Chrono Cross (1999 Video Game) User Reviews

A reason for only a PlayStation

[karadjordjevic · 10/10 · 27 January 2002]

Although not as successful as Squaresoft's Final Fantasy series, the Chrono duo of games (Trigger and this one) show that Squaresoft isn't just a one game machine. Just look at the great graphics, the possiblity of having 45 playable character, not to mention great CG sequences and multiple endings and you'll see why this game is truly the last best game for the PlayStation...look for it now, it's really inexpensive and well worth the price.

Perfect composition of mind-awaking elements

[decadent_sympozium · 10/10 · 23 January 2009]

Chrono Cross is an omniverse composition of beautiful artwork (graphic - design - text - soundtrack likewise) and most complex philosophical story of immense value, covering whole bio-socio-psychological inter-relations of each individua in their existence on this planet through several protagonists. Although at the beginning it appears as if we're dealing with a somewhat cliché plot, it soon reveals to be incredibly developed and deep, finally to expand into almost infinite creative complexion, awakening hundreds of questions, and offering possible answers men since Antic try to find. Chrono Cross is not just a Playstation Game, it's a masterpiece of written and drawn expression, it goes far beyond any other game in these terms, and proposes thrilling experience to perceptive gamer. Apart from this, in logic to the entire game, it offers incredible reply value and contains massive amount of secrets to be revealed, not even in 20 reruns will you find everything. You will get no information about the very content from me - should you find this review interesting and luring, get a game without checking, and play it for the wisdom and knowledge it offers.

Square's Newest Masterpiece!

[omega1 · 10/10 · 12 September 2000]

Though I wouldn't call myself an RPG fanatic, I definitely appreciate the genre greatly and I can honestly say I have wasted away countless hours of my life staring at the exploits of Chrono, Cloud, or heck, even The Nameless One (of Planescape Torment fame). Chrono Cross is one of those games that has an awesome story, but it starts you off halfway through it; it confuses the heck out of you for the first bit but vaguely promises to let you in on it later. So you play, and eventually you find out, but you're most of the way through the game! Is this a bad thing? Certainly not! The game pulls you in right away and doesn't let you go.

The battle system is confusing at first but once you get it down you realize it has a surprising amount of depth and boss battles become very strategic and thought-out, as opposed to Hit-heal-hit-heal experiences.

Great graphics and cutscenes, innovative new battle and experience system, and an involving storyline add up to make this the best of Square's "Big Three" releases this year.

Great, second only to Chrono Trigger

[toysoldier_johnnybanks · 18 September 2003]

Chrono Cross is a great game, and is second only to Chrono Trigger. Cross' only flaw was too many characters, thus not having a good solid story for every character. However all main characters had good character development. The story may have been somewhat better than the first game, but Chrono Trigger still has a leg up on Chrono Cross I believe. This game is worth buying...like now, yes its that good. 9/10

Lives up to Chrono Trigger

[luke_collins5 · 10/10 · 7 May 2006]

I have to say this game was amazing. You can get over 40 characters in the game. Not only that, picking different choices in conversations actually lets you do completely different things. Its a non-linear game, which gives you tons of freedom. The battle-system is original, no ATB, and you can run away from everything with a 100% chance of getting away every time, even with bosses. One of the things that makes this game shine is its sense of humor. I almost laughed out loud when I heard Ketchop talking, what he was saying, I mean. Its a must own for any person who's a fan of RPG's. You probably won't like it if your not the biggest role-playing game fan, but still, its awesome.

Did I really want another Chrono in my life? Sure, why not?

[klonkey · 10/10 · 22 March 2001]

