imported>The Editor 155: Reception.

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Reception.

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{{Short description|Video game compilation released in 2001}}
{{distinguish|Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Final Fantasy Chronicles
| image = File:ffcbox.jpg
| developer = [[Square (video game company)|Square]] <br>[[Tose (company)|Tose]]
| publisher = [[Square (video game company)#Square Electronic Arts|Square Electronic Arts]] <br /> [[Square Enix]] (Greatest Hits re-release)
| series = ''[[Final Fantasy]]''<br />''[[Chrono (series)|Chrono]]''
| platforms = [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]
| released = {{vgrelease|NA|July 2, 2001}}
| genre = [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]<ref name="official">{{cite web|title=FINAL FANTASY CHRONICLES |url=http://na.square-enix.com/games/FFC/ |work=[[Square Enix]] |access-date=June 2, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070521171101/http://na.square-enix.com/games/FFC/ |archive-date=May 21, 2007}}</ref>
}}

'''''Final Fantasy Chronicles''''' is a compilation of [[Square (video game company)|Square]]'s [[role-playing video game]]s ''[[Final Fantasy IV]]'' (1991) and ''[[Chrono Trigger]]'' (1995), released for the North American [[Sony Computer Entertainment|Sony]] [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] on July 2, 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PR#55 |url=http://www.squaresoft.com/web/news/press/press55.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030204094952fw_/http://www.squaresoft.com/web/news/press/press55.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2003-02-04 |access-date=2023-03-26 }}</ref> [[TOSE]] [[porting|ported]] both titles from the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]; each had been previously released as individual Japanese PlayStation ports in 1997 (''Final Fantasy IV'') and 1999 (''Chrono Trigger'').<ref name="releasedateCT">{{cite web|title=Chrono Trigger for PS |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/rpg/chronotrigger/index.html?q=Chrono%20Trigger |work=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=March 3, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930133222/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/rpg/chronotrigger/index.html?q=Chrono%20Trigger |archive-date=September 30, 2007}}</ref><ref name="releasedateFF4">{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy IV for PS |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/rpg/finalfantasy4/index.html?q=Final%20Fantasy%20IV |work=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=March 3, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929164427/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/rpg/finalfantasy4/index.html?q=Final%20Fantasy%20IV |archive-date=September 29, 2007}}</ref> Several bonus features were added to each game, such as art galleries, bestiaries, and [[cutscene]]s—including [[computer-generated imagery]] [[full motion video]] used at the beginning of ''Final Fantasy IV'' and [[anime]] scenes used throughout ''Chrono Trigger''.<ref name=IGN/>

''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.<ref name=IGN/><ref name=Spot/><ref name="loadtime">{{Cite book | year=2001 | title=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine August 2001; issue 47 | editor=Kennedy, Sam | page=107 | publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]}}</ref> Conversely, reviewers sharply criticized "long and frequent loading" between areas and battles due to poor emulation.<ref name=Spot/><ref name="loadtime" /> Enough copies of ''Chronicles'' were sold to warrant a second release as part of [[Sony]]'s [[List of Sony Greatest Hits games|Greatest Hits]] in June 2003.<ref>"Final Fantasy Chronicles", ASIN B00005LOXE</ref>

==Gameplay==
In ''[[Final Fantasy IV]]'' and ''[[Chrono Trigger]]'', the player controls a set of characters, closely following the [[role-playing video 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 [[monster]]s or other enemies.<ref name="iiinstructions"/><ref name="npreview2"/>

===''Final Fantasy IV''===
{{main|Final Fantasy IV#Gameplay|l1=Gameplay of Final Fantasy IV}}
''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.<ref name="gafreview">{{cite web|author=Johnson, Robert |title=Final Fantasy IV Review |date=2003-04-28 |url=http://www.gamesarefun.com/gamesdb/review.php?reviewid=197 |publisher=GamesAreFun |access-date=2006-09-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903123650/http://www.gamesarefun.com/gamesdb/review.php?reviewid=197 |archive-date=2006-09-03}}</ref> 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.<ref name="iiinstructions">{{cite book | year=1991 | editor=Square Co., Ltd. | title=Final Fantasy II instruction manual | page=74 | publisher=[[Square (video game company)|Square]] | id=SFS-F4-USA-1}}</ref>

