For some, Chrono Cross is a basic PlayStation-era RPG, and it is good to see it being revived all these years later. Whereas we would not say that it is remembered anyplace close to as fondly as Remaining Fantasy VII by way of IX, or its predecessor, the legendary Chrono Set off, it is nonetheless a title steeped in PS1 appeal — from its rigorously crafted prerendered backgrounds to its putting soundtrack.

And so right here we’re with Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Version, a remaster that provides us the sport at the next decision, full with higher character fashions, sharper menus, and an enhanced — however fortunately not rearranged — musical rating. At a look, Sq. Enix has finished a good job; it is retained that aforementioned PS1 appeal whereas additionally scaling issues up for bigger shows, with out turning the 35-hour journey right into a blurred mess. However when you truly begin taking part in, you shortly realise how badly optimised the sport is — whether or not it is working on PS4 or PS5 by way of backwards compatibility.

That is proper, Sq. Enix has one way or the other managed to destroy Chrono Cross’ body price on trendy {hardware}. The entire thing’s supposed to run at a locked 60 frames-per-second — why would not it? — however the frames fluctuate between what appears like about 10 and 45fps always. You may barely stroll throughout the display screen with out the body price tanking to an embarrassing extent — and it will get even worse in battle.

Certainly, these efficiency dips can result in noticeable enter delay throughout fight, which is simply past a joke when you think about how slow-paced the flip primarily based system is to start with. Evidently, the remaster’s body price issues come dangerously near outright wrecking the expertise — though complete chunks of Chrono Cross have not aged all that effectively anyway.

As you’d in all probability count on of a PS1 RPG with mounted digicam angles, the controls are reasonably wonky. At occasions, lining your character as much as work together with environmental particulars or speak to NPCs will be an train in frustration. What’s worse, in sure places, we discovered that our motion bugged out fully — to the purpose the place we could not even stroll in straight strains. It is an actual disgrace that this type of stuff wasn’t touched up or mounted for the remaster.

Chrono Cross does inform a reasonably fascinating story, although. It is an formidable story, dealing in alternate realities, and boasting an enormous solid of largely enjoyable characters. Apart from a handful of filler episodes — for lack of a greater description — the plot is effectively paced, and as is typical of PS1 JRPGs, the writing is sharp and straight to the purpose.

Having mentioned all that, proceedings can get a bit of complicated afterward, if you’re leaping between timelines as a way to progress. Maintaining along with your present targets throughout these sections will be tough as you try to recollect which characters it is advisable to chat with and which locations should be visited. Chrono Cross lacks the copious high quality of life enhancements which have remodeled the style over the past 20 years — and it is one thing that is painfully apparent right here in 2022. Once more, this was formidable design within the 90s, however nothing’s been finished to convey it in control.

Now look, we did not count on this remaster to reinvent Chrono Cross for a contemporary viewers, however there’s simply no getting away from the truth that the sport’s a slog once in a while. Take the weather system, for instance. It is just like Remaining Fantasy VII’s materia, in that social gathering members will be geared up with magic spells and skills of your selecting — besides the weather menu is severely awkward to navigate, and preserving observe of geared up parts is a little bit of a nightmare.

Chrono Cross loves its convoluted mechanics — a trait that is encapsulated by its divisive fight system. For what it is value, we do not suppose fight is anyplace close to as unhealthy as some critics have made it out to be through the years, however it is a system that would lose one or two mechanics and arguably be higher for it. Mainly, you employ commonplace assaults to construct up power, which might then be spent on unleashing parts. Nice, incredible, that works wonderful. However then your commonplace assaults have p.c possibilities to hit, and utilizing them drains your stamina, which is refilled to various levels as turns go.

Due to the best way by which the mechanics affect one another, battles can grow to be tediously drawn out. Lacking a standard assault purely by likelihood can set you again a flip or two — or three when you take successful in between, forcing you to heal as an alternative of allotting all the injury that you’ve got been saving up for. There is an satisfying stage of technique to Chrono Cross, however it’s buried deeper than it must be — trapped behind repetitive design that grows drained lengthy earlier than the credit roll.

Happily, the remaster does include the power to hurry the entire sport up, which is usually a godsend if you’re having to grind by way of common fights (although it does nothing to alleviate the body price points). You can too activate ‘battle enhance’ at any time, which primarily makes your social gathering invincible. A welcome choice when you’re solely right here for the nostalgia.

Oh, and The Radical Dreamers Version comes with — would you imagine it — Radical Dreamers. This can be a text-based title that was by no means launched outdoors of Japan, and it kind of ties Chrono Cross and Chrono Set off collectively. It is a considerate additional, and you’ll test it out at any time by way of the remaster’s most important menu.

Conclusion

Elements of Chrono Cross actually have not aged effectively, however it’s nonetheless an enthralling, characterful JRPG that evokes emotions of the style’s golden age on PS1. It is a sport that deserves higher than The Radical Dreamers Version, which, not less than at launch, is a dreadfully poor remaster. Crippled by body price points, it beggars perception {that a} title from 1999 might run this badly on trendy {hardware}. Until you are determined for the nostalgia, we strongly advocate ready to see whether or not Sq. Enix releases a patch to enhance the package deal on PS4 and PS5 earlier than shopping for.