The PC Port of Chrono Trigger Is Not What People Expected

Man, that was the golden age for square. FF6, Mario RPG, and Chrono were such good games. I own all of the SNES carts as well as several of the re-releases. People heap praise on FF4 too, but I don't think it's even close. FF6 had a friggin opera.

Sorry you missed out. SNES was a really amazing system. Unlike N64, many of the great games still hold up really well. Mario World, Link to the Past, Super Metroid, and so many others still are fun to play.

FF6 also have one of the best villain, Kefka! Mothereffer drops a flying continent to fuck the world.
 
On a more positive note a 3D remake of Secret of Mana was released on steam near Valentine’s Day.
Is it any good? normally I'd be all over it, but I know the history of ports to PC isn't always the greatest case in point this thread.

Oh ... and just to stir the pot FF6(3 US) > FF7
Why you little... wait yeah I'll agree, FF6 was a much nicer experience as a whole. Doesn't matter if it's pixels instead of blocky 3d polygons that make the makers of South Park go "WTF is this crap?" but I feel the story was much more enriching with so many other side stories, and the whole damn world basically gets destroyed too!
 
FF6 > FF7 shouldn't even be controversial. There's nothing that FF7 has over FF6. FF7 wasn't a bad game, but the storyline was so muddled. I didn't understand what the hell was going on the first time I played through it. After going through Crisis Core on the PSP, it was a bit easier to put some of the pieces in place - and that was some 8 years after I had played the initial game.
 
Yeah SE is a weird company.

Sometimes they treat the PC like a mobile phone, like a second class gaming device, other times they do like what they did with tomb raider and are doing with FF15.

Very inconsistent.
 
To be honest it isn't necessarily that these are "mobile" versions, but rather that the mobile versions they were adapted from were developed in crappy, crappy ways. Square Enix has a VERY uneven release of legacy/classic content with some of it being fantastic and others being major disappointments like this. This is not to say I don't want these titles released for Steam, or even for Android etc... but they simply need a much better porting job.

I do NOT just want ROMs dumped on PC , but ports done with first party loving care and/or "remakes"/upgrades (like Secret of Mana, which was recently completely redone in 3D while keeping the spirit of the original, upgraded with new features. I should also say that Final Fantasy IV (and its direct sequel, also available on steam, Final Fantasy IV, The After Years) is a PHENOMENAL 3D remake of the game in full 3D - originally released on NDS - that it even includes new gameplay content and even voiced cinematics. The PC port is not bad but not perfect - I highly suggest getting it though, and then finding the patch/mod to apply Japanese audio - sadly it was not included by default )

The problem is that many of the ports - including Final Fantasy V and VI - where the PC is again afflicted with Mobile-itis, but what's more has crappy "new" sprites and character pictures. Personally, I would pay $30+ dollars today for a remade version of Final Fantasy VI if done well to PC specs in the same style as FFIV and Secret of Mana (and $60 if they remade and enhanced it with modern, Final Fantasy XV graphics AND DID IT WELL) - same goes for Chrono Trigger and Xenogears

On the good side, Chrono Trigger on PC does include the "best" version (ie Nintendo DS) additional game content which ties up some storyline stuff that was not in the original SNES release. I would actually be disappointed if they just used the SNES version when the Nintendo DS version was so well done. Now that may have been the baseline for the Android / iOS mobile > PC versions, but the problem was it came with a bunch of crappy features from that mobile port, including a crap-tastic UI , graphical filter/tiling problems, bad fonts, and a lack of PC centric features like proper scaling/resolution, rebind able controls, and more. They just needed to do better and price it right - have in-house porters do it rather than bargain basement mobile garbage!
 
Last edited:
Yeah SE is a weird company.

Sometimes they treat the PC like a mobile phone, like a second class gaming device, other times they do like what they did with tomb raider and are doing with FF15.

Very inconsistent.

Tomb Raider is handled by Square Enix Europe aka Eidos. The Eidos branch of SE is effectively a separate company operating under the same name. SE even left some of the same morons that originally sunk Eidos in charge. SE Japan is the side that has a habit of making this crappy mobile ports and has finally decided to put a little more effort into something with the FFXV pc version.
 
