How Chrono Cross Broke My Heart And Changed My Life
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ย. 2024
- Today is the 20th anniversary of the North American release of Chrono Cross. This is my story with the game and how, by breaking my heart, it changed my life forever...
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this game never got the love and attention it deserved
I don’t even blame the game itself. It lived in the shadow of one of the greatest games ever.
I honestly think this would have been better received as a standalone game without the links to Trigger. Most of my problems with the game are with the story's links to Trigger. They don't make sense to me, things happen that should have taken far longer then they did IMO and many of connections feel like they were shoved into the last sections of Cross at the last minuite.
Even the extra scenes added to later Trigger releases in an attempt to explain how we got from point A the state of the world at the end of Trigger to point B the state of the world at the beginning of Cross don't resolve these for me because it doesn't make sense to me. I understand what is happening in the scene but I don't understand how it could happen, or what transpired to set the events in motion.
IMO if the game had to be linked to Trigger it should have been set a century or two later. It would have allowed the events I find jarring to occur at a more natural pace. And of the Trigger cast members that play a role in the events of Cross only one has a direct link to a Cross cast member, and is native to the period. And if someone else had the bond that character had with Kidd it wouldn't make a difference because Kidd's bond with the character is what was important to the events of Cross. A few lines rewritten at most and Cross could have been set in 1120 or 1220 while still telling the same story
@@roguerifter9724 i had the luxury of playing it before Trigger so, my 12 year old brain didn't try to write a college thesis on it, i guess.
@@roguerifter9724 I agree with your thesis here. Cross would have been better off without the connection to Trigger. It would have been judged on it's own merits instead of being held up against something that it was incapable of being measured against. The connection did feel forced and flimsy too IMO.
J D at this point in life, I honestly think I love it more than trigger. The art style man.
"Chrono Cross is my favorite video game of all time."
I instantly subscribed.
SAME
Ok that’s it, I’ve had enough of sleeping on this game, I’m gonna finally play this game
Wish me luck
I was thinking just the same, so let´s do it!
I'm kinda shocked it doesn't have a PC port. Guess I can't play it. :/
@@ltb1345 use an emulator
how many years did you sleep on this game ? 😆😅🤣
Ako'y isang Pinoy technically 2 years I think
My favorite game of all time
Serge, lynx, kid, harley, etc . All of them are momarable chracters, story is ahead of its time. ❤️
So good, right!? I love CT but CC was so good, too! I can't stand the haters because it's not CT2. CC has some of the best music ever written, not to mention the great story, characters and the new attempt at a battle system!
@@karmad.twelve6613 yeah, the intro alone just blew my mind. Music is amazing, battle system was new that time, and the chracters are awesome vry unique.
Played the game more than 10 yrs ago, finished it but unsatisfied bcause i did not complete all the characters, then last year i replayed it on an emulator, with the help of the internet i completed the game and all its characters now im very satisfied.
Btw chrono trigger is also amazing, its just CC didnt get the love it dserves comprd to CT.
Serge is not my mom
Harley - vroom, vroom, baby! P.S. Its Harle
I appreciate the personal angle to this video. Hes genuine about his passion for RPGs
He made me relive my love of CC all over again! So good!
Hes one of my go-to sources for that jrpg nostalgia kick when i need it lol
wow you are the guy who works on Hakchi.
Love this. Glad to know someone out there was affected as much as I was by Chrono Cross. I played it 20 years ago at launch though. Still to this day, no game has managed to take the crown it holds as my favorite game of all time.
I felt the same way, it took until persona 5 for me to find a real rpg with not just a captivating story but also top tier gameplay
Only 3 games come close to Chrono cross thats Skys of Arcadia epic game and shadow hearts/shadow hearts covenant and horizon zero dawn for the deap story that made me cry. I cant wait for this April 7th
Same here bro. Remake is days away! Chrono cross is the bane of my existence.
Yes. I see a lot of love for chrono trigger. And it is well deserved. But there seems to be a lot of disappointment for the sequel that is not deserved, and may not even exist if chrono wasn't in the name.
Seems like most gamers prefers chrono trigger over chrono cross. I actually had more fun playing chrono cross over chrono trigger.
