There are many who believe the industry is in a state of... Minor creative bankrupscy. Overridden with sequels, prequels, the same old franchises we've seen again and again, and above all... Remakes. And yet, people ask for them. There is an amazing novelty in seeing a classic that is fine-tuned and made more readily available for all audiences. And in most cases, we wind up with the definitive version of said game, and get to see what it's like if their full potential was released.
One company, among others, has ran rampant with this lately. Square Enix has been providing fans with all sorts of classic retreading in the past few years. Final Fantasy VII Remake, Trials of Mana, Nier Replicant, Crisis Core, Tactics Ogre... FREAKING Live a Live!? I first heard about that game years ago and assumed there was no way I'd ever be able to play it without emulation and a translation patch... What a time to be alive. Though we should always push for newer, original experiences above all, the advent of RPG remakes has helped contribute to a new golden era for the genre. People who were too young at the time to appreciate them are now given an opportune chance to join in on the hype.
What I'm getting at here is that with each passing entry, the walls seem to be closing in more and more on what we will see next, and boy are there some elephants in the room at this point. Now, personally, I prefer remakes that gravitate toward niche titles, giving me a chance to play more obscure things I may not have known about otherwise. But I don't deny there's an excitement to seeing a classic with a new coat of paint. Heck, we even have the pixel remasters now, and they're mostly great. But there is one title that seems to be so ominously missing from this list... And there are many, myself included, who consider it to be Square's greatest achievement: Chrono Trigger.
Rumors are rumbling lately about us getting a remake of Chrono Trigger. It almost seems like an inevitability, no matter how long it takes. At the very least, I think we can rest assured knowing some form of port on modern consoles is likely. Just saying the words “Remake of Chrono Trigger” seems so taboo, as if it cannot possibly be in the realm of possibility. And yet, here we are.
How the heck do you even go about that? Is it possible to pull off? What would it look like? What art style would it use? What changes would it implement, and perhaps most importantly of all, should it even be done? Well, my dear time-traveling friends, that's what we are going to explore today! I don't consider myself an expert on many things, but I do know this game through and through, and feel I can offer some insight into this topic. In no way am I saying that my thoughts are the definitive ones, and I welcome other outputs, but I do hope this at least gets us thinking about the future of this unforgettable game.
Let's start by talking briefly about what to expect. I think the most likely outcome here is that we simiply wind up with a port on modern consoles, and I also think that's the best way to satisfy the most parties. However, even that is a complicated topic. Why? Well because if Chrono Trigger were to be ported we'd most likely be looking at the most recent steam/mobile version, and it's certainly not the most popular among fans. Some diehards will insist that the SNES version has a charm that cannot be matched, while others believe later ports, such as the DS version, only made the game even better.
But it's important to note that many of the problems people have with the Steam version were only present when it first released. And while this port of the game is still prone to a few issues, such as the occasional crash, it's been cleaned up quite a bit, and in my opinion is currently the best choice for anyone new who wants to play the game on a budget. You have a version easily available on a device most people own with additional features found in the best version of the game, the DS version, and of course the completely updated script. For those unaware, there are two scripts for Chrono Trigger's english version. The first was translated by Ted Wolsey, all by his lonesome, (God bless him) and the second is an updated version that cuts out many of the original corny lines and keeps the text more faithful to the original Japanese interpretation.
All of these add up to a very acceptable port for consoles like the Switch, but I think I speak for everyone when I say, let's keep those God awful HD sprites out of it shall we? Of course, the best-case scenario would be that we wind up with a port of the DS version, which also includes a bestiary, jukebox and a missing FMV scene, but I doubt that would happen. It is nigh impossible to achieve what the DS version did with only one screen. Heck, the biggest reason it’s my personal favorirte version of the game is because combat is HUD-less, and all of its 2D sprite glory can be seen interrupted. You cannot do that on Switch/other consoles.
Let's say, however, for the sake of this video, that we are not in for a port, but rather a full-blown remake. It could range from anything between an HD uplift with added features to a complete reimagining. Before we even talk about what that would look like, we have to ask the most important question of all: Should Chrono Trigger even BE remade?