Is it any good? normally I'd be all over it, but I know the history of ports to PC isn't always the greatest case in point this thread.


Why you little... wait yeah I'll agree, FF6 was a much nicer experience as a whole. Doesn't matter if it's pixels instead of blocky 3d polygons that make the makers of South Park go "WTF is this crap?" but I feel the story was much more enriching with so many other side stories, and the whole damn world basically gets destroyed too!

I have Secret of Mana and overall I'll say its worthwhile, but not perfect. Some claim it to be buggy but I've not run into many bugs - some people who never played the original don't realize that you can't just hit an enemy over and over again in real time, there's only so much that registers and a delayed reaction; that is just how it was in the old game. Likewise, there's not an easy way to see stats for equipment without buying it while at the store - another thing that I remember from the original but frankly this one I think could haave been updated. There are supposedly some late game issue (ie a certain story element that used to move around the map not moving) but they're relatively minor. The OST gives you two options between the true original and a remixed version - your preference will guide you to one or the other. The graphics are overall a very nice 3D imagining of the sprites, keeping the same style. Content wise, I've not gone very far yet but the keep to the story closely and even add to it a bit with a bunch of new intra-party scenes that take place whenever you stay at an inn; where Randi, Popoi and Primm talk to each other in a way they didn't in the original SNES version. Its also worthwhile to note that SE thankfully included the Japanese audio for this one and what's even more impressive is the game is fully voiced - and I don't just mean major cinematics! Talk to random townfolk and it is vocalized, which I actually wasn't expecting. Control wise, it works flawlessly with my XBOnecontroller - I've not tried anything else though (this game is really made for SOME sort of controller. I may give the Steam Controller a try too)

I wouldn't say it is perfect and I think it could use some patches, but for fans of the original or those who want to see a classic from the old days, I suggest picking it up - despite it not quite winning all the way around, effort was actually put into the endeavor compared to a slap-dash mobile port like has been done with some of the other older titles.
 
Man, that was the golden age for square. FF6, Mario RPG, and Chrono were such good games. I own all of the SNES carts as well as several of the re-releases. People heap praise on FF4 too, but I don't think it's even close. FF6 had a friggin opera.

Sorry you missed out. SNES was a really amazing system. Unlike N64, many of the great games still hold up really well. Mario World, Link to the Past, Super Metroid, and so many others still are fun to play.

The reason Square's golden age was during the SNES era was because Enix was pushing them hard (though mainly in Japan). I'd argue Enix actually had the better of Square for most of the SNES era, though American gamers might be unaware of how many hits Enix had as many of them never got localized.

Seriously, name ONE beloved RPG Square-Enix has put out since they merged. They've had a few OK ones, but nothing of the likes of Chrono Trigger, FF6/7, Star Ocean, and the like. Both companies have done worse since they merged.
 
Is it any good? normally I'd be all over it, but I know the history of ports to PC isn't always the greatest case in point this thread.


Why you little... wait yeah I'll agree, FF6 was a much nicer experience as a whole. Doesn't matter if it's pixels instead of blocky 3d polygons that make the makers of South Park go "WTF is this crap?" but I feel the story was much more enriching with so many other side stories, and the whole damn world basically gets destroyed too!

I have enjoyed the secret of mana remake so far, granted I only played until I got to Gaia’s Navel. I have not experienced any of the problems or crashes which people are reporting in the reviews. So far it is quite faithful to the original. The new take on the music is great, the 3D nature is nice, and I’m ok with the voiceovers and cutscenes.
 
I have enjoyed the secret of mana remake so far, granted I only played until I got to Gaia’s Navel. I have not experienced any of the problems or crashes which people are reporting in the reviews. So far it is quite faithful to the original. The new take on the music is great, the 3D nature is nice, and I’m ok with the voiceovers and cutscenes.

Secret of Mana remake is fine. Enjoy it and don't let the internet tell you otherwise.

http://www.double-xp.com/?p=1906
 
The reason Square's golden age was during the SNES era was because Enix was pushing them hard (though mainly in Japan). I'd argue Enix actually had the better of Square for most of the SNES era, though American gamers might be unaware of how many hits Enix had as many of them never got localized.

