10 December, 2008 | No comments
Chrono Trigger DS Review
Chrono Trigger for the Nintendo DS
Chrono Trigger DS is the DS port of the popular SNES game with the same name. With more content than the SNES version, if you were one of the many fans of the original (or the 1999 Playstation port), this is definitely worth your time. If you've played the original, there isn't too much of a difference here. This doesn't change the fact that it's a spectacular game, but you have to remember: this isn't a sequel, it's a port. Actually, it's more of a re-release than a port but that's just because of some added content.
A Remarkable Comeback
In the thirteen years since the original game released on the SNES, there has been somewhat of a cult following for Chrono Trigger. Not quite as strong a cult following for some other SNES/NES games, but it's still one of the better known classics. Many are calling this the definitive edition of Chrono Trigger, since it has more content and faster loading than the Playstation re-release. This makes this version of Chrono Trigger the best released version to date (although, there are some people so loyal to their classic gaming roots that they won't even begin to believe this is true). Whether we can expect another re-release or not is unknown as of now, but it looks like this might be it.
One thing that many players loved about the Playstation version was the videos, which you can still watch in the DS version, and that is definitely an excellent feature. The battle system in Chrono Trigger is still very fun. It's not incredibly involved, but it gets the job done and it gets it done well. The story is truly unbelievable. Even if the gameplay weren't as awesome as it is, people would still have played through this game just to experience the story. Not to mention that there are 14 possible endings, so the replay value of this game is definitely up there.
Excellent Story, Excellent Gameplay - A Great Overall Experience
Even after thirteen years, this game still sits near the top of the list of the greatest RPGs of all time. The character development in this game is great, and neither that nor the story gets in the way of the gameplay and the overall experience. Chrono Trigger is still one of the only games out there which will get to you, emotionally. The story is so well-woven that it's hard not to feel anything for the characters.
One of the great things about Chrono Trigger is that, if you don't want to fight, you don't have to. You can skip most of the fights in the game, unlike other RPGs. So if you're out to get something done and don't feel like being bothered, just skip any battles you may encounter on your way and you're all set. That's one thing that bothers people with some other RPGs: they can’t just play the way they want to and they can’t make their own decisions. The ability to skip battles gives you more of an open-world feeling.
The menu system is re-designed to be more user-friendly and make good use of the touch screen. Your stylus will actually come in handy with this game, so dig it up out of the couch cushions and put it in its compartment. Whether you're a long-time fan of the game or have never heard about it in your entire life, this is an absolute must-play. The dated graphics bring a sense of classic gaming to the table, but may turn some people away. Regardless, they definitely bring up some nostalgia for long-time players.
Nothing Can Be Perfect
The multiplayer aspect of this game was a little disappointing. They should have added some sort of WiFi-enabled gameplay in order to let you play with friends from long and far, but we've only got the option of local multiplayer. And the local multiplayer feature doesn't even live up to what people would expect. With such an epic game, one would really expected Squre Enix to reinvent the wheel with something when it comes to the multiplayer component of this game, but it's all pretty standard.
That's not to say it's not a fantastic game, not by a long shot. Anybody who doesn't get their hands on this or an earlier version of Chrono Trigger is really missing out on a genuinely good story and amazing gameplay, but it's really nothing all that new on the multiplayer front.
RPG Fans, What Are You Waiting For?
All in all, Chrono Trigger DS is a pretty unchanged game from the original, with a few added elements but, altogether, it's a very similar experience. That doesn't mean that it's not great: quite the opposite actually, since it has that certain something which a lot of other new games on the market don’t even come close to. Chrono Trigger for the SNES was one of the best games of its time and it's still a great game today.
The multiplayer experience isn't quite what most people were expecting, but it's still nice to be able to play with a friend. The overall favorite of this game is definitely, by far, the battle system. It's a lot of fun and represents an experience which makes this game a must-buy for any RPG fan.