Those who've been keeping tabs on more Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates should enjoy these brief videos from GameTrailers. While the following clips offer only a short glimpse (and with each trailer clocking in at 15 seconds, really short) of the actual gameplay, they emphasize on how playing multiplayer modes will feel like once this latest Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles title from Square Enix finally hits the shelves. From what we can see in the videos, this game will be perfect for spending lazy afternoons with friends.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates will be on sale in Japan in August 23, just a few days from now. It'll be a while before we get our own version of the game, but for now, enjoy the videos!

Check out the full article for the second video!

We've got our hands on another gameplay video of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates and this time it features platforming action in one of the game's dungeons. Have a look at this cute Nintendo DS sequel to the GameCube original.

Apparently, a lot of the elements present in the GameCube's Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles will be present in the DS sequel. Most of the gameplay will take place in the top screen but that doesn't mean we won't get a dose of touch screen-tapping fun. Platforming has always been a strong sell in Nintendo machines and Ring of Fates is fitting right in with the other titles in the mix.

Special attacks which will give us eye-catching flair and big damage to enemies have been confirmed and we'll be ready to see some of that in the future. Controls will be similar to its predecessor to allow veterans of the first game to pick up easily from where they left off. Get ready to be captivated by Square Enix's magic once again.

More Final Fantasy goodness that's deliciously bite-sized but still has that epic flavor in this screenshot update of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates for the Nintendo DS. We get you the sneak peek into the facet of Final Fantasy that captured the hearts of all RPG fans with its first GameCube appearance.

Looking at the screenshots, it's safe to say that the graphics of this upcoming Final Fantasy title is definitely the best-looking out from all the portable versions released before it. The colors are vibrant and lively, the facial features easily distinguishable and full with emotion, the models clearly very detailed and has that Final Fantasy feel to them.

Combat looks pretty solid, too, with a lot of action and spellcasting involved. The environments are lush and vivid, the magic effects enchanting. It's certainly clear that Squeenix put a lot of work in this title to make it look as good at it does now - hopefully it plays just as well.

More updates as we get them, in the meantime enjoy the screenshots!

The other screenshots after the jump!

  

Why does it always seem as if each new Final Fantasy game has to get its very own bundle? Famitsu reports that, to commemorate the future release of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates, Square Enix will be releasing a new Nintendo DS bundle for people to pick up.

This bundle, which they're elaborately calling the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates Gemini Edition, will carry both a copy of the game and a crystal white DS with the above design on the cover. The whole shebang will set you back 21,840 yen (US$ 176), so it's not that bad a deal, all things considered.

Expect the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates Gemini Edition to make its way to Japanese stores on August 23 this year. In the meantime, check out some screens below.

  

This might interest those of you who absolutely must have every little tidbit on Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates for the Nintendo DS. Square Enix recently gave out some new information about the game to Shonen Jump and Famitsu. These scans provide some information that most people who are following the game would probably want to know.

 

A new character has been revealed who goes by the name of Teteo, who is apparently the daughter of the king who helps out the twins Yuri and Cherinka in their bid to save the world. Players can also bring your friends along on this epic quest. The multiplayer mode supports up to four players via local area network.

This game is really looking good and like most Final Fantasy games, will probably have people in a mad scramble to score a copy when it comes out. The game is slated to be released on August 23 in Japan. The US release has yet to be announced but we expect that more will be revealed as the Japanese release date creeps closer.

Be sure to keep checking back here for more updates on Final  Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates.

 

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates has been making some serious noise in the DS realm here in the U.S. and in Japan. It follows the hit Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles and brings two nice game modes for players, plus a lot of other fun factors.

Players will now have the ability to jump, making exploration a much more challenging task. You'll have the choice to play as Yuri and his three other friends in the single player mode and follow the plot or join your friends in a four-player multiplayer mode. This spells fun as you and your pals must behave as a cohesive unit to bust up the baddies.

Famitsu recently showed more images of the upcoming DS RPG and revealed its Japan release date as August 23 of 2007. No date has been announced for the U.S. release. We'll keep you informed.

  

The first trailer for Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates was shown way back in December. Back then, details were sketchy, especially with regards to its multiplayer functions. Now, we're pretty satisfied with Square Enix's explanations, and while some would complain that the game's "too different" from the prior GameCube installment, we're quite sure you'll still be playing it nonetheless, right? If not, that's what this second trailer is for:

The trailer above features different kinds of footage from the game - battle clips, cinematics and in-game cutscenes, platformer puzzles, touchscreen interaction, and a whole host of other features. Final Fantasy CC: Ring of Fates is to be released on August 23 of this year.

