Chrono Trigger

About

"Chrono Trigger" is a single-player role-playing game known for its wonderful story, good graphics, and splendid soundtrack. The game takes you on a journey through different eras in time, from prehistory to the end of time, with updated controls, graphics, and sound for enhanced gameplay. Two mysterious dungeons, the Dimensional Vortex and the Lost Sanctum, add to the challenge of this epic quest to save a planet's future.

Genres & Tags

Role Playing

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 130 reviews

story58 positive mentions

character development3 negative mentions

Chrono Trigger is widely regarded as one of the best RPGs of all time, praised for its engaging story, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics.
The DS version enhances the original with improved graphics, a new translation, and additional content such as new dungeons and a monster-raising mini-game, making it the definitive version.
The game features a unique battle system that allows for strategic combinations of character abilities, along with multiple endings and a New Game Plus feature that adds to its replayability.

Some players may find the new translation lacks the charm of the original, with changes to character dialogue and names that could be off-putting to long-time fans.
The additional content, such as the monster-raising mini-game and some side quests, may feel unnecessary or repetitive to some players.
The game is relatively short compared to modern RPGs, which might leave some players wanting more content or a longer playtime.

story
185 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
66%
2%
The story of Chrono Trigger is widely praised for its engaging and well-crafted narrative centered around time travel, featuring a rich plot and memorable characters. Players appreciate the depth added by numerous side quests that enhance character backstories and contribute meaningfully to the overall experience. With multiple endings and a fast-paced progression, the game offers a unique storytelling experience that remains unmatched in the RPG genre.
- “Incredibly unique, wonderfully well-written (and beautifully localized) story involving time travel that develops at an immaculate pace, with exceptionally developed and lovable characters, as well as over a dozen different possible endings.”
- “The story really shines; I have not seen another RPG (or any other game for that matter) before or since that has incorporated all of the aspects of time travel the way Chrono Trigger has.”
- “The plot becomes very rich and deep, which makes it very easy to get into and create a truly immense world for the gamer to delve into.”
- “I've found that in RPGs of the last decade, there's usually a point in the latter part of the game where I'm just ready to be done with it and that the story feels unnecessarily dragged out just for the sake of having extra hours of gameplay.”
- “Nor will I claim that this game has an intricate story full of mature content and unpredictable plot twists; the dialogue is frequently silly and some of the concepts in the game are rather absurd.”
- “One downside though is that, like most RPGs, it has a very linear progression in that you have to go from point A to point B to advance the story but there's also an open world feel to counter that and let you explore.”
music
94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
62%
3%
The music in Chrono Trigger is widely celebrated as one of its standout features, with compositions by renowned composers Yasunori Mitsuda and Nobuo Uematsu creating a memorable and diverse soundtrack that enhances the game's emotional depth and atmosphere. Reviewers praise the variety of musical styles, noting that each track perfectly complements the game's situations, making it a timeless classic that resonates with players long after they finish the game. Many consider it one of the greatest video game soundtracks of all time, often comparing it favorably to other iconic scores, such as those from Final Fantasy VI.
- “Famed composers Yasunori Mitsuda, who also worked on Chrono Cross, and Nobuo Uematsu come together to bring you the best music of any game and of any generation that will live on in your memory for years to come.”
- “Every song in the game is well-done, and many of them are simply masterpieces.”
- “The music is moving and always fits the situation.”
- “The soundtrack gets a bit repetitive.”
- “I didn't like how the game had to load between each 'map' (sometimes a single room, walking from one door to another) or how the background music would reset itself if you went to your menu, got into a battle, changed rooms, etc. and the music is definitely great enough to want to listen to.”
- “The battle music is standard Final Fantasy fare, but hey, is that such a bad thing?”
gameplay
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
72%
6%
Chrono Trigger is widely regarded as a benchmark for RPG gameplay, combining polished mechanics with a rich story and memorable characters. Its turn-based combat system allows for strategic depth through character-specific techniques and combination attacks, while the inclusion of numerous side quests enhances replayability. Despite its simplistic mechanics by modern standards, the game remains engaging and enjoyable, showcasing timeless graphics and sound.
- “The gameplay in Chrono Trigger is some of the best in any RPG.”
- “The gameplay is polished and easy to learn while at the same time providing options for diverse battle tactics and loadouts, with each character learning tech abilities as they level up.”
- “There are many techniques that are only performed by specific sets of characters, adding variety and a strategic aspect to gameplay, since you can have a maximum of 3 characters in your party at once (but a maximum of 7 may exist).”
- “I've found that in RPGs of the last decade, there's usually a point in the latter part of the game where I'm just ready to be done with it and that the story feels unnecessarily dragged out just for the sake of having extra hours of gameplay (I'm looking at you, Final Fantasy!).”
- “I won't claim that this game has elaborate gameplay mechanics; they're simplistic by today's standards.”
- “It's time mechanics don't make sense and that's really the only problem.”
graphics
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
52%
9%
The graphics of "Chrono Trigger" are widely praised for their vibrant, Akira Toriyama-inspired art style, which remains visually appealing even today. While the game's 16-bit graphics may show their age, they are considered timeless and are complemented by sharp visuals and beautiful sprite work. Overall, the graphics were groundbreaking for their time, contributing significantly to the game's enduring legacy as a classic RPG.
- “The graphics in Chrono Trigger are absolutely wonderful, perhaps only being surpassed by those found in Seiken Densetsu 3 for the title of best looking SNES game.”
- “An Akira Toriyama inspired graphical style that is delightfully colorful and full of life, that still looks fantastic today.”
