The North American release features the original Japanese voices in addition to the newly recorded English voice-overs. A newly created “Extras” option becomes available once the game has been cleared, which allows players to revisit key event movies from the game in the movie gallery, view concept art, and watch the original Japanese trailers.

In support of its highly anticipated release, FRAGILE DREAMS: FAREWELL RUINS OF THE MOON will also feature a dual-sided box front, with the original Japanese box front art on the reverse side. Fans who pre-ordered the game at GameStop and EB Games will receive an exclusive special bonus, “The MOONLIGHT TRACKS” soundtrack, together with the retail release of the game, but only while supplies last.

Multiplayer.it – 85
Fragile Dreams is definitely better than the sum of its parts: while there are some gameplay and controls issues, the excellent work made by Tri Crescendo in terms of setting, characters and storyline is really what will make you go on until the credits roll.

Nintendo Power – 55
The developers have accomplished a rare feat in producing a game that is legitimately thought-provoking, original, and visually distinctive. Too bad they couldn’t find a way to make it fun. [Apr 2010, p.88]

IGN
“The bleak and eerie world in which Seto travels [is] beautiful and enthralling…the presentation is fabulous.” IGN.com, February 2010

GameSpot
“Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon is as beautiful and dreamy as the title implies.” GameSpot.com, February 2010

Out Now, Order Here

Trailer (Above)

Summary

When the black spot appeared in the Antarctic, mankind became nervous; when it began to spread, that anxiety turned to panic. The Joint Project, convened to discuss how to deal with the expanding anomaly, decided to send in four ships carrying humanity’s finest soldiers and most cutting-edge technology. The mission: to investigate what lay on the other side of what had been dubbed the Schwarzwelt and find out if there was a way to stop it from eventually covering the Earth. You are an elite soldier hand-picked for the Strike Team, outfitted with a Demonica environment suit and posted to the Red Sprite under Commander Gore. Upon entering the Schwarzwelt, the crew finds itself forced to deal with harsh conditions, supernatural interference, and throngs of demons populating the bewildering world. What exactly is the Schwarzwelt? What awaits at the end of this strange journey? It is entirely in your hands to find out. [Atlus USA]

Destructoid – 90
As far as Nintendo DS role-playing games go, this is my new favorite, hands down. But then again, I’m a huge fan of both dungeon crawling and Atlus’ Shin Megami Tensei series games.

Game Informer – 88
Uncovering all the Schwarzwelt’s secrets will keep you glued to your DS for hours of intense RPG action. [Issue#203, p.96]

Nintendo Power – 80
For better or for worse, it makes the player the master of his own destiny. As it turns out, that’s a heck of a challenge, but the challenge is worth it. [Apr 2010, p.87]

GamePro – 70
If you’re looking for a thoughtful, challenging RPG experience, this is a Strange Journey worth taking; those who take issue with the thematic elements, however, might want to go adventuring elsewhere. [March 2010, p.91]

The Classic Controller gives the game the dual-stick set-up it’s always wanted to have, and using the left stick to maneuver your vampire hunter while the right one aims and blasts your weapons feels natural and very easy to get into. It also supports Wiimote/Nunchuk combo and the GameCube Controller (with rumble enabled), giving a lot of different control options to a design that was originally developed for a platform that has no buttons at all (The iPhone).

This is a solid arcade shooter, just decide if you’d like it for DSiWare or WiiWare

GameTrailers Video Review – 80

IGN Video Review – 80

About

In a frantic battle to the checkered flag, Sonic and friends speed around tracks set in medieval castle ramparts, lush rainforests and bustling cities, all taken from the visually rich and varied universes of Sonic and SEGA. Fan favorites such as Dr. Eggman, Tails, AiAi, Amigo and many more will join Sonic in their custom built vehicles, revving their engines and jostling to stay ahead of the pack. Each character will speed around the track in cars, planes, motorbikes, and in Aiai’s case – a banana mobile! Secret short cuts, swift handling and avoiding strategically placed obstacles are certainly the best way to get to the top of the podium. But winning is only part of the fun in Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing! Each character has a specific All Star move – such as Super Sonic, Banana Blitz and Tails Tornado – that allows a quick way for competitors to get back into the race! Power ups and weapons can also be collected around the tracks and used against the opposition to ensure they don’t become a threat to that number one position.

