Chrono Trigger

"A review for people new to Chrono Trigger."

So. This is my review for all of you who missed out on Chrono Trigger when it first came out on the SNES. This new version is considered by many a better game than the original, but is it worth the money? I made this review with Chrono Trigger newbies in mind, but all you veterans might find it helpful also though.

The DS version of Chrono Trigger is the first I've ever played, so I will not treat the “new” content as a separate part of the game. Like me, if you've never played Chrono Trigger before, everything will be “new” content. I will also explain whether the game still holds it own in these modern times.

This review will be mostly spoiler free.

Gameplay: 10/10

There are no random encounters in this game. It is done in such a way that in each map, enemies will be in the exact same places each time you play the game. Sometimes they will be out in the open, and sometimes you'll even be able to avoid them by walking around them or trying to not let them see you. Once you actually encounter a monster though, the combat is turn based, but there will be a counter which determines when each of your characters will be able to attack next.

After you win an encounter, you will gain both experience points and “Tech” points. Tech points are basically experience points that go to gaining new special attacks called “Techs” (Surprise!). There are even Double Techs and Triple Techs which you can use when different characters are paired up with each other.

The combat encounters are fast-paced, fun, and exciting, even though most are fairly easy, apart from the boss battles which require a bit of thinking. The character's abilities are also varied, and it takes a bit of strategy to match up a great team for an upcoming battle.

Apart from combat, the game is also amazing. To put it simply, you go go throughout different eras in time ranging from 65,000,000 B.C. to 2,300 A.D. affecting the universe itself. If you change the past, you will also change the future. The concept adds quite a bit of non-linearity, and opens up many possibilities for side quests, which the game has plenty of. One of the biggest sidequests is one within an area called “Lost Sanctum”. It's a fun little offshoot of the main game, but overall, it is slightly on the repetitive side. Even so, each and every one of the sidequests are worth your time and offer a bigger and better experience of the game.

There is also an Arena mode where you can raise your own monster, and have it fight other monsters for items. You send it off for training in different areas, where it can gain various stats, learn it's own techs, or advance in rank in the form of evolving into a new monster. You'll have to wait around 10 minutes in-game time before it returns. It's not very deep, and you aren't able to actually control the monster in battle (besides giving it items to use), but it is a nice little addition that adds quite a bit of content, and is the only mode where you can use wireless to battle with your friends.

Graphics: 9/10

Who doesn't love these great old school graphics? It has it's own style that stands the test of time. I do not believe the graphics will ever die out, although others may not share my opinion. It's not technically as “high quality” as modern games, but for me, I didn't care one bit. The animations are nice, the scenes play out beautifully, and the characters and enemies (particularly bosses) are very nice looking.

The game also includes a few movie sequences which play out at various times during the game. It's a great addition, but I personally didn't prefer them to the original in-game scenes, but luckily they are optional.

Sound: 9/10

The game's soundtrack is absolutely beautiful. It's epic when it needs to be, it's creepy when it needs to be, and can also be heartbreaking when it needs to be. The background music fits the areas, and multiple times while playing, I would purposefully take a break from the game to admire it. As with the graphics, it's very old school, but again like the graphics, it stands the test of time intact.

The battle sounds are the same basic sounds as you would expect. Swords swinging and spells being cast, it's all what you've heard before. Not amazing, but definitely not bad. But really, how much can you actually improve upon the sound of a monster being stabbed?

Story: 10/10

The story is actually original. It involves time-traveling, death, betrayal, and payback. The story will invoke many emotions throughout the game. Sometimes it will make you laugh with it's fairly quirky humor, or make you mourn over a fallen character. Speaking of characters, you will have a wide range of unique characters at your disposal. Each one of them have great personalities, and soon you will become attached to them. I don't know about you, but I don't know many games that could make you feel for a massive talking frog. Or a main character who never says a word the entire game.

I've heard various opinions about how the translation has been revamped. Some good, some bad. Personally, I have no experience with the original and I really like the writing in this game. It has a certain unique quality about it that makes it different from other games.

Extras/Replay Value: 10/10:

One thing I love about this game is it's massive replayability. There are 13 unique endings you can get by accomplishing various things in-game. You can fill out your bestiary and item encyclopedia, and the game basically keeps track of most things you do. There is also a New Game + mode that you unlock when you beat the game where you get to keep your character's levels, stats, and items. With New Game +, you also unlock a completely new area called “Dimensional Vortex” which contains some of the best equipment in the game. It's a mix between randomly generated content, and set content. It feels sort of separate from the main game, but otherwise it is a nice addition.

But not even all of that is what makes me keep coming back to the game again and again. It's the fact that the game is so damn good. Other games may have you coming back to mindlessly level up for some super secret boss, but very few games actually make you want to play it again and again just for the sake of playing it again and again like this one.

Overall: 9.6/10

Now the real question is whether this game lives up to modern expectations. Is it really worth the money to buy a remake of a now 13 year old game? Does it still stand as one of the RPG greats? I believe the answer is a definitive yes.

This is truly one of the great classics that come around so rarely. It not only holds it's own against many of the new games today, but it surpasses them in quality. It's just so charming and unique a game that you can't justify not at least trying it. This game is perfect for new players or old veterans alike. Do yourself a favor and pick this game up. You'll enjoy it.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 12/08/08

Game Release: Chrono Trigger (US, 11/25/08)