Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time is one of those DS RPGs that actually makes the multiplayer thing work—you can drop in and out of co-op with friends anytime, which is rare for a handheld game. The story’s got that classic FF vibe: you’re protecting your village’s magic crystal, but then time starts glitching out, and suddenly you’re hopping between past and future versions of the same world. Combat’s simple but satisfying—you’ll mash attacks at first, but later you’re juggling spells and timing dodges against bosses that actually make you think.

What surprised me was how much the gear system matters. Found this dumb-looking hat early on that boosted my magic damage way more than anything else, so of course I wore it for half the game despite looking ridiculous. The DS version’s a bit cramped visually, but the chibi-style characters have charm, and the music’s got those nostalgic Crystal Chronicles woodwind melodies. It’s not the deepest FF spin-off, but it’s solid for short bursts or playing with a friend who’s also into grinding for better loot.