Results tagged “Chrono Trigger”

Some very vocal Final Fantasy fans most certainly feel betrayed by Square Enix's decision to bring Final Fantasy XIII to multiple platforms outside of Japan. In fact, many of them rushed off to buy a PlayStation 3 years before the title even had a confirmed release date (it still doesn't as if this writing). But with last week's news of FFXIII most likely being monolingual on the Xbox 360, PS3 owning Final Fantasy are a little happier now. In an interview with IGN UK, Square Enix Producer Yoshinori Kitase brought up the possibility of having multiple languages on the PS3 version of the game. As for the 360, the producer said "...when we talk about XIII it's for PS3 and Xbox - with PS3 being on Blu ray there would be enough memory, but on Xbox probably not." Such a move would definitely give the PS3 version of the game another one-up over the 360 version. It works out fine for the PS3 owners who prefer subtitles over dubs. In other words, the majority fans who'd want a multiple language release of FFXIII probably already own a PS3. Not to say there aren't 360 owners out there who care about multilingual options. Square Enix's reason for a probable monolingual release for the 360 version is baffling at best. All fans deserve a multilingual option if it is technologically and economically feasible.

It is interesting to note that Mistwalker was able release two RPGs on the 360 (Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey) with multiple languages. Sure those games were released over multiple discs, but Final Fantasy XIII is already speculated to be a multiple disc release on the 360-- what's an extra disc or two? Additionally, many game developers and publishers also make language packs available as downloadable content through Xbox Live. It's a bit surprising that a company with so many resources such as Square Enix can't or won't when a smaller studio like Mistwalker can. The company has multiple options when it comes to the 360 console, why not take the time to utilize them? With the North American release more than a year away it's still too early to say what Square will ultimately do, as nothing has been solidly confirmed or denied. But at this point the company once again seems out of touch with North American fans.






Square Enix also didn't help matters last week when it sent a Cease and Desist letter to the team behind Chrono Trigger: Crimson Echoes. Crimson Echoes was a promising five-year fan project that centered around the modification of the Chrono Trigger ROM to create a new derivative game. The fan-made game is roughly 35 hours long, has 23 chapters, and 10 multiple endings. The game was designed to be a sequel and a bridge between Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross. It would have been distributed to fans via an emulator on May 29th. The game was 98% complete when Square Enix delivered the C&D letter. The letter itself threatens the team with legal action and fines up to $150,000 dollars. Similar legal threats were made against the fan site Chrono Compendium, because it demonstrated how to hack and modify ROMs.

On one hand it is amazing to see the lawyers at Square admit they saw the Crimson Echoes project as a threat, considering how little they've done with the Chrono Trigger franchise. Yes, we've had multiple ports and a messy sequel, but none of it even remotely compares to the company's flagship series, Final Fantasy. Given the fact that small modified ROM projects have been released in the past without objections from Square, and that Crimson Echoes had been worked on for five years already is frustrating. Does the company really see the new game as a major threat to Chrono Trigger DS, or do they have something more planned for the franchise in the future?

On the other hand, despite Square Enix sometimes looking the other way on fan projects, it isn't difficult to see why the company would want to protect its intellectual property. After all, the argument that Chrono Trigger is hard to find, or no longer in print (and therefore has been completely neglected), no longer works as it did five years ago. Even if the Crimson Echoes team had the money to mount a Fair Use defense by arguing the game has transformative value there would be no guarantee they would win such a case. The fact that game itself is a modified ROM is the biggest strike against it, even if it could be likened to an interactive fan story. It is a shame that Square does not seem interested in working out something with the team, because the dedicated CT fans who crave new material for the franchise are the ones who really suffer.

Chrono Trigger is basically the RPG that developers should be striving for their projects to be on the same level of, but not in the usual sense. For too long, the genre has remained a stagnant river of non-ideas, each game within it following each other in cribbing ideas from the Grand List of RPG clichés in trying to match the charm that comes with a sense of nostalgia. But instead their products end up being a dull, unoriginal mishmash of tired plot elements that make the creators appear creatively bankrupt.

That's significant because one game made this accomplishment over 13 years ago by creating an original template to follow. Yet no one followed it.


