Chrono Cross Completion

Chrono Cross: All party members at their earliest recruitment point, all level 7 Tech, all of the Frames, all endings, 19 Rainbow Shells, cheating at the Mini-games, all optional achievements and optional bosses.

Radical Dreamers: A walkthrough of every choice along with a map of the manor.

Spoilers. Obviously...

Introduction

Chrono Cross

There are three major choices you will make in this game which will lock some party members from being recruited on the current playthrough.

Do note this guide assumes you Saved Kid during branch 3 as the opposite would mean you get the Astral Amulet at a later point which breaks the order of my guide and is also a ♥♥♥♥♥♥ decision to make even if the game tries to justify it after you picked it to re contextualize what it meant, so... you are on your own for any discrepancies if you abandoned Kid :)

Branch 1: Travelling with Kid.
Accept: Kid.
Reject: Leena, Kid.
Availability: Upon your first visit to Another World's Cape Howl for the first time.

Branch 2: Choosing a guide.
Guile.
Pierre.
Nikki.
Availability: After talking to the man polishing the statue in Termina.

Branch 3: Save Kid or be an ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥.
Save Kid: Korcha, Razzly, Mel, Kid.
Be an ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: Glenn, Macha, Doc, Kid.
Availability: After the events in Viper Manor.

The real question you should be asking yourself is why this matters? You see, it really doesn't... but for those who wish to get all party members on as few playthroughs as possible essentially you can play the game normally/blind the first time, then get any ending while Harle is still in your party for your second run, and then go for completion on the third one, but more on that later...

Do note Harle will only become a permanent party member close to the end of the third run when you use the Chrono Cross, assuming you did things correctly.

TL;DR: If you want to be lazy on your first run just make sure to get all branch exclusive party members, and the respective Frame during Branch 3, then a second early ending lazy run making sure to end it while Harle is still a party member and then a completion run where you get everyone back.

We will cover this in the "Achievements" section of this guide.

Radical Dreamers

Covers my choices to reach the ending and also a map for you to have an easier time navigating the manor.

Self esteem booster

Remember to give it a thumbs up and favorite if it helped you, I need the 5 Stars for self validation :)

Chrono Cross #################

Home World 01

Arni Village

Availability: After the starting dungeon.

• Party (Serge): You start the game as Serge.
  
• Ending 1:The Developers' Room
  During New Game+ defeat the Time Devourer before talking to anyone after waking up.
  
• Requirement (Poshul): Get Heckran Bone from under the bed of the restaurant to the right of your house.
  
• Party (Poshul): Give Poshul the Heckran Bone.
  Note: When you have to "Give" an item this is done with a different button from the one used for dialogue, press X (Xbox) to open the item list and select the item you want.
  
• Requirement (Mojoy): Get Shark Tooth from the basement on the house to the left of the restaurant.
  
• Frame (Shellfish): Interact with the shop of the Element vendor.

=====================================================

Opassa Beach

Availability: After defeating Mama Komodo.

• Tech Requirement (Leena): When talking to Leena choose "I Remember" then "We'll never forget this day".

Another World 01 | Branch 1

Cape Howl

Branch 1 - Travelling with Kid

Availability: Upon your first visit to Another World's Cape Howl for the first time.

Accept
Choose "Travel Together", "Fine, let's go" or "Sure, let's go".

• Party (Kid): Kid joins your party without a fancy recruitment message.

Reject
Refuse three times by choosing "Refuse", "......" and "No thanks".

• Party (Leena): Leena joins your party when talking to her in Another World's Arni Village.
  
• Party (Kid): Kid joins your party shortly after arriving at Another World's Termina.

Note: Yes, there is no point in accepting Kid other than the extra time alone with her.

=====================================================

Arni Village

Availability: Shortly after the events in Another World's Cape Howl.

• Branch Party (Leena): Leena joins your party when talking to her in Another World's Arni Village.
  
• Party (Mojo): Go to the room where you got the Shark Tooth and show it to the Fisherman then attempt to leave.

=====================================================

Hydra Marshes

Availability: As soon as you leave Another World's Arni Village.

• Requirement (NeoFio & Skelly): Get the Safety Gear from the Captain.

=====================================================

Fossil Valley

Availability: As soon as you leave Another World's Arni Village.

• Requirement (Skelly): Tell the man by the ladder you are exorcists then agree to help the Skeleton Head to get the Heavy Skull.
  
• Requirement (Draggy): Steal the Big Egg by taking the path downstairs to the Southwest of where you agreed to help Skelly, ignore the soldier's warnings when going down.

Another World 01 | Branch 2

Termina

Availability: After passing through Another World's Fossil Valley.

• Branch Party (Kid): Talk to the man polishing the statue after Kid leaves, she will come back for you to finally accept her into the party.
  
• Frame (Tea For Three): Speak to the NPC hiding behind the house to the left of the statue.
  
• Ending 2:The Acacian Empire
  During New Game+ defeat the Time Devourer before getting a guide during Branch 2.

Branch 2 - Choosing a guide

Availability: After talking to the man polishing the statue, where Kid would once more ask to join the party if you did not recruit her during the first branch.

IMPORTANT: For NG+ you can return the Hero's Medal to Pierre and take someone else as a guide, this will make it so he has the medal equipped when we call back all our party members form previous runs.
Credit goes to @Zeal for this tip.

Guile

• Party (Guile): Talk to him inside the bar and ask for his help.

Pierre

• Item (Hero's Medal): When starting the second Branch talk to the Blacksmith (Zappa) on his workshop, then to the Mysterious Swordsman (Pierre) on the room below, then talk to the kid running around just outside the Smithy's workshop. Go back to Pierre and return his Medal, then accept to go with him.
  
• Party (Pierre): Give Pierre the Hero's Medal.

Nikki

• Party (Nikki): Enter the large ship on the west of Termina and talk to the man on the first room you can enter, then accept Miki's offer. Leave Termina and enter the Shadow Forest to the east, then find and follow a man trying to play music to a monster, after a fight he will go inside a cave behind a waterfall. Once you talk to him inside the cave your consent is no longer relevant.

Note: Yes, this branch having three choices is the only reason you need to do an entire third playthrough.

=====================================================

Shadow Forest

Availability: This will depend on the choice you made on the second branch.
If you chose Nikki then you have already accessed this area and the cave where you need to go.
If you chose anyone else this area will be accessible when you return to Termina for the first time after the events in Viper Manor.

• Requirement (Skelly): Go to the cave behind the waterfall at the west of the Forest where the giant plant is and examine the letter, then pick up the Angry Scapula.
  
• Frame (Skullduggery): Grab the Aroma Pouch from the chest to the left of the letter and use it to grab an aroma outside to attract the red monster from the entrance of the Forest back to the big monster blocking the way to the left of the cave, after it shrinks you will receive the frame.

=====================================================

Viper Manor

Availability: After the events in Viper Manor.

• Achievement: Shortly after switching to night time there will be a barn full of dragons and an old lady who will introduce you to the Dragon Feeding Minigame, feed 100 dragons.
  Note: If you want to learn how to cheat refer to the "Mini-game cheating" section of this guide.
  
• Requirement (Pip & Luccia): Take a right on the room where you disguised yourself as an Acacia Private and interact with the two guards who will ask for a password (Say nothing if you want to avoid the fight), then inspect the Silver Pendant on the wall to be dropped on a cage. After a fight interact with Pip and open his cage then talk to Luccia on your way out.
  
• Gear (Pierre): Grab the Hero's Shield on the room where the Silver Pendant was.
  
• Item (Revive): Grab it in the barracks next to the kitchen (the room where Glenn writes the code on the wall) in a brown chest.

