Chrono Trigger Review

Written by: Darren Cartledge Posted: 25th February 2009

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Classic roleplaying comes to DS.

Chrono Trigger Details:

	Action
	Nintendo DS
	Square-Enix
	Square-Enix

12+

Out Now

1-2

Chrono Trigger is highly regarded as a classic role-playing-game, ever since its initial release on the Super Nintendo in 1995. The game was also ported to the PlayStation in 1999, but sadly none of these two versions were ever brought to Europe and other PAL territories so fans had to miss out! But, now Square Enix has decided it’s time this classic was available to PAL gamers as Chrono Trigger is ported once again, this time to the Nintendo DS.

The game focuses on the adventures of Crono and his friends, after seeing the demo of a new transportation device malfunction. Crono travels through time to try and make a brighter future for the planet, which faces total doom with the arrival of true evil. Crono and his friends must travel through various eras, hoping to change the course of time for a better future!

Probably the most important aspect of any role-playing game is the story and Chrono Trigger’s will definitely hold your attention and drive you on in your adventure to prevent your worlds impending doom. During your adventures you’ll meet all kinds of interesting characters. Some simply serve to progress the games story, or offer hints and background details. However, as the game is party based, some characters will join Crono in his time travelling exploits. As you would expect each character has different strengths and special abilities that will aid you in your quest. Characters also learn new skills and magical abilities as you move through the game. Chrono Trigger also allows you to equip each member of your party with items that allow you to customise their abilities, enabling you to address any weaknesses in the current party’s selection.

The game focuses quite heavily on combat, but the active system it employs is nothing like the long winded system that many gamers hate about the JRPG genre. Characters are able to perform attacks, use items or spells just as long as their power bar has recharged back to full It’s a good system that allows for more dynamic battles then the standard turn based and somewhat long winded approach of many jRPG’s. The heavy focus on combat can however, at times make the gameplay somewhat repetitive, especially as you can often face the same enemies over and over as you travel around the game world.

The game world it self, is spread across a map with several key areas in which you can visit and these areas are where the story tends to unfold and combat takes place and so on. Paths through these areas is somewhat linear and the opportunity for exploration somewhat limited, although you won’t really mind as you’ll be compelled to drive the games story forward whilst getting your exploration fix from seeing how the world changes as you travel through the different eras you visit.

The game at time does lack a little in challenge as it’s fairly easy to make your characters very powerful in comparison to the enemies you will encounter, especially when you discover how to use magic! Despite this the game will still offer considerable amount playing time. I ran the DSe’s battery down several times during my time playing Chrono Trigger.

The game makes fairly good use of the DS touchpad, which allows you to easily access your characters inventory and combat abilities and so on. The touchpad can also be used to control movement but this tends to be clumsy and inaccurate, so you’re probably better sticking with the d-pad for that.

Chrono Trigger may well be fourteen years old, however this new DS port still serves up a great playing experience thanks to an intriguing story, great party customisation and epic boss battles. Overall a true classic role-playing game!