CHRONO CROSS: THE RADICAL DREAMERS EDITION

67%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,205 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • music
CHRONO CROSS: THE RADICAL DREAMERS EDITION Game Cover
Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition brings possibly the best PS1 JRPG to Europe for the first time, and it simply must be played.
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"Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition" is a remaster of the classic RPG "Chrono Cross," featuring upgraded 3D models, new illustrations, and additional features. The edition also includes "Radical Dreamers - Le Trésor Interdit -", a game that laid the groundwork for Chrono Cross's story. In this epic adventure, players can explore two parallel worlds with over 40 party members, immersing themselves in a dramatic tale of time and space.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

67%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,205 reviews
story96 positive mentions
optimization58 negative mentions
  • Chrono Cross is a classic JRPG with an engaging story and memorable characters.
  • The remaster includes quality of life improvements like the ability to speed up gameplay and turn off random encounters.
  • The soundtrack is fantastic and remains one of the best in video game history.
  • The port suffers from significant frame rate drops and screen tearing, making it difficult to play.
  • Many players have experienced crashes and issues with saving progress.
  • The graphical enhancements are minimal, with some backgrounds looking worse than the original.
  • story299 mentions

    The story of "Chrono Cross" is a complex and ambitious narrative that intertwines themes of parallel worlds and character-driven arcs, often drawing comparisons to its predecessor, "Chrono Trigger." While many players appreciate the depth and emotional resonance of the story, it is frequently criticized for being convoluted and difficult to follow, especially in the latter parts where significant exposition is delivered. The game features a large cast of characters, but many feel underdeveloped, leading to mixed feelings about the overall impact of the narrative.

    • “Chrono Cross stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling in video games.”
    • “The story provides enough intrigue to keep you playing and provokes thought post the ending, which is always a mark of a good storyline in my book.”
    • “The story is fantastic, the setting unique and beautiful, the music is absolutely amazing and the combat more detailed than you would expect from a game that came out in 1999.”
    • “The story of Chrono Cross started off strong, but towards the end fell apart as it got too muddled in its own lore.”
    • “While most of the game story makes sense, the last few hours are really confusing (with a lot of it dumped on you all at once) and without additional explanation it's rather hard to grasp everything.”
    • “The overarching story is mind-bogglingly convoluted and hard to follow unless you’re familiar with the lore of this game’s predecessor, Chrono Trigger.”
  • graphics269 mentions

    The graphics of the remastered version of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the updated visuals and character models while others criticize the performance issues and inconsistencies. Players appreciate the option to switch between original and enhanced graphics, but some report that the new graphics can lead to frame rate drops and graphical glitches. Overall, while the remaster offers a nostalgic experience with improved visuals, it falls short of expectations for a modern upgrade, often feeling more like a port than a true remaster.

    • “The visuals were beautiful and crisp, while still having that classic retro feel to it.”
    • “The updated graphics are stunning and really bring the world of Chrono Cross to life.”
    • “The new modernized graphics bring a fresh take to the game, while still retaining the same nostalgic feel that fans know and love.”
    • “The graphics feel like they are directly being played on the PlayStation itself but with some anti-aliasing and some mediocre filters.”
    • “The backgrounds under the new style graphics are absolutely worse than the older backgrounds; supposedly they used some AI to recreate the older backgrounds, but by God does it look absolutely terrible.”
    • “At the end of the day, I still love this game, but this 'remaster' is absolutely shameful because of the terrible backgrounds and excessive slowdown when using the 'enhanced' graphics.”
  • music245 mentions

    The music in "Chrono Cross" is widely praised as one of its standout features, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional work of composer Yasunori Mitsuda. The soundtrack is described as hauntingly beautiful, nostalgic, and capable of enhancing the emotional depth of the game, making it a significant draw for both new players and long-time fans. While some players noted issues with the game's performance, the music consistently received high marks, often being referred to as one of the best soundtracks in video game history.

    • “A gorgeous soundtrack is another plus.”
    • “The soundtrack alone would be worth it already.”
    • “From melancholic melodies to exhilarating battle themes, the music of Chrono Cross amplifies the emotional depth of the story and further immerses players in its enchanting atmosphere.”
    • “Major disclaimer: during my time playing, there would be times when the game would randomly freeze: the music would keep playing, but the screen would be frozen and the game would not respond to any inputs from my controller or keyboard.”
    • “The game freezes all the time; the music continues to play but just locks up.”
    • “Music was disappointing as the start menu has the soundtrack and sounds awesome, making me think that this would be the music that appears in-game, but the in-game music doesn't sound like what is in the menu.”
  • optimization146 mentions

    The optimization of the game has been widely criticized, with many users reporting severe performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and overall poor execution compared to the original PlayStation version. While some players have found success with tweaks and mods to improve performance, the general consensus is that the port is inadequately optimized, making it difficult to enjoy the game without significant adjustments. Despite recent updates that have improved stability for some, many still consider the performance unacceptable for a modern release.