Another World 01 | Branch 3

Guldove

Availability: After the events in Viper Manor.

• Requirement (Skelly): After the Branch choice talk to the Element Trader NPC next to Korcha by the docks and leave after you can choose the Trade option, accept to fulfill their request to get the Pelvic Bone piece.
  
• Requirement (Skelly & NeoFio): Enter the bar to watch a scene between Orlha and Doc, go talk to the Shaman Direa and Steena, then interact with the dwarf in the bar to receive the Green Tinkler.
  
• Branch Frame (Tropical Paradise): After deciding to abandon Kid go talk to Korcha at his house, his mom will eventually show up and give you the frame.

Branch 3 - Saving Kid

Availability: After the events in Viper Manor.

Save Kid
When Korcha asks whatCHA gonna do select "Find a way to save her".

• Party (Korcha): Temporarily joins shortly after the branch begins, then permanently later on.
  
• Party (Razzly): You need to save her before defeating the Hydra in Home World's Hydra Marshes.
  
• Party (Kid): She will join automatically after delivering the Hydra Humour.
  
• Party (Mel): Revisit Another World's Guldove with Kid on your party once you get the boat.

Be an ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
When Korcha asks whatCHA gonna do select "...I don't know" like an ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥.

• Party (Glenn): Shortly after you return to Another World's Termina.
  
• Party (Macha): After recruiting Glenn at Another World's Termina.
  
• Party (Doc): After clearing Another World's S.S. Invincible but before completing Another World's Mount Pyre.
  
• Party (Kid): After clearing Another World's S.S. Invincible but before completing Another World's Mount Pyre.

Note: Again, it matters very little what you choose in terms of Kid rejoining you.

=====================================================

Termina

Availability: After returning from Guldove.

• Branch Party (Korcha): He will join you temporarily shortly after arriving in Termina.
  
• Party (Greco): Head to where Glenn was praying with Riddel earlier on the East side of Termina and talk to Greco and follow him into his house, then accept for him to help you.
  
• Branch Party (Glenn): Find Glenn in the entrance of Termina then go back to speak with Macha at the boat and let Glenn join you when asked.
  
• Branch Party (Macha): Allow her to join you shortly after Glenn.x

=====================================================

Shadow Forest

Availability: After returning from Guldove.
If you did not chose Nikki on Branch 2 this area will be accessible when you return to Termina for the first time after the events in Viper Manor.

• Requirement (Skelly): Go to the cave behind the waterfall at the west of the Forest where the giant plant is and examine the letter, then pick up the Angry Scapula.
  
• Frame (Skullduggery): Grab the Aroma Pouch from the chest to the left of the letter and use it to grab an aroma outside to attract the red monster from the entrance of the Forest back to the big monster blocking the way to the left of the cave, after it shrinks you will receive the frame.

=====================================================

Hydra Marshes

Availability: After returning from Guldove.

• Requirement (NeoFio): Use the Green Tinkler on the vines that slap you to open a new path, then fight the two goblins by the chest and loot the content inside for the Life Sparkle.
  
• Requirement (Skelly): Inside a green lit hole to the left of a chest roughly south of where we picked up the Life Sparkle, the party will make a comment that there is something on the ground, which is the Good Backbone.

=====================================================

Viper Manor

Availability: After returning from Guldove.

• Party (NeoFio): Go back to the balcony where you had your confrontation with Lynx earlier, talk to Luccia and use the Life Sparkle on the flower.
  
• Party (Luccia): Return to Luccia's lab and talk to her.
  
• Extra: Head back to the library where you fought the little girl deva and interact with the secret passage behind the old man's desk. This will take you to a room with Chrono Trigger fanservice and a name changer.
  
• Frame (Porre's Furnace): Speak with the name changer NPC for the first time to receive the frame.

Home World 02

Hydra Marshes

Availability: Upon returning to the Home World.

• Branch Party (Razzly): Before defeating the Hydra follow the "spirit" you will see when exploring the Marshes, then defeat Beeba to get the Beeba Flute, which you can use to call the Wingapede. Defeat it and then allow yourself to fall underground to release the Caged Fairy.
  
• Branch Tech Requirement (Razzly): Do not bring Razzly with you during your fight with the Hydra.
  Ending 3:The Magical Dreamers
  During New Game+ defeat the Time Devourer before completing Another World's Fort Dragonia while having recruited Nikki and Razzly to your party.

Another World 02

Guldove

Availability: Once you have the Astral Amulet.

• Item (@Rainbow Shell):
  
  1. Another World: Talk to the girl in front of the cook and she will mention her poems.
     
  2. Home World: Talk to the same girl to receive her Book of Poems.
     
  3. Another World: Show her the book from her other self to receive the shell.
• Ending 4:The Shop Staff and the Three Unlikely Heroes
  During New Game+ defeat the Time Devourer before Kid recovers during Branch 3.

=====================================================

Guldove

Availability: Once you get the Hydra Humour in Home World's Hydra Marshes.

• Branch Requirement (Mel): Once Kid wakes up and realizes her Elements are gone choose "You need those Elements" and then "No, let's go after Mel".
  
• Branch Party (Kid): By the point Mel is captured and the Elements returned you will realize Kid joined your party without a fancy recruitment message :(

=====================================================

Termina

Availability: After saving Kid.

• Branch Party (Korcha): After talking to Glenn at the entrance of Termina go back to the boat and talk to Korcha. This is when he joins permanently.
  
• Item Requirement (@Rainbow Shell): Speak to the churro merchant and tell him 100G is too much, then recommend 60G and he will accept. Head back to the house to the right of the statue and watch your suggestion pay off.

=====================================================

Hermit's Hideaway

Availability: After getting the boat.

• Optional Boss: Upon arriving you will meet Harle for a quick fight.
  Note: Make sure to get the MoonGlasses from her as either a rare drop or a rare steal.

=====================================================

Guldove

Availability: After you get the boat.

• Frame (Guldovian Stitch): Speak with Mel with Kid in your party to receive it.
  
• Branch Party (Mel): She comes bundled with the Frame.
  
• Extra: If you sent Korcha swimming back home in Termina, you need to formally recruit him in his house.

=====================================================

Water Dragon Isle

Availability: After you get the boat.
South of Arni Village.

• Requirement (Skelly): Speak to the man at the top right of the first area of the Island, he will give you the Sturdy Ribs for free.

=====================================================

Isle of the Damned

Availability: After you get the boat.
Spikey-looking island East of Viper Manor.

• Requirement (Skelly): Grab the Mixed Bones from the hole at the top left side of the first area of the Island.

=====================================================

Termina

Availability: After you get the boat.
After reuniting all parts of Skelly we will go back to Termina one more time for a touching reunion.

• Party (Skelly): Enter the house to the right of the statue at the top of Termina, speak to the lady in the pink clothes to reunite Skelly with his grandma, leave then re-enter the room and ask Skelly to help you.

=====================================================

S.S. Invincible

Availability: After you get the boat, head into the fog.

• Party (Pip): Shortly after you get the Key you will find this Pokemon lying around, chase him a bit until he decides to tag along.

=====================================================

Guldove

Availability: After clearing the S.S. Invincible.
Recruit both party members below before completing Mount Pyre.

• Branch Party (Doc): Talk to Doc on his house for him to automatically join.
  
• Branch Party (Kid): Also joins you shortly after Doc.
  
• Ending 4:The Shop Staff and the Three Unlikely Heroes
  During New Game+ defeat the Time Devourer before Kid recovers during Branch 3.
  Note: I got this ending shortly after Kid recovered on her own after choosing to be an ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ to her in Branch 3.

