User Review : Chrono Trigger

Ups

• Optional monster battle arena that is kind of fun{All the FMV's from the PSX without the annoying loading{It's classic Chrono Trigger, what more do you really need?

Downs

• Inability to move the battle menu with the select button like in the old version

SNES classic RPG that has aged very well

I remember the first time I played "Chrono Trigger," I was at a friend's house and he rented the game from the local video store and it blew my mind the first time out. The character designs, the battle system and just the fact it had a New Game plus feature (which at the time I hadn't seen before). Of course, that was about 12 or 13 years ago and we all know that our memory seems to have a way of remembering things a slightly different way. After picking up the DS version not too long ago; I'm glad my memory was a genuine one and not one of those idealized ones (you know, the one that makes you cry at night because you were so sure that it was better then it really is; you know like 80's cartoons).

I really don't want to get into the story because I'm fairly certain that the majority of you that are reading this have either: a) played this one way back on the SNES and/or the PSX or b) have some knowledge of the story from someone who has played the game.

The battle system is the same from the SNES/PSX versions; with the inclusion of the optional DS touch screen to remove the battle menus from the top screen (you can still use the regular D-pad and control buttons). About the thing I do complain about the battle screen in the classic mode is the fact that you can't move the menus like you were able to in the original SNES version; this may not be a big deal to most of you but it help out a lot if the menus were blocking your view on some of the monsters and/or your characters.

Included in the game is the optional monster arena battle mode. Mind you this is completely optional and they never ever EVER make you have to take part in it to advance the story at all. Just because you don't have to doesn't mean you shouldn't try it out at least once; I'm having a ball with the feature and the actual monster battles is more like a watch and see affair with giving the little guy items to help out at certain times. Also when your monster wins, you get items based on the level battle you sent him into (you can also battle a friend's monster too). It is fluff I'll admit but it is interesting fluff worth at least a look now and then.

Another big plus is the fact that it comes with the 'full motion videos' from the PSX version sans the loading before every battle. So more or less it's the best of both worlds.

A bit steep price but anyone who loves classic RPG's with a good story that stays optimistic and characters that you can actually care about should be pick this one up (if they haven't already).

Score

10.0

Graphics

Classic RPG and the fact that they didn't mess with what made it great is just wonderful. No random battles make it even better still.

8.5

Sound

Something magic about those 16 bit sprites that I really like and this is some of the best examples of what a SNES RPG could look like.

7.0

Gameplay

I will admit that the sounds could have been given a little bit of an update as some of the sounds don't sound right; like defeated enemies making that rather odd, muffled "boom" sound.

9.0

Fun Factor

Classic RPG with the optional stuff make for a rather fun time. I can't think of too many other things to say about the game but that.

Overall

8.5