I became a writer because of the trailer of this game. I was 9 years old, I never had a PS, the trailer ran as an ad exactly once every night. It didn't have any context, I didn't even know the genre or if it's even a videogame or a show. The music grabed my heart immediately, and I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. I sat in front of the TV every single night to catch that one ad out of three hours of screen time (and the ads were of course randomized, so you never knew when it came). I theorized so much about what it is, who the characters are, what relationships they have, etc. I loved those characters but I had no way to connect to them, apart from weaving my own fantasies about their world. In the end I gave up, I turned off the TV, sat down in front of my prehistoric PC, and started writing. One year later, at the age of 10, I finished my first draft. Writing is not my profession, but I never stoped it since. I found out it was a PSX game a couple of years later, and had the chance to play it on PSEmu nine years after I first saw the trailer. I was afraid that my almost decade old expectations will ruin it, but no. It surpassed my expectations.
Now it comes out on Steam and I'm buying it full prize for sure.
The best sound track in the history of gaming. Absolutely 10/10
Without doubt
#facts
2 hours in and I just stopped to listen, and said outload wow that's good stuff.
"MAGICAL EXPERIENCE" i think for me thats what most games right now lacks. that feeling that you are really in its world. this game delivered it and beyond.
This game made me the JRPG fan that I am today.
I don't know how to explain but Chrono Cross makes me feel better everytime I think about how much happiness I felt when playing it.
The music the tropical setting the characters it makes me so happy playing it even today 😁
My man ✊ found your channel through the Lady Pelvic crossover and the heart you put into this is unmistakable. Thanks for spotlighting such an underrated gem
This game was truly a masterpiece along with that ending. For me though, Final Fantasy VIII is what got me into JRPG and changed my gaming life forever. It was also a very personal game.
Dito, bro
Same
i tear up durring certain endings, but never knew why... its like a bond being broken... its sad but liberating
First time I played Chrono Cross was back when it first came out. I was still a teenager and I was already hooked on RPGs thanks to FFVI, Chrono Trigger, Earthbound, and was leaning towards a N64 if it wasn't thanks to playing FFVII. This was also when I'd easily play video games for 50+ hours. As soon as I saw that intro video and the title screen I was already hooked. It didn't take long for me to start loving the game. And even though it wasn't it a direct sequel to Chrono Trigger, I was not disappointed at all. Plus all the callbacks to Chrono Trigger really added to the emotional journey for me. I may not have cried at the end, and I did get the true ending, it was still very emotional. Plus, in a way, the game really helped me out back then considering I was dealing with depression and some BS going on with my home life at the time.
I can't remember all the circumstances around when I first played it, but, I know it was just a rental. It wasn't actually until I was in my early 20's that I went and picked up a copy. I remember it was at an EB Games store. I just saw it there and had to get it. Then I just had to pay it again and it was still amazing. It's actually one of only two PS games I've beaten more than once. Unless remakes count, then it's more like one of four. But it's still the only PS RPG I've beaten more than once.
On another note: Sometimes when I get drunk and start getting emotional and then feelings of nostalgia start kicking in, I'll start watching the intro video.
P.S. Your video touched my dead heart inappropriately. You can't see it, but, I'm shaking my fist at you.
That intro song slaps
Yeeaaaah your literally not the only one I do the same it’s so epic how could you not go back and reminisce
Ended up beating this Game as a adult because as a kid the second disc got scratched smh 🤦🏿♀️ such a great game a lot of great memories
Wow. Me too. Because of second disc problem, I couldn't finish it back then...
I had the opposite problem! I could only play the 2nd disc and my saved files from the 2nd disc on because the first one got stepped on and cracked! :(
I remember having to rent this at blockbuster because mine would freeze up after a cut scene at the end of the first disk
Omg so I wasn't the only one! 😭 Mine kept freezing at a certain point in disk two!
Lord this game I had the luxury of playing before chrono trigger. I have so many amazing memories of this game and the music was so amazing. I’m like you it wasn’t my first rpg but it was one that really stood out in my memory.
Can I play this game without having played chrono trigger first? Please do tell how was your experience.
