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Why Chrono Trigger is GOAT
Squaresoft at the top of their game
The Dream Team, stronger together
Mitsuda AND Uematsu on one soundtrack
Some of the music came to Mitsuda in dreams
No grinding
No random encounters
thread 1/X
Why Chrono Trigger is GOAT
Squaresoft at the top of their gameThe Dream Team, stronger togetherMitsuda AND Uematsu on one soundtrackSome of the music came to Mitsuda in dreamsNo grindingNo random encountersthread 1/X
No JRPG voice acting cringe
Story doesn't rely on a ton of JRPG tropes/cliches
Not a sequel/part of an existing franchise: no baggage of traditionStrong female charactersAccessible gameplaySquare's classic ATB system combining tactics & time2/X
(art: AbyssWolf)
Tasteful use of Mode 7Dual/Triple TechsCast not stock characters only differentiated by the color of their hairTime travel mechanicsMeaningful end game sidequests that develop characters or tie up plot threads, not merely a list of chores3/X
(art: unknown)
Not a ton of boring exposition to sit throughAkira Toriyama's cutscenes (they're on YouTube!)At the crest of the 90s JRPG golden ageNot early 3D (sorry, polygonal Cloud)Multiple endingsBalanced linearity and freedom4/X
(art: Robert Porter)
Doesn't take 100 hours to complete or drag itself outWhat padding? (Plz don't Remake it, SE)Story makes sense and is presented with clarity (I'm looking at you Chrono Cross)Quasi-sequel/spin off Chrono Cross one of the best PS1 JRPGs5/X
(art: Xavier Garcia)
Religious imagery isn't ham-fistedRoster of playable characters is the right size for each character to receive development and background (again, Cross or even yon holy FF6)Coined the term New Game + and it actually thematically fits6/X
(art: amade)
Lavos scream one of the most unique 16-bit sounds everVillain winsYou can set the text speed (thanks for nothing, Xenogears)Didn't take 15 years to finish and it showsNo Kingdom Hearts melodrama7/X
(art: Dave Rapoza)
Not a button-mashing ARPG like nearly every JRPG these daysNo microtransactions, amiriteNo need for character development DLCNo empty open world waste of timeNo insane fandomNo uncanny valley facesOn the SNESThe best Final Fantasy8/X
(art: chesterocampo)
The best Dragon Quest & Dragon Ball, tooLocalization not a messNot one moody emo Hot Topic protagonist in sightImpresses new players todayNo politicizationNo preachy themesNo anime pervNo quest markers, lets you figure things out9/X
(art: HeavyMetalHanzo)
Cinematic without being a movie interrupted by moments of interactivityNo having to fuss with disc swappingDeft use of silence for dramatic effectBalance: humor, comedy, dramaLonger musical tracks mean songs don't become annoying/repetitive10/X
(concept art)
Active or Wait, play at your speedHasn't been milked to death or infected with sequelitisNot formulaicReplay valueMade the best use of the hardware available to itStill visually stunningNot Square Enix11/X
(artist: unknown)
If you know of the artists for any of the unattributed fanart images, please let me know.