Home World 03

Water Dragon Isle

Availability: After the fights inside Another World's S.S. Invincible.
You need to speak with the NPC at Arni Village to be taken here by boat.

• Branch Tech Requirement (Razzly): Do not bring Razzly with you, also make sure to fight as many dwarves as possible to waste time. After fighting the boss make sure Rosetta is dead.

Another World 03

Hermit's Hideout

Availability: After you get Ice Breath.

• Requirement (Turnip): Use Ice Breath on the small gray patch where the a message states the ground is hot.

Point of no return: Fort Dragonia

After completing the events in Fort Dragonia several areas and all your party members will not be available for a while.

Additionally, looking at any screenshot from this point onwards can be even more of a spoiler if you have not completed the Fort. You have been warned.

Also, while we are here, these are the solutions to each puzzle room in the Fort:

• Northwest:
  You will find three chest pairs you need to open/close in specific combinations (from left to right).
  Pair 1: Closed, Open.
  Pair 2: Closed, Open.
  Pair 3: Closed, Open.
  
• Southwest:
  You need to arrange your party in a specific order by using both the special pad on the ground and the Select button on your controller.
  Head Body Tail: Activate the blue switch to bring down the stairs.
  Tail Body Head: Go up the stairs and interact with the switch to bring down the crystal.
  
• Northeast:
  Just a maze, I am only listing the route to take where there are branches.
  Take a left upstairs as soon as you can and into the next screen, then continue the path.
  Go up and upstairs into the next screen.
  Again up upstairs into the next screen.
  
• Southeast:
  The dragon statue will drop you in the direction you chose.
  Drop South.

Temporal Vortex

Availability: After the events of Fort Dragonia.

• Party (Sprigg): Interact with the branch close to your starting location to make fruit drop. Then sneak into Sprigg's house while she is picking the fruit up, attempt to leave after resting and she will join you.
  
• Party (Harle): Enter the top house and follow Serge's path three times. Harle will join shortly after.
  
• Item (Revive): Make sure to grab it before you leave.

Home World 04 | Part 01

Opassa Beach

Availability: After returning to the real world and attempting to use the Astral Amulet in Opassa Beach.

• Ending 5:The Rebirth of Marbule
  During New Game+ defeat the Time Devourer before rescuing Riddel.
  
• Party (Radius): Talk to your mother and defeat Radius in battle.

=====================================================

Fossil Valley

Availability: After the events in Arni Village.

• Frame (Infrared Vision): Open the chest to the left of the big skull where Skelly's head would be in Another World.

=====================================================

Termina

Availability: After the events in Arni Village.

• Party (Zappa): Take Radius with you to speak to the blacksmith and let him join you.
  
• Party (Van): Go to the house North from the blacksmith's shop, talk to Van's dad and then to Van to hire him, after some dialogue tell the lady you are serious.

=====================================================

Viper Manor

Availability: After the guard in Termina tells you to report to Viper Manor.

• Party (Norris): Enter the well to the South of the Manor and take a left through the small tunnel, then navigate it until you reach the prison cells, speak to Norris in the room at the end of the hallway.
  
• Party (Funguy): Enter the well again and go South, now you will see one of two things depending on your actions in Another World regarding a boulder in this area.
  
  • If you rolled the boulder: Talk to the kid and inspect the wall on the right side to make a bug jump and a man pop out.
    
  • If you did not roll the boulder: The kid will be next to a Wraith who is attacking his father, kill it.
  Regardless of the path you should receive a Mushroom by the end of it. Continue down from here and eventually you will arrive at the Shadow Forest, head to the waterfall cave where the Skelly piece was and accept to trade your Mushroom for the man's treasure.

=====================================================

Fort Dragonia

Availability: After you get the boat.
Slightly Southeast of Termina. You should know this location already from your time in Another World.

• Party (Draggy): Activate the four pillars again to open the path to the elevator, then go down the same and place the Big Egg in the incubator. Agree to help Draggy find his parents.
  Note: Refer to "Point of no return: Fort Dragonia" again if you want to be reminded of the solutions (aka: if you want to cheat).

=====================================================

El Nido Triangle

Availability: After you get the boat.
South of Water Dragon Isle.

• Requirement (Starky): Go downstairs on the north part of the screen, then open the chest in the middle which contains the Star Fragment.

=====================================================

Sky Dragon Isle

Availability: After you get the boat.
Croissant-looking island south of Guldove.

• Party (Starky): Go upstairs on the Northwest part of the screen, then open the chest in the middle which contains... nothing. Fight Mega-Starky and then catch Starky for him to join.
  
• Frame (Our Favorite Martian): Reload the area where you fought Mega-Starky and talk to the guy on the left side to receive the frame.

=====================================================

Marbule

Availability: After you get the boat.
East of Water Dragon Isle.

• Requirement (Irenes): Speak with The Great Explorer Toma and then sleep on the first house you see when entering Marbule, choose to "Check it out" when you start hearing voices and approach the creature on the small bridge. On your way out of Marbule Irenes will talk to you regarding the S.S. Zelbess.

=====================================================

S.S.Zelbess

Availability: After you get the boat.
Ships west of Hermit's Hidaway.

• Requirement (Irenes): Find the captain's quarters and watch Irenes and Fargo talk about the past.

Home World 04 | Part 02

S.S. Zelbess

Availability: After spending the night in Marbule.

• Frame (Monster Mouth): While turned into a cat go into the Kitchen through the cat sized passage and loot the chest for Frypan Ag47, then speak to the cat for the Monster Mouth.
  
• Item (@Rainbow Shell) & Achievement: Earn over 10,000 points while gambling after beating Fargo at the roulette, go to the end of this section to learn how to cheat.
  Note: If you want to learn how to cheat refer to the "Mini-game cheating" section of this guide.
  
• Party (Janice): Enter the Grand Slam area and talk to the man with the Afro to challenge Janice, beat her three times in a row and she will ask to join you as you are leaving.
  Note: If you want to learn how to recruit monsters to have an easier time defeating her refer to the "Recruiting Monsters" section of this guide.
  

  Originally posted by Lust:

  Janice can be easily beaten using Sprigg's base monster list with effective use of the black creatures like Wraith and Crossbones to instant ko the tougher monsters but it requires luck. Just collect a couple op ones by killing them with Sprigg like the minotaur's in the volcano or the fosslickers in the Earth Dragon Isle. Airframes in the Isle of the Damned also work extremely well for this, all three can be gotten super easy before going on the boat for the cat/Irenes section.

• Achievement: Completing the Grand Slam will also earn you an achievement.
  Note: Most likely you wont be getting her at this point so you may want to recruit more monsters and come back later unless you don't mind using the Remaster's combat cheat and waiting forever to win.
  
• Party (Sneff): After beating the Sage go back to the Casino to see Sneff on a winning streak, then go to the prep room where he turned you back and have him join your party.
  
• Party (Irenes) After Nikki invites you to his ship go board the Magical Dreamers and agree to help Nikki free Marbule. Once everyone leaves accept Irenes' help.

=====================================================

Bend of Time

Availability: After you get the boat, however it more or less only matters after the S.S. Zelbess.
This "hidden" Chrono Trigger reference is the small island to the Northwest of Marbule.

• Tech (Janice): Speak to the creature below the Lamp Post with Janice in your party to earn What's Up Doc?.

=====================================================

Tower of Geddon

Availability: After the events in Isle of the Damned.

• Branch Tech Requirement (Doc): On the second floor enter the door to the right, then talk to the yellow creature to the right of the stairs, follow it until it vanishes and interact just where the sign is blocking your view to get the Station Pass, use it on the upper part of this room and leave through the left side to loot the chest containing the Medical Book.
  