And honestly, that is a very valid question. Many people would in fact say no. I myself am open to the idea, depending on how it turns out, but I definitely hold some trepidation. I think most people watching this video will agree with me that video games are an art form. They represent the expression of a creator, of course they are art. And if video games are art then Chrono Trigger is the sistine chapel. How the Hell do you remake that? Or the statue of David? You don't...
Art represents a moment captured in time. And it's understood that some of those moments are so timeless that you don't tamper with them. No one will ever remake the Godfather, or To Kill a Mockingbird. And you may think this comparison is an exaggeration, but I would argue that this game is the video game equivalent to an auteur’s work. Chrono Trigger is a work of art. It's a game that is so dangerous to recreate that you really REALLY have to know what you are doing. Even getting the coloring wrong in a scene could incur the wrath of fans. And it's understandable. One of my favorites is the melancholic feel of the Cyrus/Glenn bridge scene, and it would lose much of its sad tone if changed. There is an essence to this game that few others can match.
You see, friends, Chrono Trigger is what one might call "Lightning in a bottle." It's a perfect storm. It's the right place at the right time. Something in which all the planets aligned at once to create something that we will likely never see again. And the reason is simple: It was created by a team of masterminds.
The development team for Chrono Trigger, often called the "dream team" was comprised of the absolute titans of the RPG and japanese entertainment industry. And when all of those forces collide at once, you get a project that no other creator can duplicate. You get a project with an understanding of everything to do and everything to not do. How the heck do you do it? Do you play it safe? How safe? Is there really ANYTHING to improve? Hell, would the existence of a CT remake spit in the face of the original creators? Would it further emphasize the triple A's lack of creativity? Personally, I do not believe it to be impossible, but pulling it off would requre all of the right steps. So where do we begin? Let's start with the easiest one to figure out.
Design
I mentioned how Chrono Trigger is one of those sacred titles that is understood to be untouchable by most fans. And personally, I think Square knows this. I in fact think that's why it's taken so long to get anything like a remake. Titles like this and FF6 are NOT ones you go into lightly. People will be pissed if you get it wrong. And so, I believe that if Square wanted any chance to get this right, their first priority would be to reassemble as much of the original dream team as possible. That's right, folks: Get the band back together and have them work on the project. Not only does this give the game the best chance possible of being faithful to everything the original stood for, but it will go a very long way in reassuring fans. Who better to take care of us than the people who gave us this gift in the first place?
But hoo boy is that an easier task said than done. I think it's wise to bring as many of the original team back as possible, but just how feasible is that? Heck, are they even up for it? One could argue that the time of Chrono Trigger was a simpler one, and that you can’t put together something like that in this day and age. For the sake of speculation, however, let's see what those legends are up to now.
Sakaguchi - Hironobu Sakaguchi, Chrono Trigger's creator needs no introduction. An absolute legend of the industry, perhaps even known better as Final Fantasy's creator, he is etched in gaming history forever. Sakaguchi left Square Enix in 2004, however, and currently spearheads his own game company, Mistwalker corporation. It's great to know he's still kicking ass, but is there really any likelihood that he could return to Square for a remake of Chrono Trigger? Again, I want to stress that I understand how ridiculous these terms would be, but can you even imagine the reaction to a moment like that? I'd be in tears.
Horii - Thankfully, Yuji Horii, Chrono Trigger's supervisor is a bit of an easier one. He is still very active in Square Enix, designing every Dragon Quest game, including the upcoming Dragon Quest XII. This does, however, mean he could be very busy with that project and unable to work on the remake. Still, given how amazing Dragon Quest XI is, it's nice to think about Chrono Trigger in his hands. His talent would be incredibly reassuring for a project like this.