IGN (Video Review Above) – 80
Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing may not have a whole lot in the gameplay department that it can call its own, but Sumo Digital took what worked and built a SEGA-themed experience that captures what makes the company’s games so memorable. This racer is surprisingly deep and robust, and even with its unoriginal design it’s a great time no matter which version you get.

Nintendo Power – 80
It isn’t quite the fan paradise it could have been, but it’s a very good racer that makes great use of classic Sega franchises. We wouldn’t mind a sequel with more franchises and tracks included. [Mar 2010, p.86]

GameSpot – 80
Smooth controls and a bunch of awesome tracks make this an exciting kart racer.
Read Full Review >

Nintendo Life – 80
Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing is, despite its flaws, a well-crafted racer that’s clearly had a lot of good design work put into it.

Cheat Code Central – 78
A game this derivative can never be great, but it’s really, really good.

NGamer UK – 75
Shameless lack of originality aside, this might be worth a look if you’ve exhausted the real thing. [Mar 2010, p.52]

Game Informer – 75
Don’t go into Sonic Racing expecting tons of surprises or genre-redefining innovation. Rather, prepare for a Sega-studded interpretation of the classic kart racing formula.

1UP – 75
Though it has some hiccups, unexciting party modes, and a questionable difficulty curve, All-Stars Racing is a respectable effort that makes a good kart racer at its core (and is at least much more cohesive than Sega Superstars Tennis).

Official Nintendo Magazine UK – 70
Good fun but lacking the polish that makes Mario Kart Wii the definitive kart racer. [Mar 2010, p.76]

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Overall, it seems just OK. I’d rather have a hunting team, and I think that would make it better. Also, I did not like that I had to keep changing the camera as I played. That got so annoying. While there was an option to change to an auto-camera, it did not work. Graphics are good, but I’m not sure they are the best of any game on the Wii. One last thing was that the button arrangement is odd, having the main attack button be X (on Classic Controller) instead of a A or B.  Also, the shooting-type weapons did nothing on the “Great Jaggi Hunt,” which is all I played through so far.  Why do they not work? There is no reason given. Maybe I will find out in the actual game.  Sure, it’s just a demo build, so maybe they will improve some aspects before release.

Summary
[WiiWare] Fans of all ages can enjoy the newest entry in this historic 8-bit franchise. As a special service to new players, there’s an Easy Mode – a first for a Mega Man game. This new feature means novices and longtime fans alike can all have a shot at making it to the end of a Mega Man game. Also, you can now play as Proto Man and try Time Attack Mode from the beginning, or watch play-through videos from players all over the world. [Capcom]

———————-

Game Informer – 88
Overall, Mega Man 10 offers all the nuts and bolts a diehard blue bomber fan could want in a retro sequel, while boasting even more content than Mega Man 9 with all its DLC combined.

IGN – 85
Apart from any disappointment about the length of the game, Mega Man 10 still has plenty to offer, and for a game that costs $10, you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck.

Worth Playing – 85
Mega Man 10 is a solid follow-up to Mega Man 9. It lacks a bit of the charm of its predecessor, but it still remains a solid and well put-together Mega Man game.

GameSpy – 80
It’s not quite up to the shining standards of Mega Man 2 and the extremely underrated Mega Man 5 (and I’m dead serious about that — go play it before you knock it), but it’s definitely nowhere near the bottom of the bin that Mega Man 4 and the non-NES installments so squarely define.

Zentendo – 80
Long time fans will enjoy it, but the causal gamer won’t have much of a reason to rush out and buy this as it’s just a continuation of 9.

1UP – 75
While this may amount to little more than yet another Mega Man sequel, it’s still one of the best 2D action games to come along in years.

GameTrailers Video Review (Above) – 73

Summary

As Shiren, a wandering adventurer with a penchant for exploration, monster-slaying, and item collection, you trek across a beautiful and varied countryside with your companion, Koppa, a talking ferret. Randomly-generated areas, intense boss battles, extensive item customization, and a cast of intriguing and unpredictable characters translate into a satisfying RPG experience. [Atlus USA]

1UP – 83
Shiren does a great job of straddling the divide between accessibility and challenge, presenting a roguelike experience that may well appeal to any RPG fan. Or at least, any RPG fan willing to give it a chance.