• Gear Requirement (Pierre): Grab the Prop Sword at the stage.

Another World 04

Arni Village

Availability: After the events in The Dead Sea.

• Item (@Rainbow Shell): Raid the cart of the Element merchant now that she is not there to stop you.

=====================================================

Hydra Marshes

Availability: After the events in The Dead Sea.

• Tech (Steena): Go to the location where we opened a hole to save Razzly in Home World and descend on this new hole. Beat the boss to earn the tech Hydra's Shadow.

=====================================================

Fossil Valley

Availability: After the events in The Dead Sea.

• Tech (Draggy): Take Draggy with you to the location where we grabbed Skelly's Heavy Skull to get Big Breath.

=====================================================

Termina

Availability: After the events in The Dead Sea.

• Party (Karsh or Zoah): Head inside the bar and through the hidden passage, after some dialogue you will be able to choose between Karsh or Zoah.
  
  Note: This is not a branch, as you will get the other one later in Another World's S.S. Invincible. On the same note, choosing Zoah will save some time.

=====================================================

Viper Manor

Availability: After visiting Termina.

• Tech (Zoah): Go inside the Manor and up to Zoah's room with him as party leader, then open the chest to get Toss & Spike.
  
• Party (Orcha): Will join automatically while saving Riddel.
  
• Party (Grobyc): Will join automatically after the stampede during your escape.
  
• Tech (Norris): Go inside the Manor again with Norris in your party and speak to Another World's Norris in the same room he was before to receive Top Shot.
  
• Item (@Rainbow Shell) & Gear (Viper): Solve the "secret" puzzle by following these steps:
  
  1. Head to the top of the manor and inside the room where you fought Lynx some time ago.
     
  2. Open the secret door by interacting with the Statue.
     
  3. Read the note on the desk inside the secret room.
     
  4. Head back to the room with the snake statues on the right side of the Manor basement.
     
  5. Take the Decor Shield from the wall.
     
  6. Put the Decor Shield on the armor without a shield.
     
  7. Move the Snake Statue against the wall to match the other one.
     
  8. Interact with the pillar on the Northwest corner of the room and push the switch.
     
  9. Enter the secret room that opened before and grab the @Rainbow Shell and Viper's Venom.
• Ending 6:The Last Stand
  During New Game+ defeat the Time Devourer before visiting Hermit's Hideaway shortly after rescuing Riddel.

Home World 05

Arni Village

Availability: After rescuing Riddel in Another World's Viper Manor.

• Tech (Orcha): Take Orcha with you and speak to the cook at the restaurant to receive Dinner Guest.

=====================================================

Shadow Forest

Availability: After rescuing Riddel in Another World's Viper Manor.

• Tech (Funguy): Take Funguy with you and speak with the little mushroom inside the cave where you recruited him to receive Myconoids.

Extra: Apparently everyone is Serge nowadays.

=====================================================

Anywhere

This is just a reminder, if you care about achievements and have not done so already, get into a fight and use Harle's unique level 7 tech, Lunairetic.

Another World 05

Marbule

Availability: After rescuing Riddel in Another World's Viper Manor.

• Frame (Valencian Cloth): Speak with the blue npc at the entrance of the town with a party composed of three Demi-humans.

=====================================================

Hermit's Hideaway

Availability: After rescuing Riddel in Another World's Viper Manor.

• Party (Riddel): She will join automatically after the events inside the burnt tree.

=====================================================

S.S. Invincible

Availability: After the events in Another World's Hermit's Hideaway.

• Party (Viper, Fargo, Marcy and Karsh or Zoah): Go below the decks for them all to join you one after the other.
  Note: In the case of Karsh and Zoah, the one who joins will obviously be the one you did not pick at Another World's Termina.
  
• Ending 8:The Dark Fate
  During New Game+ defeat the Time Devourer before defeating FATE in Chronopolis.

=====================================================

Viper Manor

Availability: Once you are separated from Harle.

• Tech (Zoah): Go inside the Manor and up to Zoah's room with him as party leader, then open the chest to get Toss & Spike.
  Note: This is a reminder in case you had chosen Karsh before, you may also need to bring Norris for them to open the gate for you.

=====================================================

Isle of the Damned

Availability: Once you are separated from Harle.

• Tech (Karsh): Bring Karsh to where Garai's grave would be in Home World, then defeat Solt and Peppor to receive Axiomatic.
  Note: Make sure to steal from this boss fight for the Forget-me-not-pot accessory if you care about monster recruitment.
  
• Item Requirement (Mastermune): Defeating Solt and Peppor also gives you the Key Item Memento Pendant, which we can use for an optional boss fight.

=====================================================

Guldove

Availability: Once you are separated from Harle.

• Requirement (Orlha): Defeat her and then receive the Sapphire Brooch shortly after some dialogue.

Home World 06 | Part 01

Forbidden Island

Availability: After getting the Memento Pendant in Another World's Isle of the Damned.
Small island with smoke coming out of it located to the East of Viper Manor.

• Item (Mastermune): Add Riddel to your party and head inside to defeat the boss and earn the weapon.
  
• Tech (Snake Fangs): Automatically shortly after getting the Mastermune.
  
• Ending 7:The Viper Orphanage
  During New Game+ defeat the Time Devourer before defeating FATE in Chronopolis while having the Mastermune in your possession.

=====================================================

S.S. Zelbess

Availability: Once you are back from Another World's Sea of Eden and separated from Harle.

• Tech (Fargo): Take Fargo with you to have a peaceful and polite conversation with Home World's Fargo, by the end of the spectacle you will get the Invincible.
  
• Party (Miki): After liberating Marbule go to Zelbess' Restaurant and have her join your party.

Dragon's Blessing

From this point onwards the story will take you Dragon slaying. These can be found across both worlds.

I would recommend to start with the Green Dragon as it will allow us to recruit a party member, aside from that do any order you want and slay the Black Dragon last.

Here's an alternative for those that are really into Miki, user Lust offers an alternative order:

Originally posted by Lust:

It's better to save Marbule asap then do the black dragon first. So you get extra mini-stats for her (if you use Nikki+Miki) plus the black plate from the dragon makes getting Masamune possible as Lynx (by putting it on Riddel so she can spam white elements like Ultranova and not die) so you can use it to fight the other 5 dragons. :)

Also, be sure to steal from all of them for amazing elemental plates.

Dragon	World	Location	Comment
Green Dragon	Home	Gaea's Navel	To be able to reach this location you need to go to Hydra Marshes and obtain the Ancient Fruit from BubbaBebba (found where the Beeba was before) to use it with the Wingapede.
Water Dragon	Home	Water Dragon Isle	Past the point where you fought the Hi Ho Tank.
Earth Dragon	Home	Earth Dragon Isle	Be absorbed by the sand and make it back, the Captain will need some time to develop explosives, and by some time he means for you to leave the area and come back again.
Fire Dragon	Another	Mount Pyre	Take the alternate route instead of the path that would take you to Fort Dragonia. Wait until the dragon transforms to steal the plate.
Black Dragon	Another	Marbule	Inside the cave at the back of the area.
Sky Dragon	Another	Sky Dragon Isle	Head to the highest point of the island.

Home World 06 | Part 02

Gaea's Navel

Availability: During the Dragon's Blessing questline.

• Party (Leah): She will join temporarily once you arrive at the Navel for the first time, then permanently after defeating the Green Dragon.

=====================================================

Earth Dragon Isle

Availability: During the Dragon's Blessing questline.

• Item (@Rainbow Shell): The captain will give it to you as thanks as they develop explosives to go deeper into the cave.

Another World 06

Earth Dragon Isle
Availability: After defeating the Earth Dragon.

