Crystar

 PlayStation 4
Crystar Image
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
9.5

Universal acclaim- based on 2255 Ratings

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  • Summary: For when I weep, then I am strong. Battle through Purgatory as Rei to help save her sister in this Action RPG. Switch freely between four playable characters, and uncover each one of their pasts to see the sorrows they have endured.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Digitally Downloaded
    Aug 7, 2019
    100
    I always have been, whether it's the writings on T.S. Eliot and Poe, films from The Cabinet of Dr Caligari through to Blade Runner, the music of Nick Cave, or games like I Am Setsuna and, now, Crystar. That Crystar manages to be so layered and nuanced with that theme makes it all the more impressive. FuRyu continues to be the publisher to watch for anyone who likes their games with a bit of genuine artistic credibility.
  2. GamingTrend
    Aug 19, 2019
    90
    Crystar is a great action-RPG with some fascinating twists. Crying is not only a key aspect to boosting your strength in battle, but it enables you to create more powerful gear. Be prepared for mentions of tragic and depressing topics, but remember that they work to enforce the ideas of "showing your emotions as a strength" and the sometimes overlooked issues that others face each day.
  3. LaPS4
    Sep 3, 2019
    80
    Crystar is one of those titles that makes it out of Japan and it is going to be a reference for the RPG titles to come. Fluid combat system, characters with their own fighting styles and complex plot are its strengths. Gemdrops Studios offers a title which is far from perfect, but it is able to impact the player like few games can.
  4. DualShockers
    Aug 20, 2019
    70
    Crystar is a competent Action RPG with a compelling narrative but suffers due to mostly everything else it has to offer.
  5. COGconnected
    Aug 12, 2019
    65
    With each tear shed, the story of Rei searching for her little sister all the while defeating enemies and being burdened with their last words is much deeper and darker than I expected. The use of the crying mechanics and turning her tears and sad thoughts into strength is a really unique and interesting idea. That paired with the beautiful art style, character designs and interesting story, we almost have a perfect game. Unfortunately, with the less than stellar combat mechanics, the lack of enemy variety and the lack of differentiating dungeons, it may not entice players who also want fluid gameplay. However for fans who do like narrative-driven and linear games along with dark themes and gorgeous designs, then this is definitely a title that should be added to your library.
  6. RPGamer
    Aug 26, 2019
    60
    Crystar ends up as a bit of a mixed bag. The interesting ideas, story elements, and audio are let down by generally mediocre gameplay, which is particularly exacerbated when its most repetitive portion is forced upon players for very little story benefit. There’s enough about it that many will find plenty to enjoy, particularly on the narrative side of things, but there may not be too many streams of joyful tears.
  7. GameGrin
    Aug 30, 2019
    40
    A trigger warning in game form - without any trigger warnings. Had a lot of potential, but unfortunately misses the mark.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 40
  3. Negative: 17 out of 40
  1. tesadesrvdbetta
    Feb 5, 2020
    10
    A masterpiece in every sense of the word, beautiful graphics, a delightful piano soundtrack, and brilliant writing.

    The fact the Western    A masterpiece in every sense of the word, beautiful graphics, a delightful piano soundtrack, and brilliant writing.

    The fact the Western branch decided to completely ignore this in exchange for promoting the dreadful Net Idol Torture Porn game called "AI: The Somnium Files" is proof that their marketing team is incompetent in every possible way.    … Expand
  2. Cageyanemone007
    Sep 19, 2019
    10
    I loved Crystar. Yes, there are some weak points in repetitiveness and also in the characters themselves, but in the end, it wasn't a game II loved Crystar. Yes, there are some weak points in repetitiveness and also in the characters themselves, but in the end, it wasn't a game I regretted buying new, and here I sit, wanting the games I am playing from my "next" list to be more like Crystar.