Xene Shah it wasn’t bad though all the references from trigger were lost on me but when I played trigger later on and connected the dots with cross it felt good. Also because I didn’t play trigger first I didn’t have anything to compare cross to so I think that helped me in not viewing this game as something inferior.
@@xeneshah9753 I played it when it first came out without ever playing chrono trigger and only played trigger after beating cross. I enjoyed the heck out of cross and didn't need to know anything about trigger to get into the story. There is very little that connects the games, though if you play trigger first, there are some nods to it later in chrono cross that you'll appreciate lore-wise, but its pretty subtle and I actually think I enjoyed trigger more having played cross first. Oni Black Mage youtube channel has a really good recap on trigger's story though if you do want to know a bit about the pre-story, but like I said, the connection is made late in the story of cross and its done effectively enough that you don't really need to know anything about trigger to understand what's happening. But yeah watch the recap I mentioned if you're interested.
@@gboyricky ah I see, thank you!
@@makeshift_battlefield_music great, guess I'll play trigger first then, have heard a lot about that game too. Thank you!
I had a very similar experience with Legend of Legaia. I just bought Chrono Cross last week and can't wait to play it through!
Es de los pocos juegos que tienen esa magia que te atrapa.... la música, historia, escenarios, personajes...todo. Este juego me embrujo completamente, el culpable de que me interesase por el rol y la música, empecé a interesarme por tocar guitarra para tocar su música, cambió mi vida total. Es mi juego perfecto, no le cambiaría nada.
Celebró este aniversario contigo. Yo por aquel entonces cuando salió solo tenía 10/11 años y lo disfruté jugando junto con mi hermano, descubriendo cada secreto del juego. En aquel entonces yo no me sentía bien en el colegio, así que mi refugio fue este videojuego. Es parte de mi y siempre lo llevo en el corazón.
Gracias Erick por recordarlo.
Te mencionaría algún momento en especial, pero lo es todo❤️.
Un saludo!
Qué bueno che! A mi me pasó exactamente lo mismo! Este juego me marcó, y también me arruinó para toda la vida, porque nunca más me crucé con algo que se le compare. Es eterno este juego. Saludos desde Argentina!
Igual hermano, este juego es musica para el alma.
It's nice to see another person who is as passionate as I am when it comes to this game
me too. the only game that gave me that "feel".. i still remember that monologue from leena while they sitting in opasa beach with poshul and serge. so deep.
Your passion behind how you feel about Chrono Cross is inspiring. It isn't my favourite game of all time, but I love listening and watching passionate people talk about their favourite games. Amazing video
Chrono Cross has an amazing OST. My son goes to sleep each night listening to Dream of the Shore Near Another World. He loves it. The combat reminds me of xenogears with the 1,2,3 combo options. The magic and levling system are not my favorites though.
My kids have that in their night time playlist too :)
Just beat the dark dragon today with my 4 year old son.....i like to look at his face when the cinematics rolls....he is amazed by this game . Priceless and so satisfying to me
It was Chrono Trigger and FF6 that shaped my love of RPGs
This game was in my opinion one of the most beautiful and exciting ever come out for the old playstation.
I still remember the discussions with friends about it (at the time, Legend of Dragoon also came out, which was nice, but... didn't take me as the adventure of Serge and Kid) because either you bought one, or the other (money was what it was.. ^_^').
Fortunately, I played both, but Chrono is "forward", many characters, multiple endings, the fight anyway rather deep and articulate, in short, a real gem.
It's a shame that no one has ever made a remake of these pearls of the good old days.
I concur only one other game comes close and thats Skys of Arcadia
You basically described me in your intro. I had the exact same childhood with these games, ultimately landing on Chrono Cross as my favorite game of all time.
I still remember waiting outside GameStop for 24 hours to buy Chrono Cross.... still was not disappointed
LITERALLY REPLAYING THE GAME RIGHT NOW FOR THE THIRD TIME. You know what made me decide to play it again? 😂 Everytime I listen to CC’s awesome soundtrack while studying, I can’t stop reminiscing. So I. Just. Had. To. 💙
i think im going to play it again
Lets play it again hahaha
man, listening to you talk about how you only had the older consoles and how you found cc... its a mirror to my own story. in my feels. great vid thanks
I love hearing your heart and knowing that someone else was affected as deeply as my sister and I were. Thank you for this.