• Optional Boss: Head to the bottom of the cave to fight Criosphinx, this fight can be beat two ways:
  
  1. Killing it with tons of determination and Yellow Plates.
     
  2. Solving its riddles by using the correct Element after each question.
  Note: It is too annoying for me to explain the solution to the riddles so good luck! Oh also make sure to try and get the rare steal for a @Rainbow Shell to make it extra annoying!

=====================================================

Gaea's Navel

Availability: After defeating the Green Dragon.

• Frame (Snakes & Orbs): Take another Ancient Fruit and play the Beeba Flute in the same spot you did in Home World to travel to Gaea's Navel, then go to the right and defeat the Prehysteric on top of the tree to receive this frame.

=====================================================

Guldove

Availability: After completing the Dragon's Blessing questline.

• Party Requirement (Steena): Show Direa the Tear of Hate to receive the Dragon Emblem.

Home World 07

Guldove

Availability: Once you get the Dragon Emblem from Another World's Direa.

• Party (Steena): Show the Dragon Emblem to the guard outside Steena's hut, get in and she will join you after a short conversation.
  Note: We can go get her level 7 tech right now if you want, otherwise you can wait until you reach the section "Home World 08" for the Isle of the Damned visit to grab it.

=====================================================

Anywhere

This is just a reminder, if you care about achievements and have not done so already, get into a fight and use Lynx's unique level 7 tech, Forever Zero.

Point of no return: Fort Dragonia

If you have been paying attention to the story you know what will happen after completing the events in Fort Dragonia. So play with your furry self as much as you need to before continuing.

Additionally, looking at any screenshot from this point onwards can be even more of a spoiler if you have not completed the Fort. By the way...

• Item (@Rainbow Shell): Steal it from Dark Serge.

Also, while we are here: yes, bringing the Dragon Tear would've made the tower open the path automatically, so I made you solve the puzzles again for Draggy only for it to get extra Star stats.

Home World 08

Hermit's Hideaway

Availability: After the events of Home World's Fort Dragonia.

• Party (Turnip): Have Poshul pull Turnip from the ground for you, he will force his way into your party.

=====================================================

Marbule

Availability: After the events of Home World's Fort Dragonia.

• Item Requirement (Rainbow Gear): Purchase the Master Hammer from the tiger dude in the cave where the Black Dragon would be.
  
• Frame (Quill and Papyrus): Speak with Toma twice inside the same cave.
  
• Tech (Irenes): Take Irenes with you to speak with the Witch Doctor in the first house to receive Siren Song.
  
• Item (FullRevival): Talk to the rock throwing dude by the entrance while we are here to get this unique element.

=====================================================

Arni Village

Availability: After the events of Home World's Fort Dragonia.

• Tech (Leena): Take Lenna into her house and speak with her grandma to receive Maiden's Faith.
  
• Tech (Poshul): Take Poshul to speak to Another World's Leena to receive Unleashed.
  
• Tech Requirement (Mojoy): Talk to the fisherman in the basement where you originally found the Shark Tooth and he will mention praying to Lasery, Aurey and Lickey.

=====================================================

Termina

Availability: After the events of Home World's Fort Dragonia.

• Tech (Skelly): Take Skelly and Viper with you into the bar and speak to the waitress to receive On A Roll.
  
• Tech (Viper): After Skelly is done crying the lady will open the secret path for Viper, go inside and interact with the Flag on the wall to receive Flag Bearer.
  
• Tech (Greco): Take Greco with you to where his house would be and talk to the old lady to receive Gravedigger.

=====================================================

Isle of the Damned

Availability: After the events of Home World's Fort Dragonia.

• Item (Rainbow Shell): 10% chance to get one as a drop from the WightKnight, this monster can be fought by examining an armor hidden inside a cave that you open by luring a WillO'Wisp to it, just before reaching Garai's grave.
  
• Tech (Steena): Take Steena to visit Garai's grave in order to receive Garai's Shadow.

=====================================================

S.S. Zelbess

Availability: After the events of Home World's Fort Dragonia.

• Branch Tech (Nikki): Go into the Magical Dreamers ship and speak with Home World's Nikki with Nikki in your party to receive Lime Light.

=====================================================

Crescent Isle.

Availability: After the events of Home World's Fort Dragonia.

• Tech (NeoFio): Take NeoFio with you and interact with the red monster chasing a butterfly, reload the area and interact with the monster again to hear a cry for help, push the monster in any direction to receive Bam Bam Bam.

Another World 07

Guldove

Availability: After the events of Home World's Fort Dragonia.

• Party (Orlha): Show the Sapphire Brooch to Orlha in the bar.
  
• Branch Tech (Doc): Show Doc the Medical Book while making sure Home World's Doc is not in your party.

=====================================================

Termina

Availability: After purchasing the Master Hammer in Home World's Marbule.

• Item (@Rainbow Shell): Speaking of Rainbow gear, go talk to our old friend the Churro merchant to get another shell inside your free churro.
  
• Item Requirement (Rainbow Gear): Equip the Master Hammer to Zappa and take him to speak with Another World's Zappa at Termina, this will unlock the ability to craft Rainbow gear.
  Note: If you want to learn how to get the materials refer to the "Rainbow Gear" section of this guide.
  
• Branch Tech (Pierre): Go into Pierre's room without him in your party and speak to Another World's Pierre to get Slap of Cyrus.
  Note: If you got the Prop Sword from The Dead Sea it will turn into Hero's Blade, which when equipped to Pierre along with the Hero Medal and the Hero's Shield can make him very strong.
  
• Branch Tech (Korcha): Take Korcha with you to talk to the caged mermaid where you originally met him, then reload the area and talk to the empty cage. Head back to where Korcha's boat originally was close to Greco's house and speak to the mermaid to receive Big Catch.
  
• Branch Skill (Glenn): Equip Glenn with the Einlanzer and take him to Dario's grave for him to unlock the ability to dual wield.

=====================================================

Viper Manor

Availability: After the events of Home World's Fort Dragonia.

• Tech (Luccia): Take Luccia with you into the Kitchen and go down the hatch, continue to the right until you see a green slime and interact with it to receive Test Ameba.
  
• Tech (Turnip): Take Turnip and NeoFio to the top of the manor and interact with the water where you originally recruited NeoFio to receive Veg Out.

=====================================================

Arni Village

Availability: After the events of Home World's Fort Dragonia.

• Tech (Mojoy): Take Mojoy with you into the basement where you originally recruited him and sort the statues in the order we learned in Home World earlier: Lasery (Bottom Left), Aurey (Right) and Lickey (Top Left) to get Hoodoo Guroo.

=====================================================

Water Dragon Isle

Availability: After the events of Home World's Fort Dragonia.

• Item (@Rainbow Shell): Talk to the man that gave you a Skelly part some time ago to receive the shell.
  Note: You need to have completely reassembled Skelly.

Home World 09

Guldove

Availability: After the events of Home World's Fort Dragonia.

• Tech (Orlha): Take Orlha into Doc's house and speak with him to receive Family Feud.

=====================================================

Sea of Eden

Availability: After the events of Home World's Fort Dragonia.

• Extra: Once you enter a Fate Distortion it is time to insert disc 2 for any old timers out there.
  
• Element (Vigor): Once you enter a Fate Distortion there will be three islands to visit and depending on the order you visit them you will fight a different boss, in order to get this rare element you may want to visit Present last.

=====================================================

Time Fortress Chronopolis

Availability: After defeating the boss in Sea of Eden.

• Item (@Rainbow Shell): Rare steal during the Polis Police boss fight as soon as you enter the Fortress.
  
