How is it vs Chrono trigger?

[-=THe M@TRiX=- [DK]]

Is it as good, close to or far from?

Loved Chrono trigger btw.

[SuperDarwin]

I don't like the game.
The story is pure trash.

[BlyZeraz]

It's far behind CT in terms of quality. SoS has nice visuals and area design but feels horrible outdated and generic in terms of story, progression (the near complete lack of it there is), and repetitive lackluster combat as there is no depth to the gameplay. Anyone that is saying SoS is better than CT in just about any aspect hasn't played it and it shows because that game still to this day holds up on every level while clearly having been ahead of its time when you put any perspective to how you rate it.

Like I really hate to be so negative but SoS isn't worth its cost and im having trouble having the desire to get through it. CT had me hooked near instantly and never let me go.

[Gold]

The games like a solid 6. You'll end up just wanting to play older rpgs that the game reminds you of. The combat is limiting and the story is passable. There is nothing in the game that makes leveling up feel good, it's just random stat bonuses that you get to choose. If anything its more like a really really really pretty story with puzzle combat. But they could have removed the leveling completely and it would have made no difference in the overall outcome of the game.

Most rpgs I've ever played usually keep giving you stuff to look forward to through the experience, you'll mostly just be chasing the story thread and not much else. The combat from the beginning to the end of the game is pretty much the same.

Play the demo, youll get the best part of the game from that and then you can just move on.

[Dream Mix]

I really loved what I played of Chrono Trigger, but I do find the battle system in this game much more interesting. I'm not sure if I like the characters & dialogue as much as I do in Chrono Trigger. But the battle system & overall world design makes up for it. It's a very beautiful game!

[Dregora]

Messaggio originale di Royal:

The games like a solid 6. You'll end up just wanting to play older rpgs that the game reminds you of. The combat is limiting and the story is passable. There is nothing in the game that makes leveling up feel good, it's just random stat bonuses that you get to choose. If anything its more like a really really really pretty story with puzzle combat. But they could have removed the leveling completely and it would have made no difference in the overall outcome of the game.

Most rpgs I've ever played usually keep giving you stuff to look forward to through the experience, you'll mostly just be chasing the story thread and not much else. The combat from the beginning to the end of the game is pretty much the same.

Play the demo, youll get the best part of the game from that and then you can just move on.

How do other rpg's ever evolve in their combat except giving you a bit more skills? Combat is generally always the same.

At least there's a ton of interaction in it's turn based combat here, which flows really well.

I find your complaints very silly. You could take out leveling out of most older rpg's and the game won't change.

[Army of Optimists]

Messaggio originale di Dregora:

How do other rpg's ever evolve in their combat except giving you a bit more skills? Combat is generally always the same.

At least there's a ton of interaction in it's turn based combat here, which flows really well.

I find your complaints very silly. You could take out leveling out of most older rpg's and the game won't change.

Agreed. I understand that there's a lizardbrain appeal to getting new, bigger toys to play with, but let's be honest, those new toys are often the same thing but with a flashier effect and bigger numbers. In old FF games, Fire 3 is used exactly the same as Fire 1. Even worse, often the new toys are useless filler that you'll rarely cast. How many people used poison in a Final Fantasy game or cast Lucca's Hypnowave in Chrono Trigger?

There are a few duds in this game (Crescent Arc, I see you), but for the most part, your abilities are useful and remain so for the entire game. I feel like that should be celebrated, but JRPG fans tend to be some of the most traditional people in gaming and really dislike when any game isn't at least 90% faithful to the systems used in games from 30 years ago.

[ZexxCrine]

It’s infinitely worse than chrono trigger. Not because it actually is but because people who hold chrono trigger in highest regard have already decided it’s a flawless gem that can never be topped and is a bastion of perfect game design. The real answer for me personally is that I enjoyed the combat more here and enjoyed the characters more in chrono trigger. Chrono trigger definitely has the better story as well. This game looks better than chrono trigger and legitimately if you think otherwise you need to have your nostalgia goggles adjusted. I personally enjoyed the music more in sea of stars but that’s the most subjective thing ever.

[VinylMorpheus]

Messaggio originale di -=THe M@TRiX=- DK:

Is it as good, close to or far from?

Loved Chrono trigger btw.