Aoki - Kazuhiko Aoki is the man who produced this wonderful game, but sadly, he apparently hasn't worked on any project it seems for quite some time. He made a lovely article about Final Fantasy IX back in 2021 SOURCE, but not much else is known about his current involvement with the company. I'm honestly not sure what could happen if he was asked to return. But I find it unlikely, sadly. Check out that interview here - https://www.siliconera.com/final-fantasy-ix-event-designer-looks-back-at-its-development-concepts-and-characters/
Toriyama - So what of the mad lad who brought Chrono Trigger's characters to life? Toiryama, is surprisingly, a tricky one. While he is said to have still created the main character illustrations for Dragon Quest XI, his involvment doesn't go too far beyond that. He also no longer illustrates for Dragon Ball's manga. No doubt he's still involved, but believe it or not, he hardly draws at all anymore, and supposedly it's because he lost his pen holder, a sentimental piece of his illustration process that was with him since he was 14 years old. I don't know for sure how much of that is absolutely the truth, but it’s sad nonetheless. Fortunately, Square has proven that they can recreate Toriyama's style just fine, and I'm sure he could still have an involvment in the project, so I'm not too worried about him declining.
Uematsu - Uematsu is currently a freelance artist, and thankfully, he still works with Square quite a bit. He composed the main themes for Final Fantasy XIV, and the main theme for Final Fantasy VII Remake. I see no issue getting this genius on board, and fully expect it to happen regardless.
Mitsuda - I don't care if he's not officially listed as a member of the dream team, Mitsuda is the lifeblood of Chrono Trigger's music. And fortunately, he is still a very active artist, recently having worked on the indie triumph Sea of Stars. If you ask me, the most important member of the team who HAS to come back for a Chrono Trigger remake is Mitsuda. I cannot stress this enough: He is the essence of the game. You CANNOT recreate his music. It cannot and should not ever be attempted. And I don't think many would argue with that.
So how realistic is it that Square can actually get the band back together? I suppose there's no way of knowing, but I can't imagine it's an easy task, and it of course relies on the simple question of whether or not they're even interested. But... I suppose crazier things have happened in the industry. Regardless, and assuming it's not just a port we get, I do think Square intends to have the dream team involved to some extent. I really do.
And now, with all of that out of the way, we can finally talk about what we might see out of a Chrono Trigger remake. Or rather, what we should see in my opinion. There is a ton of debate on whether or not you can improve upon perfection. But let's have some fun here, and explore the possibilities. I'm going to break this up into several categories, and I want to start with the easiest one.
Story
Alright, I need to make this very clear and very simple. If a Chrono Trigger remake happens, then absolutely no, and I do mean no, changes can be made to the game's main story. I cannot stress this enough. It is imperative that we see absolutely no addition of filler, no padding of previously-established sequences, next to NOTHING in the main storyline.
One of the reasons Chrono Trigger is such a masterpiece is its often unmentioned perfect pacing. It's taught in writing that in order to write a good story, an author should try to make it as compact as possible. You want to start a scene as late as it can be, and end it as early as it can end. And you want every element to have meaning, substance and importance. No development should not push the characters or plot forward. In the medium of video games, this is super hard to achieve, especially in a day where people expect longer and longer games. However, Chrono Trigger is that rare stroke of mastery that understands this concept completely.
There is absolutely no filler in Chrono Trigger. Every story beat seamlessly leads into the next; All substance, no fat. It makes the game shorter, but it also makes the game stronger; a compact, perfectly-told story that never overstays its welcome. I would personally argue that no game in history has ever done it better. So you cannot, and I mean, cannot add anything to that. Every major beat must remain in tact.
The fair, Marle's disappearance, obtaining the masamune, Facing Magus, liberating humanity from the dinosaurs: The story is so perfect that it cannot be modified. And if you do, Square, get ready to feel the wrath of God.
Can you change a minor line here and there? Can you perhaps offer a little more insight into things? I suppose so, but it should be done sparingly. The essence of the game's story has to be completely the same. Now does this stipulation mean that you cannot add any new story content whatsoever? Not necessarily...
Chrono Trigger is a game divided into two halfs. The first is the amazing linear story of Lavos' origin, where he came from, and how to stop him. Once the final plot beat is complete, and Crono is returned/or not returned, to the party, all that is left is to take Lavos down. It's here where the game completely changes structure. SImilar to FF6, it becomes a completely non-linear world with many optional paths at the player's disposal. Gaspar informs the player that they have several choices on where to go next. I think if you want to add any bit of content, it has to be here, and that's only because the story has already been told up to this point. You can't screw anything up anymore. There is no more forward momentum to the game’s plot, so it does not matter how long the player lingers.
