For housing four tribes, the world – or at least the part of it that you see – is actually quite small. In fact, on top of a chocobo (a classic Final Fantasy mount that you've most definitely seen before), it can take about five minutes to race around the entire map. But although the world is tiny, you'll venture through various types of areas, from forests spotted with cherry blossoms to sunny open plains. These areas, excluding the cities, act as battle arenas, filled with monsters and random objects. With your telekinetic powers, you have to clear the arena within a certain amount of time. To do this, you point at the screen with the Wiimote, press the trigger and flick your wrist, tossing your quarry whichever direction you please. You can also pick up an item or monster and throw it at the enemy.

Pointing and flicking again and again grows very tiresome, especially on the wrist. Thankfully, you can choose to do diddly squat, and the field will eventually clear itself. When time runs out, the area returns to normal, whether you've successfully cleared the area or not. The sky turns blue, farmers and skipping girls randomly appear and everything is merry. Of course, if you choose to avoid battle, you'll collect less loot and money to purchase accessories that boost your stats. Then again, you don't really need the accessories if you're not fighting. Without stat-boosts and experience, the boss battles are still a piece of cake. Besides, there's very little allure to collecting loot when you can only create accessories.

Battling (if you choose to do it) and traveling to and from each area counts for roughly half the gameplay. The other half lies in the various minigames. Of the few NPCs that actually talk, some provide optional games, like catching sheep or collecting mushrooms. Although you get a score at the end of each game, your level of success doesn't usually matter. One mushroom or thirty, you'll still get the prize. Others minigames, like out-running a behemoth or pulling the hoods off of pilgrims, are pivotal to the story. Again, it doesn't matter how well you do. As long as you don't die, the game continues. If, by chance, you perish, you have the option to try again without losing any progress.

And that's it: some minigames you don't have to win, a whole lot of walking around, optional arena battles, and a couple boss fights. But even with so little content, this is one of the most well-executed Wii games to date. The graphics are stunning, the minigames function correctly, and the Wiimote never gets unbearably obnoxious, even if it causes a little wrist pain. Besides, none of the Crystal Chronicles have ever been your typical Final Fantasy. Nintendo-exclusive and generally kid-friendly, the series is most known for its co-operative play. It's unfortunate that this title doesn't include it, if only because we won't get a Final Fantasy multiplayer this year.

The game's worst offense is that it never requires that you exert effort. Without side quests, challenging battles and grueling dungeons, the game almost plays itself. And yet, since the story and characters are so enchanting, it pays to at least go through the motions to see the adventure unfold. If only there were more "game" here.