===''Chrono Trigger''===
{{main|Chrono Trigger#Gameplay|l1=Gameplay of Chrono Trigger}}
''Chrono Trigger''{{'}}s gameplay deviates from traditional role-playing games in that, rather than [[random encounter]]s, 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.<ref name="npreview2">{{Cite magazine |date=July 1995 |volume=74 |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |title=Epic Center: Chrono Trigger |page=53}}</ref> ''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.<ref name="npreview2"/><ref name="Battle 2.0">{{cite video game | title =Chrono Trigger | developer =Square Co., Ltd. | publisher =Square Soft, Inc. | date=1995-08-22 | platform =Super Nintendo Entertainment System | quote='''Menu screen:''' Active Time Battle 2.0}}</ref> Other features are the employment of [[time travel]] and a "[[New Game Plus]]" option.<ref name="nppreview">{{Cite magazine | volume=73 | date=June 1995 | magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] | title=Chrono Trigger: A New Standard for RPGs | page=37}}</ref><ref name="dsultimania">{{cite book|year=2009 |editor=Studio BentStuff |title=Chrono Trigger Ultimania |page=581 |language=ja |publisher=Square Enix |url=http://www.chronocompendium.com/Term/Supporting_Material_Translation.html#Chrono_Trigger_Ultimania |isbn=978-4-7575-2469-9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119231921/http://chronocompendium.com/Term/Supporting_Material_Translation.html |archive-date=2010-11-19}}</ref>

==Development==
''Final Fantasy Chronicles'' features two previously released [[porting|ports]] by [[TOSE]]; ''[[Final Fantasy IV]]'' and ''[[Chrono Trigger]]'' were released separately, and ''IV'' was re-released as a part of ''[[Final Fantasy Collection]]'', all published in Japan.<ref name="releasedateffcc">{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy Collection |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/rpg/finalfantasycollection/index.html |work=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=March 9, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070401134716/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/rpg/finalfantasycollection/index.html |archive-date=April 1, 2007}}</ref> ''Chronicles'' was designed and directed by [[Kazuhiko Aoki (video game designer)|Kazuhiko Aoki]], supervised by Fumiaki Fukaya, and produced by Akihiro Imai.<ref name="Chronicles" /> It was created as a follow-up to ''[[Final Fantasy Anthology]]'', a compilation of ''[[Final Fantasy V]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy VI|VI]]''.<ref name=Spot/><ref name="Anth"/>

The original ''[[Final Fantasy IV]]'' was released in North America as ''Final Fantasy II'' in 1991, with various [[Final Fantasy IV#North American localization|"Easytype" modifications]].<ref name="ffcompendium-translation">{{cite web|author=Kelley, Ian |title=FF4j/FF4j Easytype Changes FAQ |url=http://www.ffcompendium.com/h/faqs/ff4versions.txt |work=FFCompendium |access-date=2006-09-12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060529144817/http://www.ffcompendium.com/h/faqs/ff4versions.txt |archive-date=2006-05-29}}</ref> These were removed in the ''Final Fantasy Chronicles'' version, and the game was [[Internationalization and localization|re-localized]], achieving a script closer [[Takashi Tokita]]'s original scenario.<ref name="Chronicles">{{cite book | year=2001 | editor=Square Enix staff | title=Final Fantasy Chronicles instruction manual | page=54 | publisher=Square Enix | id=SLUS-01360}}</ref> ''[[Chrono Trigger]]'', released in 1995, was already localized by [[Ted Woolsey]], but the ''Final Fantasy Chronicles'' version has additional modifications.<ref name=Spot/>

A primary addition to both games is [[full-motion video]]. ''Final Fantasy IV'' features computer animated [[cutscene]] sequences by [[Visual Works]], while ''Chrono Trigger'' features [[anime]]-style sequences designed by [[Akira Toriyama]] and animated by [[Toei Animation]] 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.<ref name="official"/>

