Chrono Trigger
1995
- role-playing (rpg)
- fantasy
- science fiction
- open world
- single player
The story
In this turn-based Japanese RPG, young Crono must travel through time through a misfunctioning teleporter to rescue his misfortunate companion and take part in an intricate web of past and present perils. The adventure that ensues soon unveils an evil force set to destroy the world, triggering Crono's race against time to change the course of history and bring about a brighter future.
What it’s like
Bright, hand-painted sprite worlds with saturated colour: sunlit medieval villages and glowing green forests give way to rust-coloured ruins, a dim and cracked post-apocalyptic future, and gleaming ancient cities lit by pastel crystal and sparkling machinery. The overworld is sun-warmed and wide, and the screen-shifts between eras carry a shimmering, dreamlike transition. Music does much of the emotional work, with bright melodic themes that turn wistful or ominous as the story darkens, and battles pulse with quick, cheerful chiptune energy. The mood is adventurous and hopeful with a current of melancholy, the kind of game that suits a long weekend afternoon, a comfort replay, or a quiet evening with the controller in your lap. Pacing is brisk and rewarding, with side quests and multiple endings that reward curiosity, and the emotional arcs centre on a close-knit group of friends who face loss and choose hope. Violence is cartoonish and stylised, with fantasy monsters defeated in turn-based fights and dark themes such as apocalypse and cruelty handled in a fairly gentle register. For players who want a warm, hopeful journey with a bittersweet edge and little real gore.
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