Anyone else here NOT like Chrono Trigger or is it just me?

[stargate]

So this is a game that I never played, but have long heard of it's greatness. Some say it is the greatest RPG of all time, some even go so far as to say greatest game of all time which is, of course, a bold statement.

So I picked up a used DSi and a copy of this game. Didn't want to spring the $100 bucks or so on a copy of the SNES cartridge plus I heard that the DS port is just as good if not better.

I'm not too far into the game so maybe I am jumping the gun, but so far I'm just not having much fun. Graphics are nothing special, storyline seems a bit boring. Just your basic "talk to everyone in town" to get info type deal. Even the music is leaving me wanting.

Then the fighting system just seems clunky to me.

I'll be the first to admit that I am not a huge fan of RPG's, but I was hoping this game would change my mind. Just wondering if I should stick with it and hope that I finally realize it's greatness or quit now. i am also considering picking up the SNES cartridge because the small screen and cramped controls on the DSi are not helping matters.

[sfchakan]

So... you don't care for Japanese RPGs?

[stargate]

So... you don't care for Japanese RPGs?

Honestly I have just never played many RPG's. Never played any of the FF games, believe it or not. The only RPG I played back in the day was Ultima IV on the C64. I love the Diablo series, but not sure if that really classifies as an RPG.

So I figured I would start trying out some classic RPG's like Chrono Trigger, Y's Book I & II, FF, etc. This is my first crack at it.

[celerystalker]

Well, while I do personally think Chrono Trigger is overrated, the reasons you've listed make it look like the classic Japanese RPGs will never be your thing. Menu-driven combat, pixel art, and chip tunes are all part of the deal, so it's probably just not your deal.

[FieryReign]

It's ok, but I think Chrono Cross is a much better game. I don't know why fanboys cum in their pants when mentioning this rpg? It's NOT the greatest rpg ever, like everybody makes it out to be.

I recommend staying far, far away from the FF series unless boredom is your thing...

[theclaw]

It's a fine enough port, but that's part of the problem. The DS can't substitute for a real controller, TV, and audio system this game was meant for.

[Gentlegamer]

Then the fighting system just seems clunky to me.

You've never played a console RPG, have you?

[stargate]

You've never played a console RPG, have you?

I have not.

[Alianger]

Any RPGs or subgenre games you do like besides Diablo (hack 'n slash/rogue-like light hybrid)?
Not sure what to recommend if you dislike CT, it's one of the best of its era at least. But I'm also not a huge JRPG fan/afficionado.

[stargate]

Any RPGs or subgenre games you do like besides Diablo (hack 'n slash/rogue-like light hybrid)?
Not sure what to recommend if you dislike CT, it's one of the best of its era at least. But I'm also not a huge RPG fan/afficionado.

I honestly can't think of any RPG's that I have played besides Ultima back in the day. I might try and grab a copy off fleabay and see if playing it on the SNES will improve the experience for me. Honestly I think that RPG's may just not be my cup of tea.

[theclaw]

Well there's a myriad of different RPG varieties from years of evolutionary crossover.

Dungeon crawlers (Rogue, Wizardry, Mystery Dungeon, Diablo)
Minimalist action based (Ys)
Anime/cinematic style (Tales, Chrono Trigger, newer Final Fantasy)
Dragon Quest descendants (Pokemon, early Final Fantasy)
Western fantasy/sci-fi epics (Mass Effect, Elder Scrolls, World of Warcraft)

[XYXZYZ]

I enjoyed CT while I played it, (shortly after it's release... what was that, 1993, 1994?) but overall I just didn't like the story and characters too much. I got one of it's many endings, never played it again.

[Tanooki]

I own it, just because I can't think to part with it, not because I love, kind of like Earthbound.

