HEy Everyone! I just got back from vacation and while I was in the car I finally beat the final boss in Chrono Trigger, and this is my first time playing either this version, or the SNES version, so I am happy to inform you that is is impossible for me to wear my rose tinted glasses here because I wasn't even 1 when this game was released, as a matter of fact, this is the first time that I have ever played any version of Chrono Trigger, so there is no nostalgia to look back on, that being said, lets get on with this review.
Story: As with many of Square's earlier games, the story is top notch. It has many excellent likable characters that really make you actually give a damn about the story and all its twists and turns. The most interesting angle of the story is most defiantly the time travel mechanic, with it you can actually see how your actions in the past impact the future, this is made very apparent in the very end of the game when the player is given multiple side quests that make a very noticeable impact on the present. That is it for story, because this tale is epic, and I don't want to spoil anything.
Gameplay: The first thing I want to talk about gameplay wise is definitely the combat system, I think I could easily say it is the best combat system I have ever seen in a game of this kind. It incorporates the active turn based system you can see in many other games made by Square at the time, it also has the standard magic and health systems in many other JRPGs, but the best thing they added is definitely the Dual and Triple techs. These Dual and Triple techs are special moves that can only be used when two or three certain characters are in your party at one time, this system works great, but I feel sometimes using each characters individual techs is more effective, especially later in the game, because the techs some characters learn are just plain deadly.
Another thing about Chrono Trigger that I really like is that after you get enough characters you can always choose at least on party member, and after a certain point you can choose all of your party members, you can even kick Crono to the curb. One major problem that arises when you have more characters than party slots though, is that your other characters are going to be far weaker than the ones you like to keep in your party. This is not a problem in Chrono Trigger because characters not in your party also level up, even if they are in your party, but they don't learn techs, and they are going to be significantly weaker.
Of course with a re-release of a classic game, also comes the plethora of bonus content and changes. This version of Chrono Trigger includes all the extras of the PS1 version, and it also has a DS mode that makes excellent, and optional use of DS touch controls, which are only a pluc because if one desires they can play old school style.
This is also one of the few games where I have almost no real complaints, the only negative thing that I could conceive is something the trap almost all JRPGs fall into. Rarely, you may just not know what to do, which is annoying in the few times that happens.
Presentation: One of the things I like about how they ported this game, is that they didn't try to update the graphics like Square did with Final Fantasy III and IV, because I feel that both of those game looked very "rough" on the DS' limited capabilities, but one thing I did really enjoy about them was there amazing cutscenes. I was glad to find out that Chrono Trigger also had these, and unlike many of you, I never played any Chrono Trigger before this one, so I was unaware of any PS1 port until sometime after I bought it, and I was very pleasantly surprised when I saw the opening cinematic, and I loved how similar it was to the Dragon Ball franchise which I, to be completely honest, have loved ever since I was a kid. Which isnt very surprising because the character design is done by the man behind the Dragon Ball manga.
http://www.youtube.com/v/-KPFJZekfUg&hl=en&fs=1&
One thing that hasn't changed over the years though is the amazing musical score that the game boasts. With over 60 soundtracks that become unlocked in the Extras section after you hear them in-game, Chrono Trigger meets all musical standards that come with the Square name.
http://www.youtube.com/v/qbYRfe1DbTw&hl=en&fs=1&
Wardog's Final Word: This game is amazing, if you have a DS you have to pick it up, even if you have the SNES or PS1 version, you should highly consider it, because this is the definitive version, this game is so awesome, it is now my third favorite game of all time, and this is coming from someone who hates most JRPGs! A+
Story: As with many of Square's earlier games, the story is top notch. It has many excellent likable characters that really make you actually give a damn about the story and all its twists and turns. The most interesting angle of the story is most defiantly the time travel mechanic, with it you can actually see how your actions in the past impact the future, this is made very apparent in the very end of the game when the player is given multiple side quests that make a very noticeable impact on the present. That is it for story, because this tale is epic, and I don't want to spoil anything.
Gameplay: The first thing I want to talk about gameplay wise is definitely the combat system, I think I could easily say it is the best combat system I have ever seen in a game of this kind. It incorporates the active turn based system you can see in many other games made by Square at the time, it also has the standard magic and health systems in many other JRPGs, but the best thing they added is definitely the Dual and Triple techs. These Dual and Triple techs are special moves that can only be used when two or three certain characters are in your party at one time, this system works great, but I feel sometimes using each characters individual techs is more effective, especially later in the game, because the techs some characters learn are just plain deadly.
Another thing about Chrono Trigger that I really like is that after you get enough characters you can always choose at least on party member, and after a certain point you can choose all of your party members, you can even kick Crono to the curb. One major problem that arises when you have more characters than party slots though, is that your other characters are going to be far weaker than the ones you like to keep in your party. This is not a problem in Chrono Trigger because characters not in your party also level up, even if they are in your party, but they don't learn techs, and they are going to be significantly weaker.
Of course with a re-release of a classic game, also comes the plethora of bonus content and changes. This version of Chrono Trigger includes all the extras of the PS1 version, and it also has a DS mode that makes excellent, and optional use of DS touch controls, which are only a pluc because if one desires they can play old school style.
This is also one of the few games where I have almost no real complaints, the only negative thing that I could conceive is something the trap almost all JRPGs fall into. Rarely, you may just not know what to do, which is annoying in the few times that happens.
Presentation: One of the things I like about how they ported this game, is that they didn't try to update the graphics like Square did with Final Fantasy III and IV, because I feel that both of those game looked very "rough" on the DS' limited capabilities, but one thing I did really enjoy about them was there amazing cutscenes. I was glad to find out that Chrono Trigger also had these, and unlike many of you, I never played any Chrono Trigger before this one, so I was unaware of any PS1 port until sometime after I bought it, and I was very pleasantly surprised when I saw the opening cinematic, and I loved how similar it was to the Dragon Ball franchise which I, to be completely honest, have loved ever since I was a kid. Which isnt very surprising because the character design is done by the man behind the Dragon Ball manga.
http://www.youtube.com/v/-KPFJZekfUg&hl=en&fs=1&
One thing that hasn't changed over the years though is the amazing musical score that the game boasts. With over 60 soundtracks that become unlocked in the Extras section after you hear them in-game, Chrono Trigger meets all musical standards that come with the Square name.
http://www.youtube.com/v/qbYRfe1DbTw&hl=en&fs=1&
Wardog's Final Word: This game is amazing, if you have a DS you have to pick it up, even if you have the SNES or PS1 version, you should highly consider it, because this is the definitive version, this game is so awesome, it is now my third favorite game of all time, and this is coming from someone who hates most JRPGs! A+