Chrono Trigger actually starts off not-so-originally: the main character is awoken by a single parent with no word on where his father is. The environment is a medieval fantasy one, complete with kings, swords, and sorcery, along with your typical RPG addition of some extra technology. But it isn't long until its true agenda is revealed, and what follows is one of the most memorable RPG experiences ever.

The rapidity in revealing its intentions is a testament for how fast the game moves overall. It's a shame to see that 16-bit games, or those who stick very closely within the confines of one, were the pinnacle of fast-moving games. Long, drawn out narratives came with the introduction of 3D, along with flashy battle animations and pitiable loading times - the latter of which actually hampered the PSX version of this game.

But what makes the game memorable isn't the simple fact that it's different than what's come before, but the display of how much care the developers put into everything. It's like the team looked at the list linked above and decided to, aside from a few exceptions, rally against what typified the genre. And through doing this, CT has a lot of, well, heart to it. Sure, it doesn't have the most multifaceted and riveting storyline, but if the characters and plot are appealing enough, does it need that? Absolutely not.


Not to say it's entirely simple, especially gameplay wise. In addition to the usual attacks, you're also allowed to perform techs, themselves being similar to regular attacks with the expected extra kick (and MP reduction). But you can also use Dual Techs and Triple Techs for more damage to either one or multiple enemies. Who you determine to use it on adds a complex yet simple and welcome level of strategy.

Chrono Trigger is not a quality product solely for the fact that it takes risks that more RPGs should take, but mainly because it does that with a sense of style, finesse, and charm.  Those three elements combined are what make the product timeless. While so many games will continue to strive for enhanced immersion and complexity, Chrono Trigger will serve as an example of the notion that games, most notably RPGs, don't need all of that to be appealing, and that simplicity can go a long way.

Chrono Trigger is a game that holds a special place in my heart. In high school a friend told me that Akira Toriyama did the character designs for Chrono Trigger. Being heavily into Dragon Ball Z at the time I just had to play the game. The game's plot, a motley group of time travelers set on saving the world from disaster was engrossing enough, but it was just one part of a very addicting game. Since originally completing the game in 2000, and again in 2002, I didn't pick up CT again until its DS release. Despite the numerous RPGs I've played since 2000, I've learned that even 13 years after its original release CT is still one of the best and most unique RPGs around.


In 1995 the many elements that went into making Chrono Trigger so unique were ahead of their time. The concept of forgoing randomly generated enemy encounters in favor of visible enemies was not common at the time in RPGs, nor would it be for many more years. The menu-based combat system differentiated itself with the implementation of Dual (Double in the orignal translation) and Triple Techs. Basically two characters join up using their special abilities or Techs, such as combining Crono's "Cyclone" and Lucca's "Flame Toss" to form "Fire Whirl." The same concept is also used for the more devastating Triple Tech attacks. Other RPGs have unsuccessfully tried to implement a similar Double/Triple Tech systems. Raise your hand if you easily figured out the Double Tech systems in Chrono Cross and Xenosaga II. If you did you're definitely a patient gamer; the rest of us lamented the half-baked imitations.

The Game+ feature found after completing the game for the first time, is central to unlocking Chrono Trigger's 13 different endings. Obtaining the multiple endings does not require a full completion of the game each time. Using levels, stats, items, and weapons carried over from the first playthrough of the game, the final boss can be taken on at multiple points throughout the game to get all of the endings. Like CT's other features, the use of Game+ to achieve multiple endings are not found in many other RPGs.

I  have only one complaint about CT, and that is the notion of a silent protagonist. While he is brave and willing to fight for his friends, Crono has almost no personality. Hell, the poor guy doesn't even have the benefit of a back story like everyone else (though only a few of the characters' stories were actually interesting). And because he lacks a personality our protagonist has no character development, a crucial part of many RPGs. Still, a silent hero doesn't detract much from the overall greatness this RPG.





The DS version of the game contains the anime cut scenes found in the 2001 PS1 port without the horrendous load times. Both screens on the DS are put to practical use, especially the map on the lower screen-- it is a big help in dungeons. The Lost Sanctum area is new to the DS port, and is entertaining at first but becomes tiresome as you're forced to repeat areas again and again while fetching items for NPCs. As of this writing I have not played the Dimensional Vortex and Singing Mountain extras found after finishing the game. Still, with or without the new features Chrono Trigger feels as timeless as ever.