I think it's clunky too, not so much earlier on, but when you start having to dick around combining players on a team and skills for odd cross attacks. Also I dont' find the story very engaging, rewarding, or much fun to follow either. I've never been able (key words here) 'to force myself' to finish it. I enjoy it earlier on, it's fine and all that, but eventually I feel like I have to make myself play it and I'll quit sometime after. The farthest into the game I've ever played into it was the boss at the end of these floating rocks with big chains binding them together. I'm also not a big fan of games that have multiple endings, it's forcing me to go back and re-do crap I don't want to just re-do again to see something a little different, so that too plays into it. It's really my least favorite of the Square/Squaresoft games on the SNES aside from Secret of Evermore which I really disliked and ditched.

FF4-5-6, Mario RPG, that stuff from them along with Secret of Mana are my speed, and of course their Gameboy counterparts (FFL1-3 aka Saga, FF Adventure, etc.)

[Gentlegamer]

Bah! The combo attacks are what make the combat awesome! It adds a whole level of strategy in selecting party composition and tactics during battles!

You guys are crazy.

[Flojomojo]

I have not.
I guess you deserve kudos for trying, but it seems like you won't be having any seconds.

[Niku-Sama]

I like it, I have almost every console version. I don't have Japanese DS version or Final Fantasy Chronicles on PSX.

but at the same time I absolutely hate final fantasy too so go fig.

[bb_hood]

You guys are crazy. I love Chrono.

[Jorpho]

I don't think the DS version is particularly inferior to the SNES version, especially considering how much easier it is to obtain it. (To be sure, I've never heard anyone suggest that they like the PSX version.)

I was definitely enchanted the first time I played the game many years ago. The graphics, music, gameplay, and story are all just so ingeniously put together. But I did get kind of burned out on the game when I played through the DS version and sought out each of the endings. It didn't help that the bonus stages in the DS version are a thoroughly amateur effort.

I think I'd call Earthbound superior in the end, mostly because as well-done as Chrono Trigger is, Earthbound managed to accomplish something unique.

[Einzelherz]

The only complaint I have with it (and FF6) is that they're not difficult. But if you like 90s JRPGs, you'll probably enjoy it.

[SparTonberry]

Part of lack of difficulty in FF6 was due to a few infamous glitches and balance oversights, though. They fixed the famous glitches in the GBA version (though the GBA version unfortunately has a terrible sound port).

[Niku-Sama]

I think I'd call Earthbound superior in the end, mostly because as well-done as Chrono Trigger is, Earthbound managed to accomplish something unique.

I donno, at the time of release chrono trigger did some unique things aswell

[Daria]

I don't even care much for Square and I still loved Chrono Trigger. But I'm just a sucker for good time traveling story arcs.

[HardcoreOtaku]

I bought it when it first released on the US SNES and have not played it since. At the time I thought it was excellent though, with gorgeous graphics and a great storyline.

[synbiosfan]

I've only played it for about an hour. I love rpgs but this one didn't hold my interest.

I do plan on giving it an earnest effort somewhere down the road. There's just too many rpgs in my backlog that I want to finish first.

[celerystalker]

When I played through it, I think my main issue was that Lavos was more of a vague evil entity to the story in a very sweeping, generic sense. There wasn't any real character there to speak of overall. Chrono also was pretty lacking as well as the main protagonist... it was really like they put all of the character development into Magus and Frog. It has great graphics, great music, and some interesting combat, but it always felt to me to be void of motive other than evil for the sake of evil and heroes just to fight it. I didn't hate it, but I lean to Earthbound and Final Fantasy III as my favorites on the system for traditional RPGs.

[Aussie2B]

Hmm, well, no game is going to be everybody's cup of tea, no matter how popular it may be. So there are certainly going to be some people who don't dig Chrono Trigger, but that said, as someone who is a fan of classic Japanese RPGs, I find your issues with it rather perplexing.

At its time of release, Chrono Trigger was easily one of the most visually impressive console RPGs. Even if you broaden it to 16-bit games in general, I feel it's one of the more attractive console games of that generation. The plot was a step above too in terms of uniqueness, in a time when generic LotR-style fantasy was the norm. The plot most definitely isn't centered around talking to townspeople and collecting info. In fact, there's far less of that than in the typical RPG since towns are represented from a bird's eye view with only 3 or 4 houses tops per town to pop into. The battle system is easily smoother and more polished than most of that time, with more depth than most too (although it's also fairly easy). As for the music, well, the DS isn't going to exactly do it justice.