The simple fact that it was the sequel to one of my favourite games of all time, Chrono Trigger, had me divided when the hype began to rise around the game. Did I really want another Chrono in my life? Then when I found out there was going to be over 40 playable characters, and that the storyline would actually fluctuate and change around the individual choices made through the game (unlike in Chrono Trigger, where only endings really changed), my skepticism grew immensely. That could be why I found it so immersing a game when I actually got my hands on it. The plot revolves around Serge, who (twenty years after events in Chrono Trigger) has been pulled mysteriously into another world very much like his own, but different--most notably because he finds that the Serge in this other world has been dead ten years. The quest to get home starts off innocently enough, but soon after Serge discovers he's the key in a devious, involved conspiracy that leads to a final confrontation with a very unlikely foe. Though many of the 40-some characters found in the game lack any depth at all, and were, to be honest, much too cutesy in some cases for my liking, the manner in which they all seem to join your little party has a down-to-earth feel to it that makes the more plot-orientated characters seem even more important and the story itself come alive in a way that I had never experienced in other RPGs. The battle system seems only a confusing make-over of the classic point and click menu system at first, but after a few battles and the extensive tutorial the superb depth of battles is revealed. Graphically, the entire game is rich with vibrant colours and organic animations that bring such life to Chrono Cross's backgrounds. The characters are well crafted, and each individual has their own style of fighting very different from the others, which adds enough depth to make you want to put a few of the two-dimensioned characters in your party for a few rounds of battle. And of course the full motion video takes, though not used extensively, are well done and used in the right moments to help carry the story even further. Musically, Chrono Cross is exceptional. Yasunori Mitsuda's use of original composition, Chrono Trigger rearrangements, and inclusion of music from the little known first sequel to Chrono Trigger, "Radical Dreamers", delights the ears, while adding ambience and emotion in all the right places, not to mention the instrument synthesis is probably the best ever heard on a PSX. The overall story itself, billed as a continuation of Chrono Trigger, but not as a true sequel, manages to walk that fine line that will keep most Chrono Trigger fans happy while not taking away from those who never played the classic. People who did play CT will definitely get more out of the game's incredible revelations, and recognize some of the more subtle references, but I was really disappointed in the lack of true "Nu" (there are things called "beach bums" which I believe were trying to be passed off as Nu but I won't be fooled). The only other bothersome thing was that some of the characters were... more or less rip offs of CT characters, which makes me wonder why not just include the original characters as playable and let them contribute to the plot? In a perfect world perhaps. Chrono Cross, though, is a great experience which I recommend to anyone that likes a little innovation once in awhile. It's a worthy addition to the "Chrono" Universe.

Best New "Old School" game yet!

[EmpressOfTheRings · 10/10 · 30 January 2002]

Though I'll sadly admit I haven't played the highly acclaimed Video games 'Chrono Triger' by fantasy game goers, I knew I was desperate to play a great refreshing game that made my thumbs blue, my mind fried, and my butt soars after hours of awsome playing. The night I rented it I was sitting on my rear four hours straight. I couldn't believe how fun the game was. The graphics were great, and the music alone should win a Grammy.

Although I have yet to beat this game of 100% enjoyment, I look forward to the many surprises it still holds in waiting for me.

Get transportation. If you don't have a vehicle- WALK. Go to your nearest Video Store and BUY or RENT!!! Then go home, have food and a drink next to you and a large pillow for hours of comforting support. When you can hardly keep your eyes open-SLEEP until you can no longer sleep. Wake up refreshed, eat a good meal and go back to playing! Enjoy....

This sequel to me was a tad disappointing.

[Aaron1375 · 7/10 · 7 October 2008]

The sequel to the very enjoyable Chrono Trigger is just not up to par with the original. Sure the graphics are a bit better, but the story and game play are not. It is interesting enough to start as your character Serge does a routine mission collecting something or another, while at a beach he is suddenly sent to another dimension. Once where the main difference is that he died at a very young age. You meet this one girl calling herself Kid and meeting her sets you off on a quest against a villain named Lynx. During your quest you will meet a lot of companions, and I mean a whole lot of them. I think you can get forty-four total and that is almost in Suidoken territory. So many that I really can not get into them all and their stories either. However, you will get to see a rock concert and that is rather interesting. You also have to wonder why the scope of the game is so much smaller than the original Super Nintendo game Chrono Trigger. There you go all over the world and to different times. Here, you just flip to the two different realities and the world itself seems limited to just one section as there is an outer sea you never go beyond. Another fault is in the story itself. At one point your character has an out of body experience lets say and this lasts for too long. You spend way to much time for my tastes as this other character. However, if you can get past this the story picks up and is very interesting as you learn the origin of one of the characters and you get a very good ending with nice music if you can do the one thing during the final boss fight. Speaking of music, one of the games main highlights is a very good soundtrack that really captures the moods very well.

Worthy of being Chrono Trigger's sequel

[PrincessRyl9 · 4 June 2002]

Chrono Cross is absolutely amazing. Everything about this game, in my opinion, is practically perfect: the graphics, the music, the characters, the storyline. If you loved Chrono Trigger, then you will definitely love Chrono Cross. I would recommend this game to any RPG lover.

The Continuation Of A Haughtingly Beutifal Saga *WARNING THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS*

[The Great Stigler · 1 June 2002]

Although I Never Figured The Battle System Out(I Cheated So I Could See The Whole Story)It Is Very Deep And Sort Of A Mix Between The Materia System Of Final Fantasy 7(Elements) And The Draw System Of Final Fantasy 8(Equiping Magic To Your Stats).

