Share the Fantasy in 3DS’s Final Fantasy Explorers [TGS Hands-On]



Final Fantasy Explorers
felt like the DS installments of the Crystal Chronicles series with a modified job class system and heavier emphasis on action-RPG combat. My demo play took me deep inside Ifrit's cave.

I was a knight with powerful specials and so-so regular attacks. At first, I tried to hack away at Ifrit with my standard sword attacks. I mean hey, seeing 105 damage consistently feels like it's working, right? My MP-free special moves did 700-2,000, so I soon realized the need for a change of priorities. 

I had a couple of AI-controlled allies, one of whom was a chocobo. That's cool I guess. I didn't get to play multiplayer, which looked way cooler than the solo gig. My chocobo died. In my mental version of the story, I ate him to survive.

He was delicious.

For being called Final Fantasy EXPLORERS, the demo didn't have a whole lot of, you know, exploration. Don't get me wrong, there was some. I walked around that fire cave picking up occasional treasures, but the flow generally went: enter room, kill enemy or two, exit through the only singular other door. Not much in the way of exploring. No choosing where to go or being really overcome by the vast areas. As with all things TGS, it could be a problem or it could just be a demo thing.

At times, players can transform from their more common FF avatars into popular named characters such as Cloud and Squall, as well as other characters like Lightning.

I loved the look of the team play. I enjoyed Ring of Fates on the DS and would welcome a similar experience on the 3DS. False advertising as the name may appear to be, Final Fantasy Explorers does have the potential to be a great mulitplayer experience, as it is said to include both local and online multiplayer. If you've got friends with 3DSs and a taste for RPGs, it might be worth keeping an eye on. It's scheduled for release on Dec. 18 in Japan, with no official word on other territories yet.

Upcoming Releases

Tactical, beautiful, and wholly unique, the GOTY-winning sci-fi RTS returns with Homeworld 3. Assume control and battle through fleet combat in dazzling, fully 3D space while the award-winning story unfolds on a galactic scale.
The sequel to the award winning Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua returns in a brutal journey of survival through the myth and torment of Viking Iceland. Intent on saving those who have fallen victim to the horrors of tyranny, Senua faces a battle of overcoming the darkness within and without.
Inspired by the beauty of the natural world around us, Everwild is a brand-new game in development from Rare where unique and unforgettable experiences await in a natural and magical world. Play as an Eternal as you explore and build bonds with the world around you.

Reviews

9 SCUF Reflex Review
SCUF is the brand that comes to mind for most people when it comes to custom gaming controllers. It’s been…