[stargate]

Hmm, well, no game is going to be everybody's cup of tea, no matter how popular it may be. So there are certainly going to be some people who don't dig Chrono Trigger, but that said, as someone who is a fan of classic Japanese RPGs, I find your issues with it rather perplexing.

At its time of release, Chrono Trigger was easily one of the most visually impressive console RPGs. Even if you broaden it to 16-bit games in general, I feel it's one of the more attractive console games of that generation. The plot was a step above too in terms of uniqueness, in a time when generic LotR-style fantasy was the norm. The plot most definitely isn't centered around talking to townspeople and collecting info. In fact, there's far less of that than in the typical RPG since towns are represented from a bird's eye view with only 3 or 4 houses tops per town to pop into. The battle system is easily smoother and more polished than most of that time, with more depth than most too (although it's also fairly easy). As for the music, well, the DS isn't going to exactly do it justice.

Yeah the DS is definitely taking something away from the experience visually (due to the small size) and sound wise.

I appreciate all the input folks. Not saying it is a bad game by any stretch, just not my bag. Something also tells me had I came across the game back in the day I probably would have appreciated it much more.

[Jorpho]

How do you feel about Super Mario RPG? Sometimes I think that's a worthy comparison, in the sense that they're both late-era SNES games with unconventional battle systems and that are considerably easier (and shorter) than many other JRPGs.

[mercuryshadow09]

So this is a game that I never played, but have long heard of it's greatness. Some say it is the greatest RPG of all time, some even go so far as to say greatest game of all time which is, of course, a bold statement.

So I picked up a used DSi and a copy of this game. Didn't want to spring the $100 bucks or so on a copy of the SNES cartridge plus I heard that the DS port is just as good if not better.

I'm not too far into the game so maybe I am jumping the gun, but so far I'm just not having much fun. Graphics are nothing special, storyline seems a bit boring. Just your basic "talk to everyone in town" to get info type deal. Even the music is leaving me wanting.

Then the fighting system just seems clunky to me.

I'll be the first to admit that I am not a huge fan of RPG's, but I was hoping this game would change my mind. Just wondering if I should stick with it and hope that I finally realize it's greatness or quit now. i am also considering picking up the SNES cartridge because the small screen and cramped controls on the DSi are not helping matters.

People who love Chrono Trigger love it for nostalgic purposes, if you've never played it you won't get it! You might be better starting with more recent RPG's, I highly recommend Kingdoms of Amular or Fable 2.

[Tanooki]

Oh I think it's probably that and fanboy purposes too, kind of like the blind raging orgy Sony fans get over mediocre old FF7. I had CT when it was new. The comments I made previously stand for the 90s, the 00s, and the 10s as I've tried it numerous times with the same result if not quitting sooner.

[Aussie2B]

People who love Chrono Trigger love it for nostalgic purposes, if you've never played it you won't get it! You might be better starting with more recent RPG's, I highly recommend Kingdoms of Amular or Fable 2.

The fact that there are tons of teenagers who weren't even born when it came out who love it would beg to differ. And the huge amount of acclaim it got as soon as it was released and continued to get in the years that immediately followed surely can't be attributed to nostalgia.

[bb_hood]

People who love Chrono Trigger love it for nostalgic purposes, if you've never played it you won't get it! You might be better starting with more recent RPG's, I highly recommend Kingdoms of Amular or Fable 2.

I disagree with that, there is alot more to Chrono then just 'nostalgia'.

[Tanooki]

Yeah there's time travel which isn't played out in the RPG genre, definitely not when it came out, and other than the Dragon Quest games, very little ever has Toriyama touched which of course gets all the DB/DBZ kids worked up too.

