TUM Re-plays through Chrono Trigger and gives his unbiased views on it

Ok, I'm aware that I'm the guy known for hating this game and pretty much everything about it, but I'll be fair here, I didn't think it was ALL bad. I did think Magus was an ok character at least....but anyway...

Here I plan to re-play through the game. I will be giving my views on many various parts of the game, whether good or bad, and I will not bash the game once. (You can hold me to that).

Part 1 - Everything before the game begins
http://liti4.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/chrono_trigger_snes_box1.jpg

Looking at the cover, I "think" I remember that part in the game but I'm honestly not sure. It has pretty good detail on it but I kinda wish they had chosen a better point in the game than this. Too much snow makes the cover seem a bit color deprived. I may be wrong on this, but it seems like Marle is powering up Crono's sword for an attack, which would actually be pretty cool showing off a team attack right away.

http://chrono.lunar-net.com/cc/trigger/pics/packaging/snes-back.jpg

The back is done pretty nicely, having a wide selection of screens with various colors, and that same variety is colors is really what the front could have used. The story that it tells seems interesting for the most part, and all I really want to point out there is "Did we really have any clue what chronology meant when we were that young?". (Character designs by Akira Toriyama probably wasn't even thought about back then)

http://bulk.destructoid.com/ul/122089-the-memory-card-55-the-fate-of-lucca-s-mother/Chrono%20Trigger%20-%20Title%20Screen-468x.jpg

The first screen we see seems to have pretty solid graphics for it's time, and the music playing really captures the mood of what this game represents....however you won't know that yet if this is your first time playing. =p

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqTZfknDVes

The intro shows off various parts of the game, which I guess doesn't spoil TOO much, but I kinda wish they hadn't done that because it does pretty much tell who will be joining you. (Super Mario RPG also had this same problem) Nonetheless though, the intro is very well done and the music during it is pretty good.

One unique thing about this game, is that right before you begin you have 2 modes of battle to choose from. Active, which causes enemies to attack whenever they can, and Wait which lets you plan out what you want to do before attacks are made. This is actually a pretty good idea IMO and in a way helps determine the difficulty. For this play through that I will be choosing Active. Also, I prefer not to change the characters names.

Part 2 - The Time Conundrum
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/1382/14935666.png

Once again I gotta say the graphics are very nice for this game, I will admit that I think that is one thing this game excels at...though I will say graphics aren't everything. It is nice how much they went into detail though. The birds flying, the different colors of the water based on depths, even different shades on the buildings if you notice.

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/984/11293296.png

Just because.... I do want to mention though, that it's a bit strange that you can switch the text between the top or bottom of the screen though. I don't remember any other RPG's off hand that gave you a choice like that. This does of course come in handy later as you can start up dialect with someone and walk around while still getting what they say.

So the opening music during the game here is well made but I'm not liking it much to be honest. I just so "conveniently" collect my allowance on the day of the fair (Yea you better give me that money).

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/5711/87467572.png

Here I would like to mention how strangely they did the overworld. Most overhead RPG's have the towns as just squares or rectangles but this game decided to draw out the towns and STILL make you bigger than them. This isn't a complaint mind you, and it is probably better that they did go into detail, but I guess it just looks weird considering what I'm used to.

Talking to some of the various people, I get the usual things from an RPG like how to use certain things and how to battle. Now....listening to the guy about battling, I don't remember any of this stuff about AoE or all enemies in a line attack. o_O

Going into the fair, I immediately notice the music change, and this music is ok. See, that's one of my main problems with this game, I just simply did not like most of the music and music is highly important to me in a game. Anyway, running around talking to people, I get kinda hooked lapping people in the race....even though I'm not actually part of it. <_<

I run into Marle, and the bell rings......foreshadowing much? I already notice that she isn't going to be a very bright one considering her pendant is almost the size of her and she can't find it after dropping it. This reminds me of that Survey Says question from the podcast "Would you do Marle"....well, I said no back then and looking at her picture now I'd still say no.

Well anyway, I could sit here for a long time just to rack up silver points and start out strong, but just so this doesn't take forever, I will just go ahead with the game.

So I make it to Lucca's invention, and after a successful teleportation test on myself Marle wants to try....yay. She steps on the pad and BOOM! 88.8 MILES PER HOUR.....oh yea and now she's back in time lawl. Maybe they should have asked for Scottie's help. The music during this sequence sets the mood very well with it's sci fi like theme, however... Crono's big "Hero" theme after I don't like.

After deciding to go back in time to save her I'm immediately sent into battle. I forgot to heal after fighting Gato so it's a good thing I have tonics or I'd be pretty screwed.....and thus our Adventure has begun!