Crystal Crisis

Last updated

Crystal Crisis
Crystal Crisis.jpg
Cover art, featuring the game's playable character roster
Developer(s) Nicalis
Publisher(s)
Director(s) Chris Rausch
Programmer(s)
  • Jeremy Stevens
  • John Goodrich
Artist(s) Louis Valladares
Composer(s)
  • UMI☆KUUN
  • Toshihiro Ogihara
Platform(s)
ReleaseNintendo Switch
  • JP: August 1, 2019
  • NA: May 28, 2019
  • EU: May 28, 2019
PlayStation 4
  • JP: August 1, 2019
  • NA: June 18, 2019
  • EU: June 19, 2019 [1]
Microsoft Windows
  • WW: July 31, 2019 [2]
Genre(s) Tile-matching, fighting
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Crystal Crisis is a competitive tile-matching puzzle video game developed and published by Nicalis, released on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows via Steam in 2019. It is inspired by Capcom's Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo and features crossover appearances by several characters from other Nicalis video games, as well as additional guest characters from companies such as Tezuka Productions.

Contents

Gameplay

The gameplay in Crystal Crisis is heavily inspired by Capcom's Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo . Like Puzzle Fighter, players control sets of two blocks ("crystals" in game parlance) that fall into a pit-like field (fifteen crystals tall by six crystals wide). Touching a crystal with a Spark Crystal of the same color will cause all adjacent crystals of that color to break and be removed from the field. The more crystals the player is able to break at once or in sequence, the greater number of Countdown Crystals that will appear on an opponent's field, which can only be turned to normal crystals and broken after a certain number of crystals have been dropped. A Poly-Crystal will also appear occasionally, which will instantly break all crystals of whatever color it is dropped on. If the fourth column of a player's field is completely filled, the game ends and that player loses the battle. Unlike Puzzle Fighter, Crystal Crisis features "edge-wrapping", allowing crystals to press past the sides of the play field and instantly move from the rightmost column to the leftmost column or vice versa. This can also be used to bisect a pair of falling crystals, allowing one crystal to fall on each side of the field. [3]

Each character in Crystal Crisis has a unique pattern of Countdown Crystals that they will drop on opponents after performing a crystal break. Breaking crystals will also fill the player's Burst Meter; when filled, the player can activate a Crystal Burst ability. There are two types of Crystal Bursts: an Attack Burst, which can be used to interfere with the opponent's play field, and a Defense Burst, which can be used to assist the player with clearing their own field. The effects of each Crystal Burst vary based on the player's chosen character; for example, Astro Boy's Attack Burst shifts all of the opponent's crystals to the right, while his Defense Burst allows the player to rotate clusters of four crystals on their field. Some characters' Burst Meters can store up to three levels of power, with the effectiveness of the Crystal Burst being increased the more of their meter they spend at once, while others can only use their Crystal Burst by expending their entire meter. [3]

Crystal Crisis offers a single-player story mode, in which the power of the Red Crystal from Cave Story causes the boundaries between worlds to break down, and various heroes race to find and destroy the crystal before a group of villains can use it for their own evil purposes. Each battle in the story mode allows players to choose between one of two predetermined playable characters, with branching progression based on which characters they choose for each battle, though every route culminates in a battle with the game's final boss, the Undead Core from Cave Story. The game also features single-player arcade and survival modes, a training mode, and both local and online multiplayer battles. Several alternate play styles are available as well, including "Inline", which removes Spark Crystals and functions similarly to a "match-three" puzzle game; "Tag Team", which allows players to switch between two characters in the middle of a battle; and "Memory", which turns all crystals black as soon as they are dropped and challenges players to remember their colors. Additionally, the game features accessibility options for colorblind players, including the ability to set custom colors for each of the four crystals. [3] [4]

Characters

Crystal Crisis features 20 playable characters drawn from different media, primarily other video games published by Nicalis. Three characters originate from unannounced Nicalis titles currently in development. Each character also has an accompanying stage and character theme based on those of their original work. [4]

