Unlike the GameCube predecessor, Crystal Bearers features fully real-time combat, focusing on free-roaming and action-adventure for a single-player.[5][6] Players can use airships.[5] Enemies have a wide variety of tactics and abilities, and some have the ability to hurt fellow creatures and oppose the player. This is part of the AI reaction, in which different creatures react in unique ways to other ones nearby and to the attacks.[6] The player controls Layle. He can use psychokinetic gravity powers to perform different combat actions, such as moving certain enemies against their will, making them use their abilities against other enemies and utilizing various objects as projectiles.[5] He can perform some type of reaction elements with creatures, affecting them in different manners. Layle can utilize abilities to interact with the environment, such as activating switches, or grabbing ledges and other objects from a distance via an energy-based grappling hook. He can also perform such actions as moving civilians against their will.[5] Civilians share traits with enemies in that they can attack the player, when irritated by actions.[6] Unlike role playing games, the action adventure one has the player customizing Layle's status, using accessories with materials and other items.[6] The player can increment the character's maximum HP by clearing miasma stream fights and collecting the myrrh from each areas. Exploration and free-roaming are heavily focused on the game to the point that there are fifteen bosses are needed to progress through the story and the rest are scattered everywhere for the player to find.[6] Traveling can either be done by foot, riding chocobos, taking the train or using warp portals. The game also features a combat for sky diving.[6] The player can take Quicktime events, making actions during certain events, such as aiming the remote and shooting monsters in the sky.[5][7]