Of course, that content should still have some substance. Maybe some additional sidequests that delve into various main characters? Final Fantasy VII Remake is a tremendous example of how to expand on characterization, so I know Square’s writers can pull it off. Anything that adds more depth to the cast is a good idea. But the important thing is that by doing this you're only adding to a section that fans already understand's size is only dictated by their choices. It is up to them to pad the game out or not, and so the game in no way encroaches upon their experience.
In fact, part of what makes Chrono Trigger's story so emotionally investing is that it takes so much time to get to know the world and people of each time period, and in doing so it makes you care more and more about stopping Lavos in order to save those people. Anything that adds more to that element is a positive in my book. I would love any storyline that broadens characters such as Kino, Taban, Doan and maybe even Queen Zeal (a mustache-twirling villain) for example.
Now, it should be mentioned that the DS version has already done something simlar to this. And while the dimensional vortex and especially the Lost Sanctum are far from spectacular, I found them to be innofensive since they are completely removed from the game's main storyline. 99% of the tale is already told up to that point, so extra content wouldn't bother me all that much. And I can't help but feel giddy about the idea of any questline that adds some extra story for minor characters. Some of the game’s time periods, such as prehistory and antiquity, also felt like they could have included more activities.
As for non-story additions, such as sidequests and new chests/unlockables, I don’t see how they could pose an issue, so long as we're not just hunting 10 monsters for a farmer. Chrono Trigger’s only side quests truly exist in the second half of the game. If the main storyline were to feature some as well, I believe it only screws with the game’s pacing should the player choose to take part in them. Fortunately, while stopping Lavos is imperative in the story, there is not an extreme sense of urgency. Chrono Trigger’s clever writing works in spite of this, and it allows for more breathing room if a player wishes. There is a distinction between the main story beats themselves, and the pacing inbetween those beats. As long as no sections are specifically padded out in order to increase the game’s runtime then the risk is minimal.
But everything else? Don't change a thing. I suppose, if the designers did not want to add anything, you could offer a little more insight into who the entity is. It's never outright revealed where the time gates in Chrono Trigger came from. The most common theory is that the world is dreaming as Lavos is slowly sapping away its strength, and that it is conjuring these portals for someone to save it. But even Masato Kato leaves it somewhat ambiguous in a 2021 interview. And it has been made clear before that Chrono Cross is a canon experience, laying more credence to this theory.
The game is so enthralling that you seldom stop to wonder why any of it is even happening, and an explanation for that could enhance the plot’s cohesion. There are some who believe the ambiguous nature of it is a strength, but I am not one of those people. Something as important as why the time portals are even there in the first place is one I welcome the writers to explain to me.
Kato has also mentioned a desire to create a third entry in the franchise that ties up all loose ends, directly relating to Cross. A Chrono Trigger remake, with the hopes of sparking a revive of the series, could very well expand on these ideas in its story, but it better be brief stuff.
And I really hope this goes without saying, but please no magical time plot ghosts. I’ve seen some say that they would work better in a game like Chrono Trigger since it revolves around time. Those people are wrong.
Visuals
So what the heck would this Chrono Trigger remake look like? There are many directions they can take it in. Some imagine a full-blown 3D iteration similar to the style of Dragon Quest XI. I can't deny it would be a treat to see our favorite characters in full scale beauty, but this is a dangerous slope.
By making the game in 3D, you now take away a major element which made Chrono Trigger feel like a bigger world than it was: foresight. If players can see what's ahead of them already then the environments begin to feel shorter. And if we are to assume that we're getting a direct conversion of each of CT's iconic locations, then the only way to combat this problem is to make them larger, and to puff them out. And as I mentioned, you really cannot screw with the pacing of this game.