• Item (Forget-me-not Pot): Below the stairs on the East side of this area.
  
• Tech (Grobyc): Take Grobyc with you past the laser door and into the locked door close to it, then open the chest on the right side of the room to receive Strong Arm.
  
• Extra: On the same room where you got Grobyc's tech arrange the doors to be closed-closed-open-closed-closed and input the password 04. The doors are in binary and the password in decimal for any nerds out there.
  
• Item (@Rainbow Shell): Take the elevator to the third floor and go into the room to the left, then enter the room behind it and open the chest for the shell.

Another World 08

Divine Dragon Falls

Availability: After the events in Chronopolis.

• Item (Chrono Cross): You may get the Chrono Cross now, however I got a lot to say about this item so refer to the "Chrono Cross" section of this guide to learn more about it.
  
• New Game+ (Chrono Cross):Yes, this is the earliest we can get all our party members back, again, refer to the "Chrono Cross" section of this guide to learn where to use it.
  
• Ending 9:The Dragon God's Revenge
  During New Game+ defeat the Time Devourer before clearing Terra Tower.

=====================================================

Hermit's Hideaway

Availability: After the events in Chronopolis.
You need to have either the Chrono Cross or the Mastermune in order to do this. If you use the Chrono Cross you will enter alone while the Mastermune would take you and your party members.

• Tech (Kid): Interact with Kid on her bed to be taken into her memory, to the right side of the monster there will be a machine, interact with it and input L △ R △ to receive Hot Shot.
  
• Item (@Rainbow Shell): Kill the monster in the room with the machine and then interact with the clock on the right side, reassure the kid by saying "Yes, it's going to be okay" to get the shell.
  
• Item (@Rainbow Shell): Go into the top right room and kill the monster, then interact with the bed for the kid to gift you another shell.
  
• Party (Kid): After clearing this area you will get back the final party member of this playthrough.

=====================================================

Viper Manor

Availability: After getting Kid back.

• Item (@Rainbow Shell): Speak with Luccia at her lab with Kid in your party to receive yet another shell.

Home World 10

Water Dragon Isle

Availability: After the events in Chronopolis.

• Branch Tech (Razzly): Take Razzly to her sister's grave and talk to the fairy in front of the tree to receive the Floral Rod and Raz-Flower.

=====================================================

Bend of Time

Availability: After getting Kid back during New Game+.

• Tech (Sprigg): Enter the room in the back and complete the Chrono Trigger reference, it is highly recommended to either have Sprigg in your party to finish the trio off, or have as many party members as you can equipped with Forget-me-not Pot.
  
• Achievement: Now that Sprigg can turn into Slash it is the perfect moment to head into a battle with Serge, Kid and Sprigg (Slash) to use Z-Slash.

Another World 09

El Nido Triangle

Availability: After the events in Chronopolis.

• Item (@Rainbow Shell): Open the chest on the Northeast of the starting area.
  
• Item (@Rainbow Shell): Another one on the right side of the second screen in Another El Nido Triangle.
  
• Tech Requirement (Starky): Without Starky in your party head to where the Star Fragment in Home World was and defeat the monster there, then come back with Starky and after some dialogue sail for Terra Tower and leave it to go back to Starky's ship to get Starstruck.
  Note: This monster is only affected by Red Elements.

=====================================================

Terra Tower

Availability: After hooking up your boat with the anti-gravity device.

• Item (@Rainbow Shell): After the first boss fight behind a waterfall.
  
• Item (@Rainbow Shell): After the second boss fight on the rounded structure with ladders.
  
• Item (@Rainbow Shell): After the second boss fight on the right stairs.
  
• Extra: Take note of the color order in the room with the large floating crystals: Yellow, Red, Green, Blue, Black, White.

Achievements

Unlock

Before heading for the final boss fight it would be a good moment to clean up all the leftover achievements we can during this run.

Achievement	Unlock	Comment
Flight of the Swallow	Use Serge's unique level 7 tech, Flying Arrow.	Most likely you got this one naturally during your playthrough.
Lucca's Legacy	Use Kid's unique level 7 tech, Hot Shot.	Most likely you got this one naturally during your playthrough if you followed this guide to unlock the Tech while inside Kid's memory.
A Tactical Retreat	Flee from a battle.	Self-explanatory.
Deadly Delta	Use the triple tech Delta Force.	Start a fight with Serge, Leena and Razzly in your party, if Leena learned Maiden Faith and Razzly learned Raz-Flower then Serge's Luminaire will be replaced with Delta Force.
The Veteran	Triumph in 500 battles.	Probably best to leave it for New Game+ if you did not get it naturally.

New Game+

The following achievements can only be obtained in New Game+ due to a number of reasons listed below.

Achievement	Unlock	Comment
Z One and Only	Use the triple tech Z-Slash.	Start a fight with Serge, Kid and Sprigg in your party, if Kid has Red Pin and Sprigg is transformed into Slash then Kid's Red Pin will be replaced with Z-Slash. To learn Z-Slash we need to defeat the New Game+ exclusive boss fight against Slash while wearing a Forget-Me-Not Pot or by having Sprigg deal the final blow.
Hall of Framer	Collect all 15 types of window frame.	Two frames are locked behind each choice in Branch 3.
The Recruiter	Use the Chrono Cross item to recruit all party members.	Due to the three branches this needs at least three planned out runs. Scroll down on this section to find the plan I followed to get this one and the 99 Stars achievement with as little effort as possible.
Gold Stars for Everyone	Obtain 99 level-growth stars.	Since you get 48 Stars per playthrough this means little over 2 complete playthroughs.

The Recruiter & Gold Stars for Everyone

We have 48 Stars right now, and need to do the three branches while also beating the game before rescuing Riddel on the second to last run.

By the end of your first run the list should look more or less something like the one below, missing 6 entries, 5 of which are branch related.

• Pierre
  
• Nikki
  
• Glenn
  
• Macha
  
• Doc
  
• Harle

Your second run should end after getting Harle in your party with a minimum of 68 Stars and you should only be missing one character corresponding to Branch 2.




And then... Voilà.

Continue+

I also want to share an alternative to the above which requires one less run, all credit goes to @Zeal for this one.

Originally posted by Zeal:

If you keep a save file right at the end of a regular NG (before beating the game), then NG+ from there (after beating the game) and choose a different guide, beat the final boss and NG+ again to choose the third guide and the other branch on the second split, play up to the point where you get Harle, beat the final boss again with Harle in the party, and then use the "Continue +" to go back to the first save file (of the regular NG, before beating the game), you will get the Recruiter achievement relatively easily without having to play through the entire game yet again just to get her at the end.

Note: I believe you may be a couple of stars short, if so then start a run after following the above, and abandon it once you get the missing stars and achievement. Or beat the game again cause its amazing anyways.

Endings

If you have been following this guide so far then I would recommend to go for the Good Ending using the Chrono Cross during the final fight. You can read more about it below and in the "Chrono Cross" section of this guide.

With that said, it is time to talk about the multiple endings this game has and how to get them.

Good Ending: A New Future

Use the Chrono Cross during the fight against the Time Devourer.

To do this you must use all elements in the correct order, which was hinted in the crystal room of Terra Tower: Yellow, Red, Green, Blue, Black, White.

Bad Ending: An Unchanging Future

Defeat the Time Devourer normally in the fight.

Ending 1: The Developers' Room

During New Game+ defeat the Time Devourer before talking to anyone after waking up.

Ending 2: The Acacian Empire

During New Game+ defeat the Time Devourer before getting a guide during Branch 2.

Ending 3: The Magical Dreamers

During New Game+ defeat the Time Devourer before completing Another World's Fort Dragonia while having recruited Nikki and Razzly to your party.

