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[iAmMaximus]

I think this is a sign for me to finally play this. Ordering from Amazon now.

 

[A.Romero]

To me Chrono Cross seemed to be far superior to Trigger in every way... until I learned in this thread that what people bitch about from Cross is the story. I was oblivious to it as I spoke no English when I played both in English.

Come to think of it, it is also the case with FFX, most of the dialogue made no sense to me and I used a dictionary for quests... Man, I've never formally studied English writing and probably picked it up all of it from RPGs.

Wow, it is the same for me!

Although I kind of understood CT story when I played it the first time.

 

[IrrelevantNotch]

Chrono Trigger is an amazing game in every aspect. Story, characters, gameplay, graphics, music etc. It does everything right. A lot of RPG fans demand adventures be 30-50 hours, but you can beat Chrono Trigger in about 20. However, there is not an ounce of fat in this game, and the sidequests are both interesting and rewarding.

Chrono Cross is worth playing as well, just watch out for the story.

The whole MasaMune sidestory could've been ditched.

 

[Rentahamster]

This seemed like a good thread for this, so awesome

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4DjC0BdKt4&feature=related

Holy shit I can't believe I hadn't seen this before. That was amazing.

 

[djtiesto]

I've been watching my friend re-play it on VC, brings back so many memories. As a kid, I got every single ending in the game, wrote a FAQ and uploaded it to AOL, and even drew up sketches for a fan-made sequel (where you'd travel to a future where mankind lived in space, to a waterworld-esque future, to a Phonecian-inspired area)...

It's really the music that gets me, probably my favorite game soundtrack ever. I'm not a fan of the scripted encounters (especially in the Reptite's castle area), nor a low difficulty level... but everything else about this game is perfect (pacing, graphics, music, storytelling, attention to detail, theme), and the game has aged like fine wine.

Fuck, I would kill for a new Chrono game with heavy time-travel themes... with cel-shaded graphics like Ninokuni PS3... Or hell I would just kill for another Horii + Sakaguchi combo.

First time I played this, I rented it from Blockbuster. I used to bike home as a kid and would stop at the BB that was on the way. It was a Friday afternoon, and I noticed that Chrono Trigger was in.

So, having no money on me at the time, I took the box and hid it behind some obscure horror movie until my parents would come home and take me back. God, it blew me away. I think I re-rented it 3-4 times before beating it. I'm bummed I never made an effort to buy it, but oh well.

I'm replaying it for the first time since then on VC, and it's just as good as I remember.

Also, the best track in the game is:

Chrono Trigger OST - Peaceful Days ~ World Map Theme 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYWGVppsHFY&playnext=1&list=PLCBDBB48ABBDB7BF9

Posting in a CT thread plus that avatar shows you are a man of very very fine taste indeed. (GU Ibiza is still the greatest DJ mix of all time)

 

[jaxword]

I
Chrono Trigger made us ask: "HOW will I heal?" We've all had that heated moment where we can use Marle's Aura to top off a character, and Crono's ATB bar is only halfway full. For a moment we panic; do I heal my critically wounded ally now and forgo topping everyone else off, or do I risk letting the boss get an attack in while I wait for Aura Whirl? So you decide to risk it, you select your attack, and right as you're about to perform it, the boss KOs Crono.

Classic and intense experiences - games today are paltry in comparison.

FF13 returned to this system, where you had to choose your healers and buffers and fighters in balance.

 

[Magicpaint]

does anyone know how well the DS version did?

It didn't do too well by S-E standards maybe, but since it is largely a direct port, I think it sold well enough.

 

[Fimbulvetr]

FF13 returned to this system, where you had to choose your healers and buffers and fighters in balance.

Not really.

In XIII there are always obvious combinations that almost always work.

Chrono Trigger made it so that even when two characters shared similar roles in battle they'd have different takes on that role.

Both Frog and Marle are healers with water element abilities, for example.

Marle heals more damage, but can only target one person at a time unless she does a DT with Chrono.

She also has mediocre physical damage and defense, but is very very good at offensive Water element magic.

Frog can target multiple allies with his healing, but his spells only heal a fraction of what Marle's can. Frog's magic isn't as damaging as Marle's, but he's got decent attack and defense.

