09/26/00

Chrono Cross Review

    Well after what feels like ages of waiting, the sequel to the smash hit Chrono Trigger is finally here. With jaw dropping graphics, eye brow raising music, and just the characters themselves, this one is by far one of SquareSofts best releases of the new millennium. The question that most people are asking today is, can Chrono Cross live up to the greatness of the SNES classic Chrono Trigger? Well I'm sorry to say but I have never played Chrono Trigger but I do know a great deal about the game. From my experience so fair with this game alone I'm sure Chrono Cross is nothing short of a great sequel.

    When people think "RPG" these days they think of difficult systems to balance magic spells and powerful elements. Well CC thought ahead on this one and made the battle system a bit trickier but also a lot easier to master, let me explain. Much like FFVIII's Junction System, CC offers what they call the Element System. This system has six mainly used elements, black, white, red, blue, green, and yellow. What is interesting about this battle system is how these six elements are used. Each element has a opposite, black to white, red to blue, and green to yellow. Knowing these to advance in the game is a must know. Yet CC takes another step forward and makes this system even better. Each character has his or her own Innate Element. This causes different outcomes with different elements. Here's an example, say I use a black element on a white Innative character and a it causes a devastating blow and major hit point loss. Then on my next turn I come out and cast a white element on the same character, this can ether cause a weaker hit or heal that character. The type of element used against a character with a certain Innate Element should be known especially in boss battles. Yet Square doesn't stop there! Not only is there a wide variety of powerful elements through out the game but there is also elements called "Summons." These Elements are very rare but very powerful and can sometimes only be found through defeating a boss. Summons can also be obtained by the method of "Trapping." Trapping is a type of element that can be used to capture an element from a enemy when that enemy attempts to use it on you. Much through out the game setting traps are a benefit to you and your party because it is the easiest way to gather a wide variety of elements and capture the very rare ones. Of course don't think your the only one who can use this. Not only can you use this but also the enemy can set traps on you and your party. This is when you be careful because when this happens you don't know what element they are after, so use only physical attacks. Of course with all these elements how can you use them? Well CC offers something called "Allocating." This is actually the ability to equip certain elements to your elemental grid. Allocating elements is not difficult at all. The computer helps you by offering the advantage of having it allocate the elements for you. This is good if your in a hurry, but it is best to check over your elements and make sure you have exactly what you want. When allocating elements you should notice certain types of elements already allocated in your grid. Well these are not elements but are called "Tech Skills." Tech Skills are very powerful attacks that your character has at his or her advantage. Tech Skills can never be removed so if you like them or not or stuck with them, plus they come in handy at those difficult moments.

    CC has several characters through out the game. Each character has his or her own mission in life and sometimes will automatically join you, or your involved in a huge hour long event. All characters in CC have different roles in the actual game, some greater then others. Certain characters can actually change certain events in the game while others can do absolutely nothing but stand there and annoy you. Your character selection can also have a affect on your battles. Some characters can perform special "Double Tech Skills." These skills are very powerful and can really shorten battles. The problem with these skills is the fact that it is difficult to have two characters in your party attempting to perform this skill with a powerful boss in front of you. Double Tech Skills are useful through out the game but are hard to find because of the vast amount of characters you will have.

    The most interesting part of CC is the story line, and what a story line it is. The story of a game is what makes the game a game. With no story there is no game. Well CC offers what I call a masterpiece. This story is one of the best stories I have ever played! This story just kicks ass. Of course I wont spoil it for you, your just going to have to play the game for yourself. My only advice to is keep these six elements in mind through the game, yellow, red, green, blue, black, and white. Trust me on this one, write these down and store them away in a special place.

    Well most of us here at Game Hits have got something, that is the CC Soundtrack. Now some would ask us why would we purchase this soundtrack? Well my friends, once you hear the game, this will replace any CD that was once your favorite, it happened to me. CC has a FF approach to the music. It has a wide variety from the final battle music to the special heart warming theme on the beach. CC has what most would say "The Best" music on the face of planet Earth, ok maybe I took that a little to fair but I comes close. Once you play this game you will positively fall in love with the music, this I guarantee. There isn't just music in CC though, there is also sound effects. These sound effects are realistic! I never heard such precise sound on a game in my life. When you cut something you can almost feel as if your cutting it! This gave me that special feeling that I was in control!

    Over all Chrono Cross is one of the best games I have ever played. It has that sense of story and game play that is just plain fun. Not only is the game just plain fun but also it gets you involved. Having a sense of a love story and a action packed adventure with neato characters, what more do you need? Well a few things here and there but this game got some pretty high ratings from me, and I'm sure most of you would agree when I say, can SquareSoft get any better then this? If so, imagine that game.

Graphics: 9: Well might I say these graphics take the PSX to the next level. The characters have great anime designs and are animated smoothly and nicely. The element effects and battle scenes are bright and magnificent.

Control: 8: Control over your characters was great and had to be great. In the actual game you have to have complete control over your characters to make those quick decisions and not screw up. Also with the analog function, it makes it easier to run through maps.

Sound: 10+: Trust me, play the game and then realize why I gave it a 10+.

Replay: 9: Chrono Cross has something that most Square games don't have, a option to replay the game and have all your elements, all your characters, and all your..well everything that you had before. This makes it able to make game play faster when you start a new game. After you beat the game, then you have the option to re-beat the game from the very start using the "New Game+." This makes a replay worth doing because not only do you have an extra nine endings but you also have the chance to show the game what your made of!

Over All: 9

                        -Jake-

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