I have covered many remakes in the past few months. Shadow of the Colossus and Secret of Mana to name a couple. These games were redesigned and looked very differently from their originals. There is an argument to be made that some classic games just need a few tweaks to be enjoyed by a new generation. That’s the purpose of Chrono Trigger, by Square Enix, now being available on Steam. The classic RPG has gotten a few updates, but is it enough to purchase the game again?
Chrono, and Marle, our main characters, head off to explore a fair where they come across some new exhibitions. Amongst the chaos and curiosity, Marle, gets hurled in to an unknown dimension and Chrono follows closely behind after her. Unknowingly to Chrono, he is thrust in to a new time, possibly in the past, or maybe in the future. Relentlessly, he keeps on Marle’s trail. In his quest he will find new allies and also face an evil that threatens the entire planet.
This title appeared on Steam with almost no fanfare. No one knew about the release and fans were dismayed that this version seems to be a port of the game that came out on the Nintendo DS. While it is true that the DS did have its problems, this should not get in the way of older and newer fans experiencing this classic of the genre.
You really could be forgiven if the first time you saw Chrono Trigger that it was just some sort of knock off of Final Fantasy. The game play is turn based combat and the place looks like Earth but is not Earth. Once you start playing the game you realize that Chrono Trigger has a lot more to offer. It is probably best known for its time traveling mechanic. This not only lets you see different time periods, but also causes real world effects. Plant a tree in the past and when you come back to the present, the tree will be fully grown.
There really wasn’t much to improve on in Chrono Trigger. The story and characters is engaging. Like the best RPGs, the world feels fully formed, as if there are stories going on that you will never hear about. Graphics have advanced quite a bit since its original release in 1995 but Square Enix realized that changing it would be taking away a vital piece of the game. The music, one of the best features of the game, has been remastered. The score sounds much more crisp and much more powerful.
Should you buy this game? Yes. Everyone should have the chance to experience this game in the modern world. People shouldn’t be scrambling to find old technology just to enjoy it. Even though older gamers have previous knowledge of Chrono Trigger, this doesn’t mean that the new players should pass up this game. While there are a few technical hiccups, Chrono Trigger’s strength has always been its story and its remarkable cast of characters.
Chrono Trigger is available now on Steam.