And here we are... The remaster having been announced today packaged with Radical Dreamers. I have waited years for this day.
Trigger and Cross are both masterpieces. I am of the crowd that does see it as a sequel to Trigger, what broke my heart is the fact that I will likely never see a third game that ties the previous two titles together. I still play both back to back to this day and I tear up when I beat Cross knowing it's over...as you said, the soul starts to cry even. The part that makes me smile though is the fact that I finally got to save the princess I couldn't save in Trigger. I have played the soundtracks to both titles for my children since the day they were born, the soundtracks are masterpieces. My baby daughter falls asleep to Schala's song every single night and I call her Kid in reverence. That is how powerful an impact Cross and Trigger had on my life. 😁
We have the same sentiments man. This game changed my life too. Truly a wonderful masterpiece.
The love of your sister and wanting to be a good brother opened your eyes and heart to this wonderful piece of art.
That's such a good way to put it. "You bond with this game." You really do. There's 45 characters but each one is unique and each one has a special story you experience with them. Your loyal dog, a forest fairy whose family gets killed, a chef with anger issues, a bratty kid sister, a rock star, a mermaid princess, people in mourning, people looking for adventure, people going through unfortunate circumferences and learning to live with it, lonely people, etc, etc. At the end you learn you can go through the whole world with someone, try your hardest, do everything right and still in the end you have to go your separate ways with just your memories and hope somehow, someway maybe you'll see each other again. It's heartbreaking and beautiful.
First of all, thank you SO much for sharing this wonderful video, Erick! I was grinning ear to ear throughout the whole video because I too have the fondest memories of playing Chrono Cross for the first time and how special and thought-provoking the game was for me as well. I actually bought a PSOne (the slim version) back during the summer of 2002 specifically so that I could finally play Chrono Cross. I'll never forget purchasing the PlayStation and Chrono Cross the same day and how *amazing* it was to play this game. I am a diehard Chrono Trigger fan (that game is probably my personal #1 favorite game of all-time) and I love Chrono Cross almost as much which is saying a lot! The music, like you said, is SO freaking epic and beautiful and the characters and story are awe-inspiring as well. A scene that occurs about halfway through the game (trying not to spoil anything) involving Serge and...you-know-who (in the same area as the opening dream you had) kept me awake that night because of how profound that moment in the game was. So many areas of the game and the story were just amazing to behold and this is a game that can certainly affect a person's life (the Xenosaga trilogy for the PS2 did the same for me...I highly recommend that series...especially Episodes I and III). In any case, I love your passion, Erick and I loved hearing your story. It was so much fun to watch and it was raw emotion which I love to see. Keep playing Chrono Cross and reliving those special memories my friend. Thanks for sharing!
I LOVED Chrono Cross when I first played it. So I went back and played Chrono Trigger out of curiosity and I haven't been able to enjoy it since lol I really hate it when sequels do what CC did to their predecessors. Chrono Cross really should've been its own game.
Man, your story is similiar with mine. I have the same feelings with this game. In that time, I didn't know much about english (I'm from Brazil) and this game taught me a lot about english, about a lot of things. And I have the same feelings about the OST as well. I'm musician and that time, I was initiated in music life. All music touched me so much and start to think about be songwriter. I downloaded the OST in that time and always listened the entire OST. Even nowdays I still do it.
Thank you to share it.
This is the game that made me subscribe to this channel..was watching your channel intro and saw part my favourite game ever and knew I was at the right place.
I still listen to the music of this game almost every day.. It's my favourite game of all time.
Had so many memories of it. I played this before Chrono trigger also.
I had to look for a second copy when I own CD stopped working also.. My baby brother at the time actually took the disc and bit into it and it stopped working.
I was mortified 😅
The canon ending was a happy ending. Shala (Kid) crosses dimensions to finally meet the player (you) in our world. She doesn’t go back to see Serge, but to see the person who made all the decisions. And she notices you right away.
I have never been able to find anyone who appreciates this game, let alone who has even heard of the game, as much as me. It's great to hear how much you cherish the full experience of Chrono Cross. You're not alone in that.
Loved listening to your story and perspective. Thanks for sharing.