This means you chose Nikki during Branch 2 and Save Kid during Branch 3.

Ending 4: The Shop Staff and the Three Unlikely Heroes

During New Game+ defeat the Time Devourer before Kid recovers during Branch 3.

Note: I got this ending shortly after Kid recovered on her own after choosing to be an ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ to her in Branch 3.

Ending 5: The Rebirth of Marbule

During New Game+ defeat the Time Devourer before rescuing Riddel.

Ending 6: The Last Stand

During New Game+ defeat the Time Devourer before visiting Hermit's Hideaway shortly after rescuing Riddel.

Ending 7: The Viper Orphanage

During New Game+ defeat the Time Devourer before defeating FATE in Chronopolis while having the Mastermune in your possession.

Ending 8: The Dark Fate

During New Game+ defeat the Time Devourer before defeating FATE in Chronopolis.

Ending 9: The Dragon God's Revenge

During New Game+ defeat the Time Devourer before clearing Terra Tower.

Mini-game cheating

Dragon feeding

You can cheat by using the slow motion. If it makes you feel any better in the original PS1 version you had to wait until New Game+ to be allowed to cheat.

Compass Roulette

In the original PS1 version of this game you could unlock the option to stop time in New Game+, Square Enix being the useless company they are nowadays removed this from the Remaster, luckily they accidentally added another way to get more or less the same result by pressing ESC or LT + L3 to open the "ESC Menu", this will pause time while changing settings.

To cheat simply pause time until you see the compass point somewhere between West and South, now hold A on your controller while exiting the menu by pressing ESC again, this will make the compass point in the desired direction as follows:

• If leaning more towards West: You will land East and earn 50 points.
  
• If leaning more towards South: You will land North and earn double points.

Recruiting Monsters

Add Sprigg to your party and have her use deal the killing blow on any monster that catches your fancy.
Alternatively, if you have Forget-Me-Not Pot equip it to any party member so they can recruit these monsters on Sprigg's behalf.

Once you are satisfied you can return to the Grand Slam and have another go at Janice if you did not get her with the starting monsters.

Lastly, if these monsters were not enough, then advance the story a little to the point where you are meant to go to the Isle of the Damned and then consider revisiting Mount Pyre for a bit.

Rainbow Gear

If you have been following this guide and have unlocked the ability to craft Rainbow Gear then you have at least a couple of shells by now.

You may have also noticed you are low on materials, in order to get these materials you have two options.

• Disassemble specific gear for it.
  
• Defeat enemies with a color summon.

Since the first option sucks, refer to the table below for which summon gives you which material.

Material	Element	Summon
Shiny Dew	Blue	Frog Prince and Blue Whale
Shiny Ember	Red	Red Wolf and Salamander
Shiny Leaf	Green	Sonja and Geenie
Shiny Salt	White	Saints
Shiny Sand	Yellow	Golem and Thunda Snake
Shiny Soot	Black	Mother Ship and Grim Reaper

Note: It is also worth mentioning that your stars get replenished automatically upon resting on a bed, such as Serge's bed back in Home World.

Chrono Cross

Location

In order to get this legendary item we need fuse together the Tear of Love and the Tear of Hate inside the cave on the "secret" area Divine Dragon Falls in Home World, which is the waterfall to the Northeast of Arni Village.

Uses

This Key Item has a couple of uses:

New Game+: Getting your party back.
When used inside the Temporal Vortex you will regain every party member you have recruited on previous playthroughs.
Note: To revisit the Temporal Vortex head to Home World's Hydra Marshes and use the Astral Amulet.


Reawaken Kid.
After the events in Chronopolis Kid will be found asleep in Another World's Hermit's Hideaway, to get her back you need to have either the Chrono Cross or the Mastermune, using the Chrono Cross will allow Serge alone to go into Kid's memories to rescue her.


Good Ending.
During the final fight of the game you need to use all elements in a specific order and then use the Chrono Cross.

The order is: Yellow, Red, Green, Blue, Black, White.

Radical Dreamers ##############

Map

As you may have realized, Radical Dreamers is a Visual Novel in which you navigate a manor, which may be a bit overwhelming if you are not willing to go retro and draw a map... Lucky for you I already did that.

This map is wrong (?)

As some of the older readers of this guide may remember, there is a major part of the manor which I have mistakenly placed elsewhere, the thing is... I didn't.



To the left we have a screenshot from The Radical Dreamers Edition, and to the right one of the fan translation of the SNES version of the game. If you take notice, the new version states that the stairs that head to the Atrium are to the right of the corridor, where in the SNES version these are located to the left.

(Yes, I totally bought a legal copy of the SNES version of Radical Dreamers, extracted it as a rom and then applied the fan translation to it... that is for sure what I did).

Who ♥♥♥♥♥♥ up?

I do not know nor do I really care. But if I had to put money on it, I would bet the fans are more reliable than the staff of Square Enix who in recent years released the most mediocre and pathetic version of Chrono Trigger the world has ever seen... and also ♥♥♥♥♥♥ up the Final Fantasy VII "Remake" by splitting it in parts cause money :)

Route

Regardless of the map, differences, I present you two options and no, I do not know why I ended up doing two.

Choices

Keep in mind that you have limited time to pick during encounters and when dealing with traps. Always make sure to make your own selection instead of the game choosing for you.

Random Encounters

The results of your choices are also randomized, so the same thing may not work twice... Generally speaking the only advice I can give is to save every now and then and never retreat from a fight.

Minimalist Route

Strictly speaking I THINK you only need to visit the following to get a satisfactory playthrough having located all hints to figure things out on your own, even less if you skip most hints but I would need to test that, for now I mark with an * the rooms I think may be skippable.

1. Outside: Start.
   
2. * Clock Tower: To remember there is a sword here for later.
   
3. * Corridor (Vault): Confirm it is locked.
   
4. * Lynx's Room: Ask the mirror about the Vault Key.
   
5. Study: Get the Vault Key.
   
6. Vault: Get the Hand-shaped Plate
   
7. Atrium: Revert back and find the Mouth of Truth.
   
8. Mouth of Truth: Use the Hand-shaped Plate
   
9. Guard Room: Get the Catacombs Key.
   
10. * Kitchen: To learn the solution to the final trap.
    
11. Dungeon: To get the idea to speak with Riddel.
    
12. Riddel's Room: To learn about the Einlanzer and the Execution Chamber trap.
    
13. Clock Tower: Get the Einlanzer.
    
14. Execution Chamber: Get the Acacian Signet.
    
15. * Lynx's Room: To have a conclusion to the mirror's arc.
    
16. Dungeon: To learn about the secret passage in the Main Hall.
    
17. Main Hall: To reach the corridor to the Cave.
    
18. Corridor: Survive the trap.
    
19. Cave: End.

Walkthrough

Here are the my choices:

Location	Actions	Point of Interest
Outside	I attacked! I attacked! We're just getting started!
Riddel's Room	I opened the chest of drawers.
Lynx's Room	I asked about Kid.	Mirror
Study	I checked the desk. Hide under the desk!
Clock Tower	Defiantly tell her she was right. All right then. Please do.	Sword Healing
Corridor (Vault)	We went inside.
Execution chamber	We tried to barge the door down!	Acacian Signet
Lynx's Room	I asked it where the key to the vault was.	Hint
Study	The book with a purple cover in the far bookcase.	Vault Key
Corridor (Vault)	We went inside.
Vault	We have to be careful! I had to save Kid! *Any for the entire fight*	Fake Frozen Flame Hand-shaped Plate
Atrium	We rushed back the way we came!
Mouth of Truth	…the hand-shaped plate.
Guard Room	I sat down next to Magil. I suppose that means you want something in return. She was out hunting for bugs. She caught a beetle and painted it gold.	Healing Catacombs Key
Kitchen	I was feeling hungry… It was delicious! I freed the mouse. I ducked to dodge the attack!	Healing Hint
Dungeon	I…think so… …	Prisoner
Riddel's Room	*No choices to make*	Hint
Clock Tower	My jaw dropped.	Einlanzer
Execution Chamber	I plunged the sword into the ground!	Acacian Signet
Main Hall	*No choices to make*
Lynx's Room	*No choices to make*
Dungeon	I asked Magil to make Kid stop.	Hint
Main Hall	We'll win, I promise.
Corridor	What is the Frozen Flame? I turned right three times. I turned left twice. I turned right twice.
Cave	I challenged Lynx! Don't worry about me! I tried to protect Kid!