Chrono Trigger was the first RPG I ever played and completed, back in 2003.  At the time, I had no idea what I was doing, and I had only started to acclimate to such a style of game play by the time I started Final Fantasy IV (the second RPG I ever played).  Interestingly enough, it was Angela who got me into Chrono Trigger, and she is to blame for making me the gamer that I am today.

Naturally, when the DS port was announced, I was awaiting it with eager anticipation.  Even if it were to be only a straight port, I would've played it and been happy to relive my fond memories of the game.  Then the extras were announced.  Not only would the PS1 extras be included with the DS, but some new bonus dungeons would be included as well.



Now, Square-Enix's bonus dungeons have been hit and miss in their Final Fantasy ports.  For instance, Final Fantasy I's bonus dungeons in Dawn of Souls were largely unnecessary, but Final Fantasy II's bonus dungeon in Dawn of Souls added another dimension to the story that was welcome in an otherwise poor game.  In Chrono Trigger's case, the bonus areas created for the DS version are yet another miss: they add nothing to the story, other than adding about ten or fifteen more hours of game play to your clock, and leveling you up enough that it makes the fight with Lavos far too easy.

For example: if you like the idea of fighting back and forth through the same area multiple times, a la Dragon Quest, then you would love the Lost Sanctum bonus dungeon.  Unfortunately for everyone else, the dungeon didn't come with an extra control or two to make traveling between eras any easier.  At one point, I had to go to the other era, ask to borrow something, and then come back with it to the original person who asked for it in the first era.  At another point, I killed something for some food that it left behind, traveled through time, delivered it to a Nu building a bridge, only to be told it was the wrong food and I had to go all the way back through time again to kill something else.


Now, given the right circumstances, such game play wouldn't make a bad game.  But this is supposed to be Chrono Trigger, a game that was originally very fast paced and didn't waste time with side quests that didn't have anything to do with the story.  Each side quest and optional portion of the original game tied into the story well.  But Lost Sanctum, the Dimensional Vortex, and the Battle Arena all feel like they're lopsided barns, attached to the side of an otherwise perfectly symmetrical house.

And it is still a perfectly symmetrical house.  Everything that was right about Chrono Trigger remains right.  The graphics are amazing, the battle system doesn't slow down like in the PS1 version, and the music is still just as capable of setting the right mood as it had been in the original version.  The translation was improved, and I have no complaints, even though the "Good morning, Crono!" line was changed.  As long as you ignore the new extras, or treat them as a different game entirely, then I easily recommend this game for your DS library.

I'm currently making my way through Chrono Trigger for the third time, and, shockingly enough, it's still a damned good RPG. Probably the most initially stand-out aspect is its visuals, which still look great. The game really deserves a place on the list of games whose visuals are timeless (pun not intended), along with the likes of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Super Metroid, etc. What I mean by that is that Chrono Trigger is over 13 years old, yet it still looks fantastic; meanwhile, you have games like Condemned: Criminal Origins -- which released a mere three years ago at the Xbox 360's launch -- that are already looking dated.

With Chrono Trigger still looking great, it beats me as to why people are complaining about the DS game not having any visual upgrades, and using Final Fantasy IV for DS as a comparison for how they think it should look. In Final Fantasy IV's transition to 3D, the style of the game was unfortunately lost (though, in its defense, the original wasn't as stylish-looking as CT). It's honestly a silly debacle, like way too many things on the internet.

Chrono Resurrection, an independent fan-made project done by a bunch of people who were obviously loved the game, is exactly what shouldn't be done to a game like this. Many people, including me at one time, thought the project looked great, but upon replaying the game now, I don't think it was a good idea. It, in a sense, misses the reason why Chrono Trigger is so appealing; it lacks the exaggerated animation from it, eschewing it for a more realistic look, in turn making it utterly repugnant. It's the kind of style I'd like many developers to move away from.

It's especially repugnant compared to a game like Dragon Quest VIII, which shows how characters and a world designed by Akira Toriyama should be realized in 3D. I'm sure DQVIII will still look good in around ten years, along with a number of games whose ostensible intent isn't seeing how many polygons it can push. Though I think more developers should realize that, I doubt they will after seeing what sells and what doesn't, and that philosophy is the real tragedy here.

