Did you know that Chrono Trigger was crafted by Square’s so-called “Dream Team”? Back in ’95, producer Hironobu Sakaguchi, designer Yuji Horii, and artist Akira Toriyama all pooled their talents, while composer Yasunori Mitsuda delivered a soundtrack so unforgettable it would make your dial-up modem hum in harmony.
We just stepped into Guardia Forest, and I’m struck by how enemies move visibly rather than popping out of thin air. It feels like we’re exploring a living world instead of grinding through a random encounter gauntlet.
Absolutely. No more accidental battles every five feet. You can sneak past a group of Reptites if you time it right—especially useful when you’re low on potions and can’t afford a full party wipe.
Speaking of potions, the Active Time Battle system really keeps you on your toes. If you stick with ATB rather than pausing for traditional turn-based action, it adds just enough urgency to every fight without feeling unfair.
And when you unlock double and triple techs, you can literally see Crono and Marle’s swords glow in tandem, or Lucca’s fireball dance into Robo’s laser beam. It’s like watching an anime fireworks show in your living room.
Remember at the Millennial Fair when we first saw Magus’s ominous silhouette? I didn’t know whether to cheer Lucca’s teleporter invention or duck for cover.
That teleport demo went sideways fast. Poor Marle ended up four centuries in the past. I half expected someone to call in through a landline and order a rescue party.
But then we meet Frog, and it turns into this epic quest where you hop across eras—from prehistoric skies in Zeal to the post-apocalyptic ruins of the Year 2300. Each era has its own visual flair and soundtrack motif.
The soundtrack is the real show-stopper. Every time the main theme swells during a boss encounter, I almost drop my controller. Mitsuda really put everything he had into those tracks.
Let’s share some hot tips before we tackle the final boss, Lavos:
- Build up dual and triple techs as soon as possible—Frog and Ayla’s “Triple Kick” in proto-era is a cocktail of power.
- Stockpile Mid Tonics in the Kingdom of Zeal’s shops; they’ll save your hide against Lavos’s magic phases.
- Equip Marle’s Ice Sword when facing fire-based enemies—her healing spells combined with the sword’s bonus give you breathing room.
- Visit the Inn at Chronopolis for a free full heal and MP refill; time-travel perks make every penny count.
Speaking of memorable moments, remember sneaking past Lavos’s crust in the Ocean Palace? We tip-toed around those tentacles, hearts pounding like we were about to miss our Blockbuster rental back in ’95.
And how about Magus’s theme when he first interrupts your party? The sudden orchestral hit sends chills up your spine. It’s narrative theater at its pixel-perfect finest.
Even the small touches—like Robo awkwardly practicing social gestures or Ayla’s prehistoric vocabulary—give each character a distinct personality. It’s like the script was written by your best friend and a bestselling novelist at the same time.
When we finally confront Lavos in his core, the battle phases shift from physical assaults to elemental trials. By the time the final cinematic sweeps across the screen, you’re not just fighting you know—you’re fighting for the fate of every time period you’ve ever visited.
The multiple endings are the cherry on top. If you face Lavos too early, you get a bittersweet “what-if.” But if you finish every side quest and piece together the Epoch parts, that true ending feels like the ultimate triumph.
We’ve put dozens of hours into this quest, and Chrono Trigger still surprises us. It’s a journey across time and emotion, wrapped in a crisp interface and an unforgettable soundtrack. For any RPG fan with a Super Nintendo and a sense of adventure, this is the gold standard.
Here’s to hoping our next New Game+ run reveals that secret Celestial Gate dungeon. I still can’t get enough of this timeless classic.
more info and data about Chrono Trigger provided by mobyGames.com
