/ps/rpg/finalfantasy4/index.html?q=Final%20Fantasy%20IV. Retrieved on March 3.
- ^ a b c d e IGN Staff (2001-07-18). "IGN: Final Fantasy Chronicles Review". IGN.com. http://psx.ign.com/articles/166/166322p1.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-29.
- ^ a b c d Shoemaker, Brad (2001-07-06). "Final Fantasy Chronicles for PlayStation Review - PlayStation Final Fantasy Chronicles Review". Gamespot. pp. 1-2. http://www.gamespot.com/ps/rpg/finalfantasychronicles/review.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-29.
- ^ a b c Kennedy, Sam, ed. (2001). Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine August 2001; issue 47. Ziff Davis Media Inc.. pp. 107.
- ^ "Final Fantasy Chronicles", ASIN B00005LOXE
- ^ "Final Fantasy Collection". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/ps/rpg/finalfantasycollection/index.html. Retrieved on March 9.
- ^ a b Square Enix staff, ed. (2001). Final Fantasy Chronicles instruction manual. Square Enix. pp. 54. SLUS-01360.
- ^ Wanlin, Matthew. "Classic Square Titles to be Ported to the PlayStation?". RPGamer. http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2000/121900a.html. Retrieved on July 2.
- ^ IGN staff. "Chrono Trigger and FF IV Confirmed for US Release". IGN PlayStation. http://psx.ign.com/articles/093/093510p1.html. Retrieved on July 2.
- ^ Final Fantasy game, film converge in July.(Brief Article) | Video Business | Find Articles at BNET.com
- ^ Ahmed, Shahed. "Final Fantasy fan day". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/ps/rpg/finalfantasychronicles/news.html?sid=2779055. Retrieved on July 2.
- ^ Kelley, Ian. "FF4j/FF4j Easytype Changes FAQ". FFCompendium. http://www.ffcompendium.com/h/faqs/ff4versions.txt. Retrieved on 2006-09-12.
- ^ N/A. "FINAL FANTASY CHRONICLES". Square Enix North America. http://na.square-enix.com/games/FFC/. Retrieved on June 2.
- ^ RPGFan Soundtracks - Final Fantasy IV Official Soundtrack: Music From Final Fantasy Chronicles
- ^ RPGFan Soundtracks - Chrono Trigger Official Soundtrack: Music From Final Fantasy Chronicles
- ^ a b "Final Fantasy Chronicles Reviews". Game Rankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages4/477343.asp. Retrieved on 2008-06-29.
- ^ a b Hsu, Dan "Shoe", ed. (2001). Electronic Gaming Monthly August 2001; issue 145. Ziff Davis Media Inc.. pp. 112.
- ^ Leeper, Justin. "Game Informer Online". Game Informer. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200107/R03.0806.1130.20551.htm?CS_pid=261389. Retrieved on 2008-06-28.
- ^ a b "UNCLEDUST" (2001-06-26). "Review: Final Fantasy Chronicles for PlayStation on Gamepro.com.". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/14924.shtml. Retrieved on 2008-06-29.
- ^ a b "Final Fantasy Chronicles (psx: 2001): Reviews". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/psx/finalfantasychronicles?q=final%20fantasy%20chronicles. Retrieved on 2008-06-28.
- ^ "Final Fantasy Chronicles for PlayStation - MobyGames". MobyGames. http://www.mobygames.com/game/playstation/final-fantasy-chronicles/mobyrank. Retrieved on 2008-06-29.
- ^ "Final Fantasy Chronicles Tops the Charts". IGN. July 13, 2001. http://psx.ign.com/articles/096/096465p1.html. Retrieved on March 28.
- ^ "Final Fantasy Chronicles Review for PlayStation". Gaming Age. http://www.gaming-age.com/cgi-bin/reviews/review.pl?sys=psx&game=ffc. Retrieved on July 2.
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