 

[Dark Schala]

also agree with the people who don't need/want more games in the "series". let it be. it'd be like digging up jesus and using his bones in some kind of bizarre art show. don't do it.

does anyone know how well the DS version did?

I wouldn't want current Square-Enix to do anything with it at all. Just leave the masterpiece alone. It doesn't seem like they want to do much with the IP currently, given the "you should buy more Chrono Trigger DS!" comments we got from Shinji Hashimoto. But this could be sales talk and business talk. You know how PR speak usually is.

When asked by RPGSite staff if he could forsee Square handing off other much-loved but neglected franchises to external developers as with Front Mission, he asked what franchise we had in mind.

Our response? Of course, Chrono Trigger.

"Why does everyone ask about Chrono Trigger?" he laughed. We told him it's a very loved series. "That's not what the sales tell me!" he responded.

"If people want a sequel, they should buy more!"

There are some sales numbers in this thread which dates back to 2009.

Not to mention that it might be a little hard to do a CT sequel or a new Chrono game since all the members of the dev and creative staff are everywhere now. Getting them back together is probably not the easiest thing to do.

 

[jaxword]

Not really.

In XIII there are always obvious combinations that almost always work.

Chrono Trigger made it so that even when two characters shared similar roles in battle they'd have different takes on that role.

That was the exact feel from FF13. Lightning had basic healing, but Vanille outclassed her there. But Vanille's physical was so weak, that meant possibly using Hope, but that takes up a valuable SAB slot. Not to mention choosing Snow vs Fang, depending on whether you needed more Sab vs Rav.

So mix and matching was the entire push behind party choosing in FF13.

 

[Fimbulvetr]

That was the exact feel from FF13. Lightning had basic healing, but Vanille outclassed her there..

No.

The difference was that Vanille and Hope were just plain better healers than Light.

Frog and Marle are equally good healers, but for the exact opposite reasons.

 

[jaxword]

No.

The difference was that Vanille and Hope were just plain better healers than Light.

Frog and Marle are equally good healers, but for the exact opposite reasons.

Frog's not an equally good healer; while the party healing is nice, the full-heal is much more useful in a 3 person party.

 

[IrrelevantNotch]

No.

The difference was that Vanille and Hope were just plain better healers than Light.

Frog and Marle are equally good healers, but for the exact opposite reasons.

Yeah.. no. Frog is quite awful at healing compared to Marle.

 

[Fimbulvetr]

Frog's not an equally good healer; while the party healing is nice, the full-heal is much more useful in a 3 person party.

If the boss spams AOE attacks? Not so much unless you like waiting for both Marle and Chrono's meters to be simultaneously full.

 

[goober]

My favorite game. One of the few games I never get tired of.

 

[jaxword]

If the boss spams AOE attacks? Not so much unless you like waiting for both Marle and Chrono's meters to be simultaneously full.

Or you just heal each person individually, especially as not to many bosses' AI don't have multiple AOE attacks programmed in a row.

 

[Magicpaint]

I dunno if I would say Frog is a terrible healer compared to Marle. I do know that I greatly favour his ability to heal multiple party members over Marle's potent healing for just a single party member (unless it's a dual tech with Chrono, which wastes time and robs Chrono of attack turns). I could definitely do without Marle most of the time, and I certainly didn't have her for many of the harder battles.

 

[galian beast]

I've been watching my friend re-play it on VC, brings back so many memories. As a kid, I got every single ending in the game, wrote a FAQ and uploaded it to AOL, and even drew up sketches for a fan-made sequel (where you'd travel to a future where mankind lived in space, to a waterworld-esque future, to a Phonecian-inspired area)...

It's really the music that gets me, probably my favorite game soundtrack ever. I'm not a fan of the scripted encounters (especially in the Reptite's castle area), nor a low difficulty level... but everything else about this game is perfect (pacing, graphics, music, storytelling, attention to detail, theme), and the game has aged like fine wine.

Fuck, I would kill for a new Chrono game with heavy time-travel themes... with cel-shaded graphics like Ninokuni PS3... Or hell I would just kill for another Horii + Sakaguchi combo.



Posting in a CT thread plus that avatar shows you are a man of very very fine taste indeed. (GU Ibiza is still the greatest DJ mix of all time)

Sakaguchi had nothing to do with Chrono Trigger. He just got a billing to sell copies.