Combat is another factor to consider. Much of Chrono Trigger's battle system revolves around positioning, and where enemies are in order to maximize your techs. This can become much more difficult to ascertain in a 3D space. The obvious work-around would be to change the battle system to an active one over a turn-based one, but I do not think that is wise. People have a defined view of what this game plays like in their hearts, and would cry foul if that were taken away. You might argue that other games have done this, but other games have also aged far less gracefully than Chrono Trigger. In fact, one of the key reasons many reject the idea of a remake is because the game still feels so contemporary today.
I also think one of the things that makes this game so memorable is that each area feels like its own set piece from a play. There isn’t one area that feels the same, and they are designed cleverly enough that any moment is worthy of a screenshot. I cannot help but wonder if much of that would be lost in three dimensions. I would not be upset if a Chrono Trigger remake took this approach. The original will always exist, and the chance to play a version that looks like one of the prettiest RPGs in recent years is enticing.
I don't think it's impossible to make it work, but just how well can a 25-hour 2D game really be translated into 3 dimensions? I can't even begin to surmize how you make that possible with so many flat environments found in the original game. Chrono Trigger has more verticality than most RPGs of that era, but it's still restricted to a birds eye view, and I would argue that the limitations only made it a better and more compact experience. And lord knows that people who grew up with this game are nostalgic for those beautiful sprites. And why wouldn't you be? We don't want to forget that beauty.
What about an epic, large-scale Final Fantasy VII Remake style? I do not believe this would work at all. Chrono Trigger is a very humble, down-to-Earth game. One of the reasons you never hear anyone criticize it is because it is so similar to Earthbound in that it knows what it is, and it never tries to be more. It achieves that goal perfectly, and doesn’t waste time shooting for other targets. I’ve always felt the game has a more homey quality to it akin to most Dragon Quests. While yes, the stakes are as high as something like Final Fantasy VII, the spectacle is not. It is more of a story about the characters, and perhaps more about the investigation into what Lavos is more than simply how to defeat it.
I don’t like the idea of a remake in this style. Chrono Trigger would not work with an open world, and it most certainly wouldn’t work with lofty new plot developments. I adore Final Fantasy Remake and Rebirth, but despite its popularity, Final Fantasy VII is not as universally loved as Chrono Trigger is. The fans of the game are often older people who like subtlety and nuance. FFVII has remained in the zeitgeist since its inception. Chrono Trigger’s legacy is more of a nostalgic one. Don’t mess with that memory.
What about a brand new art style? It’s impossible to say what that would look like, but anything that retains Toriyama’s vision is one I am open to! The fan-made game Card Saga Wars has a beautiful depiction of each of Chrono Trigger’s characters. But three dimensions? I lean toward no.
So ultimately, I think the best direction to take would be a two-dimensional one, or perhaps even a hybrid of the sort. The most common art style I see suggested is the HD-2D appproach found in titles like Octopath, Live a Live and the upcoming Dragon Quest 3 remake. I don't think this is a bad idea. I've heard some say that it simply makes Chrono Trigger less original by copying the style of another game, but this style isn't defined by just Octopath Traveler, it's just an art style. It is, for a lot of people, a way to see a style that they are nostalgic for blossom with more beauty than ever.
And just looking at these screenshots it's hard to deny the appeal. So how well would something like that work? It depends on how many of the original assets remain in tact. For example, it would be a mistake to make any area in the game bigger for dramatic effect, but sprucing it up a bit with more atmosphere and color variance? I don't see an issue with that. It all depends on whether or not the people working on the project understand the essence of the original game.
I am not someone who believes remakes devalue the original. No matter what you do, you can't take the original away. It exists. It happened, and you will always have it. If a designer wants to take a crack at upgrading Chrono Trigger's visuals, well... I think I think it's a little reductive to denounce the idea entirely. Imagine the Millenial Fair with a little more bustle, imagine the dark and dreary future made even more grim with additional fog effects, imagine the top of Tyrano Lair with the fiery reflection of Lavos’ doom casting a glare over the scene. I believe it’s an exaggeration to say that these ideas are just cheap coats of paint. Modern effects can indeed improve the atmosphere of a game, and I think it’s a mistake to be so attached to the past that we deny that.
