Chrono Cross (Sony PlayStation 1, 2000)

Chrono Cross is a Japanese role-playing game for the Sony Playstation, developed and published by Squaresoft. Chrono Cross is a sequel to the famous Chrono Trigger. Although the two stories of each game are not directly connected, they make several references and character cameos in Chrono Cross. Chrono Cross is very unique in several ways. Even though the main concept of the story is the same (The main character, Serge, trying to find the legendary treasure before the main antagonist, Lynx), each playthrough is never the same. There are over 40 playable characters in the game, however, it is impossible to obtain every single character in one playthrough. If the player loads their clear data, you will be able to witness one of twelve endings.
The gameplay in Chrono Cross is what makes this game so unique. The first thing you'll notice is that there are no random encounters: all enemies are visible in the field, making combat easily avoidable if need-be, which is very rare in a PSX game. The whole combat system is also new. It is turn based, but each character can act in whichever order you prefer by switching active characters with the left and right directional buttons. To use actions, such as attacking or using "elements," you must expend stamina. Normal attacks will vary in stamina expenditure, depending on what type of attacks you do. A normal attack will consist of three types of attacks, each numbered in order to show the amount of stamina consumed: Type 1, which is the weakest, type 2, which is in between, and type 3, the strongest. However, the stronger the attack, the less probablility there is of successfully hitting the enemy, measured in hit percentages. If you so wish, you can cancel the combo before running out of stamina and defend to replenish it. Other unique elements in the game include "Field Effects," which are measured on a scale of 1-3. Each time a particular element is used, it will fill up the field effect of that color, resulting in the increased effectiveness of an element of that color.
Elements are the main source of equipping your characters. As the game progresses, the character will increase in elemental levels, thus also increasing the amount of elements that can be equipped at a time. When a battle begins, each character will start with an elemental level of 0. As the character physically attacks the target, their elemental level will increase accordingly to the number of the attack used, however, it will not increase if the attack misses. When you have accumulated the desired elemental level, you can then choose the "Element" command on the battle menu. When selected, all of your set elements will appear. You cannot use elements of a higher level than currently accumulated. Once an element is used, it cannot be used for the remainder of the battle (With the exception of "consumable" elements), which is why it is important to strategize and plan ahead when setting elements, and you can even equip multiple of the same elements.
Chrono Cross is a classic game, and, in my book, a genius and unique RPG. It will take at least 5 playthroughs to see mostly everything. The story is deep and engaging, and each one of the 40+ playable characters shows their own personality. Chrono Cross is a trip down memory lane to the old Squaresoft days, and is an adventure that you shouldn't miss.

Introduction:
This game is truly amazing. Every aspect seems to be perfect. This may be the first game that truly deserves the title of “Best Role Playing Game Ever.” A joint project from the story creators of both Xenogears and Chrono Trigger, the story boggles the mind. Also the translation team deserves way more then three cheers.

Storyline: 10/10
Again and again, I try to think of a story that compares to one of this magnitude. Yet, again and again, my mind draws a blank. It is just unbelievable as to which this story goes. It sends your mind on a journey in which you never wish to leave. Forget about sleep. Block out your friends. Stock up a fridge for few months and just have a long heart to heart with your Playstation. You begin in a weird dungeon type building, and it is evident who you are after, Lynx, a demi-human with what else but evil intentions. Throughout the course of your adventure with Serge, the main character, you will have many choices as to what to say, many of which will decide which of the 40+ characters join your party.

Gameplay: 10/10
WOW, this is where the game gets interesting. HA! You thought the story was enough to expand the limits of rational thought, right? Well with gameplay like this, the graphics could be Nintendo Entertainment System style, non-existent sound, and the worst story ever written, yet I would still play it. An innovative magic system begins it. You either find or buy your magic spells, which are called Elements. You then place your Elements in your Elemental Grid. Once placed, you can use them in battle, provided you have the current level usable for that Element. The battle system is similar to that of Xenogears. You have a level 1, 2, and 3 attack, each more powerful then the previous, but less likely to connect. Proper use of a normal attack raises your level, 1 level for a level 1 attack and so forth, which allows you to use your Elements. The downside to Elements is you can only use the main ones (which don’t include Consumables, these can be used up to five times in battle) only once. But that does not really present a problem. Random battles, which everyone seems to hate nowadays, are a thing of the past, continuing with the Chrono name. You choose when to fight, except bosses. Another thing of the past is the leveling up system. After battle, depending on the strength of the enemy, you can gain points in stats. If you fight one enemy to many times, then you will no longer gain stats, which is a hint to move on to harder foes. After most boss battles, you acquire a star, and also expect huge stat boosts, in almost every category.

Graphics and Sound: 10/10
Truly a wonder. I never knew such graphics were possible on the Playstation, but now I realize they are. Highly detailed backgrounds, with movements, hardly ever seen, if it ever has been. The battle scenes are truly a wonder in themselves. Very few FMV, but when there is one, it rivals that of Legend of Dragoon (second disk on) and Final Fantasy VIII.
The music is yet another masterpiece from Square. I found no song to be terrible enough that I was itching to hit my mute button. Not only would this game be a great investment, the soundtrack would also be a good buy.