GamePro – 80
At high levels, playing Shiren is a bit like Demon’s Souls — impossible tasks slowly become manageable and then trivial as your skill increases. Shiren the Wanderer is a hard game to put down once you’ve gotten into its one-more-turn rhythm, which is exactly as it should be.

Cheat Code Central – 78
Much like last year’s Demon’s Souls, this title will mostly appeal to the hardcore sect. However, I think the development team has done a great job opening up the format.

GamerNode – 75
While the addition of JRPG ideas and mechanics diversifies player experience slightly, Shiren the Wanderer is still a roguelike at heart, which it honors exceedingly well, perhaps at the expense of other gameplay elements.

GameZone – 75
With its wit and charm, there’s nothing else like Shiren the Wanderer. It’s one-of-a-kind and praiseworthy.

GameTrailers – 73
This Wanderer may have strayed a bit from its roots, but for some players, that’s reason enough to welcome it home.

IGN – 70
Shiren is improved, though not by much. The better visual flair and actual story make the game more interesting. The less sadistic difficulty also makes it easier for newcomers to get into, though the lack of a higher difficulty may make it too easy for the longtime fans.

Destructoid – 70
Die-hard, devout rougelikes may feel the urge to gripe about the fact that you can reload from last save when you die (on Easy mode), but I think most gamers will be glad that this game is more player-friendly overall.

GameShark – 67
Even with the addition of the Easy difficulty, Shiren the Wanderer is made for selective tastes. Fans of traditional RPGs will have a hard time reconciling the Spartan storytelling and visuals, while fans of turn-based strategies will likely take issue with the simplicity of combat.

Nintendo Power – 65
Ultimately, your take on this game will depend on whether you see constant setbacks due to horrible flaming death as an irresistible challenge or as a frustrating waste of time. [Mar 2010, p.91]

GameSpot – 60
This competent example of the well-worn dungeon-crawling formula lacks the spark of innovation that might have made it something more.

A WiiNintendo game review by hattrick.

Game – Littlest Pet Shop
Platform – DSiWare  (800 Points)
Time Spent Playing – Approx. 1.5 hoursCompletion Status – Unlocked all 3 pets, Beat almost 100% of games
Obtained – From EA (review copy)

Introduction
Along with various other toys created with young girls in mind, Littlest Pet Shop has been around for quite some time.  The jump to digital game distribution was a while back, but more recently, the little pets have moved onto the download scene with Littlest Pet Shop for the Nintendo DSiWare service.

Gameplay
Essentially, you get 3 pets – a dog at first, but you will soon unlock the other 2 (rabbit and horse) by completing games.  In order to unlock these other 2 pets and various clothing options for your pet, you must play and master 3 main games.  The first is a throwing game where you flick an item through various hoops.  The second is a music based rhythm game, similar to Elite Beat Agents (but not as good) where you draw on dotted lines while music plays.  The final game has you matching a clothing outfit – you get to see it, but then it disappears, requiring you to remember what it was and dress your pet like that. The only other part of the game allows you to interact with your pet in 3 ways: feeding, petting, and brushing.

Controls
The entirety of the game is played using the touch screen. Because this is essentially a mini-game collection (albeit small), it is necessary to compare.  None of the games have names, so for the sake of the review, let us call them the tossing game, music game, and clothing game.  The tossing game has you grabbing an item (different for every animal) and tossing it through hoops placed around the screen. This is ridiculously simple, but the controls are usually spot-on. The music game is not as easy, mainly due to the controls. While the countdown timer does make it tough, it seems the game sometimes did not recognize my gestures.  The clothing game is simple and straightforward in its approach. Due to that, it is hard to go wrong on controls.  You simply tap the left or right arrow, and then click the checkmark.  Overall, there are no qualms about the controls. They are simple and easy.

