Chrono Trigger is the only Square RPG which uses Final Fantasy's atbs.
Chrono Trigger tv Review
Story & Characters
On a seemingly normal day in the year 1000 AD, Chrono, our young protagonist is woken to the sounds of Leene's Bell. It's the Millennial Fair! Upon going to the fair Chrono runs into a young girl with a shining pendent, Marle. After walking around for a while they meet Chrono's friend Lucca demonstrating her latest invention, a transporter which works perfectly when Chrono tests it. 'What a kick!' Marle says and decides to give it ago herself. Now things go awry; her pendent reacts with the machine and drags her through a time gate.
Being our protagonist Chrono sets off to rescue Marle, and thus begins a chain of events which leads him to the year 2300 AD. The world is bleak place in the year 2300. It's barren, desolate and dominated by monsters and bizarre robots. The scattered few people that remain are starving. Here Chrono learns of the giant menace called Lavos, who came from under the earth and killed millions. The world has been utterly destroyed and consumed by Lavos and his spawn. In order to save the future of the world Chrono sets off on an adventure that spans space and time full of memorable allies and foes.
The storyline to this game is quite intriguing and very clever, it was constructed very well. Not once did I find myself bored.
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Art
For a snes game Chrono Trigger features quite remarkable graphics, surpassing the console's limits. The battle graphics are extremely well done with the characters motions quite fluid and the tech animations very cool indeed. The backgrounds and dungeons are quite well done. The characters are quite detailed little anime characters which can pull a range of facial expressions and body poses; very good relative to other snes RPGs where the characters show barely any emotion. Oh, and the 3D-effect of time gate warping was pretty cool too.
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Sound
The Chrono Trigger OST by Yasunori Mitsuda is quite original and brilliant. I personally think this is one of the best OSTs for the snes, perhaps rivalled by only a few games such as Final Fantasy 6. There are some really outstanding pieces such as Magus' Theme as well as the normal battle theme. The whole OST is very upbeat and enjoyable; very well suited to the game. I can honestly say I have found myself many a time whistling songs from this OST - with much gusto might I add. The games sound effects are also quite well done.
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Presentation
Let's start with a rhetorical question; How cool is Chrono Trigger?!! It's a game I keep coming back and playing time and time again.
The battle system is original, featuring ATB gauges like those in Final Fantasy. Each character in the game is unique, they have their own techniques and own magic to master. By combining their abilities they are able to perform combos causing devastating damage; some are quite clever like the frog swordsman who uses his sword as a lightning rod for Chrono's lightning magic. There are no 'random' battles in this game, rather you can see enemies as you travel and if you get too close you will enter a battle with them where they stand.
Chrono Trigger has very high replay value, I have played the game at least 10 times through over the course of my life. There are at least 13 endings (if you include the subtle differences there are more), the decisions you make throughout the game will decide the ending you get. To get some of these endings you'll have to play through a 'New Game +' but don't worry; this lets you start a new game with all the items and level ups you attained previously. I think I almost reached level 70 playing though enough times.
As the game progresses you will be able to do a number of sidequests before attempting to tackle Lavos head on. I suggest you do these sidequests; Lavos's final form has to be one of the hardest final bosses out there. He always breaks my status eventually, damn him!
Some people complain that Chrono never talks and we can never tell what he is thinking. Personally I don't have any problem with this, the human player effectively is Chrono as we decide what he says. And besides, Chrono Trigger certainly isn't the only RPG to feature a mute main character. As for the other characters they all have there own interesting stories and associated quests which you can do.
If you haven't played this game you are no doubt an RPG virgin or perhaps you were blissfully unaware of its existance. Plot, OST, battle system, replay value and originality all score high marks. You can get this game for snes, or as a part of the PSX game Final Fantasy Chronicles (which features anime cutscenes as an added bonus). Get it now! No joke - this is one of the best RPGs of all time.
Rating:
Final Verdict
9.5000 (excellent)
Reviewed by sirfelix, Jun 29, 2005
Comments
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Zeliard Jun 29, 2005
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ParralaX Jun 29, 2005
I started this game about 1month ago and it was really addicting...got stuck though so I never finished it. I agree, it is really fun with an original story and great BGM. Oldie but definately a goodie.
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tecnophreak Jun 30, 2005
yep, one of the classic RPGs out there, and still a great game, i would play it again in a heartbeat
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HCTerrorist Jul 02, 2005
ct is probably one of the best rpgs for the snes ... it just rocks and gets you addicted lol
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