    A few words of warning: this game is dark. It contains a very haunting scene of a child's suicide, done in childlike yet realistic and haunting sketch art, and it references miscarriage, death, neglect, torture, and abuse. Many involving children. You fill in a Memoirs of the Dead, that tells three episodes of the tragic lives and deaths of the spirits that you are contracted to execute.

    The game is an action JRPG about a girl named Rei who is sucked into Purgatory for some unknown (at the time) reason, and while wandering around, discovers that her odd little sister Mirai has been sucked in with her. In an odd chain of events, she develops powers and ends up stabbing Mirai. Insert the "curators" of Purgatory, two mischievous girls who promise that if she becomes their warrior and then executes the rebellious stray souls, and also collects humans tears that form a substance called Idea, they will revive Mirai. The catch? She only has until Mirai wanders through too the Cogs of Renewal that will reincarnate her.
    As Rei starts her journey, she will, of course, meet other girls on their own journeys.

    Pros:
    Background - The background is a beautiful and mesmerizing trip through gothic, dark, majestic, and even whimsical lands.
    Soundtrack- The soundtrack supplies an expansive, and also mesmerizing classical soundtrack that uses violins to make your emotions connect to the beautiful backgrounds.
    Graphics & Art - I have no complaints about the character stylings, and it creates a stark contrast to the dark, childlike, and jerky illustration scenes done in a haunting sepia.
    Gameplay - Action RPG where you use both weapons and SP magic attacks. Magic attacks unlock as you gain levels. You can also collect tears to unleash a power attack, and then a super attack using your Guardian. Your Guardian is essentially your inner strength, and essentially the only moment anyone can connect this game to Persona (read that review calling it a Persona clone and laughed).
    The Map - Why mention the map? Well, if you've ever played an old school JRPG, or even Kingdom Hearts, you know how amazing a good map can be. This one folds and expands, highlights enemies as red dots, and it even shows you where you have yet to travel.

    Cons-
    Characters- The characters delve heavily into almost dissolving on themselves in their effort to find a crusade our a cause to believe in. Rei herself goes through a whiny and selfish phase, and I honestly almost reached my max on hearing Mirai's name. Yes, I was flinching by the middle. The second character she meets is obsessed with her cause, to the level of blindness. And the third is fixated on the only cause that allows her to function. Until it threatens to become a hard lesson in humanity and exceptions.
    Repetitiveness-This was mentioned in the beginning. To avoid spoilers, just know that the true end requires you to replay some of the same levels and the same bosses over and over...and over. You restart at the X point, and replay your fate.

    Overall, I was happy to get the the ending, but at the same time, I was sad afterwards. I'll miss Sen. I'll miss Anamnesis, and dammit I will especially miss canine sweetheart Thelema. Clocking in at about 40 hours of gameplay if you take your time, and at about 86-90 for a Platinum if you take your time, I defeated it on easy, and was left glaring at the next game I moved on to. I played for so long, that I changed the controls in Ys to match Crystar. It left a lingering impression, and it left me feeling appreciative for what the art team and the designers set out to create. It stands out from the pack as a truly unique and beautiful journey.    … Expand
  4. WAR1812
    Sep 7, 2019
    9
    Fun action JRPG with a unique story. Character models and levels are really detailed and colorful. Feels like you're playing an anime. All inFun action JRPG with a unique story. Character models and levels are really detailed and colorful. Feels like you're playing an anime. All in all a fun game.… Expand
  5. nanansgxz2
    Jan 17, 2023
    7
    故事，讲故事，人物和世界构建都非常好。如果你喜欢严肃的JRPG，你也会喜欢这个。
  6. Laithherzo
    Jul 26, 2020
    1
    Its a really bad game and dont deserve that high score anime fans are stupied
  7. shamballa_69
    Jul 19, 2020
    0
    Terrible game with cringe story and characters, the gameplay is so clunky and repetitive.
  8. Detonatorblyat
    Dec 18, 2021
    0
    какая то дрочильня сидит в 10ке лучших игр.... понимаю, понимаю что это пиздец

See all 40 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

72
#72 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2019