Chrono Trigger - 18 Years Later

[Jagosaurus]

I consider myself a RPG enthusiast... regret to say I've never played Chrono Trigger. I just picked up the DS port. I'm in the process of changing jobs and I'll be off for nearly three weeks LOL. I look forward to pouring time into this.

What can I expect nearly two decades later? I remember the reviews back in 95 in the SNES' twilight. Of course it's highly regarded these days... what can I expect walking into it relatively blind today? ... all I know is it has a ton endings, is turn based, & uses combos. Yes lol... I've managed to avoid any story spoilers don't ruin it for me!

[BoneSnapDeez]

It is literally my second favorite game of all time. Only FFVI beats it.

It's phenomenal. The music, the battle system, the characters, the graphics, everything about it is meticulously well-crafted.

Combat is similar to the FF IV/V/VI, but battles are not random. Also, max party size is three characters.

All of the extra endings are available in the New Game+. They tie into the time-traveling theme, but that's all I'll say...

The DS has some extra content, but it isn't particularly interesting. Just feels like padding honestly. I don't think any of it is available on the first playthrough anyway.

Don't use a walkthrough for the first playthrough. The game is very linear and you won't want anything spoiled. Also, it can be beaten in less than 25 hours which is nice and quick compared to today's bloated RPGs.

[Jagosaurus]

battles are not random

Hmmm didn't know that. So its like the Lunar port on PSX (enemies visible, then switches to turn base after contact)?

Good to hear it's not all hype. Second favorite.... I'm excited to try it.

[sosoyo180]

If you've ever played Earthbound, the way you get into battles is exactly the same, minus the ability to auto win the battle if you're high enough levelled...

You won't really need to grind, but it's always there and if you know how and where to do it, it's not to much of a chore.

oh and it's also in my top five favourite RGGs as well

So enjoy! I wish I could relive my first time playing though Chrono Trigger

[MrPopo]

One of my friends who played a ton of SNES and PSX RPGs back in the day managed to never play Chrono Trigger, so she played it a couple years ago and had a fantastic time with it. Chrono Trigger really stands the test of time.

[BoneSnapDeez]

battles are not random

Hmmm didn't know that. So its like the Lunar port on PSX (enemies visible, then switches to turn base after contact)?

Not really.

The battles are "scripted" so to speak. They're in the exact same place every time. You don't go to a separate screen for battles, they happen on the main action screen. You initiate battles by walking close enough to your enemies - and there are actually quite a few battles you can simply avoid. I would suggest fighting every scripted battle though - if you do you really won't ever have to level-grind.

There are also no battles on the overworld.

[Gunstar Green]

I'm most certainly not an RPG enthusiast, but I can't say enough good things about Chrono Trigger.

[Ivo]

Like the others say, I think you will like it.

This type of RPG is not my favorite genre (but it is not as if I dislike it), but Chrono Trigger was still a top experience as far as games go - not having random encounters, not pushing you towards grinding, and the combat system is good enough to keep it interesting throughout.
Of the ones I played it may very well be the best of this type I played (haven't tried Earthbound or FF4, 6 or 7 yet), and as I myself only played it in 2006 I can attest it stands the test of time.

And the soundtrack is really memorable.

[alienjesus]

I played the DS port of Chrono Trigger for the first time a few years ago (ouch, probably 4 years or so now...that's scary!) and it was excellent. I enjoyed my time with it.

16 bit RPGs are very hit and miss for me - I thought Breath of Fire, Mario RPG and Final Fantasy IV were pretty bad, but I loved Chrono Trigger, along with Earthbound and Final Fantasy V. I think Chrono Trigger feels more modern then most RPGs of it's era, and in fact more modern then quite a few PS1 RPGs too.

[CavZee]

The game deserves all of it's praise. One of my favorite things about the game is that it's not unnecessarily long. Even though I love a nice 60+ hour adventure I feel a lot of games in the genre overstay their welcome.

If there was one thing I had to nitpick on, it would be that the game is pretty easy. But that just makes it an even greater starting point for RPG newbies.

I've actually felt the itch to replay the game recently...hmmm....