Visuals & Sound
The game’s visuals follow the bright colors and cartoon-like approach of Littlest Pet Shop.  There is not much to the visual presentation, as much of the game takes place on one screen, only switching when you go to a new game or menu.  The majority of the gameplay also takes place on one screen (the bottom), and the top usually just states the score and pet name. The animals sound similar to their real-life counterparts, and the music is also bright and fun.  Designed with the young girl in mind, visuals and sound are bound to capture the intended audience.

Concluding Overall Impressions
While Littlest Pet Shop might not be a game I will go to over and over, it does seem to have an appeal to younger female gamers, especially fans of the franchise.  My only complaints lie in the length of the game, as I was able to finish around 85-90% of the game in only 1 hour.  Maybe if each pet had a different set of mini-games, it would have made it longer.  With that in mind, I am not sure it is worth the 800 Points.  Littlest Pet Shop will keep your 7 year old entertained for a couple hours, but they will soon move on to something more entertaining.

Click here to view the embedded video.

In a frantic battle to the checkered flag, Sonic and friends speed around tracks set in medieval castle ramparts, lush rainforests and bustling cities, all taken from the visually rich and varied universes of Sonic and SEGA. Fan favorites such as Dr. Eggman, Tails, AiAi, Amigo and many more will join Sonic in their custom built vehicles, revving their engines and jostling to stay ahead of the pack. Each character will speed around the track in cars, planes, motorbikes, and in Aiai’s case – a banana mobile! Secret short cuts, swift handling and avoiding strategically placed obstacles are certainly the best way to get to the top of the podium. But winning is only part of the fun in Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing! Each character has a specific All Star move – such as Super Sonic, Banana Blitz and Tails Tornado – that allows a quick way for competitors to get back into the race! Power ups and weapons can also be collected around the tracks and used against the opposition to ensure they don’t become a threat to that number one position.

IGN (Video Review Above) – 80
Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing may not have a whole lot in the gameplay department that it can call its own, but Sumo Digital took what worked and built a SEGA-themed experience that captures what makes the company’s games so memorable. This racer is surprisingly deep and robust, and even with its unoriginal design it’s a great time no matter which version you get.

Nintendo Power – 80
It isn’t quite the fan paradise it could have been, but it’s a very good racer that makes great use of classic Sega franchises. We wouldn’t mind a sequel with more franchises and tracks included. [Mar 2010, p.86]

Official Nintendo Magazine UK – 70
Good fun but lacking the polish that makes Mario Kart Wii the definitive kart racer. [Mar 2010, p.76]

A WiiNintendo game review by hattrick.

Game – SCRABBLE Classic
Version – DSiWare  (800 Points)
Time Spent Playing – Approx. 4 hours (10 games)
Completion Status – Achieved Level 2 of 6
Obtained – From EA (review copy)

Introduction
There isn’t much to the introduction.  This is SCRABBLE on a handheld gaming device.  You play against 1-3 other players in an effort to gain the most points.  How do you get points?  You create words with the letters you randomly choose, and place them on the game board.  SCRABBLE Classic for DSiWare is just as the name suggests – the classic version of the game.  In fact, the only “extra” part of this version is the timed “Speed SCRABBLE,” where you set a time limit.  There is a multiplayer mode, but it requires that your opponents also own the DSiWare version of the game, thus limiting the true potential of this title. A good add-in was the ability to use the DSi Camera to take a photo for your in-game icon (or you could use one of the animals included).

Visuals & Sound
SCRABBLE Classic is one of those DS games that you play by turning the DS on its side (similar to Brain Age), depending on what your dominant hand is.  The touch-screen is where the gameplay takes place, and the other screen is where the title screen, instructions, and scorecard is displayed.  I cannot think of anything wrong with this setup. As well, the backgrounds are nice and colorful, but also fit the feel of the game.  The music is a basic midi loop of happy techno-like sounds.  For the most part, this works…for one or two short games.  However, when you begin to play for an hour or so, the music gets old really quick. A nice addition would have been to add the ability to play your own music from the SD card, but alas, that was not included.

Gameplay & Controls
The entirety of SCRABBLE is controlled via the touch screen. And because you hold the DSi like a book, it feels very natural. Most menus operate by choosing what item you want and then click the checkmark to move forward. The game operates by dragging your letter pieces to the game board.  The only problem is that double-clicking sometimes malfunctions. Let me explain. If you want to zoom into the game board, zoom out, or take a single letter off the board, you will double-click with your stylus. Yet, there were several times when I zoomed or returned a letter when I did not intend to.  Did I double click on accident? I doubt it. Could it be an issue with my DSi? Possibly.  Still, that is the only downside about the gameplay or control.