I'm not completely married to the idea of HD2D, but I think it could work better than any other style I’ve seen thusfar. Whatever they go with, I think an emphasis should be put on character models and making them more pronounced. SNES sprites are beautiful, but to me, much of Chrono Trigger's charm comes from Toriyama's art direction, and I think any facelift that allows to get more of that would be a treat. I'd love to see the characters with longer and more defined limbs especially. Toriyama's style is more realistic than a lot of others, and he puts a lot of emphasis on the limbs. I'm no artist, so I can't tell you exactly what we SHOULD get, but this is certainly what I would like to see.
But like I said, this is dangerous territory. Chrono Trigger's atmosphere is immaculate and even the slightest change to aesthetic can screw with that. We'll just have to see how it turns out. Truth be told, I used to be far more against the idea of a visual facelift. And then this I saw titles like Live a Live and Octopath Traveler 2. The Live A Live remake was especially spectacular. Comparing it to the original, and... Wow, it's not even a contest. To see a game handled with so much care and attention like that, one that wasn't even released overseas, it gives me a lot more confidence that Chrono Trigger can be done justice. The HD2D art style is not only my first choice, but also it seems to be the fans. I recently posted a poll on Twitter of what people would like to see in a Chrono Trigger remake, and it won by a noticeable lead.
Gameplay
And now, my friends, we come to the most controversial topic of all: Just how is this remake going to play? And more importantly, should there be any changes whatsoever? It's redundant at this point to mention how important the original game's feel is to the fans, so just assume from now on that everything I say is still a risky move.
Well, let's get an easy one out of the way. I don't feel the level design should change at all. Each of Chrono Trigger's dungeons is unique and offers something different in terms of challenge. Yet another reason it's so good... Yeesh. Item locations, what they do, their names... Should probably keep all of that exactly the same. I'm not against the idea of adding a little more for players to find and collect, but only if it has a full purpose and doesn't intrude on the pacing in any way. Some additional trinkets that target specific character abilities or playstyles would be wonderful.
Being an SNES game, Chrono Trigger's leveling and character build system is pretty simplistic. Speaking for myself, I am a huge fan of weird character building systems, but they also tend to be flawed. Sure, I love them for their flaws, but is that something Chrono Trigger needs? Should you be able to fine tune individual stats? Or should characters have a skill tree? Probably not. The game is not only too short for that, but the character kits are also diverse enough to stand on their own. The one thing I'd love to see, and one I don't think too many would obejct to, is equipment effects. In the original game, almost everything amounts to some simple stat boosts. But it would be pretty neat to see things that, oh I don't know, increase the power of a certain double tech, or make a character gain TP faster, or makes you do more damage but take more damage. (Risk/reward is always nice)
What about new characters? The original game doesn't feel like it's missing any. It's no FFIX with Beatrix, but there is one thing you COULD do. Gaspar, the guru of time, was once planned to be a party member. The end of time is the only era without a rep on the team, so I think this could be a neat idea to have him join Crono and friends. I've also seen some suggest Schala be added as well, but I don't see how that could work if we're assuming Chrono Cross is canon. The more gameplay elements they add, then the more content the game should have to justify it. Again, this is fine as long as its content removed from the main story and optional.
Now... What about combat? That’s a difficult topic. Trigger’s combat is fairly timeless. To this day, no matter how many times I play the game, I will always get those moments where I don't feel like I’m on auto-pilot, and I'm legit strategizing. It's so easy to get to a point where you've got it all memorized with a classic and just go through the motions, but there is still enough variety here to keep things fresh. Probably because Chrono Trigger makes every single party formation viable and has them all grow in equal trend. Brilliant.
With that being said, Chrono Trigger's battle system is not my all-time favorite and if I had to pick out just one thing that feels iffy about it it’s positioning. Chrono Trigger features several special attacks the character can unleash either by themselves or with others. Often times, the benefit of the combined attacks is that you will cover more ground. This means that if an enemy is in the proper positioning you can hit more than one at once, really helping out in combat.