All Endings

All credit for these go to Zeal.

Originally posted by Zeal:

After completing the main story in RD once, you can select "Continue" on the file load screen to start a NG+ which gives you access to 6 alternate endings. Some of them are more serious than others, and as a heads up: heavy epilepsy warning (more serious than the magic circle in the main story), and things that used to be ok to joke about in video games but are nowadays usually frowned upon.

List of all Endings (plus the starting choices that lead you on the path to the ending):
1.: Main Ending, see guide
2.: Fall asleep, follow Kid, go to the study and examine the desk
3.: Do not fall asleep, check out the forest
4.: Fall asleep, follow Kid, go to the study and examine the painting
5.: Fall asleep, check out the light, go to the main hall and press both white keys
6.: Fall asleep, follow Kid, try to enter the vault, go to Lynx's room and ask for the key, go to the study and get the key, go back to Lynx's room and follow Kid (this one is a bit annoying because you need to beat the game as if on ending 1 afterwards)
7.: Fall asleep, follow Kid, go to the study, examine the bookshelves and have Magil decipher the book

Falling asleep on the first choice is a shortcut to the manor. You miss out on brownie points with Kid, though, because it skips the initial combat against the wild cats. Doing that part will influence some of the endings, as the precise outcomes for some of them are dependent on whether Kid likes you enough or not.
If you want to see the optional scenes for Kid points from ending 1 in a NG+ state, do not fall asleep and do not check out the forest - the feral cats encounter - and later in the study, check out the bookshelves and do not have Magil mess with the book - cuddling Kid under the desk.

Credits #####################

Teaser

Now that we have completed Chrono Cross and Radical Dreamers it is time to watch the credits from the game startup menu.



After the credits roll and the music stops you will get a short teaser which hopefully amounts to something, unlike the one for Final Fantasy X-3.

Thank You

Hope this guide helped, now go bother Square Enix until they give us a Parasite Eve remaster like this one :)

[Abyss]

@Zeal thank you, I love CC so I wanted to cover all optional stuff, in doing so I accidentally covered the entire game so its good to know people also think its as spoiler-less as possible.

And yes, it being a rare drop makes it a million times worst lol

[Zeal]

You're welcome, it's an overall great and pretty spoilerfree guide. And I sure knew that there is so much stuff to miss.
Also, rare drop makes it that much more annoying to get, I guess.

[Abyss]

@Zeal all added, regarding the WightKnight the wiki says its a drop instead of a steal, so I went with that. Still its thanks to you cause I clearly overlooked it before lol

[Zeal]

Post limits are fun.

4. The Chrono Cross can only call back party members you had at the end of a playthrough within a direct hereditary line of NG+s, including party members that were not actually currently available when you beat the game (such as Serge's party members after transforming). If you keep a save file right at the end of a regular NG (before beating the game), then NG+ from there (after beating the game) and choose a different guide, beat the final boss and NG+ again to choose the third guide and the other branch on the second split, play up to the point where you get Harle, beat the final boss again with Harle in the party, and then use the "Continue +" to go back to the first save file (of the regular NG, before beating the game), you will get the Recruiter achievement relatively easily without having to play through the entire game yet again just to get her at the end.

[Zeal]

A few more things:
1. There is a second Rainbow Shell (one of the 19 of your total) on the right side of the second screen in Another El Nido Triangle. Forgot to mention that in my original comments.
2. There is a 20th Rainbow Shell you have not counted yet: it's a rare steal from the Wight Knight in one of the Islands of the Damned - Home, I believe. You need to activate the inanimate suit of armour by fighting a wisp next to it, similar to the doors in the area.
3. During the 3-way split, if you give Pierre his Hero Medal before recruiting a guide during a NG+ and then recruit someone else, he will have the medal equipped when calling him back from the void with the Chrono Cross, thus allowing you to use him at his "best" without choosing him in your current playthrough.

[Zeal]

Fair enough. Your total count of Rainbow Shells appears to have been correct, however.dd

The Revive in the Vortex is on the first screen, you push the boulder around a bit until you get the chest.
And the Revives in Viper Manor are in the barracks next to the kitchen (the room where Glenn writes the code on the wall) in a brown chest (in Another), and the one "before Dario" is in Viper Manor Home in the sewers at the equivalent location where you would get Luccia's Lv 7 Tech in Another. Before Dario, you can jump down the ruins somewhere around the huge holes and land near the location. After Dario, he starts rebuilding the Manor which prevents the jumping, but if you go down the well and take the sneaky back entrance through the sewers, you can still reach the element from there through the prison by going backwards through the area.

[Abyss]

@Zeal, had to address you separately since there's word limit lol

Indeed I did not add the Chrono Cross endings, the reception for this guide was waaaay waaaay low for the amount of effort it took (Still is, but I do make updates for those that leave comments such as yours cause I am thankful) so I didn't bother since I didn't go for them on my run either. Added it now thanks to you though!

Regarding Rainbow Shell, added.
Regarding the motivation, honestly that’s outside the scope of this guide.
Regarding extra items, added some. If possible please share more info on the location of the Revive in the Temporal Vortex, and more on the one before Dario as honestly I don't remember when that is lol.
Regarding Black Dragon skip I do not think that's something I want to add, mainly for the exact reasons you yourself mentioned lol.

[Abyss]

Sorry y'all Baldur's Gate 3 has consumed me lol

@Lust not sure how to fit the Viper Curio if I am honest, but I definitely quoted your idea for Miki on the Dragon's Blessing section :)

@Cyax I did, on the "Introduction section" it goes "You see, it really doesn't... but for those who wish to get all party members on a single playthrough essentially you can play the game normally/blind the first time, then get any ending while Harle is still in your party for your second run, and then go for completion on the third one, but more on that later…"

With that said, I updated it from the above to make slightly more clear.

[Cyax]

Wish you'd mentioned how you have to restart a game entirely for harley rofl... fml not that it takes long to rerun the game just such a bummer

[Zeal]

There are a few more things I find you should include in your guide, namely other rare elements (besides Vigora) that cannot be bought or trapped off enemies.
- 3 Revives: 1 in Viper Manor (Another) in the Quarters, 1 in the Temporal Vortex, 1 in the sewers of Viper Manor (Home) which can either be accessed by jumping down a hole before fighting Dario or by going into the prison from the forest entryway, using the Prison Key to get into the cells and taking any of the hatches down
- 1 FullRevival: after successfully doing the full Marbule (Home) restoration sidequest, when you return to Marbule after it is restored (i.e. as Serge) the rock throwing dude in the brown shirt next to the entrance gives you the only FullRevival element in the game

To note: you can also skip fighting the Black Dragon somehow which does not save Marbule and only gives you the Black Relic while the dragon stays asleep - not recommended because you miss the Black Plate on top of all the other stuff.

Post 4/4