Concluding Overall Impressions
With the ability to play SCRABBLE on the road against 3 friends and/or computer players, have a full dictionary, and a stats tracker, this game is hard to beat.  The main downsides would include the music (just including the ability to load from SD card would have improved that aspect), the only multiplayer being local with others who own the game, and the price (some who do not love SCRABBLE might see 800 Points as too much).  Nonetheless, this is a great title that I have enjoyed quite a bit so far. After logging in 10 games in 4 hours, my best score is 219 points and my best scoring word was 65 points.  If you are a SCRABBLE fan and own a Nintendo DSi, I would recommend this game.  If you do not have a DSi, try to track down the retail (cartridge-based) version – on sale though, because it does carry a much higher price tag (also available from the WiiNintendo Store).

(Above photo is in zoomed mode during right-handed play.)

(Above photo is during left-handed play.)

Gameplay Video

NintendoLife – 7/10

Already available on the iPhone, Flight Control puts you in one of the world’s most stressful jobs: air traffic controller. Charged with landing all flights safely, you have to plot a path for each incoming aircraft towards its designated landing zone, naturally making sure to avoid collisions. What begins as a straightforward exercise in drawing lines soon becomes an intense puzzler.

There’s very little wrong with Flight Control but it does feel a little thin. The additions of a new airfield and two-player mode are very welcome, but given the game’s origins as an addictive single-player score attack game it’s a shame more wasn’t done to boost this aspect: the removal of leaderboards hurts the game immeasurably.

Without a friend to experience the multiplayer mode, Flight Control becomes a solo flight, learning the game’s hidden intricacies and bettering your own high score purely for your own satisfaction. If that’s what you’re in the market for, you’ll find plenty of nail-biting “one more go” addiction here.

[Full Review]

A WiiNintendo game review by hattrick.

Game – MySims Camera
Version – DSiWare  (200 Points)
Time Spent Playing – Approx. 1 hour
Obtained – From EA (review copy)

As this is the first time I have ever review an application for the DSi, please bare with me.  It will be difficult to compare to actual gameplay reviews.

Introduction
Have you ever gotten bored with your DSi cameras?  Well, if you are a MySims fan, EA has the product for you.  MySims Camera is essentially a camera “add-on” for your DSi.  You can either take photos from within the application or use photos already saved on your DSi system memory.  What do you do with these photos?  Add in MySims characters (8 available at the start) and draw on them.

Controls
The control is done entirely via the DSi touch screen (except for the ability to also take photos with the L or R buttons if you choose to do so).  The app starts with the menu screen that looks similar to the DSi Camera.  You get options to exit, get help, access your photo album, create or use a photo frame, take a photo, and edit a photo.  In the center, you can cycle through all the photos on your DSi system memory.  While inside the editing room, you get a menu bar across the top and left side of the touch screen.  Basically, you will choose a MySims character, change their size/angle/placement, cycle through to get a desired pose and expression, and that is it.  You can place up to 3 MySims in your photo.  You also have the option, as stated earlier, to doodle on your photo using pens of various sizes and colors. You can also use the eyedropper to use doodling colors that aren’t available by selection (red, yellow, blue, black, white, and rainbow). I honestly have no problem with the touch screen controls. It only seems logical for a camera application.

Visuals & Sound
There is not much to complain about.  The MySims look great and they have several different expressions and poses available.  There are two main theme songs for the application – the menu music and the other music that plays when you are editing, taking a photo, or creating a frame.  The music is happy, but it could get annoying if you spend a long time in the app, since it never really changes.

Extras
While in the editor, you get tips and tricks on the top screen. One piece of advice is to make sure you have your MySims cartridge games handy.  For instance, because I had MySims Racing in my DSi when I started the MySims Camera, I was awarded with an additional character to use in photos.