I would really only criticize the story, characters and writing in general. Unfortunately that’s the most important element to me in a game like this. Visually and mechanically it’s pretty phenomenal. The soundtrack is also pretty legendary. Sadly it’s nowhere near Chrono Trigger in terms of writing. Hell it’s nowhere near The Messenger (devs previous game). The writing in The Messenger was partially why I had such high hopes for this game. Unfortunately it falls far short of its Chrono Trigger comparison. As do 99% of games. But it’s still a very good game. Worth the price but a disappointment to me personally.

[Armitage]

Messaggio originale di Weltall8000:

Messaggio originale di Armitage:

Are you really going to compare SOS's soundtrack to Chrono Triggers? Even though some of the songs are by the same composer, the soundtrack does not come even close. I'll make a poll if you want proof and upload the songs with no names.

While I appreciate that this is subjective, "yes. Yes, I am."

I love the CT OST. I love the SoS score so far too. Multiple areas or scenes I have stopped to sit and appreciate the music without distraction.

A poll doesn't do anything for whether or not this music is great.

Messaggio originale di Armitage:

Exploration? You have many secret items and weapons to get through multiple timelines as well as tabs, and the hidden doors that require the charged up pendant.
SOS barely has any outside of rainbow conch for an ending which adds nothing to the gameplay. And even though it is linear, you aren't railroad from one small map to another. As you can explore portions of the multiple continents.

The level design so far is significantly better in SoS. Areas are densely packed with interesting ways to interact with the environment. Puzzles are fun. Traversing areas that are partially visible or looped back to reward internalizing the space. The visual intrigue of just seeing what's there is also much greater.

Messaggio originale di Armitage:

Customization SOS you can improve your stats upon leveling up, in Chrono there are tabs hidden across the world to improve stats. SOS wins here.

However, Chrono Trigger even though it only has 4 slots for items vs 5, the stat differences have far more impact and way more variety over SOS's items. Because SOS keeps numbers very low, and does not have status effects, or buffs. No haste, poison, berserk, sleep, shell, protect, charm, not one. So no, customization is actually worst.

Chrono has way more abilities with unique properties, it also has a ton more dual and tri-techs which are useful over the 4 abilities per character in SOS. The first combo (dual tech you get does squat for damage) and to make matters worst it only requires a single characters turn to cast it after you build the combo gauge. Easy full party AOE heal that makes long fight throughout early game easy with no risk reward.

Chrono the protagonist alone has a single target and AOE lightning, aoe whirlwind attack, confuse, life, spin cut (massive single target damage), slash that goes across a straight line for when enemies are lined up.

The QTE doesn't make up for the lack of variety because Chrono actually has many situational spells. Nor does absorbing an orb to do magic damage with melee. There are far more creative boss fights in Chrono Trigger over SOS also.

Diverse gear and accessories, selecting the level up bonuses (until apparently max level it all comes to one point (but, during the quest itself, pretty distinct)) and the options for relics to use there are significant options. CT is light on customization, even for its time. And lol at grinding out tabs in multiple NG+ runs for unnecessary way waay beyond end game content to make the case for customization.

Dual tech, Solstice Strike? The point of it is to drop sword and blunt damage (and possibly moon or sun too) and regenerate 3 mana for two characters. It isn't a high damage ability, it is a utility move. And because it only requires one person's turn, I frequently use it with Valere to charge 6 mana for Zale in one round (sometimes vice-versa).

What risk/reward in CT? Use two turns to do an ability? Too strong of an AoE heal? Aura Beam Dual Tech was available early on in CT and was pretty powerful at the point in the game where healing was still kinda necessary. When Frog joins his Heal was pretty much all I ever used. If I actually needed to heal.

Come to think on it, that highlights a bunch of redundancy in CT's abilities.

So, elemental damage single and AoE. Physical AoE. Confuse is straight useless. Life saves an item.

And yet, there is more variety in how I use the abilities in SoS despite having fewer. In CT, I only use Lightning if a target is strong to physical and Lightning is their weakness. Luminaire, I used for quick clearing. Seldomly would I use any other single tech on Crono. And I didn't really ever need to. It was generally Attack ad nauseam. SoS, I am constantly managing my mana and alternating abilities. It is much, much more strategic.

I love CT, but its combat is not what makes it so good.

Not really. CT bosses (and a few others) will have weaknesses that change, usually in an obvious, telegraphed, or even explicitly told to the player in text manner. And SoS has several bosses that change their weaknesses throughout the battle too or have conditional counterattacks, etc.

