The relative obscurity of this Square RPG can be attributed partly to its arrival late in the PS1's life cycle, and also due to the Final Fantasy series' relentless success, which overshadowed most other JRPGs of the time. But neither of those things should take away from this sequel to Chrono Trigger, which takes you on an inter-dimensional journey as Serge, a 17-year-old boy who tears away from his peaceful beach-bum life to traverse both the world and a parallel dimension in which he is dead. The turn-based battle system incorporates a stamina bar, adding an extra layer of depth to the already fantastic combat that will otherwise be familiar to Final Fantasy fans. The variety of the combat is bolstered by the fact that there are an incredible 45 possible party members to hook up with, each bringing their own moves and backstories to your adventure. Chrono Cross thrives across the board - as a spectacle, a video game, and a coming-of-age story. While fans of the original game may bemoan its divergent story, and the oddball characters and story may be a bit too strange for some people to embrace, that shouldn't stop JRPG fans from experiencing one of the overlooked masterpieces of the genre.
Gamer, Researcher of strange things.
I'm a writer-editor hybrid whose writings on video games, technology and movies can be found across the internet. I've even ventured into the realm of current affairs on occasion but, unable to face reality, have retreated into expatiating on things on screens instead.