- “The graphics and music were jaw-dropping in their day, and while they have no doubt aged, there's nothing ugly about them.”
- “While this isn't a terrible detriment, the graphics are clearly dated (cutscenes excluded) and overall the game just looks like it hasn't changed much graphically.”
- “Pros: -terrific plot -not ridiculously difficult -great cutscenes -seamless transition to touch screen control -various improvements over classic rpg's cons: -graphics haven't changed much, if at all -soundtrack gets a bit repetitive -the years haven't been updated, so it still says that the apocalypse happened in 1999 bottom line: a great game, but if you've played chrono trigger before, it's not worth the upgrade.”
- “Anyway, the sound makes up for the old 90s graphics.”
replayability
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
68%
14%
Chrono Trigger boasts exceptional replayability, primarily due to its innovative "New Game +" feature, which allows players to retain their characters' levels and equipment for subsequent playthroughs. With up to 14 different endings and additional content like monster-raising arenas in the DS version, players are encouraged to explore various story paths and gameplay styles, making it a standout title in terms of replay value. Overall, the game's depth and variety ensure that players can enjoy multiple playthroughs without feeling repetitive.
- “A great feature that adds to the replay value is 'New Game +'—this feature at the time was a very unique idea only implemented in a very few selection of games. In fact, I'm not entirely sure if Chrono Trigger was the first game to implement this feature, but it became so popular that nowadays it’s pretty much used in almost any mainstream title of this generation and last generation.”
- “If that weren't enough, there are twelve different endings you can watch, so there will be a lot of replay value to look forward to and a ton of endgame content that makes up for the rather shorter main story.”
- “In terms of replayability, once you win the game (and see one of 14 possible endings), you can create a New Game Plus—where you keep all of your characters' levels, techniques, equipment, and most of your inventory.”
- “In terms of replayability, once you win the game (and see one of 14 possible endings), you can create a new game plus where you keep all of your characters' levels, techniques, equipment, and most of your inventory.”
- “The game story and new game plus feature always gave it a lot of replay value, but I've learned since receiving this version release that the DS production included another side arena feature that allows one to raise a monster to fight within the game and through wireless connect for additional gameplay value.”
- “Lots of replay value because you can do the game again, but faster (because you retain your level and spells), and there are new and cool things you can do.”
character development
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
58%
25%
Character development in the game is notably enhanced through engaging side quests that provide strong items and deepen the relationships within the party. The character designs by Akira Toriyama contribute to a distinct anime aesthetic, complemented by animated cutscenes that enrich the storytelling experience. However, players may find that avoiding enemy encounters can hinder character growth, emphasizing the importance of combat for development.
- “There are also side quests towards the end of the game that give really strong items and have good character development for your party.”
- “Chrono Trigger continues to match and exceed its modern equivalents in writing, character design, music, gameplay, and more.”
- “You can avoid most enemy encounters if you wish to, but your character development will suffer.”
- “The character designs done by Akira Toriyama give the characters an anime look and feel to them.”
- “The PlayStation port was nice in that it included anime cutscenes by the game's art and character designer, Akira Toriyama (of Dragon Ball fame), and also the extras feature that allowed you to unlock art illustrations, music, a catalog of the endings you unlocked, etc. but I didn't like how the game had to load between each 'map' (sometimes a single room, walking from one door to another) or how the background music would reset itself if you went to your menu, got into a battle, changed rooms, etc. and the music is definitely great enough to want to listen to.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Chrono Trigger DS" is noted for its blend of light-heartedness and depth, with both the original and new translations offering unique comedic moments. While the original translation included unintentional humor through edits, the new version enhances clarity and adds wit to quirky interactions. Overall, the game's engaging characters and clever dialogue contribute to its charm, making it enjoyable for players of all ages.
- “The characters are interesting and wacky, the humor is on point, the combat is some of the best I've experienced in an RPG.”
- “On the other hand, the new translation clarifies and adds humor to some otherwise odd moments in the game (Dalton's: "What's that behind you?" and Nizbel II explaining why you had to fight him after walking right past him).”
- “A fairly well-developed story for a time period when RPGs were just truly getting into the swing of things, likable cast and occasionally hilarious character interactions, combined with character and enemy designs made by Dragon Ball's Akira Toriyama himself; Chrono Trigger DS is definitely a game worth getting for gamers of all ages.”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's design minimizes the need for grinding, making it accessible for newcomers, while still providing opportunities for those who wish to level up through specific dungeons. Players appreciate the fast-forward function on emulators, which enhances the grinding experience when desired, although many report not encountering significant grinding in their gameplay. Overall, the balance between casual play and grinding options seems well-received.
- “There is a multiplayer mode for raising monsters and two new dungeons that seem to be placed just right for grinding out those 99 levels for each character.”
- “Also, the game is friendly to newcomers since grinding for levels is not really encouraged, which is by design.”
- “I got used to playing it on emulators on my Android devices and the fast forward function makes level grinding so much better.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its detailed and colorful environments that perfectly complement the overall experience. Reviewers note that every aspect, from the story and characters to the smallest details, contributes to a rich and immersive atmosphere that enhances gameplay.
- “The environments in the game look very detailed, colorful, and extremely fitting to the atmosphere.”
- “Whether it's the big picture stuff, like story, characters, gameplay mechanics, graphics, all the way down to the tiniest details that add atmosphere or new depths to your experience, this game really nails it in every way.”