The Game Begins When The Silent Protaginist Serge Heads To The Beach To Collect Komodo Scales For His Friend Lenna While There He Is Pulled Into A Vortex Transporting Him To An Alternate Reality Where He Died 10 Years Ago And Now The Arcaia Dragoons Are Trying To Capture Him Because They Think He Is A Ghost While At His Grave He Meets Kid A Member Of A Band Of Thieves From Porre In Search Of The Frozen Flame. They Resolve To Gather This Realitys Lenna A Young Man Named Glenn A Strange Little Thing Named Poshul A Creepy Guy Named Guile And Many Many Many Others Together To Fight The Mysterious Demi-Human Lynx Who Appears To Be The Cause Of Serges Death In This Reality And Who Just May Be He Who Was Behind The Fall Of Lavos To Earth In Chrono Trigger.

At Some Point In The Game We Learn About What Happened Just After The Events Of Chrono Trigger. The Constant Travel Back And Forth Through The Ages And The Death Of Lavos Caused A Gigantic Inteppution In The Space Time Continuam Thus Creating This Alternate Reality And Killing Those Who Saved The Future From Lavos Crono "The Silent Protaginist Of Chrono Trigger,Marle A.K.A. Nadia "The Beautiful Young Princess From The Present Day:,Lucca "The Amazing Inventor And Best Freind Of Crono" Robo "The Robot From The Destroyed Future"Ayla "The Worlds First Human Leader" And The Sinister Magus From The Magical Kingdom Of Zeal Who Vowed To Destroy Lavos After It Killed His Sister And Manipulated His Mother (In Case You Never Noticed Mahus Was Janus) These Events Caused The Masumune To Become Evil Time To Somehow Stand Still In One Of The Realitys And A Huge Rearangement Of The World You Might Wonder Why I Did Not Include Frog A.K.A Glenn In The Deaths It Is Because He Is In Chrono Chross And Somehow Survived The Events Following Chrono Trigger And From The Destruction Of Magus And The Mystics He Once Again Became Human Yet Somehow Forgot Everything And Took On A Different Life And Wielded The Sword Eilezar And Became A Dragoon He Doesent Talk In Old English Anymore But Thats His Only Main Difference.

My Only Dissapoinment Was That The Final Fantasy Team And The Mana/Evermore DEvelopment Team Was Not Here To Make This But The Dragon Ball Team And The Dragon Warrior Team Is Still Here Maybe In A Futre Chrono The Rest Of The Team Will Return Along With Some New Teams Such As Ultima.Tales Of Phantasia,Saga Frontier,and Breath Of Fire(That Would Be A Killer Game)

All In All Chrono Seems Far From Complete Needing Many Many Sequels.

One Possible Name For Chrono 3 Would Be Chrono Memoria Or Something Like That.

A parasite on Chrono Trigger's glory.

[Ian Livingstone · 7 April 2003]

For people looking for a sequel to Chrono Trigger (Like me), this isn't for you.

The storyline is only barely connected to the first game, and the gameplay is straight from a recent Final Fantasy game.

Although the music was excellent and the graphics were great for a Playstation game, this game was sorely disappointing for me.

Overall: 6/10

Why Didn't I Love This Game?

[Zeradia · 9 December 2004]

Caution: Moderate Spoilers

I was prepared to love this game, deeply and passionately. 'Chrono Trigger' was the game that made me love RPGs. So I rented 'Chrono Cross' and toddled it home. Four days (and ten bucks on a Strategy Guide) later, I beat it.

I don't have a whole lot of positive things to say about this game. Visuals and sounds are nice, even if the music didn't grab me (I still hear parts of CT in my sleep, but I can barely remember CC). The turn-fight system with the intensity levels and color-coded spells added levels of complexity that were irritating more than anything else. The forty-plus cast of characters sounds like a grand idea, until you factor in that your party only contains three. The expense of keeping all your characters in properly upgraded equipment is daunting and adds hours of play time with no real leveling up. Out of time- and cost-effectiveness I found myself shifting between maybe half a dozen. And someone needs to remind the programmers; if the extras feel mandatory, they're not extras. (As a personal pet peeve, I hate games that make it so you can't get anywhere without the Strategy Guide.)

My biggest and bitterest complaints are reserved for story. The whole reason I was psyched over the idea of a CT sequel was the idea of spending more time in a world I dearly loved. Instead I get a sort-of imitation, full of cardboard characters with hokey accents heavy on overuse of accent marks, and a story that didn't make a whole lot of sense, didn't move me emotionally and didn't have any logical tie to the original game (CT was set in the year 1000, CC in 1999, it's not physically possible for a child to be alive in CC that was raised by a character in the original). Am I the only one who remembers that Janus (aka Magus) was a bad guy? And that Schala was his sister, not his lover? And that Schala was not a blonde?

Oh well. I played it. I beat it. Now I don't want to hear from it again. I'm gonna go home now and listen to my CT soundtrack and see if I can find some fanfiction to have fun with.