Chrono Trigger DS Review

Now, I feel the need to preface this review with the disclaimer that I'm basing this review on 6 hours of playime. While this may not be enough for some fully expansive games, but for most, this is adequate. For this reason, I won't be going fully into the key aspects of the plot (convenient for those who don't want spoilers).

Firstly, this game sticks faithfully to its original form, which first came out on the SNES. The graphics stick to how it was (which is one of the wisest moves, I feel, as it does this very well) in its original version, with some improvements to make it a "HD Remix" of RPGs, making you fall in love with the art style from the moment you see it. The addition of a map in the bottom screen of the DS also makes adventuring around the landscape far easier for when you get stuck, and can't see some of the more subtle passageways (a rare problem, but can still prove annoying without the aid of a map).

As far as gameplay goes, this has the option for either turn-based battle (meaning you have more time to make your decisions, which is advisable for the newer RPG fans) or to have an active battle system, very reminiscent of Final Fantasy 7 in which your turn meter fills up after a certain amount of time, you do your move, and it starts over. Not just the battle system is choosable, however, as you can also choose the layout of the battle, meaning that you can either use your stylus to pick your moves, or, for the people who want to recreate that feeling of a controller, you can just use the arrow buttons to choose your moves (and, pretty much, play the entire game. No touching required! Hurrah!). Furthermore, you can combine some characters' attacks together, using both their turns, to dish out more damage. For example, let's say a robot who dances to Rick Astley (you think I'm joking) and a fire-casting character want to cause more damage than their single attacks would cause. They can combine their attacks, to exploit an enemy's weakness. Each and every attack has its own unique animation, which I've not goten bored of yet.
Personally, I always found every battle fun and easy-to-use in comparison with other games, where random encounters often become troublesome and ultimately off-putting. Being able to see the monsters you'll be going up against as you roam the world (just like Final Fantasy XII, for those that aren't familiar with the old-school references) is a big advantage for this game, as if you're skilled enough, you can dodge almost every un-required enemy for battle.
Admittedly, there is some party-memberjuggling, but with this being the standard for almost all RPGs, one can hardly complain about this.

Plot-wise, this is one of the most engaging and intricate plots I've seen in a game on the DS, or even the RPG genre. In a nutshell, you, Chrono, are happy with your life in the happy land of Guardia and you're given what has to be one of the best openings I've seen to show you it, with coloured balloons, mini-games, and fireworks. In the space of about half an hour, you'll have found yourself hopping across various eras of time (yes, time travel, people!) and the game is extremely effective in showing you the severity of the decay and hopelessness you see in the future, which not just makes the characters want to change everything, but makes you want to change what happens. If a game can do this to yours truly, the most battle-hardened of RPG players, it is an achievement unto itself. One complaint that I might have about it is that the game is counting on you to remember the important things, which only adds to its addictiveness. The game will only spell it out for you once, and let you figure out what it is that you need to do. Which, again, forces you into the mind of Chrono and his band of followers, making you want to finish the story.


All-in-all, if you like RPGs, and hell, even if you don't, you will not just like, but adore Chrono Trigger. It is, hands down, one of the single best games out there for the DS, with multiple endings and days of gameplay all laid out for pure enjoyment. One of the best combinations of plot and gameplay I've seen in years, I compel you to give this game a go. Not just this, but it's also the founding basis of most RPGs today, and it's oh, so easy to see why.

5 out of 5.