Concluding Overall Impressions
The only complaint I have about this is that you cannot access the SD card at all in this application, and honestly, it does not make sense.  The actual DSi Camera application uses the SD card to save photos, but you are not able to pull those photos up in MySims Camera, and you cannot save to SD card. Granted, you can move photos around back in DSi Camera, but that is a bit annoying.  Overall, though, I will say that this application is pretty good.  If you are a fan of MySims, and you have a DSi, then grab it up for 200 Points.  If you aren’t a MySims fan, though, you might want to wait for something more your style.

Check out some of my MySims Camera photos below (click to enlarge).

A WiiNintendo game review by hattrick.

Game – Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers
Version – Wii (only version available)
Time Spent Playing – Approx. 4 hours
Obtained – From Square Enix (Relate PR review copy), through hey_suburbia

Introduction and Story

Because I am not that great at telling a science-fiction story, I will let the game speak for itself.  According to the back of the box, “A great war erupted between two competing tribes that led to one tribe’s dominance, and the other tribe’s apparent annihilation. The world has turned to technology, and magic is only used by outcasts called ‘crystal bearers.’ Layle is one such crystal bearer, whose love of danger is about to send him on an extraordinary adventure.”  You control Layle, who starts the game as a crystal bearer.  Early in the game, you learn that you can use crystals to control your environment.  His story is what propels the entire game.  In fact, it often feels like you are taking part in something much greater.  This occurs through a combination of gameplay and full cut-scenes, even combining the two at various times.  However, it does need to be stated that if you are familiar with the Final Fantasy universe, this game is not in that style.  While it may look similar to a newer FF game, the gameplay is more similar to a Legend of Zelda.  You will not find any turn-based RPG elements here, as all combat is real-time and action-based.  You need to be on your toes.  Does this play out well for Crystal Bearers?

Gameplay and Controls

Many games for the Wii try to implement motion-controls haphazardly. Crystal Bearers, however, tries a new approach.  Your basic controls use both the Wii Remote and Nunchuk.  Essentially, you will walk around with the analog stick of the Nunchuk, while using the B button on Wii Remote to attack.  The other buttons are used to control the camera, climb, jump, and talk to some other characters.  For the most part, this works.  I do enjoy games that use the pointing ability of the Wii Remote.  It feels very natural for me to point where I want to attack.

Nonetheless, I do need to voice some complaints. For instance, after I have a “crystal hold” on an enemy or item, it seemed that the motion controls of the Wii Remote were spotty at best.  Let me give you an example.  When you want to attack an enemy, one way of attacking is to point at them and hold B to grab them with crystal power (what I call a “crystal hold”).  At that point, you are able to throw your enemy in 1 of 4 directions by motioning your remote up, down, left, or right.  So often, when I wanted to throw them left, it ended up throwing them right.  I do not know if this is a hardware or software issue, but it was annoying to deal with.  The main problem is that this is how combat is done throughout the 98% of the game.  If one is going to create a specific combat style, one would also think they would perfect it before requiring the player to use it all the time.  The only times that you do not battle like that is when you face some boss battles.  It was at this time, you grab an item, and then click B again to throw it at the enemy’s weak spot.  Although, because this was the only time I was required to fight like that, it took me forever to figure it out.  Why change in the combat system in the middle of the game, only to change it back as soon as that fight is over?

Other controls were somewhat off as well.  At one point, you need to latch on to a large flying bird and fly to another location.  Despite the screen telling me to use the analog stick to control the flight, I could barely get my bird to fly in the right direction.  At some parts of the cut-scenes, you are required to play a small piece (i.e. flying a ship, surfing a river). I do not believe you can die at those times, but depending on what the scene is, some of those tasks are nearly impossible to complete without messing up.  While I surfed down the river just fine, I must have hit the wall 20 times when piloting the flying ship.  The only other issue I had with gameplay somewhat filters into the visuals as well.  The map system in this game is not the greatest.  While I could always tell where I was at according to the map on the menu, I could never tell where I was supposed to go.  Usually, I just stumbled upon it after wandering around for quite a while.

