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I think it's a good game and definitely i can see why it's so popular ( a 1995 Square RPG for the SNES with artwork from the Dragon Ball guy !, besides the fact that it's really an accessible game ) but just to keep things on the SNES field, i enjoyed much more Final Fantasy VI ( a much better game overall; and i don't even like the FF games ) and Breath of Fire 2 ( this damn game needs more recognition; the story and characters are much cooler IMO).
Jean > Glenn, that's for sure. I love how the silliest character turns into what is by far the strongest thing in the game.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bottino
In fact, the game kinda sucks until you get Jean. Jean's power lets you greatly reduce the number of random battles and go from one place to another in the map 4x faster, that's when it starts getting really good.
My favourite story from all of the 16bit RPGs. PS IV's and FF VI's are very good too. Chrono Trigger's story isn't that great, but Magus wins the best character award.
Where Chrono Trigger wins against all of them is the combat. It's very simple and yet so strangely satisfying, the lack of random battles, all the battles being "in field" and the combos between characters really get you into the combat.
What's not to love?
I enjoyed this from start to finish.
And all over again.
And again.
And again.
again.:)
I LOVE Chono Trigger!
Battle System: No random battles in a JRPG, and all battles take place in the game world. Almost grind free by design. Active Time Battle system is honed to near perfection. Nuf' said about that.
The combo system is amazing. During battles, it invites experimentation, and allows strategy. Everyone I've talked to about the game had a different set of characters/combos that they used for the final boss. You don't just spam bosses, you can come up with your own approach for victory. The battle animations are highly detailed, and when your attacks connect, it just feels really good.
Graphics: Some of the most finely crafted pixel art on the SNES. The style may not be to your preference, but I love it.
Music: It's already been stated, but at some moments haunting, and mysterious, some full on epic moments, and sometimes playful. The "music box" theme is quite delicate, and disarming. Uses many instrument sounds that are (or seem) unique to this game. Sound design completely avoids the "cheap stock SNES sound library" sound. Good use of stereo as well. Someone really poured their heart and soul into not just the music, but the sound programming is some of the very best the SNES ever received.
Multiple Endings: There are quite a few, and it can be fine to find some of the more offbeat ones.
Other Stuff: The time travel mechanic is really cool, and adds a nice layer of complexity for the era.
Overall, I feel that the game holds up remarkably well. The future section near the start of the game is pretty slow, I admit. If you can get through it, there is an amazing game waiting for you on the other side. The script isn't very verbose, but I consider that a plus. Most modern JRPGs just yak, yak, yak. Chrono Trigger only tells you what it needs to tell you. I would encourage you to take a second chance on it. If you still don't like it, that's cool. It's just not for you then.
^Gotta agree, you should at least try getting through 2300 A.D., since after it is where the game really picks up(you also learn why you're playing the rest of the game while you're there)
I'm not sure I can handle strategy anymore either. Still gets a bit grindy, and the battles are so slow.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kamahl
I definitely think that Chrono Trigger lacks a hook, that point where you are given some reason to care about a character or its journey. In RPGs like Phantasy Star 4, and Star Ocean, the story has an event within 10-20 minutes of starting that has such a hook.
The main character aside since he is an old school blank slate character, the other characters aren't really interesting so far, and I'm at least 3-4 hours in.
To wrap this up:
IMO a great RPG has a great hook; a reason to care about its plot, characters, and setting. I personally feel Chrono Trigger's hook is weaker than others in the 16-bit era.
Right after the guardian/bit fight, you catch a rat to find the passcode to open the door on the rightside in the Arris dome.
Inside you find a computer room with information about the whereabouts of the next dome, then something else......cue hook.;)
After playing the game for 3 hours yes, but in general you want the hook somewhere near the beginning.
I don't know, i was hooked by my first trip to 600 AD. I don't think an RPG necessarily needs a strong plot, but it needs atmosphere to bring you into the world (see: Breath of Fire games). CT has that well enough and is easy and straightforward so it's simple to get into.
I also really like Chrono Trigger, very good game and a wonderful soundtrack. Yet, I also love EarthBound, I'd even say it has good gameplay.
still getting past Kamahl knocking Earthbound, then praising BOF 2
granted, i never played the latter, because 1 was so thoroughly mediocre i had no desire to return to the series
Breath of Fire 1 was rather dull and generic. 2 is definitely much better in every aspect.Quote:
Originally Posted by IrishNinja
Chrono Trigger, BoF2 and Earth Bound are my favorite SNES RPGs.
The first BoF is not a good game, the second is massively better in every category. Well, the translation was still abysmal, but there's a fan patch that fixes that and gives you a run button.Quote:
Originally Posted by IrishNinja
Earthbound is what it is, a mediocre RPG gameplay wise with a rather interesting quirky setting (not really interesting to me though). I hate that "dragon quest" battle system, the only two games where I could stand it were Dragon Quest 3 on the gameboy because on that system it can be forgiven and the enemy animations were phenomenal, and Dragon Quest 6 just because it's so damn good I can overlook it.
I really didn't like the whole "silent protagonist" thing that Chrono Trigger had. I can't even remember many details of the plot. But the setting was pretty great, IMO. I think the battle system is a little overrated but it was good enough to keep me playing. The music didn't really make much of an impression on me, either.
BoF1 and 2 are both pretty run of the mill, though the second game is much better executed and has a few cool gimmicks going for it. BoF3 on PS1 is when the series got really good (my favorite RPG on the system in spite of not being a fan of DQ/FF-style JRPGs). Seiken Densetsu 3 remains my favorite SNES RPG and it's a travesty Squenix won't ever bother with an official localization. Couldn't cost that much could it? I mean, Sega finally translated and released Monster World IV which doesn't even have a fraction of the cult following SD3 has.