OMG!! I thought i was the only one having this feeling! It completey changed my life and how i see things. Its like, the game was part of my life, my past life. I just dont understand, the beautiful music made me connect to it
PS1 is still the best PlayStation system of all time! So many memorable classics
It's interesting that this game was rare in your area. In the small Midwestern US town where I lived during the PS1 era, this game sat on the shelf of the local Wal-Mart for years. I didn't have much money, but the cover art enthralled me in much the same way you describe. I'd seen the trailer on the demo disc that came packaged with Vagrant Story (another SUPER underrated gem), and just the sight of the cover art sent my imagination swirling. I ended up getting the game, and it was one of the few times a game surpassed my imagination. It changed my life as well and drove me to a love for literature, as it was the first time in my life that I'd understood and resonated themes in a story. Its ruminations on change, identity, memories, history, destiny, and life itself were staggering to me at the time, and still force their way into my mind regularly.
I became a character artist for videogames inspired by Chrono Cross. Such a huge source of imaginative creativity. So powerful!
My mother bought this game for me in a flea market. Neither she nor the guy who sold it to her knew what it even was. The disk was scratched and I could only play to the part where Serge is changing dimensions. It froze during the FMV every time. I must have played that first part dozens of times. Some time later I could find another disc and finally played it to the end.
Beautiful video, mate. Love.
I absolutely fell in love with this game the first time I played it. I didn't have a PlayStation at the time, but a friend of mine did, and he had the game. I just remember being blown away by the music, the visuals...everything about it. This soundtrack is beautiful, and the story is just awesome. One of my favorite games of all time.
Thank you for this deep and personal video Erick. Just hearing the music in the background and thinking about the ending actually made me tear up a bit myself. It just shows you how much this game latches unto your heart and stays with you.
Erick I totally know how you feel Chrono Cross was such a beautiful game, the ending made me into tears it was beautiful and sad but also heart warming.
Hi Erick, thanks for your video. I have never expected to tear up when I see this kind of video. When you told your story, I feel like I embodied to it. I feel like I am telling my story through you. You perfectly represent my feeling towards the game. The languages that you use and the expression in your face are how I would use to express my love for the game. Thank you for telling this mutual feeling to the world. I was quite shocked though since I have quite the same experience, where the game also crashed when I first enter Fort Dragonia (but in my case, it took years to be able to pass that part of the game). At that time, I felt crazy because I know that there are still a long part left in the game, cause I know I haven't reached Disc 2 yet. I also went through all the rituals to revive the disc, like cleaning it with tissue, washing it with soap, slowly putting it back in the console, praying of some sorts, and other ways that I could possibly think of when I was a kid. Chrono Cross is also one of the closest games in my heart, especially its soundtrack. These amazing soundtracks can affect how I feel and that's why they have never left my playlist since they first came, back in 2000s. Other days, I would randomly remember about a song and I would find myself listening to it for hours in TH-cam (thanks to whoever edits the songs in loop). It is the best video game soundtrack for me and nothing really comes close second.
A little bit about my story about this game, it didn't come as grand when I was introduced to it. Anyway, I try to recall the memories while writing this comment, and I believe I was too, subtly mesmerized by the opening but mine was when the sound effect came when we pressed that START button. It sounds so magical. Of course, I didn't really appreciate it back then because it only comes to me as of now. I guess I was 12 back then anyway...
Other thing I notice is that at that age, the story didn't make much sense to me and since English was also not my first language and have only picked it up when I was a 5th grader, I didn't pay as much attention to the story, I did believe it was as beautiful though. Long story short, I guess I was finally able to complete the game when I was in college. I decided to keep the fond memories until eternity. In 2019, I found out that Yasunori Mitsuda and teams will hold a soundtrack concert to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the game. I watched the concert, and I felt like I was finally able to pay all my debt in expressing all the love for the game. Listening to all those soundtracks live really calmed my soul. I was having countless chill goosebumps moments, eargasm, I felt like I can't stand properly, saying things on my mind like "Is this real? Is this really happening?". I saw people screaming, smiling, gulfed in joy, and also this specific man who seems like he is in trance, like he is in high, totally absorbed by the music. Just wow. The experience is unforgettable. I feel glad when I decided to go. It was my first trip to Japan and I might not be able to see this masterpiece anywhere else for the rest of my life. I just have to do it. Cause there will be none like this anymore. Maybe the 30th anniversary, or the 50th anniversary, but there's really no guarantee, and who knows what will happen in the future. I am also very proud that that was my first concert and it was a video game concert. There's really nothing beating it.