Visuals and Sound

In a sea of GameCube-like graphics on the Wii, Crystal Bearers shines through.  While it may not be the prettiest Wii game out there, it definitely comes close.  Each world, while not as bright and colorful as Super Mario Galaxy, paints a beautiful picture before you.  It really is a world you will want to explore.  From the train stations to the vast meadows to the caverns, Crystal Bearers does not disappoint.  In addition, I do not remember too many load screens.  Each world loads as you approach it, making for almost-seamless gameplay.  The cut-scenes were also well done.  Being one of the first “cut-scene games” I have spent significant time with, I will say that I enjoyed every minute of it.  They were well done, and told a great story.  I often felt as if I was a key part of what was going on, especially in the scenes where I would play for a bit.  The major complaint I have about the visuals is the camera.  While you have complete control over the camera, using the Wii Remote’s control pad, it would be nice if the game could give you good angles on its own.  Instead, I felt that I needed to constantly be adjusting the camera as I walked and fought my way through the game.  One nice addition was the ability to take screen shots during play with the use of the Wii Remote’s “2 Button.”  The photos are then saved to your Wii system memory, allowing you to send them to friends.

The music and sound effects in this game were done well.  However, there was one sound track that I did not understand – the country themed one.  Sure, you were on a farm, but to even continue that happy bluegrass tune during combat did not seem to fit for me.  In my opinion, a good soundtrack is one that you barely notice.  For me, that is 95% of Crystal Bearers.  If it was horrible, it would have stuck out like a sore thumb.  As for the voice-acting, it was a welcome addition to the many other Wii games that just use on-screen text to tell their stories.  Allowing characters to actually speak not only makes this game more enjoyable, but it also helps gameplay.  I did not have to read through pages and pages of text, taking me away from actually playing.  Nevertheless, there was a slight downside to the voices.  They did not match up with their mouths.  While the reasons for this probably lie in the fact that the game was made in Japan and it probably does match up with Japanese, it still would be nice if it actually looked like they were saying what we heard.  It seems like many games have this issue, as I remember Ghostbusters (Wii) also struggling with this same problem.  Even though, the voices seem to be spot on with the characters.  Not once did I wonder why they got a specific person for a character, as they all matched up very well.

Concluding Overall Impressions

While Crystal Bearers might be completely different than the other Final Fantasy games, that does not mean it should be overlooked.  Although it does have some repetitive and non-responsive combat at times, the overall game is enjoyable.  It looks and sounds great, and I believe most players will get swept away in the story.  My recommendation is to only play for an hour or two at a time, so that you will not get completely annoyed with the controls and repetitive combat.

For my live-stream of FFCC: Crystal Bearers, click here.

More game screens below:

A WiiNintendo game review by hattrick.

Game – Foto Face: The Face Stealer Strikes
Version – DSiWare  (800 Points)
Time Spent Playing – Approx. 2.5 hours
Completion Status – Finished but have not collected 100% of stars
Obtained – From EA (review copy)

Introduction and Story
Foto Face: The Face Stealer Strikes is an action platformer that puts you in the game.  After creating your character via the DSi camera and microphone, you set out to defeat The Face Stealer.  He has stolen your identity, and he is causing a lot of trouble. Therefore, everyone is out to get you.  This is a simple story that is not pushed on you much.  Similar to the original Mario or Sonic games, it is merely the structure to which the game presents itself. You can definitely play this game while not even paying attention to the overall story.  Throughout each of the 15 levels, you will collect blue stars.  I have yet to figure out what these are for, except just to see if you can collect 100% of them.

Gameplay and Controls
As stated earlier, this game is fairly simple and straightforward.  The controls are almost as basic as they come.  Control your character with the control pad, jump with the B button, and attack with the A button.  You will also have several costumes, and each has its own abilities.  For instance, the caveman costume is slower but has a powerful club, the spy costume has a gun, and the ninja costume is fast with throwing stars.  To switch between costumes, simply tap the appropriate button on the touch screen, cycle through to pick your favorite, and either tap the costume or hit the A button.  You will have to master several costumes, as you will be required to switch throughout each level.  The costumes are really where the gameplay shines.  Some enemies can only be beaten with close-range weapons, while others can be shot down.  In addition, you will have to switch to a faster costume in order to make some jumps. At the end of each of the 3 worlds, you will fight the Face Stealer. While I did get stuck several times, and had to continue on a few occasions, I will admit it was usually due to my impatience and lackluster play. You do have unlimited continues, so there is no way to die for good. Overall, this game is not high on difficulty, and most children should be able to catch on right away.