    • “Performance issues are gone and I have been enjoying this charming game.”
    • “Lo and behold, about a week after I left the review, they released a "small" update that seems to have drastically improved the performance on both my laptop and desktop.”
    • “The new patch did wonders for performance!”
    • “Very poorly optimized port not worth spending your money on.”
    • “The performance of this game is abysmal... the lag is just... wow... how long has this remaster been out and the issues still persist?”
    • “The performance is completely unacceptable for a game in 2022.”
  • gameplay88 mentions

    The gameplay of *Chrono Cross* features a unique combat system that diverges from traditional turn-based mechanics, incorporating elements like a stamina system and an element grid, which some players find innovative while others consider convoluted. While the game offers quality-of-life improvements such as speed-up options and auto-battle modes, performance issues like freezing and frame rate drops have been reported, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, many players appreciate the engaging story and character depth, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.

    • “Chrono Cross introduces a unique combat system that deviates from traditional turn-based RPG mechanics.”
    • “The seamless transition between the two-dimensional overworld and the beautifully rendered locations adds depth to the gameplay and keeps players engaged throughout their adventure.”
    • “The gameplay is a nice twist on the turn-based style with a stamina system that has a risk-reward element.”
    • “The gameplay suffers from heavy slowdowns, stuttering, wobbled textures, terrible frame pacing, and texture bugs.”
    • “One NPC softlocked and two crashes in under one hour of gameplay.”
    • “Gameplay is hampered by performance issues both visually (shuddering during transition screens, and extremely poor frame rate) and through sound skipping constantly.”
  • stability54 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent freezes and crashes across various platforms, including PC and Steam Deck. While some users found temporary relief with patches, many still experience significant issues that render the game nearly unplayable, leading to lost progress and frustration. Overall, the remaster is seen as buggy and unstable, with a consensus that it requires substantial fixes to improve performance.

    • “The 4GB patch helped, and the game now runs great - check out the Steam forums to find a link for it.”
    • “I was actually worried the entire remaster was bad, but I picked up the Switch version and it runs great!”
    • “I've tried it both on a very old gaming laptop and on my standard gaming desktop, and it runs great other than an initial couple of seconds of lag when you load into battles.”
    • “Tried all sorts of things including bleeding edge experimental and no change... still freezes after a couple of minutes and needs a full reboot.”
    • “It's just unplayable - freezes every 20 minutes or so, attempted every fix on Steam discussion board and Reddit.”
    • “Made it 20 minutes in before constant random freezes on both PC and Steam Deck, no amount of restarts or reinstalls will save you.”
  • replayability22 mentions

    The game is praised for its high replayability, featuring multiple endings, a new game+ mode, and a variety of characters that encourage different playthroughs. While some players find the experience can become repetitive, the inclusion of branching paths and additional side quests enhances its value for completionists and achievement hunters. Overall, it stands out as a top-tier RPG with significant replay value, appealing to both nostalgic fans and new players alike.

    • “There’s definite value for money here, with the replay value through the roof.”
    • “With multiple endings, it has tons of replay value as well as a unique but easy-to-catch-on-to battle system.”
    • “The addition of new side quests and hidden areas adds even more replay value to an already great game.”
    • “There are more than ten endings; this gives the game more replayability, but it may be boring to get them all one after the other.”
    • “Replayable for completionists and achievement-hunters, but the story never actually changes and the experience will just be identical to (albeit easier than) prior playthroughs.”
    • “The extra endings and alternative paths add to the replayability, but by the end, it felt more like a chore than anything for me.”
  • grinding20 mentions

    The reviews indicate that the game has effectively eliminated traditional grinding, as players receive significant stat boosts primarily from defeating bosses, with little incentive to engage in battles otherwise. While some features like speed-up and auto-battle options help alleviate tedium, many players find the lack of meaningful grinding and leveling-up options leads to a stale experience. Overall, the game offers a mix of convenience and frustration, with some players appreciating the enhancements while others feel it detracts from the depth of gameplay.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “I liked the combat, the system of gambling accuracy with hit damage, but with no grinding, just level ups after a boss. There are so many missable characters and a confusing element system that determines what elements to use when and how to make them effective; it gets stale.”
    • “There is literally no grinding.”
    • “The leveling system is designed to prevent grinding, so it will cap after a while based on how many bosses you cleared out.”
    • “In an attempt to eliminate grinding, there's really no leveling-up; you get big stat boosts from each boss, which is as close as it gets, and for the first few fights afterwards, you can get smaller stat boosts.”
    • “The slow fights kept me away, but this one has a speed up button and auto-fighting for grinding, or no-damage mode if you don't care about leveling up at all.”
  • emotional20 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its nostalgic themes and impactful music, which evoke a range of feelings from melancholy to exhilaration. Players appreciate the depth of the story and the emotional resonance of the soundtrack, although some criticize the execution of the narrative and the overall presentation. Despite its flaws, the game manages to elicit laughter and tears, making it a memorable experience for many.

