Chrono Trigger Has A Sequel Nobody Remembers

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Chrono Trigger remains one of the best role-playing games ever made. What makes it special is that it brought together some of the most talented developers from iconic series like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Xenogears – all at the peak of their careers. The game’s vast world, innovative combat system, and memorable music have solidified its place as a timeless classic.

Many players seem to have forgotten that Chrono Trigger did get a follow-up game on the PlayStation. While it’s quite different from the original, it’s ambitious and still worth playing, even after all these years.

Chrono Cross Is A Forgotten Sequel

Originally launched in Japan in 1999 and North America in 2000, Chrono Cross is a sequel to the beloved Chrono Trigger, though it doesn’t continue the story directly. While it takes place in the same world, includes familiar faces, and shares gameplay elements with its predecessor, it also features some of the same iconic music.

This isn’t a sequel to the adventures of Crono, Lucca, Robo, Marle, Frog, Magus, and Ayla. Instead of time travel, the game lets you journey between two alternate realities: one where the main character, Serge, died young, and another where he lived to adulthood. The battle system is unique – it’s different not only from Chrono Trigger, but from most RPGs – and the game’s art style is completely new.

Some fans of the classic Chrono Trigger immediately dismiss Chrono Cross because it feels very different. However, Chrono Cross is a fantastic game on its own, actually receiving a higher score on Metacritic than its predecessor. A major strength is the music, composed by Yasunori Mitsuda, known for his work on the Xeno series. The soundtrack isn’t just a continuation of Chrono Trigger’s style—it’s a significant leap forward in its musical evolution.

The game’s vibrant and often bizarre pre-rendered backgrounds really help create a unique atmosphere. The story deliberately keeps you guessing, encouraging you to unravel its mysteries on your own. While it’s not without its imperfections, those flaws are actually part of what makes the game so memorable and stays with you long after you finish playing.

Chrono Cross Has Its Flaws

Chrono Cross is a creatively ambitious game, and while not every idea lands perfectly, it’s certainly interesting. It breaks from tradition with its combat and character progression – instead of earning experience points, characters get stronger by defeating key bosses. The game also features a unique system where you equip abilities on a grid, earning bonuses for chaining skills together or focusing on a single element.

I really enjoy how the game lets you unlock new abilities, try out different setups, and figure out the best way to play – it reminds me of classic PlayStation RPGs from Square Enix. However, without experience points, fighting regular enemies doesn’t feel very rewarding, and it can take a while to feel like you’re making progress.

One thing that really stood out about Chrono Cross when it came out was just how many characters you could recruit – a whopping 45! That’s way more than the original Chrono Trigger had. It definitely makes you want to play through the game again and again to find everyone, but honestly, it feels like a lot of those characters don’t get the development they deserve because there are just so many of them.

In Chrono Trigger, each of the seven characters you can play as gets a meaningful story arc – you genuinely connect with Frog when you learn his real name, and feel anxious for Robo when you have to leave him stranded in the past. Chrono Cross, however, mainly focuses on three characters – Serge, Lynx, and The Kid – while the others feel like background figures with limited development. This makes it hard to truly care about what happens to them, and their successes or failures don’t feel as impactful.

Even so, the game is enjoyable when it sticks to its main plot, and it truly shines with its late-90s music, graphics, and engaging battles – classic Square at its best. The recent remaster, The Radical Dreamers Edition, isn’t perfect in terms of performance and updated visuals, but it’s still a fantastic way to play the game.

The package also includes a text-based adventure game that connects to the main story and expands on the game’s background. If you were a fan of Chrono Trigger, you should definitely check out its sequel – it’s worth playing despite any imperfections.

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2026-05-24 23:11