Feels good to finally get this off the backlog. Got this for free on Epic a while back. Such an exceptionally cool atmosphere that drips cosmic dread from start to finish. I sort of died a lot (I am terrible at FPS games) but it never really discouraged me because of how much fun the Typhon abilities are to use and how fluid the gunplay feels. The narrative forced me to pause for more than a moment to actually consider the consequences of my actions. It's not something I've done much based on the games I usually play, but's its a feeling that is more than welcome and I'll probably pursue going forward. I guess I can see the fuss about immersive sims now.

Maybe it's because I did all of the additional side quests this time. Maybe it's because I'm graduating this semester and this was the first game I played once I entered college. Or maybe I just really clicked with Chrono Trigger's DNA on this playthrough and came upon this realization.
It's not just one aspect of this game that's outstanding.

It's the flow of the nigh flawless, active turn based mechanics (dual tech and triple tech attacks are soooo cool man).

It's the gorgeous and amazingly aged pixel art that can craft a vibrant, whimsical yet often oppressive world in the player's mind despite the limitations of the style.

It's the music that makes you feel amped for battle, nostalgic for the past, hopeful for the future, tearful for what's lost or even just bust a move while trudging through a dilapidated factory.

It's the tightly written time travel narrative that hosts some of my favorite backstories and character interactions in fiction (I'm looking at you Frog, Robo and Lucca).

Chrono Trigger is pure magic from start to finish and feels like lightning in the bottle in nearly every facet of its production.

And in the heart of its magic it leaves a simple yet enduringly powerful message:

How can we hope to craft a better future without embracing and learning from the mistakes of the past?