Chrono Cross Save File Editor

[Magus]

Hello everyone, fellow players, non players, people who just like passing by.
And also people who liked my editor so I pushed myself out of my lazyness and tried to make something good.
Since my original question has been quickly answered and this thread turned about the editor, I decided to change the title and post here the updates.

Mandatory disclaimer: everything you do with the editor is not my responsibility, make backup copies of your file, and in general don't do anything stupid (like, but not limited to, assigning items or elements to characters who can't use them).
Also I have not tested enough the behavior of the game if you get items you shouldn't have.
As always any feedback is appreciated.

Edited file with names for everything that has no name (items, elements, enemies):
https://mega.nz/file/cKdSCQZI#NW7SK_t9EW8m2CMkZKFRENg8N3zB6Wt8-iVoFQ9AgZQ
It needs to replace the same file in:
<Steam path>\steamapps\common\CHRONO CROSS THE RADICAL DREAMERS EDITION\data\lang.dat


Changes:
0.0.0.6 - 2025-01-12 Trudi (She was my 20+ years old cat. Last year, in this night, she asked to go out for last time, as all animals do, to find a hidden place and die. We never found her again.)
Download: https://mega.nz/file/USMhSKhK#ALF2335w3OXFcTMtOOk5mrmG6NTD0zKmh6T0sJSTE_4
Scan: https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/68ce6c2d0aab05e70d8080e3567ce61efe5c07596191b409eb967f0539990264
-edit saved game language
-custom name edit and a map with all available characters
-Min/Max stats buttons
-fixed an error when saving without full party
-fixed minor details

0.0.0.5 - 2024-11-08 Halloween Rewind
Download: https://mega.nz/file/QHlFUZoC#fZjUhrdj9hqSElseNWmRAIYX3tBm3qM93o-KCba7FBM
Scan: https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/d5b24bcae29e39b216768f3c64d125b7fccd64fb9ec8ead3c86d1d18cec3b00e
-quick fix cause 0.0.0.4 version has a bug in saving routine and won't write the file

0.0.0.4 - 2024-10-19 Halloween Decorations (it's not Halloween yet, but we're placing decorations)
Download: https://mega.nz/file/wKUXkDrI#JrqEo2t5fJMJsxobmlsnVoMTKECjsemB4cUno91gIk8
Scan: https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/3beb3c4929c8e2e336f2e71ca75900413e530d8089ff07ea01ff3a23350dabcd
-updated embedded 7zip
-party edit
-model for all characters (only working models)
-Serge/Lynx form and element
-Pip form and element
-reworked inventory, split items and elements, added all items and elements, even dummy ones
-elements grid: button for fixing character's personal techs
-elements grid: list of active slots, right click for activation
-list of dopplegangs (everything in list, still missing a filter for legit ones)
-fixed minor and major details

0.0.0.3 - 2024-09-07 Old Fair of Donkeys (silly name, but where I live there is a town fair)
Download:
https://mega.nz/file/VSl0SKxJ#3ans5uYIacQl9wxqstSR6Lx_ZZIlSxAU5Ex63KW3_iQ
Scan: https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/a21c01c2c6bd27bb8be6d3a873b32d1497da242e75d34c6bd341f58434c49bb4
**BIG WARNING FOR THIS VERSION**
This version embeds a portable version of 7Zip so some antivirus softwares may detect a false positive. While the 7Zip comes from official site and my code is pretty safe, be aware of this.
**END OF BIG WARNING**
-implemented 7zip for working on zip files (remaster save file)
-reworked load/save functions so the editor now supports remaster save file and single slots (mcs)
-editable basic settings
-new window frames with pictures
-fixed little details here and there

0.0.0.2 - 2024-06-22 Summer Solstice
Download: https://mega.nz/file/BPc0EaKA#r3XMaaJrPhPP73TR_zqJQJ60wy6DJHNX5z1KIZZ0F2g
-reworked elements grid, now it's definitely faster on loading and won't freeze
-new element pictures
-editable inventory for items and elements (also with new pictures)

0.0.0.1 - 2023-12-26 Christmas Preview
Download: https://mega.nz/file/9Kd0wahL#UQljJF7HXe_7kQrkw-ty7YfV5vnIU9-BdayWVenEXMU
-detects used save slots
-displays picture of characters
-editable list of recruited characters
-editable list of owned key items
-editable elements grid for each character
-editable equips for characters
-stats math for preview when changing equips

Big thanks to everyone who showed interest, I really appreciate that.