SoS' combat simply is deeper than CT's.

Messaggio originale di Armitage:

And don't even get me started on the bad grammar and poorly written dialogue.

Still too early to tell with the overarching story, which CT's very well may be better. I don't know yet. Buuuut, for all the complaints about the writing being terrible, it really isn't turning up in game so far. But, it is kinda making me snicker about how much people prop up mid 90s Squaresoft translations.

Messaggio originale di Armitage:

You're either bias as hell, or never played Chrono Trigger before.

Those are some thick rose tinted lenses you've got there.

But, nah, I have played CT through, probably, literally, hundreds of times over the years. And, again, I love it. It is a shame that people can't be honest about things from their pasts and be welcoming of the future. SoS really is celebrating what was and making strides to further this genre and gaming. We should be happy about this, not ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ on it for not being an identical retread and ruthlessly adhering to the old ways.

You're playing this wrong and your approach to this is detrimental to yourself and the community.

Firstly, I wasn't around in the SNES era, so I don't have rose tinted glasses. Secondly, I've only played Chrono twice.

As for the "you only find a few moves useful?" This is about first playthroughs which is everything. Not multiple. Players won't know the match ups, and will most definitely use more than 2 moves. Don't move the goal posts to fit your narrative.

Why did a poster in this thread come in and say it's bland? You're gonna say he's a hater or nostalgia?

But think about the directing and scene to scene set up in the first 8 hours of Chrono.
- go to court and jail
- defeat boss they fall and become part of the bridge
- racing against the biker
- going through a portal and coming out of someone's closet
- going to a ruined future
- seeing the world get destroyed
- frog cutting the cliff open
- reaching the end of time.
And there are many more in the early game.

Same deal with Terranigma.

I'm 8 hours in SOS
- Garl lost eye protecting the group and took the fall
- protagonists both train at facility
- Garl coming out of the bush
- met archivist
- wind tunnel
- 4 guys in cloaks looking suspect
- meeting pirates and arm wrestling

The rock thrown fast travel was phenomenal. That's it. So what else in the first 8 hours made for an unforgettable adventure? What have my glasses prevented me from seeing?

Planescape Torment is considered the king by many in CRPG's. Not just the writing and the story. Along your adventure you will find out your character made a fort with booby traps that kills anyone instantly. Only way to get through it is by dying over and over. There is a wall that can get pregnant. Many unforgettable moments.

We're not welcoming to the future? Shadowrun Dragonfall (not a JRPG but close enough).

I was hyped as hell to play SOS and put down Minstrel song. I never played the original Romancing Sage and was having a blast. That is how much I was looking forward to this game.

As for detrimental to the community. Detrimental are those who are blind to the blatant media shilling this game and BG3 got. Even content creators.

Further this genre and gaming?

Watch a video of Brutal Orchestra if you want to see a creative spin on JRPG combat mechanics. It's a roguelite that gets repetitive fast, so I am not recommending it as those types of games aren't for everyone.

It happens to have a similar, but better implementation of the orbs dropping from the enemies as a resource in combat. A small move set each run, and far more tactical and innovative. That came out 2 years ago.

[anima132000]

I'm not sure why the game is even being compared to CT aside being a JRPG style game with 2d graphics. They're apples an oranges. And frankly CT does go ahead since I do find the characters of SoS to be rather lacking especially in comparison to CT.

[TemmieNeko]

Messaggio originale di Armitage:

Messaggio originale di Weltall8000:

I am about 6 hours into the game and the only aspect that I think:

Visuals, combat, exploration, and customization clearly beats out CT.

Sound is more of a toss up and could go either way. The music in SoS is very good so far.

Story/writing, CT is currently seemingly better. That said, I kinda like the characterizations better in SoS so far.

I wonder if it will have the replayability that CT has. But for a first run, this is really good.

Either way, Sea of Stars is amazing.

Graphics easy win for SOS.

Are you really going to compare SOS's soundtrack to Chrono Triggers? Even though some of the songs are by the same composer, the soundtrack does not come even close. I'll make a poll if you want proof and upload the songs with no names.

Exploration? You have many secret items and weapons to get through multiple timelines as well as tabs, and the hidden doors that require the charged up pendant.
SOS barely has any outside of rainbow conch for an ending which adds nothing to the gameplay. And even though it is linear, you aren't railroad from one small map to another. As you can explore portions of the multiple continents.