Given that much as been said and announced about the features that Square Enix's Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates (DS) and FF CC: Crystal Bearers (Wii) will carry, we'll be taking a short break to hear some words from their corresponding directors. That's the topic of this latest interview 1Up's wrapped up with Crystal Bearers director Toshiyuki Itahana, and Ring of Fates director Mitsuru Kamiyama.

First on the itinerary was Itahana-san's view on Crystal Bearers, which he described was going to be more action-oriented compared to other Final Fantasy games. Itahana further elaborated that while the original Crystal Chronicles (GameCube) and Ring of Fates (DS) focused more on multiplayer gaming, Crystal Bearers "concentrates more on solo play and action".

As for the matter of Ring of Fates, Kamiyama-san was quizzed whether the DS game would give players the MMO-style aspect of being able to create their own custom armor and weapons sets, much like in Crystal Chronicles for the GC. The director happily replied that Ring of Fates would indeed carry armor and weapons customizability, with the plus that the game's varying equipment would each look different. And yes - you can carry the gear over during multiplayer battles.

The last segment of the interview delved into other game details. First up was Crystal Bearer's feel, which 1UP has described as a "Skies of Arcadia (Dreamcast) meets the Little Prince (novel)" motif, given the combination of airships, and the main protagonists now-famous boyish appearance and golden, curly locks. Here were Itahana's thoughts on the matter:

In terms of the hair, what we discussed before in how I want to portray the hero, I wanted more of a world-weary weather-beaten image, my image was not to design a hero with curly hair, but to make it appear a little disheveled because it's supposed to be a little messy so that it appears that he's been through a lot of stuff and wanted to convey a rugged look for the hero.

As for Kamiyama, and whether the GC game's "moogle painting" feature would be carried over:

Here's an insider story for you. First of all, yes, moogle painting is in the game. But in the original GameCube game, that feature was put in just two weeks before we finalized the data was 'set,' and it was kind of an afterthought at first. So I went to Itahana, and I said "Do something with this," and he drew out the idea on a chopstick wrapper, and gave it to me, and I showed it to Mr. Kawazu (Akitoshi Kawazu, executive producer), who looked at it, and then left without saying anything.

That's all for the moment. Just stick around in case the game's dev team has more to say, or if we pick up any details on either game's inter-connectivity. According to IGN, Crystal Bearers for the Wii is currently on TBA status for the US, is expected to launch in Japan this December 31, and in Europe this July 26. Ring of Fates for the DS is currently on TBA status for Europe, is expected to launch in Japan this August 23, and in the US this December 31.

Gaming news website GamesRadar recently had the chance to pump Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Crystal Bearers Executive Producer Akitoshi Kawazu and Director Toshiyuki Itahana as well as Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates Director Mitsuru Kamiyama for some info on their upcoming games. Here are a few snippets of what they learned.

DS and Wii connectivity for both games is a no go at this point, unlike the original which had GBA and GameCube connectivity. According to Kawazu, though, once the Wii gets into more and more households, then the team behind the games would definitely "start contemplating these concepts."

As for controls, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Crystal Bearers will use the Wiimote for movement and attacking. The game will also utilize the nunchuck for "different purposes in different scenes," although Itahana notes that as a team, they made sure that the gameplay will not be "taken over by a feature in the hardware".

For the full interview, click on the "read" link below.

A lot of details for different games were released in the Square Enix Party 2007 Pre-Conference Meeting. Among them were some tidbits for Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates which were let slip by none other than executive producer of the FF series Akitoshi Kawazu. He gave a few words about the game and compared it to its predecessor:

Ring of Fates will come to the Nintendo DS, and the positive aspect of this is that everyone can play together, using the DS's communication capabilities. With the GameCube version, users found some dissatisfactory elements, but with the new game, people will find new storylines to enjoy.

The game is to be directed by the Toshiyuki Itahana. Known as the original character designer for the first Crystal Chronicles, his influence is shown in 3D models of the game. While some have commented that the game is smaller than its first iteration on the GameCube, the smaller and more focused levels along with the deeper puzzles seem to be working for it. A fine example would be the boss battles against a gigantic flaming turtle. To defeat the turtle, you have to flip it to attack its exposed underbelly. It sounds pretty good, if you ask me.

The game is slated to be released on August 23 in Japan. Hopefully, we'll be seeing a US version out soon thereafter. Be sure to check out the screenshots of the game.

The rest of the screens await after the jump!