While I was browsing Gamestop.com to look at the coming soon section for DS games, I saw a gem of a description as the main attraction on the page. Oh yeah, the main game on the DS right now is Chrono Trigger, as you might have known, but, uh, I don't think Gamestop's description is entirely accurate. Unless there's a new feature in the game I'm not aware of?

Click for a larger version.

In case you don't want to click the picture, the description says:

If the physics depicted in TV and movies are correct, and we have no reason to doubt that, then messing with the time-space continuum always results in wacky adventures. Join Crono in this updated old-school favorite as he travels through time and space in order to go back to 1982 and throw a football over some mountains to win the state championship.

I'm going to guess that one of Gamestop's employees was a little bored writing blase descriptions for every product, and decided to jazz up Chrono Trigger's. Since everyone in-the-know is aware of the basic plot behind the game, why not put a bizaare spin on it? Or, you know, the man/woman behind writing the descriptions on the website is just damned sick of it and wants to rebel. Oh no!

As of this writing, it's still there. Square Enix is probably upset with themselves for not making this one of the secret new endings, I bet.

...Chrono Trigger DS! As Geoff mentioned, there were copies of Chrono Trigger for sale at VGXPO's Retro Con room, though $100 dollars may be a hard sell. Other than a hardcore collector why bother paying $100 for an SNES game that has just been ported to the Nintendo DS and only costs $40? As an enhanced port it keeps some of the best features of the last port (Final Fantasy Chronicles on the PS1), while adding new bonus features. But we've already mentioned those features in previous posts.

Yesterday I went out and picked up my pre-ordered copy from Game Crazy. Since I didn't buy from GameStop I didn't get the bonus CD but that's okay, I already have a version of the soundtrack. Included with the first run of the game was a surprise bonus, a poster featuring Akira Toriyama's ever so popular and iconic illustration.

I've been playing the game in DS mode, and find that it's easy enough to play without the stylus. I am really liking the uncluttered view of the top screen. The additional information displayed on the bottom screen is pretty helpful, although the map seems pointless at times. Then again, I haven't had the chance to try out the map in a major dungeon yet. The extras are nice, the bestiary is always mentioned, but the ability to watch cut scenes, listen to music, view artwork, and read through an item encyclopedia have also been added to the extras, among other things. All in all, this game is shaping up to be a great port. And maybe I'll actually unlock all 13 endings this time around along with the  new added ending.

There was a big information spill on the extras in the upcoming DS iteration of Chrono Trigger on Friday, which also included new screenshots and movies. OK, the screenshots were not entirely new, but hey, let's not deliberate over terminology here. But anyway, some of the new movies (be wary of possible spoilers) show off the new dungeons, and confirm that one of them is indeed using Singing Mountain. Nice!

Also intriguing is that there are hints at a new villain, one that could be more powerful than Lavos. This new stuff also comes along with the expected touch screen updates, which should allow for faster input than merely using the buttons. Don't be surprised to see if there are some plot lines that make connections to Chrono Cross. Or the text-based pseudo-sequel Radical Dreamers, for that matter.

It looks like this may be worth the $40, even if you have played Chrono Trigger in it's best iteration. It's still due on November 25 in the US.

What represents a good print advertisement? Why, one that catches the eye of the casual observer as they're flipping through pages. Of course, that's common knowledge. But what isn't common knowledge is how to approach the design of a specific advertisement. People tend to believe that it has to be a dazzling piece of work. One that gets the job done in either selling the product or reminding the consumer of its impending release, which, if there's an ad for it, is probably pretty soon. A flashy little still image that sticks in the mind for a while, or at least until release.

But part of that is a lie. Ads don't have to be a dazzling spectacle of design. In fact, even the most simplistic piece of work can carry a sense of imaginative beauty. Some of the latest gaming magazines present proof:

Sometimes an ad can be beautiful because of the tinge of nostalgia embedded within. This ad for Chrono Trigger features all of the right touches, big and little. Notice that it's using a SNES font and not the one being created for the DS iteration. That's because Square Enix is aware that you've played Chrono Trigger. That you adore Chrono Trigger. You share an affinity for it, hence the reason why they've decided to cater to your sense of fondness with the first line uttered in the game. Heck, even the font and style for the release date will remind you of the game; that way, it will stick in your head.