 

[galian beast]

I dunno if I would say Frog is a terrible healer compared to Marle. I do know that I greatly favour his ability to heal multiple party members over Marle's potent healing for just a single party member (unless it's a dual tech with Chrono, which wastes time and robs Chrono of attack turns). I could definitely do without Marle most of the time, and I certainly didn't have her for many of the harder battles.

Marle is completely useless, both Robo and Frog are more than capable healers, and actually contribute to combat. Marle has no place in the game as soon as you can remove her from the party.

 

[galian beast]

The whole MasaMune sidestory could've been ditched.

You didn't like the masamune side story? I felt as though it really captured the adventuring part of Chrono Trigger. It was a really complex part that really capture that Dragon Ball (and went on to Z).

 

[coldvein]

anybody know if it's possible to buy large size prints of chrono trigger artwork anywhere?

 

[Dark Schala]

Sakaguchi had nothing to do with Chrono Trigger. He just got a billing to sell copies.

Huh? He was a supervisor and on the creative staff (w/Horii & Toriyama). He was pretty involved in the project from some of the stuff I've read. In an interview, Horii said that a lot of the fairgrounds stuff at the beginning of the game were "Sakaguchi-esque". Sakaguchi was responsible for the game's overall "system" (I read this as "flow") and contributed some monster ideas (this is in the Chrono Trigger: The Perfect article). Apparently he wanted to play around with Toriyama's universe and adapt the silliness of that universe into Chrono Trigger (iirc, he uses the soldiers forming a bridge and you step all over them after you beat the Dragon Tank as an example).

He also created Gato and the "primeval dance" (and Kitase asked him to put that in the game, lol).

 

[The Outsider]

Now that this thread has inspired me, would you all recommend picking up the DS copy or getting the Virtual Console entry?

 

[coldvein]

Now that this thread has inspired me, would you all recommend picking up the DS copy or getting the Virtual Console entry?

vc.

 

[Sir Ilpalazzo]

The DS version has extra content, but it's not very good. The biggest difference is the script, and I think the DS script is a lot better than the original.

 

[WanderingWind]

Now that this thread has inspired me, would you all recommend picking up the DS copy or getting the Virtual Console entry?

VC is the original cut. The DS version is the George Lucas remastered version.

 

[Dark Schala]

Now that this thread has inspired me, would you all recommend picking up the DS copy or getting the Virtual Console entry?

DS version has some added dungeon stuff (which I felt was lacklustre), a retranslation and some added narrative stuff. Some of the music is also retooled, I think.

The VC version is cheaper at $8, which I would consider a steal for this game. It's the original cut, and I thought some of the English dialogue was humorous. It was my first experience with the game, and I loved it very much.

 

[coldvein]

VC is the original cut. The DS version is the George Lucas remastered version.

that makes it sound terrible. that's being misleading. but the spirit of your statement is true.. play the original cut, on a television. way to go.

 

[The Outsider]

For the record, I have played and beat the game years ago on the SNES. Don't know if that makes any difference or not, but the new content would actually be new to me.

 

[Anth0ny]

On the final boss right now. It is also my first time playing though Chrono Trigger. The game is absolutely fantastic in pretty much every way, and I am ashamed as a Toriyama fan that I waited this long to play it.

 

[Zepp]

Arabian? I always got an Indian vibe there (from the tabla mostly)

After I posted that, I realized that Indian was the adjective I was looking for. Makes me feel like I'm chillin in Mumbai.

 

[Dark Schala]

For the record, I have played and beat the game years ago on the SNES. Don't know if that makes any difference or not, but the new content would actually be new to me.

It does. VC release of CT is the same as the SNES/SFC CT.

Better off picking up the DS version for the extra dungeon & story content and retranslation if your interest is piqued.

 

[The Outsider]

It does. VC release of CT is the same as the SNES/SFC CT.

Better off picking up the DS version for the extra dungeon & story content and retranslation if your interest is piqued.

Yeah, the retranslation is what has me interested, honestly.

Is the music different in the DS version?

 

[Dark Schala]

Yeah, the retranslation is what has me interested, honestly.

Is the music different in the DS version?

