There comes a time in every fledgling video game enthusiast's life where they cast their eyes towards the past. It stands to reason that if you like video games, you'll want to play the best. And regardless of what you search or who you ask, a common response will begin to emerge; Chrono Trigger. Developed by a group of designers so prestigious they were referred to by Square as a "Dream Team", Chrono Trigger has been dominating top 10 lists and best-of charts ever since its SNES release. It's consistently referred to by many as the greatest game of all time. Playing it is considered almost a rite of passage into the 16-bit era. And yet, whenever a game is this celebrated, this universally praised, it's only natural to have some apprehension. After all, these best-of lists can turn into a sort of self-perpetuating cycle where everyone knows the game is supposed to be good, but might only be ranking it highly due to its prestige. It's important, then, to experience these games yourself, to find what has held up and what hasn't, and-in Chrono Trigger's case-to discover a true masterwork of RPG design.
By 1995, Square had practically mastered their Active Time Battle mode with Final Fantasy, and yet Chrono Trigger's combat system is still incredibly unique; each battle has predetermined layouts where your character positions matter, and timing is everything. Each character pairing also has specific tech moves that combine their turns into one powerful move, and it's fantastic to consider how each new tech affects what your party is capable of, and how you tackle further challenges down the road. Each battle forces you to think on your feet and ensures you're rarely doing the same thing twice, so adaptability is paramount. And while that sounds complicated, one of CT's most impressive features is its accessibility; it's a deceptively simple title that makes for an incredible introduction to the RPG genre. Your team always seems to be the right level, endgame weapons and techs are unlocked through normal play instead of tedious grinding, and the battle speed can be adjusted for those who prefer slower-paced combat.
In truth, the only negative in Chrono Trigger's design is that its combat tools are a little too generous, and as a result, there are some dungeons where combat can get a little redundant. But the reason this is even noticeable is because CT's pacing is, for the vast majority of the game, immaculate. This is a game famous for its multiple endings, optional side quests, and hidden details, and a full 100% playthrough, even if it's your first time, will clock in around the 20 hour mark. Even for RPGs in 1995 that was pretty brisk; now? Chrono Trigger represents tremendous value for time. No plot point feels tacked on-immensely impressive for a game about time travel-and every part of the game is the good part.
Chrono Trigger is, at its core, a game about confrontation of one's past, challenging one's own fate, and making improvements for the future. The party's quest is to defeat Lavos and stop the end of the world, sure, but the party's journey is one of self-reflectance and atonement. As such, Chrono Trigger is intent on making sure you know your actions matter, and it does this early on with a trial scene that is equal parts surprising and brilliant. The way CT teaches you things without explicitly saying them is tremendous, and from then on, you're trained to always consider how you can change the future-and the past-for the better. It's incredibly satisfying to see even the smallest action pay off, and subconsciously pushes you to explore the world more, searching throughout time for an ailment to every malady.
Each character (except perhaps Ayla) has their own journey of flaws and redemption as well, and are full of poignant or epic moments all while offering something unique. Frog's tale of revenge turned to acceptance is epic and inspiring, while Lucca & Robo's is a poignant story about what it means to be human. Each character is given their moment to shine, and the fact a game about time travelers fighting a mysterious force that threatens to destroy the world can balance these more grounded aspects so well without feeling bloated, and can fit it all into 20 hours without feeling rushed, is a tremendously impressive achievement.
As cliché as it is to say, Chrono Trigger truly is a timeless game. Its incredible pixel work and soundtrack ensure that it will never age poorly. Its wealth of genre-defining ideas-the ability to fight the final boss at any time, the multiple endings, the worlds in different times-ensure that it will be forever an inspiration for classics already made and classics yet to come. And its gameplay and themes ensure that when players discover it in the future, they won't be disappointed. And while Chrono Trigger's word-of-mouth reputation will ensure it is always relevant, it is its everlasting design that will ensure it is always brilliant; then, now, and forever.
By 1995, Square had practically mastered their Active Time Battle mode with Final Fantasy, and yet Chrono Trigger's combat system is still incredibly unique; each battle has predetermined layouts where your character positions matter, and timing is everything. Each character pairing also has specific tech moves that combine their turns into one powerful move, and it's fantastic to consider how each new tech affects what your party is capable of, and how you tackle further challenges down the road. Each battle forces you to think on your feet and ensures you're rarely doing the same thing twice, so adaptability is paramount. And while that sounds complicated, one of CT's most impressive features is its accessibility; it's a deceptively simple title that makes for an incredible introduction to the RPG genre. Your team always seems to be the right level, endgame weapons and techs are unlocked through normal play instead of tedious grinding, and the battle speed can be adjusted for those who prefer slower-paced combat.
In truth, the only negative in Chrono Trigger's design is that its combat tools are a little too generous, and as a result, there are some dungeons where combat can get a little redundant. But the reason this is even noticeable is because CT's pacing is, for the vast majority of the game, immaculate. This is a game famous for its multiple endings, optional side quests, and hidden details, and a full 100% playthrough, even if it's your first time, will clock in around the 20 hour mark. Even for RPGs in 1995 that was pretty brisk; now? Chrono Trigger represents tremendous value for time. No plot point feels tacked on-immensely impressive for a game about time travel-and every part of the game is the good part.
Chrono Trigger is, at its core, a game about confrontation of one's past, challenging one's own fate, and making improvements for the future. The party's quest is to defeat Lavos and stop the end of the world, sure, but the party's journey is one of self-reflectance and atonement. As such, Chrono Trigger is intent on making sure you know your actions matter, and it does this early on with a trial scene that is equal parts surprising and brilliant. The way CT teaches you things without explicitly saying them is tremendous, and from then on, you're trained to always consider how you can change the future-and the past-for the better. It's incredibly satisfying to see even the smallest action pay off, and subconsciously pushes you to explore the world more, searching throughout time for an ailment to every malady.
Each character (except perhaps Ayla) has their own journey of flaws and redemption as well, and are full of poignant or epic moments all while offering something unique. Frog's tale of revenge turned to acceptance is epic and inspiring, while Lucca & Robo's is a poignant story about what it means to be human. Each character is given their moment to shine, and the fact a game about time travelers fighting a mysterious force that threatens to destroy the world can balance these more grounded aspects so well without feeling bloated, and can fit it all into 20 hours without feeling rushed, is a tremendously impressive achievement.
As cliché as it is to say, Chrono Trigger truly is a timeless game. Its incredible pixel work and soundtrack ensure that it will never age poorly. Its wealth of genre-defining ideas-the ability to fight the final boss at any time, the multiple endings, the worlds in different times-ensure that it will be forever an inspiration for classics already made and classics yet to come. And its gameplay and themes ensure that when players discover it in the future, they won't be disappointed. And while Chrono Trigger's word-of-mouth reputation will ensure it is always relevant, it is its everlasting design that will ensure it is always brilliant; then, now, and forever.