Since last year, I've been on an emotional roller coaster. This might be one of the most uncertain periods of my life. I've been tirelessly searching for that inner strength to confront life and move forward. So, with hope waning, I thought about reigniting my passion for video games that had faded over time.

I saw this as a fantastic opportunity to finally explore the games I had let slip by, as well as to relive games I hold dear. I've been documenting my journey, and surprisingly, this activity has turned out to be a form of therapy for me.

I decided it was time to dive into something new and finally experience the iconic Chrono Trigger. It was an authentic first-time journey. Every twist in the plot and every interaction with the characters – it was all new to me. This perspective is as neutral and honest as it gets.

It's no exaggeration to say that there's nothing quite like Chrono Trigger. Hironobu Sakaguchi, Yuji Horii, and Akira Toriyama teamed up to create something unprecedented. And of course, Yasunori Mitsuda gave his all, to the point of facing serious health issues. This clearly shows his dedication and love for the project. We already know the result of all their efforts.

The soundtrack of Chrono Trigger is exceptional. The most notable examples, in my opinion, were "Corridors of Time," which plays during a pivotal moment in the plot, and "To Far Away Times." The latter touched me on a personal level. In my humble opinion, I believe this to be the most beautiful and impactful piece of music in the game. When it concluded, a feeling of nostalgia was all that remained. I knew I could never relive an experience like that.

The graphics were possibly among the best things the Nintendo hardware could offer. The world is visually diverse. Each playable character had many unique sprites and expressions, along with smooth animations.

The story is simple, which is by no means a drawback. Chrono Trigger is a perfect example of how a simple narrative, when executed well, can become something truly memorable, and all of this is bolstered by its characters. I, for one, grew fond of everyone. Each of them has their own arc of development and individual motivations. I wanted to see the different interactions each character could have in unique moments of the game. I plan to do this in a New Game+ playthrough.

And to wrap things up, Chrono Trigger's combat is one of the coolest battle systems I've encountered in a turn-based RPG. It strikes a perfect balance between strategy and action elements. It's a variation of the ATB system, which was also used in other Square games like Final Fantasy. Its most distinctive feature is the seamless transition between exploration and battles – everything happens in the same place, and enemies are visible on the map.

I admit, Chrono Trigger is a masterpiece. It deserves all the praise it receives. Finishing the game to the tune of "To Far Away Times" left me with a deep sense of joy and melancholy. Some experiences become so special that they leave a void when they come to an end. Anyway, that's about it.

Reviewed on Aug 31, 2023


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