Music is the same. Some of the "unreleased/unused" tracks (Battle 2; Singing Mountain) are used in the new dungeons.

It isn't too noticeable, but if you listen to some of the music side-by-side, you'll notice that they added or subtracted some stuff, or reduced the prominence of sound sounds. But like I said before, this is not noticeable at all.

Undersea Palace (SNES Ver)
vs
Undersea Palace (PSX Ver) (no longer on YouTube)
vs
Undersea Palace (DS Version)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDPRvcKVjMI

IIRC, "World Revolution" was also different on all three CT albums.
SNES Version, PSX Version (is no longer on YouTube) and DS Version

 

[WillyFive]

Just got Robo, this game is great. Don't like how you can only use three characters at a time, but I complain for every RPG where you can't use all characters at once.

 

[gunbo13]

Marle is completely useless, both Robo and Frog are more than capable healers, and actually contribute to combat. Marle has no place in the game as soon as you can remove her from the party.

Really? Marle is better then Frog simply because of ice sword 2. With a gold stud she is the ultimate battery. You mix in dual techs with heal spams. Frog has nice damage but why would I use his physical attacks over dual techs? A gold stud on Marle with a haste helm on Crono is a ridiculous combination.

S Tier - Crono
Top Tier - Marle, Ayla
Mid Tier -

Spoiler

Magus

Bottom Tier - Frog, Robo, Lucca

That's how I see it. The main reasoning is that the better characters can make more broken builds.

[Haste/Counter, Heal,

Spoiler

Dark Matter

] - [Crono, Marle,

Spoiler

Magus

]
Crono has auto-haste/counter attack for massive melee attacks per minute. Marle batteries and provides ethers when necessary.

Spoiler

Magus

uses a gold stuf and just spams

Spoiler

dark matter

constantly. You won't lose ever.

[Haste/Counter, Heal, Dual Tech Damage] - [Crono, Marle, Ayla]
Same as above except Ayla and Crono pull off dual techs like volt bite based on Ayla's bar. Crono mixes in melee in-between charges. Ayla also uses charm mixed in. Cube toss and twin charm from the two girls is also great. Again, I can't imagine losing with this build.

I've tried to make great synergy with what I consider the bottom tier characters. Lucca to me is a counter pick and is great against enemies weak to fire. Her spells though are way to expensive and I only find use with antipode 3. Robo is OK but I never found his dual techs to be superior to Crono/Marle & Crono/Ayla. He doesn't pack that much damage. Frog is the better of the three (arguably mid-tier) but he only really fits in Marle's role. And I just can't justify it because that would only be beneficial for "weak" enemies. He isn't as good a battery and can't use life 2.

If you can't handle one of your members being a battery...then I can see why Marle would be thrown out. But IMO Crono should handle the weight and he should have a compliment. The two best compliments are Ayla and

Spoiler

Magus

. Ayla has versatility with her own damage along with charm and

Spoiler

Magus

can do his own thing with

Spoiler

dark matter

(on repeat). Why you would pull one of these four for your best team is something I wouldn't understand. I only pull my top four when I want to mix things up. When

Spoiler

Crono dies

, Ayla takes primary, Marla stays battery, and Frog comes in.

For the record, I have played and beat the game years ago on the SNES. Don't know if that makes any difference or not, but the new content would actually be new to me.

Bonus content isn't a big deal. It feels like dungeon grinding. It is worth it for the additional ending though; no question.

 

[Anth0ny]

My team has been mostly Chrono, Robo, Ayla. Robo heals, Chrono and Ayla lay the smackdown.

The only exception was vs

Spoiler

the fucking golem twins

I used both Frog and Robo to heal Chrono as he slowly took them down :lol

 

[Duki]

magus ayla robo

real talk

 

[Stumpokapow]

Crono, Ayla... and whoever else you have doesn't matter at all because the game is stupid easy

But seriously. First run through the game Dalton Twins are kind of tough... and that's about it, especially if you do ~30-1hr grinding at the hunting range in 65M BC. Second run through the game no one is tough and you're equipped to try a Underwater Palace end-game run. Third run through the game and it's time to try the beginning right teleporter run or at least an early bucket run.

