I really want to play this game but...

[Takasz]

All the reviews are telling me not to do it. Is the game really in such a bad state, even after 2 years? I actually remember buying it during the premiere on steam, but it was a hot mess and I got a refund. Now, some people say that it got updated and the issues with freezing/crashing got fixed, and some say that it's still bad as it used to be. Don't know what should I do

[spy]

The game has fixed freezing and crashing. The game speed is very good now. Most of the bad comments about this were made when it first came out. My general experience;

- I started when it first came out but it froze and was slow in too many battles. I decided to take a break. I played and finished it when the patch came out.

- the biggest problem of the game is that the combat system doesn't work very well. It was supposed to be like the combos made in chrono trigger but it looks completely changed and dysfunctional. for example, you look for situations where you can make combos but there are none. all of them open at the end of the game and beyond. very unnecessary. I haven't used it even once. if you want to buy it for the combat experience, you shouldn't buy it.

- there are too many characters and all of them have different small stories. you can play with 45 characters. all of them have their own special abilities but the combat system ruins it.

- it is a sequel to chrono trigger. so if you like chrono trigger, buy it. I still turn on and listen to the soundtrack. you will experience emotional moments.

[frowningmirror]

I don't really agree with the previous poster and keep in mind, this is my favorite game of all time - I haven't found an interest to play the newer version since I've been running it on the emulator. I wrote the "battle manual" in the guide section.

1. This game is very different from Chrono Trigger unless you keep your eye peeled. There is a massive lore dump that is masterfully written sci fi, but it comes at the very end of the game. People don't like exposition dumps and you won't appreciate the game giving you all this information until new game +

2. The battle system is another thing very different. However, I love it. It's more complicated that Trigger, being the sort of system that is similar to xenogears (made by many of the same people). Unfortunately, they do not tell you how it works outside a very basic tutorial and the game is not very difficult.

3. The art style is very very different. Akira Toriyama did the artwork for Chrono Trigger and Dragon Ball Z, and its very popular. This game is very unique, often changing artstyles and having this very mature look on things. Furthermore, this game views human nature in a much more morally grey light. This might be viewed as more politically preachy

[Tenjou]

I was in the same boat as Spy. The game was a buggy mess when it released. But most if not all the bugs were fixed since its initial release. I've been playing it recently and have encountered no problems.

As for the game itself... while it is not perfect, it is a unique experience unlike any RPG I have ever played, and has an intense level of charm that is rare or missing in most current triple A RPG games.

That being said, if you enjoy a classical organic non-formulaic experience, character-choice party flexibility, and an iconic music score which sparks some iota of emotion, then you will enjoy Chrono Cross.

[Greenshaw]

Game has been fixed. No longer issues with bugs and crashing. Give it a go!

[yoship]

Is this game better experienced after playing Chrono Trigger, or are there just passing references to CT?

[Morão ;*]

It is better after playing Trigger.

[yoship]

Originally posted by Morão *:

It is better after playing Trigger.

Hmm, thank you, maybe I'll hold off then.

[Tenjou]

The developers tried to say that it was a game all to it's own right, but that's clearly not the case. Playing Trigger will definitely help Cross make better sense, kind of.

Chrono Cross is a fairly lore-dense game with its several branching story-line paths and character specific skit triggers. So its difficult to get a full scope of the Cross's story through a single play-through.

[yoship]

Originally posted by Tenjou:

The developers tried to say that it was a game all to it's own right, but that's clearly not the case. Playing Trigger will definitely help Cross make better sense, kind of.

Chrono Cross is a fairly lore-dense game with its several branching story-line paths and character specific skit triggers. So its difficult to get a full scope of the Cross's story through a single play-through.

That was helpful, thank you Tenjou.

[Takasz]

I bought the game, no crashes so far and I'm loving it! It's my first playthrough ever, but I already know that I won't be able to get Leena, which makes me sad, but I don't want to restart the entire savefile. :( Also, I went with Pierre because I liked his design but he seems to be so weak lol

[Tenjou]

I made the same mistake my first playthrough too @Takasz. The sad part is that Rena is one of the strongest Mage characters in the game.

I usually go with Alf (Guile) on my first playthrough. He's considered the best of the three for end game and is an easter egg reference to a very important character from Chrono Trigger.

[Deykkcaos]

as a modder of game, i finally have a good experience in this game to finish it, 4k, texture replacement in characters, background and FMVS uspcaled with quality, reshade, Orchestral BGM, world map and battle with 60 fps...all of this with help of others, this is the better Chrono Cross version if you have time and patience to spend downloading stuff and allocating what you need. Keep in mind this

[ChronicYoshi359]

So i'm posting this as someone who recently bought this, and is experiencing it in it's current state.

I don't know if there is something i'm missing, or what exactly is the issue. But I am experiencing the freezing and crashing issue. It'll happen randomly, and will force me to restart my PC when it happens.

[Hasefrexx]

I just bought it and when I pick a game, all I get is a blackscreen before going back to the launcher. Uninstalled, reinstalled, still having the issue.

[EvilAsh110[ATC!]]

It's a shame reading the responses in this discussion. I loved this game as a kid and when I saw it was coming out on PC I bought it but it was a mess. I decided to shelve it and come back at a later date. I'm back and it still seems broken.