===Promotion and merchandising===
{{see also|Music of Final Fantasy IV|Music of Chrono Trigger}}
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.<ref name="Anth">{{cite web |author=Wanlin, Matthew |title=Classic Square Titles to be Ported to the PlayStation? |url=http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2000/121900a.html |work=RPGamer |access-date=July 2, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930031516/http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2000/121900a.html |archive-date=September 30, 2007}}</ref> ''Final Fantasy Chronicles'' was announced by [[Square Electronic Arts]] in April 2001. President Jun Iwasaki 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".<ref>{{cite web|author=IGN staff |title=Chrono Trigger and FF IV Confirmed for US Release |url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/093/093510p1.html |work=[[IGN]] |date=17 April 2001 |access-date=July 2, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630204418/http://psx.ign.com/articles/093/093510p1.html |archive-date=June 30, 2007}}</ref> An event was held on July 10 in [[San Francisco]], primarily to celebrate the film ''[[Final Fantasy: 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]]''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ahmed, Shahed |title=Final Fantasy fan day |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/rpg/finalfantasychronicles/news.html?sid=2779055 |work=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=July 2, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930013440/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/rpg/finalfantasychronicles/news.html?sid=2779055 |archive-date=September 30, 2007}}</ref>

''Music from Final Fantasy Chronicles'' is a set of two separately released [[compact disc]]s 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'' is nearly the same release as ''Final Fantasy IV: Original Sound Version'', the soundtrack album for the original game, except that the songs were rerecorded by [[TOSE]], resulting in minor differences, some song titles were slightly changed, and a 45th track was added, "Theme of Love (Arranged)", which had previously only been released as a piano version on the second track of ''Piano Collections Final Fantasy IV''. This release has the catalog number TPCD 0210–2, and its 45 tracks had a length of 62 minutes.<ref name="SEMOFFCinfo">{{cite web |author=Square Enix Music Online |title=Final Fantasy IV Official Soundtrack: Music from Final Fantasy Chronicles - Album Information |url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/albums/f/ff4official.shtml |work=Square Enix Music Online |access-date=2008-02-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915160903/http://www.squareenixmusic.com/albums/f/ff4official.shtml |archive-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> ''Chrono Trigger Original Soundtrack'' was the corresponding album for ''Chrono Trigger''. The album was heavily based on ''Chrono Trigger Original Soundtrack'', the soundtrack album for the PlayStation release of ''Chrono Trigger''; the first 21 tracks of the album out of 25 were identical to ''Chrono Trigger Original Soundtrack'', while the next three tracks corresponded to tracks 22, 23, and 29 of the ''Original Soundtrack'' and the final track was the same as the first track of ''Brink of Time'', an arranged album of ''Chrono Trigger'' music. The album is 1:13:03 long, and has a catalog number of TPCD 0209–2.<ref name="RPGFCTFFC">{{cite web |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ctchronicles/index.html |title=Chrono Trigger Official Soundtrack: Music From Final Fantasy Chronicles |publisher=RPGFan |author=Gann, Patrick |date=2006-10-05 |access-date=2009-04-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221153844/http://rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ctchronicles/index.html |archive-date=2009-02-21}}</ref> In addition to the albums, a [[strategy guide]] for ''Final Fantasy Chronicles'' written by Dan Birlew and was published by [[BradyGames]] on July 2, 2001.<ref>{{cite book|last=Birlew|first=Dan|title=Final Fantasy Chronicles Official Strategy Guide|publisher=[[BradyGames]]|date=2001-07-02|isbn=0-7440-0073-4}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 87%<ref name=GameRankings>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/477343-final-fantasy-chronicles/index.html |title=Final Fantasy Chronicles for PlayStation |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=2008-06-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307225154/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/477343-final-fantasy-chronicles/index.html |archive-date=2009-03-07}}</ref>
| MC = 89/100<ref name=MC>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/final-fantasy-chronicles/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation |title=Final Fantasy Chronicles for PlayStation Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=2008-06-28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215031711/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/psx/finalfantasychronicles?q=final%20fantasy%20chronicles |archive-date=2009-02-15}}</ref>
| EGM = 8.33/10<ref name=GameRankings/><ref name=EGM2>{{Cite book|year=2001|title=Electronic Gaming Monthly August 2001; issue 145|editor=Hsu, Dan "Shoe"|page=112| publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]}}</ref>
| GamePro = 5/5<ref name=Pro>{{cite magazine|last=UNCLEDUST|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/14924/final-fantasy-chronicles-final-fantasy-iv/|title=Review: Final Fantasy Chronicles for PlayStation on Gamepro.com.|magazine=[[GamePro]]|date=2001-06-26|access-date=2008-06-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919061146/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/14924/final-fantasy-chronicles-final-fantasy-iv/ |archive-date=2008-09-19}}</ref>
| GSpot = 8.5/10<ref name=Spot>{{cite web|last=Shoemaker |first=Brad |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/rpg/finalfantasychronicles/review.html |title=Final Fantasy Chronicles for PlayStation Review - PlayStation Final Fantasy Chronicles Review |website=[[GameSpot]] |pages=1–2 |date=2001-07-06 |access-date=2008-06-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207233645/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/rpg/finalfantasychronicles/review.html |archive-date=2008-12-07}}</ref>
| IGN = 9.4/10<ref name=IGN>{{cite web|last=IGN Staff |url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/166/166322p1.html |title=IGN: Final Fantasy Chronicles Review |website=[[IGN]] |date=2001-07-18 |access-date=2008-06-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805230122/http://psx.ign.com/articles/166/166322p1.html |archive-date=2011-08-05}}</ref>
| OPM = 4/5<ref name="loadtime"/>
| award1Pub = ''IGN''
| award1 = Editors' Choice<ref name=IGN/>
| award2Pub = ''GamePro''
| award2 = Editors' Choice<ref name=Pro/>
| award3Pub = ''Electronic Gaming Monthly''
| award3 = Silver Award<ref name=EGM2/>
}}