[Jorpho]

Yeah there's time travel which isn't played out in the RPG genre, definitely not when it came out, and other than the Dragon Quest games, very little ever has Toriyama touched which of course gets all the DB/DBZ kids worked up too.I'm not sure exactly what that means, but no one seems to particularly remember Blue Dragon (or its DS sequels) anymore.

[Aussie2B]

I'm curious just how much that would play into American perspective back then too. How popular was DBZ in the US by '95? Wasn't that more the early end of its American popularity? As best as I can remember, the show was a lot more accessible and popular in the late 90s. When I bought Chrono Trigger in '96, I don't think I had even heard of DBZ yet, and I surely didn't know of Toriyama.

Oh, I also recall that when I was looking through old Nintendo Power issues a couple years ago, I read a feature on Super Famicom exclusives, which included a blurb on a "Dragon Ballz" game, and they wrote about the game as if it were a totally foreign concept to Americans (they were clearly writing about it because of the game's immense popularity in Japan). That was in a '94 issue, I believe.

[Daria]

I didn't grow up with an Snes, I played CT for the first game back in the early 2000s. It's just a solid game. No nostalgic bias about it.

And I have zero clue what Tanooki was trying to day back there about DBZ.

[Tanooki]

Back in the later 90s there was at least back out west where I lived this big spooge fest by the local high school and college males over the game directly because of the artwork done by DBZ maker Toriyama. They love his works and bought up anything that had it on there. I'm just saying, at the last locally back 20 years ago, it was a factor and nostalgia comes from old feelings so it could be a piece of it. He (and DBZ) are still relevant today and that franchise is even coming back currently making the desirability of his work increase from old fans and exposure to the new.

[Aussie2B]

Well, like Jorpho pointed it out, hardly anybody cares about Blue Dragon anymore, so the Toriyama factor certainly can't be that significant in the popularity of a game. The Dragon Quest games aren't exactly huge sellers in the US either.

Back in the late 90s when I noticed DBZ getting extremely popular (with the aforementioned high school boys who imitated Toriyama in everything they drew), the SNES was already old news. Everybody had already long moved on to the PlayStation or N64. I never once heard Chrono Trigger brought up by any DBZ fans back then.

[Tanooki]

Other than xbox fans looking for something else I really don't recall it getting all that much love anyway, and the Japanese surely ignored it being the xbox as that doesn't sell over there either. I think the hearing of these things is probably local as I did hear of that, and then in college too with the DBZ fighter on PS1, the Saturn with those who imported too, and the SFC stuff (dbz fighters) as well. Gundam also got a huge grab.

[theclaw]

Well, like Jorpho pointed it out, hardly anybody cares about Blue Dragon anymore, so the Toriyama factor certainly can't be that significant in the popularity of a game. The Dragon Quest games aren't exactly huge sellers in the US either.

Back in the late 90s when I noticed DBZ getting extremely popular (with the aforementioned high school boys who imitated Toriyama in everything they drew), the SNES was already old news. Everybody had already long moved on to the PlayStation or N64. I never once heard Chrono Trigger brought up by any DBZ fans back then.

Not unexpected. DBZ dub debuted on US national TV practically side by side with the N64.

[Jorpho]

If not for the box art, I probably never would have guessed that either Dragon Quest or Chrono Trigger had anything to do with DBZ – and of course the original NES box art for the Dragon Warrior games was completely undistinguished. Was any of that particularly marketed otherwise?

[celerystalker]

The Toriyama connection didn't really mean much to me back then, as Dragonball wasn't much of a thing around here at the time. I was interested in Chrono Trigger really for two reasons: one, at the time, Squaresoft RPGs were experiencing a stellar track record as the premier RPG brand, and two, Nintendo Power hyped the hell out of it. Nintendo Power influenced me a lot back then, not because of what they said about games so much as the maps and screenshots that made me feel like I knew something about the game.

[sfchakan]

DBZ didn't hit peak popularity until years after CT's release.

[JSoup]

Never been a big Chrono Trigger fan. It's an ok game, but the story never grasped me, the gameplay struck me as fiddly and the OST was annoying at best.
But to each his own.


