Score
Gameplay:	9
Graphics:	9
Sound:	9
FunFactor:	9
PlasmaFactor:	9
Overall:	9

Chrono Trigger Review
January 18, 2009 by Jereme Puik

Chrono Trigger has been around for the last 13 years and every new release of the game still feels like I’m playing it for the first time on the Super Nintendo all over again. Before Squaresoft became Square-Enix, it seemed like the developer was at the top of its time with Japanese rpg releases. The Nintendo DS offers some amazing gameplay possibilities that’s it’s a treat when Square-Enix was able to take certain advantages of the platform. With touch-screen capabilities and dual-screen uses, it was a small change, but Chrono Trigger still benefits from it and hopefully will spawn the inspiration of a sequel.

Gameplay

Chrono Trigger for the Nintendo DS has been treated with an improvement of sorts. The script was updated, items renamed as well as techs. Along with this, the team added a bit more tension to certain sequences within the story. For the most part, you could consider this a port of original game with a makeover for the current generation. This is all fine and dandy of course, considering Square-Enix is doing the same thing with its releases of the original Final Fantasy’s but with more care in a sense to Chrono Trigger.

Chrono Trigger continues to keep the feel and charm of its SNES presence in tact. If you’ve played a Japanese rpg before, even more so during the 90s then you know how everything works. The touch-screen capabilities add a bit more flashiness but aren’t really necessary in enjoying the game. It’s a nice touch and adds flexibility more than anything. The menu screens are easy to navigate and the use of the dual screen isn’t revolutionary but helps keep you from constantly switching screens to see the world map. Having the map right there under you is a great way to keep track of what your doing and ease of use to get to your items and tech/equipment screens.

The story begins with Crono visiting his friend, nerd girl Lena, who has invented what she believes to be a teleporter. Through a chain of weird events, her “teleporter” turns out to be a time machine.  You end up traveling between seven time periods with the friends you meet along the way. You start as far back as 65 million AD to post-apocalyptic 2300 A.D. In unison you work to fix the mistakes of past millennia and watch as how the future unfolds itself. Exploration limits itself to time instead of space, so you will be able to know that you won’t spend 15 mins trying to walk to the next town or village on your map.

This re-release of the game follows suit with its original playstation re-release and has bonus content included. The removal of random encounters and endless level grinding is a blessing and gives Chrono Trigger a more lasting appeal. The techs (or special moves) help to bring fresh legs to the battlefield to keep one interested in the fight. The active battle meter helps manage which characters fight first and who you fight against so you’re never lost in the fight. Boss battles are still either a classic fight or a frustrating one considering your skill level at the time.

Finally, this DS release of the game comes in two modes, DS and Classic. DS mode changes most of the games controls into touch screen available, getting you to use the stylus to control your character and menu screens. Classic mode allows you to use the face buttons just as if you were using the original SNES controller. Some new features also include a music player and a treasure guide as well as a few new side quests and items to balance everything out. To top it all off, there is a new ending that serves to tie up all the loose ends the game itself may have unfolded during the past releases. Of course, most of these new additions, like the DS mode for example is pretty much unnecessary but never hinder the experience of the game.

Graphics

The artistry of the game by the mastermind of the genre, Akira Toriyama, is one that is undeniably the most recognizable artwork to grace Japanese rpgs. Chrono Trigger is an example of how the man can create an entire universe and fill it with timeless characters that keep you engaged in the plotline that follows. As with the Playstation release of the game, the same story elements are told through anime cut-scenes that take up about 5 mins of gameplay time. If you could use all of those scenes and place them together into one act, you could probably get a half-hour anime episode, maybe even a little bit longer. All the sprites are left as if you were just popping the game into your SNES.

Sound

Here is where Japanese rpgs have always excelled no matter how you look at the game itself. Chrono Trigger is one of those games that just have a memorable soundtrack. From the beginning of the game to the final boss, all of its themes and battle music have their own unique tune to them. There is pretty much nothing likes hearing the world music as you make your way to the next village or town on the world map. The individual themes for each town or village really make for an impressive soundtrack developed by Yasunori Mitsuda, a man who devoted his life to giving the game its own charm. The first time you hear the first melody of the game, I was sucked in as if I was playing this back in my day.

Plasma Factor

The story is always what brought Chrono Trigger to life. Yes, it gets a little frustrating when trying to read the little text especially with this DS release, but it’s nice to follow along. You don’t need voice acting to compel a deep and rich story. Chrono Trigger is leaps and bounds among most Final Fantasy releases and manages to hold its own at times of most critical eyes.

I could sit here and give you the low down of the games unfortunate negatives which it has as does any game, but it is very little. This Plasma Factor doesn’t hinder the games overall impression. The small text does little to help those that need glasses to read. The “too many menus syndrome” may affect certain people who may have not tackled a Japanese rpg before, but you have been forewarned.

Conclusion

For new and old gamers alike, you would be hard pressed to miss a release like this. One can only hope that the minds at Square-Enix are at least preparing some kind of sequel with the same team. The story deserves at least one follow-up of this new generation. Chrono Trigger manages to capture the top of its class in RPG design and artistry. Chrono Trigger shows it has enough poise to make a stand in the 2d realm and still sell well enough that hopefully Square-Enix doesn’t wait another 10 yrs before making a sequel or a remake.