Development

The idea for Crystal Crisis originated from Nicalis president Tyrone Rodriguez, who sought to create a new competitive puzzle game. During development, the initial roster of the game featured eight playable characters from various Nicalis titles, which expanded to twelve as the team added characters from other games the company was developing simultaneously. Nicalis also reached out to Studio Saizensen, whom the company had worked with on previous titles, and Tezuka Productions for use of their characters, along with the creators of other independent Japanese games, bringing the total roster to nineteen. [5]

Crystal Crisis was first announced in May 2018 as a Nintendo Switch exclusive planned for release later that same year. [6] In December 2018, a PlayStation 4 version of the game was announced alongside a delay of the game, now planned for release on April 23, 2019. [4] During this time, professional fighting game player Justin Wong was brought on to the team as a consultant to help playtest the game and balance the characters. [7] In January 2019, it was announced that the game would be delayed a second time until May 28, 2019 in order to add additional features, including new playable character Kawase Umihara and in-game narration by Peter Cullen. [8] The game's soundtrack was arranged by Japanese singer-songwriter UMI☆KUUN, who also wrote and performed the game's opening and ending themes, "Red Fire" and "It's A Beautiful Day" respectively. [9] In July 2021, the game was updated to support cross-platform play between the Switch and PC ports of the game. [10]

Reception

Crystal Crisis received an average score of 79/100 from review aggregator Metacritic, indicating generally favorable reception. [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Mario Party</i> Party video game series published by Nintendo

Mario Party is a party video game series featuring characters from the Mario franchise in which up to four local players or computer-controlled characters compete in a board game interspersed with minigames. The games are currently developed by NDcube and published by Nintendo, being previously developed by Hudson Soft. The series is known for its party game elements, including the often unpredictable multiplayer modes that allow play with up to four, and sometimes eight, human players or CPUs.

<i>Pokémon Puzzle League</i> 2000 puzzle game for the Nintendo 64

Pokémon Puzzle League is a puzzle video game in the Puzzle League series developed by Nintendo Software Technology and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. Released in North America on September 25, 2000, and in Europe on March 2, 2001, its Puzzle League-based gameplay has a focus on puzzle-based strategy in the game's grid-based format. To advance to new levels, players are required to combat the game's trainers and gym leaders, similar to the ones featured in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow. One of several games based on the Pokémon anime, it features lead protagonist Ash Ketchum, his Pikachu, his companions Brock and Misty, the Kanto Gym Leaders, and other characters from the series.

<i>Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo</i> 1996 video game

Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, released in Japan as Super Puzzle Fighter II X, is a tile-matching puzzle video game released in 1996 for the CP System II (CPS2) arcade board, by Capcom and its Capcom Coin-Op division. The game's title is a play on Super Street Fighter II Turbo, as there were no other Puzzle Fighter games at the time, and the game includes music and interface elements spoofing the Street Fighter Alpha and Darkstalkers games. It was a response to Sega's Puyo Puyo 2 that had been sweeping the Japanese arcade scene.

Super Smash Bros. is a crossover fighting game series published by Nintendo. The series was created by Masahiro Sakurai, who has directed every game in the series. The series is known for its unique gameplay objective which differs from that of traditional fighters, in that the aim is to increase damage counters and knock opponents off the stage instead of depleting life bars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TurboDuo</span> Fourth-generation video game console

The TurboDuo is a fourth-generation video game console developed by NEC Home Electronics and Hudson Soft for the North American market. The TurboDuo was test-marketed in Los Angeles in October 1992, before a nationwide rollout in May 1993. It is the North American version of the Japanese PC Engine Duo game console which was released in September 1991.

<i>Cave Story</i> 2004 video game

Cave Story is a 2004 Metroidvania platform-adventure game for Microsoft Windows. It was developed over five years by Japanese independent developer Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya in his free time. Cave Story features 2D platform mechanics and is reminiscent of the games Amaya played in his youth, such as Metroid and Castlevania. After its initial self-published release, the game slowly gained popularity on the internet. It received widespread critical acclaim for many polished aspects of its design, such as its compelling characters, setting, story, and gameplay. Cave Story is considered by many as the quintessential indie game because of its one-person development team and influence on the video gaming world.