DBZ didn't hit peak popularity until years after CT's release.

That doesn't mean it wasn't popular and in demand well before peak popularity. I became aware of Chrono Trigger due to an anime loving friend introducing me to Toriyama's work.

[turboexpress]

since RPG's are not your thing you should play Zelda on NES :cheers:

[Tanooki]

. Nintendo Power influenced me a lot back then, not because of what they said about games so much as the maps and screenshots that made me feel like I knew something about the game.

So damn true right to the end when Future got the rights and murdered it with fanboyism and shadiness before terminating the thing entirely. :( And not just the magazine, but the sponsored guides they sold or just gave away with each sub of NP mag too which made the magazine itself a freebie. The guides sold for $15, the sub cost that much too. Total win win if you needed or wanted a guide.

[Aussie2B]

The Toriyama connection didn't really mean much to me back then, as Dragonball wasn't much of a thing around here at the time. I was interested in Chrono Trigger really for two reasons: one, at the time, Squaresoft RPGs were experiencing a stellar track record as the premier RPG brand, and two, Nintendo Power hyped the hell out of it. Nintendo Power influenced me a lot back then, not because of what they said about games so much as the maps and screenshots that made me feel like I knew something about the game.

Same, and it was loved not just by the Nintendo Power staff but the readers too. Chrono Trigger nearly did a full sweep (in the categories it could qualify for, at least) in those yearly "awards" that the magazine did, for which subscribers would vote for their favorites. Donkey Kong Country 2 also came out in '95, which was basically the best game I had ever played as far as I was concerned back then, and seeing Chrono Trigger beat it in so many categories definitely made an impact on me. I was a little mad at first, haha, but that was my main motivation in buying Chrono Trigger. In my early teen logic, anything that could beat DKC2 had to be something worth playing. And I guess it worked out as well as one could hope for, considering Chrono Trigger did indeed end up trumping DKC2 in my eyes.

[Eternal Champion]

I got Chrono Trigger back in 2002-ish and was not into it at all. I've tried to get into RPGs over the years - Dragon Warrior NES was a slog, Phantasy Star II was better, I went through periods of being into it, but I'm talking about years. Clearly RPGs are not my thing...

I remember Chrono being a very passive experience, on the part of the gamer. I remember a lot of story, story, story blah-blahing. Maybe I'm confusing it with FFIII? I prefer Phantasy Star II's more open-ness.
Anyway, it seemed a bridge to more modern fucking hand-holding "story telling" gaming (I wish I could express how much contempt I have for this). Maybe I'm overstating the case.

[bb_hood]

I got Chrono Trigger back in 2002-ish and was not into it at all. I've tried to get into RPGs over the years - Dragon Warrior NES was a slog, Phantasy Star II was better, I went through periods of being into it, but I'm talking about years. Clearly RPGs are not my thing...

I remember Chrono being a very passive experience, on the part of the gamer. I remember a lot of story, story, story blah-blahing. Maybe I'm confusing it with FFIII? I prefer Phantasy Star II's more open-ness.
Anyway, it seemed a bridge to more modern fucking hand-holding "story telling" gaming (I wish I could express how much contempt I have for this). Maybe I'm overstating the case.

Yeah, you are overstating the case. With Crono you have to follow the storyline for about half of the game then it opens up and you can explore and go and do whatever you like. Once you get the Epoch you can pretty much go anywhere and do all the sidequests.
Its the same with FF2, FF3, Secret of Mana. They all 'open up' once you reach a certain point in the game.
One reasons I like the SNES Squaresoft RPGs is there is very little 'blah-blah-blah' in my opinion.

[Aussie2B]

Chrono Trigger is story-heavy because, well, that was the intent, but I wouldn't really say it's particularly hand-holding. There is far more hand-holding in, say, modern Zelda games than in Chrono Trigger, even if a Zelda game has less dialogue and story. I would even say there's more hand-holding in ALttP than in Chrono Trigger.