 

[gunbo13]

My team has been mostly Chrono, Robo, Ayla. Robo heals, Chrono and Ayla lay the smackdown.

The only exception was vs

Spoiler

the fucking golem twins

I used both Frog and Robo to heal Chrono as he slowly took them down :lol

That's a good party. But both Frog and Marle are better then Robo in that spot. Robo is by far the weakest battery and Frog can help with some sick dual techs.

See dual techs should be reserved for Crono + somebody else. Crono is way to godlike to not be involved at almost all times. And I can't find better dual techs then Crono/Marle & Crono/Ayla. The fact that Marle is the best battery and has one of the best dual techs with Crono makes me wonder how she was called out as terrible in this thread. Ayla of course has charm and wicked damage. Robo and Lucca...meh, I haven't found any reason to put them in instead except for fire damage. Frog can arguably replace Marle. This will speed up some battles but slow down others.

I play this game too much...

Crono, Ayla... and whoever else you have doesn't matter at all because the game is stupid easy

But seriously. First run through the game Dalton Twins are kind of tough... and that's about it, especially if you do ~30-1hr grinding at the hunting range in 65M BC. Second run through the game no one is tough and you're equipped to try a Underwater Palace end-game run. Third run through the game and it's time to try the beginning right teleporter run or at least an early bucket run.

We know the game is easy. I have only been taken out a few times by

Spoiler

Magus

if he gets a nice chain going. I look for complete and utter destruction when I play CT for the umpteenth time. So that third spot becomes important...I guess . Who can sit in the

Spoiler

end of time

forever (pun intended) are Lucca, Robo, and Frog. I'll leave them a deck of cards.

 

[galian beast]

Marles strongest magic attack is an 8mp magic attack ( ICE 2) Ice Sword 2? Really, that's a joke.

Frog has Cure2, and Robo has heal beam.

The dual techs you get with Robo and Frog are far superior than Marles.

 

[thebaroness]

I finally finished my Chrono Trigger file today, and it was one of the best gaming experiences of my life! Now why did it take me 15 years to beat this game? Well, I had first tried to beat it on the SNES. I got to 6,000,000 B.C. when our console was stolen. Later I started a file on the PSX release and due to loading times and moving a bunch I was never able to finish it.

This time I was determined to see why this game had been so lauded for all these years and got myself a copy on DS. I played it every day on the train, did every side quest, and finally beat Lavos. I was not disappointed in the slightest.

Never in an RPG before have I care that much about each and every one of my characters. Enough to keep them ALL leveled up equally. The only thing that makes me sad is it will be a long time before I have a gaming experience this good again.

It's one of the only three games to ever move me to tears. The other two being my all time favorite game, Xenogears, and Metal Gear Solid 3.

I just felt like sharing something positive with you all Now to play it again and get more endings.

 

[Shin Kojima]

Congrats. What ending did you get?

 

[Jakeh111]

I still got my save from SNES and have never beaten it

 

[WrenchNinja]

Awesome. Glad you enjoyed it.

Don't play Chrono Cross, you will be disappointed.

 

[Tomat]

FINE, I'll go start my damn playthrough already.

 

[eXistor]

Awesome. Glad you enjoyed it.

Don't play Chrono Cross, you will be disappointed.

I say: Play Chrono Cross, but know that it's a completely different experience from Trigger and you'll enjoy it immensely on its own terms.

 

[StuBurns]

It's still the best JRPG I've played, or maybe second to FF6, but truly some masterful shit.

As for Chrono Cross, I vote play it, it's not as good, but it's good. If you go in with lowed expectations, and everyone who gets to play it now should, I don't think it'd be disappointing. It's visually beautiful, the soundtrack is probably the best soundtrack of any game, and the combat is fun. The story and characters feel a little shallow, and you revisit areas too much, but if you don't play it, you'll always want to know what it's like, so you might as well get it out of the way.

 

[Psykotik]

now to go back and see all 13 (?) different endings

 

[Correctomundo]

Awesome. Glad you enjoyed it.

Don't play Chrono Cross, you will be disappointed.

Seconded. You can find the Chrono Cross soundtrack somewhere and listen to it sometime. It's really the only good part of the game. Well, Sprigg's world is kinda cool, but you'd have to slog through the rest of that mess to get there.