I played this game back in 2001, and I have to say, I was disappointed. For those people who've never played the "Chrono" series of games, back in 1995, Square Co. (of Japan) released a final game for the SNES. This game was to be the ultimate mix of music, plot, and graphics (for the time, of course). This game was called "Chrono Trigger", and it blew the pants off of the RPG's of the time. This game had it all. Multiple endings, New Game+ mode, 7 playable characters (Including a 'hidden' character). It was the ultimate RPG experience, one I am happy to say that I repeated well over a thousand times.

In 2000, a "sequel" of sorts was released by Square (now "Square Electronic Arts, LLC) called "Chrono Cross". Despite the advertisements, this game was highly anticipated. I was really looking forward to it, considering that I had played Chrono Trigger, and loved the idea of a sequel. Until I played it the first time. I borrowed it from a friend. I'm kinda glad I did.

Let's break it down, and I will show you what I mean:

Graphics
5/10

Don't get me wrong, the CG cutscenes are right up there with PS1's latest games, including Final Fantasy VIII and Metal Gear Solid (which felt like an interactive movie). The in-game graphics though are blocky and the faces are poorly rendered. They look like something out of a Dreamcast remake (see my review of 'Record of Lodoss War' for more details). The backgrounds are OK, and the World Map looks like they took the BG's from Chrono Trigger and beefed them up in Photoshop before sticking them back in. The battle backgrounds are the same in every area. You don't get much variety. In CT, you at least got different background depending on where you were standing. I think they were trying to save disc space for the CG scenes.

Sound-
7/10

The sound is probably the best part of the game. For those that have played Chrono Trigger, this is probably the highlight for you. Yasunori Mitsuda (who did the music for CT) is back, and is in perfect form for the music. The sound effects aren't bad either. The only thing that is missing is dialogue. Even dialogue for the cut-scenes would have made this game better. Oh well, I guess I just have to live with with making up my own, MST 3000 style.

Plot-
4/10

Is there even plot? I mean, you start out in a dungeon, and then you see a cutscenes. Then you are home in bed. You have to wait about 5 hours into the game to see that same cutscenes, and then you are walking around in someone else's body for about 3-4 hours of the game, all the while you don't have a clue what the heck's going on! Then, about halfway through Disc 2 (out of 2), they dump the WHOLE plot on you as you are standing there trying to read the miniscule text. At least give me something I can work with on Disc 1 Square!! Late on the PS1, Square's games were doing this. They would string you along with some mediocre plot, and then BAM! The plot hits you like a freight train. That is MOST frustrating, and then you get a cheesy ending. I think that the makers of CC didn't know that they were making a game, and then they got hit with an idea, "We don't have an ending!" and threw one together in 5 minutes. It doesn't make any sense.

Overall
5/10

This game is average. For DIE-HARD fans of the original Chrono Trigger, you might want to play this game once or twice. But, even if you do, you can't get all 40 characters. My advice, stay away.

Chrono Cross is the sequel to the SNES console Chrono Trigger. I played this game when it first came out in 2000 and I fell in love with the story. You begin the game as Serge, a young boy who lives a quiet life in a quiet village, when suddenly you find yourself torn from your reality and put smack dab in the middle of an epic journey. You are brought to an alternate world much like the one you are from but there's something really wrong.... no one knows who you are and everything is different about your home and village. You soon discover that you are actually a boy who died a tragic death mourned by no one but sought after by unknown enemies. As you progress through the story, you are accompanied my many allies with many amazing abilities. As you and your party cross the streams of time itself you gather more and more information on who you really are. This game was ahead of its time in 2000 and was severely underestimated. This RPG based game playes on a turn based system using elemental magic and utilised soul moving graphics. The story is well put together and the soundtrack re-enforces every emotion in the game. I personally give this game 10/10 stars and recommend this for anyone who loved the Final Fantasy franchise or any other RPG! The replay value of this game is also very high since after beating the game you are given a chance at New Game+ which allows you to start the game with every stat and item you ended the game with. Please if you're reading this, I emplore you to give it a try.... you'll love it as much as I do!

The game is a rare classic, One of the best RPG's of all time. The replay value is immense considering just answering a question changes the game, changes what characters you might meet or get in your party, you can upgrade your weapons. plus there are over 40 characters!!! that along with the graphics at the time set this game apart, not to mention that it's the sequal to one of the most popular and influential RPG's of all time Chrono trigger. The story of Chrono Cross focuses on a teenage boy named Serge and a theme of parallel worlds. Faced with an alternate reality in which he died as a child, Serge endeavors to discover the truth of the two worlds' divergence. The flashy thief Kid and forty-three other characters assist him in his travels around the tropical archipelago El Nido. Struggling to uncover his past and find the mysterious Frozen Flame, Serge is chiefly challenged by Lynx, a shadowy antagonist working to apprehend him. Also depending on if you listen to all of the characters in the game you can discover parts of their past which usually ends up gaining you a very useful move in their arsenal that otherwise you wouldnt get even with leveling up. I personally have owned 4 sets of this 2 disc game, that alone should hint to my devotion. I have also honestly passed this game over 30 times and i still love playing it, and it has a feature that was rather innovative at the time, its the "game +" feature, when you pass the game you can chose to start over completely again or you can continue with the same inventory, money, levels, weapons, etc. BUT you still have to gain your characters again depending on your actions throughout the game. This game is well worth the attention i have given it, hopefully you will enjoy it just as much.