Here is the original post for those who are interested.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello all fellow players.

First of all let me tell you a little story.
I've played CC on PSX many years ago, something like 20+ years ago. Then later I played it again on emulators.
Back then I achieved quite a lot in the game: all chars with techs, true ending with the Chrono Cross, other endings, many rainbow weapon (or whatever they were called).
Then it happened I grew older so I got interested in editing savegames more than playing the games themselves.
I made some editors since then, but I'll discuss this another time (or you can message me if you wish), and even started to disassemble the datas in the memory card.
After a while I got bored and moved on other RPGs.

Why am I telling you this story? My reasons are very simple. Since the release of the new Steam edition I've been wanting to playing CC again. Also it sparked the interest in furthering the editor once again.

Now, it became evident to all players that the "new version" isn't really a conversion, a remake or anything, it's just the original, with updated graphics and music, running on some kind of emulator.
In the save folder (C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\My Games\CHRONO CROSS THE RADICAL DREAMERS EDITION\Steam\<SomeLongCode>) there are 2 interesting files: config.ini and save.dat There is also a 3rd file, needed for the SteamCloud Sync.
If you rename save.dat into .zip you just get a zip file with 4 files inside: memcard1.mcr, memcard2.mcr, achievement.dat and ext_save.dat .
While I'm not interested in those .dat files (at least for now), I find the .mcr files much more interesting: they have a sospicious name and they have the exact size of memory cards used by emulators. I bet they ARE memory cards.
Now it comes the catch: that zip file is password protected. While I can work my ways on checksums or other type of validation in the savegame files, I'm at loss on zip passwords.
And here is where you may help me: did anyone manage to find the password for that zip yet?
In case you do and you're willing to share, know that I'll really appreciate that.
Thank you all in advance for any hint.

Before people come criticizing or flaming about "cheating is bad", "loser for wanting to cheat", or similar useless statements, I'd like to point out, as explained above, I already achieved my goals with the game, I bought this version cause I like to support the brand, and I just moved on a different way to entertain/challenge my brain with this game.
Thank you for understanding.
Also sorry for typos/mistakes: english is not my motherlanguage and despite being used to be decently good, I guess my brain is also not immune to rust and aging.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[D_sol]

Try 376c671d-da29-44c7-a158-4a18faa5fed0

[Magus]

Thank you, that definitely works and I'm already working on my editor again.
May ask you how you found that?

[D_sol]

Pure happenstance. Saw it posted in the comments section of a mod for upscaled FMVs https://www.nexusmods.com/chronocrosstheradicaldreamersedition/mods/17?tab=posts and remembered seeing this post from the day before. Thought I'd pass it on.

[Magus]

I see.
Thank you again.

[Aeon Zeal]

I hope you made some progress on your editor.

No trainer or CC table works.

[birolay]

Originally posted by D_sol:

Try 376c671d-da29-44c7-a158-4a18faa5fed0

Whoa!

I wonder how they managed to get that.
I'm guessing a password this long would take weeks to crack, or a f'n quantum cpu.

[Magus]

Originally posted by Aeon Zeal:

I hope you made some progress on your editor.

No trainer or CC table works.

Hello there.
I actually did, there are some different offsets but it's still interestng.
I admit I haven't been working on it as much as I wanted to, lately I could barely stare at the screen for an hour before falling asleep.
Thank you for your interest in one of my editors, I'll try and spend more time on it.
Do you have preference on which part I should make first?