Seriously, name ONE beloved RPG Square-Enix has put out since they merged. They've had a few OK ones, but nothing of the likes of Chrono Trigger, FF6/7, Star Ocean, and the like. Both companies have done worse since they merged.
Kingdom Hearts 2?
 
That is sad to hear. I've got both my kids into some of the better old titles. My son's favorite games, across all platforms, are still Kingdom Hearts 2 and Super Metroid. My daughter is playing through FF9 again and has asked if she can play some of the earlier Persona games now. I was all set to surprise them with another great "older title", but I guess not.
 
I use the ePSXe emulator and the Final Fantasy Chronicles game (legit) to get my Chronotrigger fix.
 
The reason Square's golden age was during the SNES era was because Enix was pushing them hard (though mainly in Japan). I'd argue Enix actually had the better of Square for most of the SNES era, though American gamers might be unaware of how many hits Enix had as many of them never got localized.

Seriously, name ONE beloved RPG Square-Enix has put out since they merged. They've had a few OK ones, but nothing of the likes of Chrono Trigger, FF6/7, Star Ocean, and the like. Both companies have done worse since they merged.
I mostly agree about the post merger content. They've had some good games, but it hasn't been the same.

I forgot how many good games Enix put out on SNES. Illusion of Gaia, Soul Blazer, ActRaiser, and Ogre Battle were all good. I actually liked their NES era games much better than Square's. I thought Dragon Warrior 3 and 4 were much better than the early FF games.
 
I mostly agree about the post merger content. They've had some good games, but it hasn't been the same.

I forgot how many good games Enix put out on SNES. Illusion of Gaia, Soul Blazer, ActRaiser, and Ogre Battle were all good. I actually liked their NES era games much better than Square's. I thought Dragon Warrior 3 and 4 were much better than the early FF games.

Heck, For me, Dragon Warrior 4 is better than all the Final Fantasy games up until 6, than 6 stole the show for me.
 
The reason Square's golden age was during the SNES era was because Enix was pushing them hard (though mainly in Japan). I'd argue Enix actually had the better of Square for most of the SNES era, though American gamers might be unaware of how many hits Enix had as many of them never got localized.

Seriously, name ONE beloved RPG Square-Enix has put out since they merged. They've had a few OK ones, but nothing of the likes of Chrono Trigger, FF6/7, Star Ocean, and the like. Both companies have done worse since they merged.
I felt Dragon Quest 8 was a really good game, but yeah I get your point. When you had the DQ line versus the FF line, you got good shit.
 
Heck, For me, Dragon Warrior 4 is better than all the Final Fantasy games up until 6, than 6 stole the show for me.
Yeah DW/Q 1,2,3 were ho-hum ok... but all felt like blatant rip offs of Ultima (DW3 = Ultima 3 especially). DW4 is where shit got real though, the whole story from multiple perspectives, super good shit, I would argue too that DQ5 and 6 were also highly touted and could go toe to toe with FF2/3 (4/6) as well although most didn't play/see DQ5/6 until either a translated version came out or the DS versions came out.
 
Heck, For me, Dragon Warrior 4 is better than all the Final Fantasy games up until 6, than 6 stole the show for me.

FF6 is my favorite game of all time. Hands down nothing has ever engaged me as much. Plenty of other games I love just that one is the favorite. ChronoTrigger was almost as good. But I remember renting FF6 as a kid and not wanting to return the cart...I probably paid for that game like 4x over before I could aford the $60 to buy the cart. I even managed to snag the original one I was playing on for all those years...
 
It is funny how the 3D nature of the secret of mana remake can, in some instances, make the game more difficult. In the original enemies could only attack in 4 directions, up, down, left, right ... now that they can attack in diagonal directions there are sections which have increased in difficulty. The bow and arrow enemies, in the haunted forest and the castle, (little guys with raccoon tail hats) are the perfect examples of this. In the original version you could just stand on a diagonal to these enemies and they couldn't hit you ... now ... not so much. Mistakes were made ... many cups of wishes were used.
 
Back
Top