Chrono Cross

The simple fact that it was the sequel to one of my favourite games of all time, Chrono Trigger, had me divided when the hype began to rise around the game. Did I really want another Chrono in my life? Then when I found out there was going to be over 40 playable characters, and that the storyline would actually fluctuate and change around the individual choices made through the game (unlike in Chrono Trigger, where only endings really changed), my skepticism grew immensely. That could be why I found it so immersing a game when I actually got my hands on it. The plot revolves around Serge, who (twenty years after events in Chrono Trigger) has been pulled mysteriously into another world very much like his own, but different--most notably because he finds that the Serge in this other world has been dead ten years. The quest to get home starts off innocently enough, but soon after Serge discovers he's the key in a devious, involved conspiracy that leads to a final confrontation with a very unlikely foe. Though many of the 40-some characters found in the game lack any depth at all, and were, to be honest, much too cutesy in some cases for my liking, the manner in which they all seem to join your little party has a down-to-earth feel to it that makes the more plot-orientated characters seem even more important and the story itself come alive in a way that I had never experienced in other RPGs. The battle system seems only a confusing make-over of the classic point and click menu system at first, but after a few battles and the extensive tutorial the superb depth of battles is revealed. Graphically, the entire game is rich with vibrant colours and organic animations that bring such life to Chrono Cross's backgrounds. The characters are well crafted, and each individual has their own style of fighting very different from the others, which adds enough depth to make you want to put a few of the two-dimensioned characters in your party for a few rounds of battle. And of course the full motion video takes, though not used extensively, are well done and used in the right moments to help carry the story even further. Musically, Chrono Cross is exceptional. Yasunori Mitsuda's use of original composition, Chrono Trigger rearrangements, and inclusion of music from the little known first sequel to Chrono Trigger, "Radical Dreamers", delights the ears, while adding ambience and emotion in all the right places, not to mention the instrument synthesis is probably the best ever heard on a PSX. The overall story itself, billed as a continuation of Chrono Trigger, but not as a true sequel, manages to walk that fine line that will keep most Chrono Trigger fans happy while not taking away from those who never played the classic. People who did play CT will definitely get more out of the game's incredible revelations, and recognize some of the more subtle references, but I was really disappointed in the lack of true "Nu" (there are things called "beach bums" which I believe were trying to be passed off as Nu but I won't be fooled). The only other bothersome thing was that some of the characters were... more or less rip offs of CT characters, which makes me wonder why not just include the original characters as playable and let them contribute to the plot? In a perfect world perhaps. Chrono Cross, though, is a great experience which I recommend to anyone that likes a little innovation once in awhile. It's a worthy addition to the "Chrono" Universe.

Though I wouldn't call myself an RPG fanatic, I definitely appreciate the genre greatly and I can honestly say I have wasted away countless hours of my life staring at the exploits of Chrono, Cloud, or heck, even The Nameless One (of Planescape Torment fame). Chrono Cross is one of those games that has an awesome story, but it starts you off halfway through it; it confuses the heck out of you for the first bit but vaguely promises to let you in on it later. So you play, and eventually you find out, but you're most of the way through the game! Is this a bad thing? Certainly not! The game pulls you in right away and doesn't let you go.

The battle system is confusing at first but once you get it down you realize it has a surprising amount of depth and boss battles become very strategic and thought-out, as opposed to Hit-heal-hit-heal experiences.

Great graphics and cutscenes, innovative new battle and experience system, and an involving storyline add up to make this the best of Square's "Big Three" releases this year.

Chrono Cross is a great game, and is second only to Chrono Trigger. Cross' only flaw was too many characters, thus not having a good solid story for every character. However all main characters had good character development. The story may have been somewhat better than the first game, but Chrono Trigger still has a leg up on Chrono Cross I believe. This game is worth buying...like now, yes its that good. 9/10

Though I'll sadly admit I haven't played the highly acclaimed Video games 'Chrono Triger' by fantasy game goers, I knew I was desperate to play a great refreshing game that made my thumbs blue, my mind fried, and my butt soars after hours of awsome playing. The night I rented it I was sitting on my rear four hours straight. I couldn't believe how fun the game was. The graphics were great, and the music alone should win a Grammy.

Although I have yet to beat this game of 100% enjoyment, I look forward to the many surprises it still holds in waiting for me.

Get transportation. If you don't have a vehicle- WALK. Go to your nearest Video Store and BUY or RENT!!! Then go home, have food and a drink next to you and a large pillow for hours of comforting support. When you can hardly keep your eyes open-SLEEP until you can no longer sleep. Wake up refreshed, eat a good meal and go back to playing! Enjoy....

The sequel to the very enjoyable Chrono Trigger is just not up to par with the original. Sure the graphics are a bit better, but the story and game play are not. It is interesting enough to start as your character Serge does a routine mission collecting something or another, while at a beach he is suddenly sent to another dimension. Once where the main difference is that he died at a very young age. You meet this one girl calling herself Kid and meeting her sets you off on a quest against a villain named Lynx. During your quest you will meet a lot of companions, and I mean a whole lot of them. I think you can get forty-four total and that is almost in Suidoken territory. So many that I really can not get into them all and their stories either. However, you will get to see a rock concert and that is rather interesting. You also have to wonder why the scope of the game is so much smaller than the original Super Nintendo game Chrono Trigger. There you go all over the world and to different times. Here, you just flip to the two different realities and the world itself seems limited to just one section as there is an outer sea you never go beyond. Another fault is in the story itself. At one point your character has an out of body experience lets say and this lasts for too long. You spend way to much time for my tastes as this other character. However, if you can get past this the story picks up and is very interesting as you learn the origin of one of the characters and you get a very good ending with nice music if you can do the one thing during the final boss fight. Speaking of music, one of the games main highlights is a very good soundtrack that really captures the moods very well.