Chrono Trigger
Platform: SNES, Year: 1995, Publisher: Sqaure, Genre: RPG,
Gameplay: 10/10 While it isn't completely original, Chrono Trigger polishes the Final Fantasy-esque role-playing game formula into an extremely enjoyable experience. Unlike the Final Fantasy games of it's time, there are very few completely out of the blue battles. For the most part you can see the enemies on the screen and then you can choose to bump into them or try to sneak past them. While in the battle screen you simultaneously take turns with the enemies, employing simple attacks and elaborate techniques. The best part about the battle system is how many different combinations of techniques you can use with the other characters to choose from. For example, fire & Ice can make a devastating antipode attack or even electrocuting a tough caveman girl with lightning can cause her to be able to bite enemies with a high damage volt bite attack. It's amazing how they all can work off each other's attacks and definitely one of the highlights of the games. Since you have complete control through the majority of the game to choose who is in your 3 person party, it has a great replay value because you can choose one play through to strengthen one group of characters only to find that you were missing out on some amazing dual and triple techniques by not employing other members. And speaking of replay value, the game has 13 different endings depending on how you play. Some aren't very noteworthy but it is still cool that that option is available. The bosses are some of the best in history and will definitely challenge your mind as well as your fingers but at the same time won't feel cheap. They are completely beatable once you learn the strategy required.
Graphics: 10/10
You know that these are going to be top-notch based on the artists involved and as such it goes without saying that this game is a visual feast. The pre-rendered environments traverse flawlessly and each time-era has a very distinct feel. It looks as though the video-game gods sat down and had a water-color party. For 1995 you can't get much better than this. The character animations are very well drawn as well and they convey an emotion that unparalleled in SNES games.
Sound: 10/10
Maybe I am just a sucker for extraordinary soundtracks but this game scores high on all fronts as far as sound. Sure there is no voice acting (this is an SNES we are talking about guys) but the sounds are very appropriate to what is happening. As far as soundtrack, I will go so far as to say that this game has one of the most beautifully composed soundtracks I have ever heard. I even looked up for piano music to play it myself, it was that good. It is also so diverse. The music for the Middle Ages is very distinct from the dreary future or even the present. Simply, just go and check it out, now.
Story: 10/10
Is it cliche, maybe, but it is still amazing! Few games can touch me on an emotional level as much as this one. The story may be simple at times but it is executed so perfectly you would think that you were watching a high-quality movie. The characters are so deep for a video game, especially Frog (original name, huh?) and Lucca. When you see the world being destroyed on the video-recording from the future you feel the same as the characters, you want to pound the snot out of Lavos just as much as the characters do at the end of the game. That is the result of an excellent script that, now that I think of it, isn't so cookie-cutter after all (for those that have played the game think Ocean Palace ending). Definitely worth experiencing even if you aren't a fan of RPG's.
Variety, Pacing, and Everything Else: 10/10
This is the catch-all category that focuses on how I actually felt, enjoyment-wise during the game. Chrono Trigger hits all of the high marks. The variety is superb as each time-zone and "level" has unique enemies that are fitting to its locale. The pacing of the game is probably slightly slow at the beginning (first 10-20 minutes) but as soon as you are sucked into the time portal, the action and excitement doesn't let up until you finish the game. I never felt like I was stuck in one area for too long and the leveling up was frequent enough that it kept you playing for more until you could unlock that tempting dual technique. Overall the game is quite lengthy and you will definitely get your money's worth but it never feels like it drags on and it is just as fun the second time through as it was the first (believe me, I play it completely through at least 2-3 times a year which is saying a lot since I have a limited interest on games and often bounce back and forth on a daily/weekly basis).
Overall: 50/50 = 100%
It's not hard to see why this is perhaps my most favorite game of all time. It simply has it all and puts many a video game to shame. If you like Final Fantasy, pick it up and never turn back to Final Fantasy again. If you don't like Final Fantasy, great, this one knocks those games out of the park. Pick it up now and see what I mean. Good job Square, you have created a masterpiece.
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Bonus Stuff:
Favorite Playable Character(s): All of them but Robo, Lucca, & Marle kick butt at the end
Favorite Boss Battles: Magus, Black Tyrano, Giga Gaia
Favorite Time Zone: Middle Ages
Favorite Music: To Far Away Times, The Trial, Magus' Theme, pretty much all of it.
The Point Where I Was Hooked: The Cathedral with the Hidden Door and Nuns (so pretty early)
Favorite Single Tech: Flare (It's Beautifully Destructive)
Dual Tech: Antipode III (Way Too OverPowered); Volt Bite/Spire (Cool Looking)
Triple Tech: Either Delta Storm or Delta Force (They just look cool)
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