30 Years Later, Chrono Trigger’s Defining Feature Still Can’t Be Topped

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Today, March 11, 2025, marks the 30th anniversary of Chrono Trigger! Let’s delve into how its groundbreaking New Game Plus feature solidified its status as a timeless classic.

During the hottest part of summer, I spent nearly all my free time playing Chrono Trigger over and over again. With the AC on and my parents happy for me to stay inside, I managed to complete a full gameplay every few days thanks to New Game Plus. This feature, still a significant aspect of Chrono Trigger’s enduring popularity, is an integral part of its exceptional design.

In a different perspective, Chrono Trigger didn’t invent the concept of playing beyond the game’s main storyline, as games like The Legend of Zelda had secondary quests or post-credits challenges. However, it was Chrono Trigger that introduced the term “New Game Plus” and significantly popularized this feature. Unlike additional challenges for expert players, Chrono Trigger’s NG+ allowed you to restart the game with all your accumulated experience, skills, and non-essential items or equipment. Instead of testing your newfound mastery, it simplified the gameplay by making it easier and quicker – a leisurely journey through a familiar story that many players cherished.

To truly appreciate this innovation, consider its significance in light of the gaming landscape we were previously accustomed to. Back then, we often found ourselves overwhelmed by an abundance of games or those continually updated with fresh content. Most of us frequently replayed short, single-player games. Role-Playing Games (RPGs), however, stood out as they required a significant investment of time. Repeatedly playing an RPG wasn’t uncommon, but it was a considerable commitment. SquareSoft ingeniously devised a straightforward method to lower the high time and commitment hurdle, making it effortless for players to revisit RPGs.

In simpler terms, Square understood that continuous advancement is a significant factor in our satisfaction when playing Role-Playing Games (RPGs). Unlike Super Mario World where the main focus is mastering platforming skills, RPG players develop strong bonds with their teams and characters, considering everything from their abilities to gear, decisions, and relationships. Starting anew on an Etch-a-Sketch in an RPG feels unique, but it’s also gratifying to maintain your powerful characters and effortlessly overcome challenges that once proved difficult.

Chrono Trigger served as an exceptional proving ground for this innovative idea, as it featured a unique multiple-ending structure in its role-playing game format. The game is renowned for its time-travel mechanic, with Lavos – an ancient menace that has lain dormant for millions of years – serving as the central antagonist. Confronting Lavos prematurely would demand a party far more developed than what players could realistically assemble early in the game. Traversing time and testing different strategies to face Lavos at various stages was not only a rewarding plot development, but was practically achievable only through replaying the game using New Game Plus.

In this game, there were various outcomes that served as attractions to encourage multiple playthroughs. These diverse endings offered insights into the world, its history, and the repercussions of actions or inactions, along with depicting the varied destinies of the characters. Some character’s fates were unchangeable, while others could be influenced slightly, affecting their lives. Additionally, some outcomes had significant implications for the world as a whole. Witnessing these interconnected timelines and observing their interactions adds depth and richness to the overall experience. The New Game Plus feature was particularly useful, allowing effortless exploration and uncovering of new possibilities.

On a deeper, underlying level, the concept of time travel subtly suggested recurring patterns or cycles, implying that the character Crono, who was woken up by his mother to meet his friend at the Millennial Fair, might have lived countless lives prior. This Crono could be a powerful warrior prepared to vanquish an alien set on destroying the world. Although not explicitly stated in the story, this idea has a certain logical appeal.

Just as top-notch platform games enable players to create their own enjoyment, the adaptability of this system empowered users to do so. That hot summer, I repeatedly played Chrono Trigger with the aim of acquiring a full set of Prism armor for every character—an exceptionally potent and scarce item that can only be gained once per game session. Reaching this goal might have been unnecessary, but it offered a unique sense of accomplishment that was only attainable through New Game Plus.

In the world of gaming, Chrono Trigger is still widely recognized as one of the finest representations of the New Game Plus mechanic, a recognition it earned when it first introduced this concept. Unlike many other games that simply provide the ability to replay with your equipment intact, Chrono Trigger ingeniously intertwined this feature into its storyline, making it an essential aspect of the gaming experience. Repeated plays aren’t just an added bonus; they are a fundamental part of the designers’ vision for the game.

Chrono Trigger is a remarkable Role-Playing Game (RPG) in numerous aspects, boasting endearing characters, stunning visuals, and an emotionally moving soundtrack. It’s worthy of lasting recognition for these qualities and more. However, what truly sets it apart in the memories of many RPG enthusiasts from my era might be that it was the first game to let us re-live those elements repeatedly, making our recollections stronger each time while also creating fresh memories with every playthrough.

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2025-03-11 18:09