However, there is no way at all to influence positioning in Chrono Trigger, aside from waiting for the enemies to move, but that often does more harm than good. This nullifies the usefulness of certain skills. I dare anyone to tell me they used cyclone sweep often.
Perhaps a remake could offer some sort of way to move characters. Maybe as part of their turn, you are given a grid, or circle by which to move characters and the spaces they can move is based on their speed stat? It sounds neat, but by adding that extra step you run the risk of making battles drag more. If anything, it's an idea that I hope is explored in early development.
The ability to change positioning also means players will be less inclined to use the same overly-advantageous techs over and over, and instead opt for other options if they suit the situation. That's a good thing. I’d also be very curious to know if people would want timed hits to be added. I don’t at all expect that mechanic, but I will admit that I love it. For the sake of the fanbase, however, I’m going to assume it will be met too negatively to warrant. I also think changing the way enemies work could be satisfying as well. We already have the weight system in the game, but what if they added other mechanics such as ranged attacks doing more to flying enemies? Anything that gives the player more room to strategize is good in my book.
A lot of these are small changes, and that's because Chrono Trigger's gameplay doesn't need any big changes. Anyone ever notice how good that game is?
Voice Acting
I am all for voice acting. Yep, I'm not joking. If any remake chooses not to have it, I have no issue with that whatsoever, but I like my game's voiced, what can I say? It brings a whole nother slew of artists into the equation and the chance to hear some of our most beloved characters speak for the very first time! Sure, there is the concern of it being corny, but again, look at Live A Live. The performances are genuinely impressive. If they can put that much work into that, then I think a voice director would do Chrono Trigger justice.
The way I see it, there are only two valid reasons not to. 1. People remember the game a certain way and see the lack of voices as part of the game's essence. And that's fair, but like I said, the original game will always exist. They can't take that away from us. There is a certain point at which we must realize the rose-tinted glasses have to come off.
And 2: Many people prefer the lack of voices because they like to let their imagination fill in a voice for them. They have their own individual sounds for characters like Frog, Lucca and Magus ingrained in their head already. I think that's a very respectable take. Those people would be very happy if the game remained silent, and I wouldn't mind that. But right now, if you had to ask me where I stand, I'm all for it. And as controversial as it sounds, I fully believe giving Crono some speaking roles would be ideal. Chrono Trigger’s most shocking moment would benefit greatly if players got to know, and cared more about the lead protagonist.
I don't care for voiceless games if they can help it. No matter what you do, text can't perfectly convey things like the pacing at which a character is speaking or the emotion they're feeling. I mean, there are other ways to do that, but the addition of voice acting can only add without subtracting in my opinion.
The Final Question
Can you just imagine seeing all new cover art for a game so close to your heart? Seeing Chrono Trigger on store shelves again. Seeing the preorder pages for it. Oh yeah, no dlc or microtransactions please. oh dear God "Preorder Chrono Trigger Resurrected and recieve the exlusive Rainbow sword for Crono." NO, please God nooooooo!!!!
Well, I have to know, does it excite you? Imagine getting brand new artwork by Toriyama. Imagine the Mitsuda musical remixes oo la la. All of this has its own merit, but this is only if the game winds up a home run, and with Chrono Trigger, anything short of a home run is a failure. Tread with caution.
So my final question is, should the game turn out to be less than the incredibly high expectations beset upon it, just how much does that tarnish Chrono Trigger's legacy? You ask anyone who has heard of it these days and chances are they know it's a legendary title. It's one of the very few sacred games out there that basically everyone agrees is good. Everybody. And no matter what happens, the original will always exist. But would that image be sullied? Just how dangerous is it to make a Chrono Trigger remake?
I think it's a very risky move, but not an impossible one. I've gone over the sort of things I both expect to see, and what I think suits the original game best to see, but I would really love to know what you think? Is a Chrono Trigger remake appealing? Would you change literally anything? How much is too much? There is so much to discuss, but the biggest reason of all that I believe a Chrono Trigger remake is worth exploring is so that more and more people will be introduced to it. More will experience something that has nestled itself so deeply in my heart that it will forever be a part of me. As we look to the future, I do hope that day comes one way or another.
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