Customization SOS you can improve your stats upon leveling up, in Chrono there are tabs hidden across the world to improve stats. SOS wins here.

However, Chrono Trigger even though it only has 4 slots for items vs 5, the stat differences have far more impact and way more variety over SOS's items. Because SOS keeps numbers very low, and does not have status effects, or buffs. No haste, poison, berserk, sleep, shell, protect, charm, not one. So no, customization is actually worst.

Chrono has way more abilities with unique properties, it also has a ton more dual and tri-techs which are useful over the 4 abilities per character in SOS. The first combo (dual tech you get does squat for damage) and to make matters worst it only requires a single characters turn to cast it after you build the combo gauge. Easy full party AOE heal that makes long fight throughout early game easy with no risk reward.

Chrono the protagonist alone has a single target and AOE lightning, aoe whirlwind attack, confuse, life, spin cut (massive single target damage), slash that goes across a straight line for when enemies are lined up.

The QTE doesn't make up for the lack of variety because Chrono actually has many situational spells. Nor does absorbing an orb to do magic damage with melee. There are far more creative boss fights in Chrono Trigger over SOS also.

And don't even get me started on the bad grammar and poorly written dialogue. You're either bias as hell, or never played Chrono Trigger before.

Messaggio originale di -=THe M@TRiX=- DK:

Is it as good, close to or far from?

Loved Chrono trigger btw.

it respects your time much more than CT's time-hopping revisiting same areas to go back and forth to complete ancillary sidequests for sidechatacters you will never use cuz you already got the best 3 ppl when magus joins.

SoS os NOT ct.
that being siad, its fine.
also to the ppl saying the msuci isnt as good and SHOWING PROOF?
frickin opinions lol xD PROOF to a OPINION lol, now ive seen it all.

im glad you enjoy the ct ost.
wjhat oim gonna say is the ost to this game is freekin massive and dwarfs ct's entire file size alone./

[Armitage]

Messaggio originale di TemmieNeko:

Messaggio originale di Armitage:

Messaggio originale di -=THe M@TRiX=- DK:

Is it as good, close to or far from?

Loved Chrono trigger btw.

it respects your time much more than CT's time-hopping revisiting same areas to go back and forth to complete ancillary sidequests for sidechatacters you will never use cuz you already got the best 3 ppl when magus joins.

SoS os NOT ct.
that being siad, its fine.
also to the ppl saying the msuci isnt as good and SHOWING PROOF?
frickin opinions lol xD PROOF to a OPINION lol, now ive seen it all.

im glad you enjoy the ct ost.
wjhat oim gonna say is the ost to this game is freekin massive and dwarfs ct's entire file size alone./

I'm 8 hours in. So yeah, I am basing the soundtrack off of all the early tracks where there are no stand out tracks. If the soundtrack is as good as you say, then they've saved the best for later.

And this is a first for me too. Seeing someone write a sentence, whilst being obvious to what a sentence actually looks like. First time for both of us.

[GrinningRabbit]

Hi, 40 year old gamer here. You know.. someone that has played CT before it was even remastered. First off: to the person that brought up file sizes... you truly cant bring up a comparison of file sizes when the two games into question came from two vastly different times where tech was different.

CT did what it could back in the day.. and its music did the best it could for the tech it had. And when it was remastered they added orchestra and anime cut scenes to it.. which just made it that much better. A big testament to how good it was and how timeless it was.

This is not to say SoS is bad... far from it. This has been a blast from the past in every single way. But will it touch CT with a candle? Let's not kid ourselves.. CT is a timeless classic and will probably never be beaten until someone gets THAT level of inspired again. Remember CT was groundbreaking for its time and many gaming companies weren't as led by investors as much. A lot more risk and better games back then.. despite the worse tech. But i digress.

Again.. this isnt to slap down SoS.. far from it. They have done an amazing job capturing that old school feel and humor in many ways.

Character wise... its pretty decent writing.. but.. they are not going to come close to frog from ct :p... or robo.. or mechanics wise.. to the time traveling stuff.. shall i talk about how many endings ct had? I feel like im beating a horse at this point.

All in all SoS is an amazing game.. but ct is just cut from a lil bit different cloth.

[Suguru]

Whereas CT is still on the display, Sea of Stars is definitely in the front seats.

[Weltall8000]

So that was a whole lot of words to not actually address any of the points being compared.