Chrono Trigger

Chris Egerton blows off the dust for a look at an old classic

Some things never die. And in my eyes, Chrono Trigger for the SNES is one of those things.

A time-travel RPG, Chrono is based upon stopping the "DAY of Lavos". On this day, Lavos, an enormous beast erupted form the earth's crust and destroyed almost all the humans, leaving a small number cowering inside domes. Your character is a red-haired boy from 1000AD, a swordsman, endowed with Lightning magic. Not at this point but later on. After talking to "Mom" you leave for the fair and meet and blonde archer by the name of Marle (Ice), and after heading up to the top of the square to see a demonstration by Lucca, the pistol using third member of your team, (Fire magic), a portal in time is thrown open and Marle is flung into the past which spawns a series of time related adventures.
Throughout the game you travel to many different eras from prehistory to the end of time. In each of these periods you learn more about Lavos and his purpose on Earth. At the end of the game you are confronted with Lavos in the battle to save earth.

The battle system is very simple and is quite easy to understand. Each character has a set list of techniques (techs) that corresponds with the element they are aligned with and as they gain tech points for beating foes they learn them. In order. But is also has a feature that has never been used in any other game. Duel Techs. Two characters both do a move at the same time combing them into a more powerful attack. A very sturdy idea and one that I feel should have been used again.

Chrono Trigger is a very enjoyable gaming experience, which may took me quite a while to clock the first time I went through it. The game has in fact several different endings, and if you do a certain thing in the game you will unlock New Game+, which allows you to start again with all your items, money and levels from a previous game. Quite nifty if you wish to equip everyone with that nice armour that there is only one of.

Final Judgment:
Pros: Time travel
Good battle system
Multiple endings

Cons: A little outdated
Maybe a little simple

Sound: 6/10
Graphics: 8/10
Lastability: 8/10
Story: 9.5/10
Gameplay: 9/10

Score: 93%