    • “The deeply philosophical themes went over my head as a kid and now playing as an adult made me feel nostalgia for my youth but also looking forward to my future.”
    • “From melancholic melodies to exhilarating battle themes, the music of Chrono Cross amplifies the emotional depth of the story and further immerses players in its enchanting atmosphere.”
    • “I cried, I laughed, I thought deeply about some NPC dialogue I haven't seen in a while, it feels great again.”
  • monetization17 mentions

    The monetization aspect of this game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing disappointment in its poor performance and lack of effort in the remastering process. Despite some nostalgic value, players feel that the game fails to justify its price, especially given the choppy graphics and minimal improvements, leading to a consensus that it should not be supported financially. Overall, the sentiment is that this title exemplifies a lazy approach to monetization, prioritizing profit over quality.

    • “There are no in-game purchases, which makes the experience feel fair and enjoyable.”
    • “I appreciate that the game doesn't pressure me into spending money; it's refreshing!”
    • “The absence of monetization tactics allows me to fully immerse myself in the gameplay.”
    • “No matter what I set the graphics to, it just runs too choppy to justify paying anything more than $5, and that's only for diehard fans; of which I had considered myself, until playing this sad, passionless cash grab.”
    • “The remaster is a poor cash grab from Square Enix that runs horribly.”
    • “This was nothing but a cash grab; the nostalgia faded far too fast as all the glaring issues came to light.”
  • character development9 mentions

    While the character designs in Chrono Cross are praised for their uniqueness and visual appeal, the overall character development is criticized for being minimal, with many characters receiving little dialogue and depth. The game features a semi-unpolished plot that fails to fully explore its characters, leaving them feeling underdeveloped despite their impressive designs.

    • “The character designs have been updated as well, with each character having their own unique look and personality.”
    • “The character designs are really solid, the elements in action are good, and even the cutscenes work flawlessly.”
    • “I have always loved the hand-painted look the backgrounds had, and for a PS1 RPG, I think the character design was better than most RPGs that came out slightly before it.”
    • “Little or no character development for them.”
    • “It has a semi-unpolished plot, a large amount of half-hearted character development and is mostly driven by its Celtic-influenced soundtrack.”
    • “Wanted to support one of my favorite games of all time, but I won't tolerate censored character designs especially when you can't even get the game running at a decent FPS.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its off-beat and absurd elements, with colorful characters and moments that evoke both laughter and emotional responses. While some narratives may come off as convoluted or juvenile, the quirky dialogue and character interactions provide a memorable comedic experience. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm, balancing the game's more serious themes with lighthearted moments.

    • “An innovative battle system, mind-bending story, way too many colorful characters, and off-beat humor make this game one of the most memorable and unusual adventures on the PS1.”
    • “"One guy planned absolutely everything" stories are what third-graders come up with, and even then probably only if there's some jerkhole adult viciously drilling into every plot hole, and all the kid can come up with in the moment is "uh, the wizard did it" / "the wizard planned that, too" / "it was the wizard, alright; just leave me alone!" Not even a third-grader would willingly write this kind of crap, and yet Undead Lucca reveals it to you proudly, as if it isn't simultaneously hilariously absurd and morally repugnant.”
    • “It's a little funny seeing the models moving in their old frame motions, but honestly that's just an authentic plus for me.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its enchanting and immersive qualities, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack that complements the emotional depth of the story. Players appreciate the well-crafted backgrounds and character portraits, which align perfectly with the game's narrative and tone, ranging from serious moments to lighthearted comic relief. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature that significantly enriches the gaming experience.

    • “The game creates a unique, spellbinding atmosphere that draws you in and keeps you hooked.”
    • “From melancholic melodies to exhilarating battle themes, the music of Chrono Cross amplifies the emotional depth of the story and further immerses players in its enchanting atmosphere.”
    • “What shines above all else here is the atmosphere, the narrative, and the visual storytelling.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to engage players fully.”
    • “Despite some interesting elements, the overall atmosphere fails to create a compelling world.”
    • “The game struggles to maintain a consistent atmosphere, often feeling disjointed and confusing.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

73% average critic score

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Play time

38hMedian play time
39hAverage play time
30-51hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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