If you've been keeping up with gaming news for the last few months, you're probably already aware that Chrono Trigger is getting a port to the DS in late-November. And if you like RPGs, you've probably already played the game on either the SNES, PSOne, or an online ROM (and you owe it to yourself to pick this one up if it's the last two). But it's possible that you may not be aware that it's not as simple of a quick-'n-dirty port as the skeptics would have you believe.

Various news stories have already discussed the re-involvement of music composer Yasunori Mitsuda, who is responsible for making sure the music and sound faithfully makes the transition to the DS. The game will also include the anime cutscenes from the PSOne version. Lastly, the development team is also working on making sure it's a perfect port of the game. This isn't something they've handed off to Tose without a second thought, so don't expect something on the level of Final Fantasy IV Advance's glitches.

But Square Enix is also including a few new features. You'll have the opportunity to enter into a battle arena for one, sure. However, the new features that are bound to get people excited are two new dungeons being specifically created for this port. One is known as "Dimensional Rift," which, if you've played CT before, could probably make a few good guesses as to where that one is. The other one is called "Dragon's Sanctuary." It's also possible that one of these dungeons may make use of the unused track on the OST: Singing Mountain.

Of course, if these new features aren't enough to pique your interest, remember that you are investing (or reinvesting) into one of the best RPGs ever created. If you haven't played it yet, definitely keep a lookout for it when it releases during Thanksgiving week. 

If you're the kind of fanboy (or girl) who just can't get enough of Fullmetal Alchemist then last week was nothing but pure awesomeness for you. It has been officially confirmed that a second FMA series is currently in production. How it will tie into the first series and its movie epilouge, Conqueror of Shamballa, has yet to be announced. For better or worse (depending on your tastes) some American pop culture icons do enjoy anime just as much as the rest of us.Now, if rap artists like Kayne West had their way all anime and Asian pop culture would be mainstream.

In college culture the debate about lowering the national drinking age to 18 has begun. In trying to assess if lowering the age is a good idea or not, one should probably look at other countries with drinking ages below 21. At least you don't have to be sober to follow the latest news of a Bigfoot hoax.

Unlike Bigfoot, the issue of overheating iPods in Japan is very real. It certainly does bring new meaning to the term "hot commodity".

Sony unvieled a new PSP model that sports a brighter screen with a noticable lack of glare. There are other improved features, but considering that the PSP 2000 was released roughly year ago some gamers might find the improvements to a case of too little too soon. Then again, glare protection is an awfully nice feature to have...

Feeling left out, DS owners? Not to worry, Chrono Trigger now has a release date and official box art. Okay, so it's not a new DS Lite model but games are what make the system, right?

I took advantage of a lofty view with my camera while at Otakon 2008

Adult Swim announced at Okaton 2008 that it will air Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 right after the original Code Geass series ends its run. Fans of the first series can grab the anime on DVD now, though not without disc errors as Bandai Entertainment acknowledged.

If people attending Otakon 2008 thought it seemed more crowded than usual this year that assumption would be correct. The anime convention brought in over 26,000 attendees who swarmed the Baltimore Convention Center, compared with the 22,852 people from last year.

On the entertainment front Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince has been pushed back to July of 2009, but there’s always Twilight in November. If you’ve never heard of Twilight or could care less about Harry Potter, hopefully video game news will fill that lonely void.

Thanks to the release of Tales of Vesperia the Xbox 360 actually outsold the PS3 in Japan for the week. Considering how little of an impact that the 360 has made in Japan this news comes as quite a surprise. In Other RPG news, Europe will eventually get Chrono Trigger on the DS, but will have to wait until next year a release date in that region. Or they could start importing as soon as the game is released everywhere else. At least Europe will get the game, unlike the original SNES version that was never released there.

Do you believe that Europe has never seen any version of Chrono Trigger legally? It would be a criminal offense to deprive them of such a good game if games were taken seriously -- though that veers into the too seriously territory. But Europeans will finally be able to see the game, as Square Enix Europe announced that Chrono Trigger DS will release there and in Australia early next year.

In case you haven't been keeping up, the game was announced for Japan and North America almost simultaneously. The game is scheduled to release in both of the aforementioned territories this holiday season.