For most Chrono fans, the only news that’s good news is a sequel to Chrono Cross. I must say that I’m sorry to disappoint all of the cosplayers out there with blue hair dye, but maybe this can be something to hold them over: On July 2nd, Square Enix announced plans to put out a remake of Chrono Trigger for the Nintendo DS, one of the most celebrated RPGs of all time.
Yes, Chrono Trigger is an RPG. But this game had so much in its time (and still does) that either the term “RPG” is underrated, or CT is much more than a role-playing game.
The story is about a boy living in the year 1000 A.D. named Crono…for about the first five minutes before traveling six hundred years back in time. After his friend accidently creates a time-machine, the group must travel across different eras to change the course of history and eventually face off against Lavos, a giant parasite plotting to suck the life out of Earth. You’ll be following this adventure with a live action battle system similar to Zelda games, as opposed to Final Fantasy’s command-based style and seven playable characters.
All friends and foes were designed by Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball, Dragon Quest/Warrior), on top of graphics that will still make your spine tingle, even thirteen years after its original release. Besides all of these great aspects, the remake will be cheaper than its chunky SNES predecessor.
Now, I use the word “remake” loosely. The only real differences between this incarnation and the SNES original are few but drastic:
-The bottom screen acts as a map for whatever area in which you are located. In dungeons, the unexplored areas remain blank until explored. Also, these maps contain icons that can access functions, such as a bestiary or a character swap.
-The party can either be guided by the D-pad or stylus.
-During a battle, the touch-screen can be used to command attacks, techs, or other options.
-Each character now has two bars (one for health and one to measure the time for his or her turn) in a battle.
One last item: There was a remake of Chrono Trigger for the PlayStation in 2001.
I would like to mention that it is probably a cheaper and better option than the CT PSX version if you like muffled sound and choppy graphics…not to mention slow loading time.
