I was expecting to see this sooner or later, but not so fast. Square-Enix issued a press release earlier today confirming the online multiplayer RPG Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time for North American release in Spring 2009.

To catch up those of you who just started reading lately, Echoes of Time is looking like it's going to be a seriously awesome game. It uses a similar engine to FFCC: Ring of Fates on the DS, but fixes Ring of Fates's most glaring problem by implementing true online multiplayer co-op support for up to four players. Even better, the game is getting released in two identical SKUs, DS and Wii, that are going to be compatible in online multiplayer. Online will also be compatible across regions, so feel free to play with your buddies who imported Japanese copies.

The press release also includes some fairly new information features. Specifically, players will be able to switch a single character between solo and multiplayer game modes freely, and the game is also going to support extensive character appearance customization. Full press release behind the cut!

Wii and Nintendo DS Owners Unite! Square Enix Announces FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: Echoes of Time for North America

The Latest in the Franchise Breaks Down the Walls between Handheld and Console Platforms

LOS ANGELES, Dec 01, 2008 -- Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix(R) interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that FINAL FANTASY(R) CRYSTAL CHRONICLES(R): Echoes of Time(TM) will be released for both Wii(TM) and Nintendo DS(TM) in Spring 2009.

Players can choose to play alone or with friends, whenever and however they like in FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: Echoes of Time. Arriving simultaneously on both Wii and DS, this latest entry in the FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES series introduces a new concept in multiplayer gaming, enabling users of either Nintendo platform to adventure alongside each other for the first time.

Maintaining the intuitive control scheme of FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: Ring of Fates(R) and enhancing the gameplay experience with an integrated system that allows players to switch between the single and multiplayer modes in-game, FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: Echoes of Time is set to take multiplayer gaming to new heights as it brings together Wii and DS users from around the world next spring.

Story

A triumphant return from a monster-infested forest marks the completion of the 16-year-old hero's coming-of-age ceremony. However, the hero's joy is short-lived as a young village girl is found to be afflicted by a mysterious illness known as "crystal sickness." Determined to obtain the cure, the hero steps out of the secluded village for the first time, only to discover a world in which crystals are merely artifacts of the past and no longer exist ...

Features

  • Play anytime, anywhere with anyone! Multiplayer connectivity reaches new heights in FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: Echoes of Time, where players can team up or compete with friends and players around the world!
  • The intuitive control scheme introduced in FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: Ring of Fates returns, now adapted to Wii for double the action.
  • Players can switch between single and multiplayer modes within the gameworld itself, giving them two great gaming options in one integrated experience
  • A personalized hero can be generated from a choice of the four familiar races of the series; Clavats, Lilties, Selkies or Yukes. Players joining from the Wii can also introduce their Miis to the world of FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES
  • Create and customize materials, armor and equipment for characters with tailored appearances and abilities - no two heroes will be the same!
  • A vast selection of quests provides hours of fun, even after completion of the main adventure

Comments [5]

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feanaro

Looks awesome. I enjoyed Ring of Fates (and the original). Should be a good way to pass the time until Crystal Bearers, if Square Enix makes good on their promise to release it. Now, the only question is which system to buy it for.

Lynxara

@feanaro: Yeah, I've been having conversations like that with people for the past few days. I don't think I'm going to lack for friends to play Echoes of Time with... ^_^

I'll probably get the Wii version, because Wi-Fi hotspots are none too common around here, and any online time I spent with the game would be at home anyway. So, might as well get a bigger display and possible USB keyboard/Wii Speak support.

That said, I know a bunch of people I want to play with are going for the DS so they can play it on the couch or just because they don't want a Wii. I kind of hope Echoes of Time does well just so Square-Enix does more Pollux Engine games, it's such a cool idea...

feanaro

That's the exact reason why I'll probably get the Wii version as well. Getting online with my Wii will be so much easier for me than doing it with the DS. Local multiplayer will also be much easier, seeing as that very few of my friends have a DS, and none of them would buy this game. I do have plenty who would be willing to come over and play it on Wii, though.

But the game is clearly a handheld game that just happens to have a console version, so it will be a little strange to not be able to take it anywhere, and to play a game with DS graphics on a current console. Oh well.

Lynxara

@feanaro:

I've seen graphics comparisons between the Wii and DS SKUs of Echoes of Time. The Wii Echoes of Time looks about as good as Chocobo's Dungeon, another $39.99 Wii title. Definitely better than a DS game, so I do think you get your money's worth if you go with the Wii SKU.

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