This masterpiece is truly a game in which all RPG lovers must get, it is truly a timeless classic!
Genre: RPG
Developer: Squaresoft (Squareenix)
System: Super Nintendo
Total Score: 99/100
Value Score: 9.9/10
• Story: 10/10
o The story of Chrono Trigger is way advanced during its time of release, infact it can be compared in terms of originality to other games such as Terranigma and Earthbound. Either ways, the storyline begins in the year 1000 A.D., you play as a boy named Crono who is looking forward to celebrate the new millenium, he ends up going to the fair and meeting a mysterious girl with a unique pendant. Eventually the two end up at the main attraction to the fair which in end turns up worse in change of events as the girl is sucked into what seems to be a time portal. Crono is sent to the same portal in hopes of finding the girl who is later on discovered to be a important political figure, eventually he finds himself in the past and after going through a series of events of rescuing the girl and getting back to their own time and escaping the guillotine they find themselves in the future where they learn the truth of the future of their world which is to be destroyed by a being named Lavos. One thing leads to another and eventually they are heralded into other eras such as the prehistoric and the Ice age.
• Characters: 10/10
o The main character is a typical silent protagonist, but the characters surrounding him especially the main cast make up for his silent treatment. Chrono Trigger has to have the most colorful cast of characters out of all the RPGs in its time, even to this day. You have all sorts of characters and figures from different eras that you visit throughout the game along with that all sorts of enemies which match the time era, there are alot of enemy type characters and villains that play a major role in the game that will make the player urge to continue onward to see what will happen next. Truly one of the best cast in a RPG games, you will not regret going through Chrono Trigger getting to know each and every character in the game.
• GamePlay: 10/10
o For its time, the gameplay is quite advanced, smooth and clear with no signs of lag or slow down of any kind. Just like a simple RPG, you gain experience and level up which increase your stats such as HP and MP. You have 4 pieces of equips you can wear : Weapon, Armor, Headgear and Accessory. A unique feature within this game is the use of techniques or skills, not only do you have the array of single tech skills exclusive to each character but you have Dual Techs and Triple Techs which can be used by a combination of two different characters or all 3 characters who are able to perform them doing more damage or having a extensive amount of effects when using them. Throughout the game you will eventually travel through different time periods and at one point will end up at the "End of Time" where its a save station which leads to every path of time to different eras. The map system is simple to use, all you do is travel throughout the world, there are no random encounters like most other RPGs, you can go near a building or location and choose to enter it or not. Some places include a ferry which you can travel to different parts of the world and eventually you will get a time machine which you can use to travel throughout different eras and the worlds within. There are save points throughout the game's dungeons and locations and you will uncover secret treasure chests which can only be opened once you receive a special item needed in order to open them. If that isnt enough to impress you, this game includes a New Game+ and includes multiple endings as well.
• Graphics: 10/10
o The graphics on Chrono Trigger is probably the best looking during the 32-bit era, Chrono Trigger brings out the best out of the graphics processor of the SNES, and outperforms most games, even puts shame to some of the pre-3d Rendered games as well with its sheer quality. Chrono Trigger uses a similar interface as Final Fantasy VI and has similar character sprite design as Terranigma. The creator and artist for Dragon Ball Comics is responsible for the overall character design appearance. If you are a fan of the Dragon Quest or Dragon Ball series, you will enjoy the graphics and character designs. The environments within Chrono Trigger are breathtaking and quite well advanced within the 32 bit era.
• Sound: 9/10
o Chrono Trigger's sound effects are well made and can be compared to its sister game Final Fantasy VI, up to the treasure chest opening, enemy attacking and some of the skill animation sounds are similar but can be differentiated through its various tones. There are also unique sound effects which bring a comical value to the game which is indeed a plus. Players will enjoy the well orchestrated sound effects as they match up to their game content, despite the fact that the game lacks a voice over compared to other games of its era which includes voices, this game's sound department was top notch for its time.
• Music: 10/10
o Just like any typical Squaresoft title, the music portion of the game is absolutely the best. Nobuo Uematsu who was responsible for the Final Fantasy Music, Noriko Matsueda who is responsible for games like Front Mission, and Yasunori Mitsuda who is responsible for Xenogears' ost are the main producers for Chrono Trigger's OST. Chrono Trigger has to have the best OST out of all the games on the SNES, each track is composed of a ingenious dramatic fashion which will captivate any lover of orchestral music and any fan of video game music. The tracks range from orchestrated to Techno to what seems like hip hop like to just a simple melody. People will love the OST of Chrono Trigger, and I recommend getting it, as it is as good as the game itself and I feel like it has its own personal value compared to the game itself.
• Length: 10/10
o Chrono Trigger's length is dependent on the player overall as there are different courses within the game and the inclusion of the New Game+ will question the actual length of the game itself when you compare it with its entire completion. Regardless on a normal first playthrough run, the game should take no more than 15 hours to 20 hours at max. That is without accounting new game+ of course, if you add new game+, that could stack up to another 5-10 hours depending on how many endings the player is trying to achieve or whether they are trying to collect additional items which would regularly be only obtainable once per playthrough.
• Replay Value: 10/10
o Chrono Trigger has to have the best Replay Value out of all the games during the 32-bit era, it re-defined the term "Replay Value", as the game includes the mother of all Replay Values, New Game+. Addition to that, players are also able to complete the game's last boss and unlocking several endings. New Game+ allows players to take their characters' levels, equips, items and techniques over to a new game, along with that a few changes are added such as a extra warp in the beginning which automatically leads to the final boss.
• Player Value: 10/10
o Truly one of the best games ever made, it is one of the best RPGs if not THE BEST ever made. The game broke many barriers and limitations that most other RPGs of its time had and paved way a road for future RPGs. One of the best storylines and a original cast of characters, amazing gameplay and beautiful visuals and music, this game will capture your heart if you are new to the series or to RPGs. RPG lovers will surely enjoy this timeless classic as the game has aged perfectly throughout the years, even to this day the game has been remade and re-enhanced several times as it has been released on the Playstation, Nintendo DS and recently the iOS. Regardless of what system you get it on, this game is and will be worth every single penny.