Visuals
With this being one of the first games to use the DSi cameras, I believe it shines very well.  The photos you take to customize your character are in very good quality throughout the game.  In addition to customizing your hero, you are also able to customize your enemies and other characters in the game, which is where Foto Face gets its name.  The other visuals, while not amazing, are adequate for a DS game.  At times, though, they are great to look at, proving the developers paid attention to detail.  There are a total of 3 worlds, each with 5 levels.  You will travel through Haunted Hills, Frantic Frontier, and Mystic East.  Overall, I have nothing to complain about how the game looks.

Music and Sound
Along with customizing the characters’ faces, you can also record sounds for each.  Every time I got hurt, I heard my recorded voice cry out.  While it would be nice to record several sounds for each expression, it surprisingly did not get old hearing the same sounds over and over.  In fact, it made me laugh almost every time.  In addition, it was quite humorous to see and hear the enemies cry out with other peoples’ voices.  The music is basic midi tracks that fit each world respectively.  As said about the visuals, I have nothing to complain about the sound and music.  If the game had been longer, it would have helped to change it up more.  However, everything seemed to fit well this time around.

Concluding Overall Impressions
For an 800 point game that uses a good deal of the DSi’s capabilities (even saving a commemorative photo to your DSi after every completed level), you cannot go wrong.  While it is a simple game, and most speed-runners will be able to get through it in no time, it does present a descent challenge and will keep you busy for a couple hours.  The replay-value does remain fairly high, due to the collecting aspect and how you can customize every character in the game.  Going back to recreate new characters will only increase your time with Foto Face.  While the hard-core might not be entirely satisfied, I will still recommend this game to the rest of the crowd.

*GameTrailers Video Review – 67

Summary

Sands of Destruction, an epic RPG created by the all-star Japanese developers at ImageEpoc, takes you through an epic adventure in a world surrounded by a sea of sand. In Sands of Destruction, a race of powerful beastmen known as the Ferals rule over the human population with tyranny and prejudice. A group of warriors, the World Annihilation Front, believe their only option for ending the corruption of the Ferals is to end the world as they know it. This intense game puts gamers in control of an intriguing cast of characters including the crusading Morte Ashera as well as Kyrie Illunis, who unknowingly holds the key to global destruction. Gamers will explore a fantastic world, traveling across oceans of sand, battling colossal enemy monsters and unraveling the mystery of the creation of the world. Immerse yourself in dynamic battles taking up both the top and lower screens of the DS and an epic storyline with a twist, in this action-packed fantasy RPG exclusively on the DS.

Nintendo Life – 80
Sure the game is a bit on the linear side and the toned down difficulty might prove a tad easy for seasoned RPG fans, but if you can appreciate a well designed RPG experience that doesn’t try to do more than it’s capable of, you’ll likely find Sands of Destruction right up your alley. What it lacks in originality, it more than makes up for with its unique charm and engaging storyline.

Cheat Code Central – 76
Though the game only lasts a dozen hours or so, and features mostly random battles, the story and the battle system make the experience worthwhile.

IGN – 74
While not the strongest JRPG on the DS, Sands of Destruction is still a decent play and I hope that some of its ideas turn up in other adventures.

Nintendo Power – 70
It’s a colorful, splashy fantasy role-playing game–no less, but also no more. [Jan 2010, p.89]

GameTrailers – 67
Though it gets off to a decent start, Sands of Destruction fails to keep up the pace. The battle mechanics deteriorate only after a few hours, and the story fails to compensate you for time invested.

Worth Playing – 67
By today’s standards, Sands of Destruction falls well short of the benchmarks set by other top-tier RPGs. The entire experience takes a few steps down the path toward immortality, but then comes running headlong back into well-worn trail of every other JRPG before it.

GamePro – 60
Grind through this cheesy apocalypse story only if you’re already a fan going into it.

GameSpot – 50
It’s got an engagingly original story, but this throwback to bygone console role-playing games botches the gameplay fundamentals.

[Order Sands of Destruction from the WiiNintendo Online Store]