Umihara Kawase is a series of platform games starring the sushi chef Umihara Kawase, who has become lost in a world of surreal salt-water and fresh-water creatures. The series began with Umihara Kawase for the Super Famicom in 1994, which was followed by Umihara Kawase Shun in 1997, Sayonara Umihara Kawase in 2013, Umihara Kawase Fresh! in 2019, and Umihara Kawase Bazooka! in 2020.

<i>Puzzle Bobble 3</i> 1996 arcade game

Puzzle Bobble 3 is an action puzzle video game developed by Taito. The second sequel to Puzzle Bobble, it was released for arcades in September 1996 and later ported to the Sega Saturn, PlayStation, Game Boy, Nintendo 64 and Microsoft Windows. Like its predecessors, the player is tasked with shooting balls at groups of balls, creating groups of three or more, which are then removed from play. Further ports for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One were released in February 2023 by City Connection alongside Puzzle Bobble 2.

<i>Advance Guardian Heroes</i> 2004 video game

Advance Guardian Heroes is a beat 'em up video game developed by Treasure for the Game Boy Advance. The game was released on September 22, 2004, in Japan, September 14 in North America and February 18, 2005, in Europe. The Japanese version was self-published by Treasure, while the American and European editions of the game are published by Ubisoft.

<i>Hyper Street Fighter II</i> 2003 video game

Hyper Street Fighter II: The Anniversary Edition is a fighting game by Capcom that was originally released for the arcade and PlayStation 2 in 2003 in Japan and in 2004 in North America and Asia. Released to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Street Fighter series, Hyper Street Fighter II is a modified port of Super Street Fighter II Turbo in which players can control any versions of the main characters from the five Street Fighter II games previously released for arcade. Although originally released as a home console game, an arcade port was released shortly afterwards in limited quantities, turning it into the sixth arcade iteration. This game is also the last to use the CP System II.

<i>Code of Princess</i> 2012 video game

Code of Princess is an action role-playing video game developed by Studio Saizensen and originally published by Agatsuma Entertainment for Nintendo 3DS. It was released in Japan in April 2012 by Agatsuma Entertainment, and in North America by Atlus USA in October 2012, Agatsuma Entertainment also published the game in Europe and Australia in March 2013, exclusively as an eShop title. A version for Windows was released in April 2016. An enhanced port entitled Code of Princess EX launched for the Nintendo Switch between July and August 2018, courtesy of Nicalis worldwide, and Pikii in Japan.

<i>Arms</i> (video game) 2017 video game

Arms is a 2017 fighting game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. The game differentiates itself from standard fighting games with its unconventional fighting system where every playable character fights with long range attacks and up to four players can choose a fighter and battle using a variety of extendable, weaponized arms to knock out opponents in a three-dimensional arena. Arms received generally favorable reviews from critics and sold over two million copies as of July 2018, making it one of the best-selling games on the Switch.

<i>Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers</i> 2017 video game

Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers is a fighting game developed and published by Capcom for the Nintendo Switch video game console, which released worldwide on 26 May 2017 to celebrate the Street Fighter series' 30th anniversary. It is an updated version of 1994's Super Street Fighter II Turbo. The game features two graphical styles—classic pixel art and updated high-definition art. New gameplay mechanics and modes were also introduced, with minor changes being made to the game's balance. The game garnered mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, who praised its updated visuals, but criticized the $40 price, the Way of the Hado mode, and control problems.

<i>Dragon Ball FighterZ</i> 2018 2.5D Dragon Ball fighting game

Dragon Ball FighterZ is a 2.5D fighting game, developed by Arc System Works and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Based on the Dragon Ball franchise, it was released for the PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One, in most regions in January 2018, and in Japan the following month, and was released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch in September 2018. Versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S are also in the works along with an update adding rollback netcode for these versions and Windows.

<i>Puzzle Fighter</i> (2017 video game) 2017 video game

Puzzle Fighter was a free-to-play competitive puzzle video game for Android and iOS devices, which is developed by Capcom Vancouver and published by Capcom. It is the successor to 1996's Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, and features playable characters from various Capcom franchises. The game launched in November 2017 and was discontinued in July 2018.