[Daily_Lhama]

I played Chrono Cross on emulator pretty much when it came out and still have my save games from back then.
Using the password password from this thread I extracted the save files from this PC port and took what looked like PSX memory cards. I then copied my old saves from the PSX version to this memory card - however nothing seems to be recognized when I start the PC port.

Has anyone else tried reusing PSX saves on the PC version and did anyone suceed in doing this?

[Magus]

The old memory cards are not compatible cause it seems this port is using the japanese version, while you've probably played the US version.
It's another feature I'd like to implement, one day.
Because of many differences in the save, I had to rework some offsets, while I had to start anew on some others, but the process is being very interesting.
Also I've been very lazy on the editor itself, while working on slicing the savefile.
But I'm still going on, a little piece every time.

[IchanDesu]

I wish you or someone else could get us a perfect file with all missable items and all characters recruited for those of us who got it all in psx and just want to enjoy a casual play without worrying of minmaxing or grinding stats

[Magus]

Since it's been a while, I'm glad to say this Halloween has been very productive for me.

Here are some screenshots of the work in progress:
https://imgbox.com/HkaeFLg3
https://imgbox.com/r31DtBPw
https://imgbox.com/LFf04BdF
https://imgbox.com/cY5LLHOs

Of course the interface is still raw, I'll make it look better later.
The part you can see is working and saving correctly.
I have the data for items and elements inventory, but I have to find a visually pleasing and easy-to-use way to show it.

Also I still have to add more options:
-if Serge is himself or in Lynx form
-Pip evolution and element
-change names
-party edit (which is quite useless if you have the Tele-Porter, but it only works in world map, not in dungeons)
-conversion from PSX cards to Steam cards
-more little details here and there

Also I'm having problems working with ZIP files (save.dat IS a ZIP file), so for now we'll have to manually extract and compress the files. I'm gonna fix it sooner or later.

As always if you have any suggestion you're welcome.
Just don't expect any release soon, I just spent the whole Halloween day on it (which I enjoyed) but I'm full with my job again.

[IchanDesu]

Originally posted by Magus:

Since it's been a while, I'm glad to say this Halloween has been very productive for me.

Here are some screenshots of the work in progress:
https://imgbox.com/HkaeFLg3
https://imgbox.com/r31DtBPw
https://imgbox.com/LFf04BdF
https://imgbox.com/cY5LLHOs

Of course the interface is still raw, I'll make it look better later.
The part you can see is working and saving correctly.
I have the data for items and elements inventory, but I have to find a visually pleasing and easy-to-use way to show it.

Also I still have to add more options:
-if Serge is himself or in Lynx form
-Pip evolution and element
-change names
-party edit (which is quite useless if you have the Tele-Porter, but it only works in world map, not in dungeons)
-conversion from PSX cards to Steam cards
-more little details here and there

Also I'm having problems working with ZIP files (save.dat IS a ZIP file), so for now we'll have to manually extract and compress the files. I'm gonna fix it sooner or later.

As always if you have any suggestion you're welcome.
Just don't expect any release soon, I just spent the whole Halloween day on it (which I enjoyed) but I'm full with my job again.

It already looks awesome!
With your current advances and knowsledge, could you create a "perfect file" with all max stats and characters to use to start a new game +?

[Magus]

Thank you.
I still have to find where the save is marked as finished and able to NewGame+.
I had a NewGame+ save, but it was empty, no equips and it only had things that you could bring on in a new game.

And I think the games makes a status reset after the dream part.
So my advice is to start a new regular game, take Serge out of the village as soon as you can, pump the save, keep playing with awesome elements and equips you couldn't have in the beginning of the game. That would be easy enough so you can enjoy the story without worring about the battles.

Still I'll look into it, it's on my list cause I like making things complete. I just don't know when.

[Malmern]

Any updates?

[Magus]

Sorry, I didn't see the notification about the post.
Yes, I have some news, but only few ones, I've been busy with other tools for work and work itself.
I'm trying to make a decent alpha release for Christmas.