Square Enix has released some new information about the gameplay of its upcoming Wii and DS-based Action RPG Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time. After playing through the game once, the developers are offering the player plenty of modes to toy around with. In Free Play mode, the entire world including the final dungeon can be freely explored. In addition to collecting items, players will also be able to take on powerful enemies waiting in a bonus dungeon. Those who want to play through Echoes of Time again from the beginning, are obviously free to do so as well. In fact, multiple play-throughs are recommended, because half of the equipment will only become available during play-throughs 2 and 3. Last but not least, there is a Game Plus option. Players will begin a new game with all the experience, equipment and items they have gathered during their first play through. Additionally, they can choose which character they want to control. One can either pick an existing character from the first play through or create an entirely new character.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time will hit Japanese retail store shelves later this week, on the 29th. Square Enix will bring the game to this side of the Pacific sometime in spring.

• Famitsu