<i>SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy</i> 2018 video game

SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy is a fighting game developed for PS4 by SNK and for Nintendo Switch and PC by Abstraction Games. The game was released for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in September 2018 and was published in Japan and Asia by SNK and SEGA and in International version by NIS America. An arcade version was released the following October and the Microsoft Windows version arrived in February 2019. It is a spiritual successor to SNK Gals' Fighters and features a 2v2 tag-team gameplay system, which was also used in Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle.

<i>Blade Strangers</i> 2018 video game

Blade Strangers is a 2D crossover fighting game developed by Studio Saizensen and published by Nicalis, released on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Microsoft Windows via Steam in August 2018, as well as a Japanese arcade release. It features one-on-one combat between several characters from various independent video game franchises.

<i>Fantasy Strike</i> 2019 video game

Fantasy Strike is a free-to-play fighting video game developed and published by Sirlin Games. It revolves around one-on-one battles that require fast reflexes. The game was released on July 25, 2019 for Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4.

<i>Cotton Fantasy: Superlative Night Dreams</i> 2021 video game

Cotton Fantasy: Superlative Night Dreams is a scrolling shooter video game, co-developed by Success and Studio Saizensen, and originally released in Japanese arcades in 2021. It was ported to Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. A PC version was later released, using the original title. The sixth installment in the Cotton franchise, it is a follow-up to Rainbow Cotton and the first main entry of the series in over 20 years. In the game, players assume the role of young witch Cotton or any of the six additional characters, each one having their own gameplay style, on a quest to defeat enemies and bosses to retrieve "Willow" candy for Fairyland from the villainess Tacoot. It runs on the ALL.Net P-ras MULTI Ver.3 hardware.

References

  1. ↑ Nicalis [@nicalis] (June 18, 2019). "Puzzle Combat comes to #PS4 as #CrystalCrisis drops today! (Tomorrow in EU). Get your digital copy now or preorder a physical copy at store.nicalis.com" (Tweet). Retrieved July 10, 2019– via Twitter.
  2. ↑ Nicalis [@nicalis] (July 10, 2019). "It's time to fight! #CrystalCrisis launches on Steam July 31st 2019! Add it to your wishlist or pre-purchase now for 25%OFF the full price!" (Tweet). Retrieved July 10, 2019– via Twitter.
  3. 1 2 3 Fahey, Mike (May 30, 2019). "Crystal Crisis Is The Sequel Puzzle Fighter Fans Deserve". Kotaku . Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 Romano, Sal (December 5, 2018). "Crystal Crisis launches April 23, 2019, adds PS4 version". Gematsu. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  5. ↑ Sheehan, Gavin (March 5, 2019). "Interview: Nicalis President Tyrone Rodriguez Talks Crystal Crisis". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  6. ↑ Andriessen, CJ (May 10, 2018). "With Puzzle Fighter on mobile going bye-bye, Crystal Crisis is coming to fill the void". Destructoid . Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  7. ↑ Justin Wong [@Jwonggg] (May 9, 2019). "Crystal Crisis made by @nicalis comes out this month Spend that cash for this puzzle game and come see me online P.S. I helped with balancing and testing and super proud of how far this game has come along!! ITS REALLY FUN!!!" (Tweet). Retrieved July 10, 2019– via Twitter.
  8. ↑ Romano, Sal (January 31, 2019). "Crystal Crisis delayed to May 28". Gematsu. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  9. ↑ Nicalis (April 29, 2019). Crystal Crisis Original Soundtrack: "Red Fire" (YouTube video). Retrieved July 10, 2019. "Red Fire" by UMI☆KUUN is the opening cinematic theme from Crystal Crisis, the ultimate puzzle-battle/character-crossover game for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4!
  10. ↑ "Crystal Crisis - Crystal Crisis Update! Cross-Play and Spectator Mode - Steam News". July 8, 2021.
  11. 1 2 "Crystal Crisis for Switch Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  12. ↑ Andriessen, CJ (September 16, 2021). "Review: Crystal Crisis". Destructoid . Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Crystal Crisis Review (Switch) | Aces high". Nintendo Life . September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.