''Final Fantasy Chronicles'' was commercially and critically successful, becoming the top selling [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] title for two weeks, and scoring an average of 89 out of 100 in [[Metacritic]]'s aggregate, a review tallying website.<ref name=MC/><ref name="ngi">{{cite web |date=July 13, 2001 |title=Final Fantasy Chronicles Tops the Charts |url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/096/096465p1.html |work=[[IGN]] |access-date=March 28, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060915083421/http://psx.ign.com/articles/096/096465p1.html |archive-date=September 15, 2006}}</ref> Gaming website ''[[IGN]]'' rated it 9.4/10 and awarded an "Editor's Choice Award", calling the game a "must buy" for RPG fans.<ref name=IGN/> It was a runner-up for ''GameSpot''{{'}}s annual "Best PlayStation Game" award, which went to ''[[Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3]]''.<ref name=bestworst2001>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020803185618/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/ | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/ | title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Best and Worst Video Games of 2001 | author=''GameSpot VG'' Staff | date=February 23, 2002 | work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=August 3, 2002 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

''[[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".<ref name=Spot/> Marcus Lai of ''Gaming Age'' was disappointed with a lack of additions, calling the ports "barebone games" and claiming that the [[full motion video]]s are "nice touches to both games but don't add much".<ref>{{cite web | title=Final Fantasy Chronicles Review for PlayStation | url=http://www.gaming-age.com/cgi-bin/reviews/review.pl?sys=psx&game=ffc | work=Gaming Age | access-date=July 2, 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404090857/http://www.gaming-age.com/404.html | archive-date=April 4, 2012}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Square Enix video game franchises]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/final-fantasy-chronicles|name=''Final Fantasy Chronicles''}}

{{Chrono series}}
{{Final Fantasy series|FF=FFIV|state=uncollapsed}}

{{Good article}}

[[Category:Role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Chrono (series)]]
[[Category:Final Fantasy video games]]
[[Category:Final Fantasy IV]]
[[Category:North America-exclusive video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console) games]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console)-only games]]
[[Category:Square Enix video game compilations]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:2001 video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]

Final Fantasy Chronicles - Revision history

imported>The Editor 155: Reception.