I assume you as of now have also aware that the remaster plan might not be a rumor at last and I wanna say thank you again since I believe that only with this strong fan base, only with people like you, who perseveres this love for the game, that those developers would realize the plan. I honestly really fell in love with you right now man, I might have to stop this comment now. Thanks again man, many thanks.
I still remember being so moved by The opening and The Scars of Time song. I cried everytime i finished this masterpiece and I still get goosebumps just talking about it. Definitely changed my life and will forever remain to me as one of the most important and beloved game.
So happy to read lots of people that share the same feeling about this masterpiece 😁. Thanks for this video! I bought 2 months ago the NSW Radical Dreamers edition, even tho I had already played it on PS1 and on a PS1 emulator on my pc... just because I really love this game. Also I always wanted to play the Radical Dreamers game...and it was awesome...it really complements the Chrono Trigger and Cross experience.
1, you showed me a tech with the bird boss “twin turbo”. 2, I just found third eye accessory and both I never knew existed! Always something new I swear lol.
This game I played in 2004 at age 10 and onward. Changed my life for real. Every character connectable to someone/ good in their own way. Mentally deep journey if you follow the lives of them all and you correlate that point well in the video. It really taught me how to handle life in a more positive way. Not to get sad but I was a kid who didn’t know he was slightly autistic so I was a little odd to others so bullied. That led to years of depression, but the game actually helped me get over the issues through the story showing me the outcome of good and bad choices making me think on my situation and how I viewed things. I now have a very positive view on life through some talking it out and this game teaching good morals and caring for others. Also taught you sometimes can’t change the outcome so you gotta go from there. Do a meet the robinsons and “keep moving forward”. No one can change my mind, this is THE best game to me. I only said this publicly because I finally met some people who had it move their heart too.
Thanks for existing
I just replayed the whole game again , it changed my life too , i learned english and how to play guitar because of this Gem ! it's a masterpiece to me !
Erick, this is like hearing myself talking. I playd Chrono Chross in 2008, had the same issue with a bug that avoided the game to continue, when you enter the fortress. I downloaded an ISO file of the game, burned it in Nero, try very hard to make it work, finally with the second ISO i burned it started workin, and i finished it. It was a wonderful game, and at the very end i was heartbroken, crying, telling to me why?. Chrono Chross was the first RPG i played, and falled completley in love. Then i moved to FF7, Chrono trigger and later on to FF9 (another super masterpiece, imo the best FF). But my feelings still remains with Chrono Chross. I`m happy i found a person how experienced the same fellings. I hope u do well! Cheers from Argentina.
Matter of fact, i have here in my desktop computer the ISO files, you know, just in case :)
It's nice to find someone who appreciates Chrono Cross the way I do. It's my favorite game of all time. I still get choked up hearing the music and get chills playing this masterpiece. Side note: once you picked up FF9 technically you could play with your sister since it has a 2 player option haha
Chrono Cross holds a really special place in my heart too. When I was 13 I started playing RPGs on the PlayStation after being a Sega kid for so many years. My very first JRPG was Lunar SSSC, and it was the perfect intro to the genre. After I played it, I knew I needed to branch out into more complex narratives. I played Final Fantasy 8 next, which at the time I adored but failed to appreciate the complexity. After that, I played the Lunar 2 remake. Then, finally, I saw Chrono Cross and knew it was going to be special. I knew what Trigger was, vaguely, but never played it. Cross stuck with me. The music, the themes, the setting. It took me on a spiritual journey and made me an RPG addict for the next ten years of my life. I still play Lunar and Cross every few years and I’ll do that for the rest of my life.
This was the first video game that made me cry. I can't wait to play it again.
EDIT: Wait, no, it was Chrono Trigger when Robo gets beat up by his own kind and they all call him obsolete and throw him in the trash 😥
I have to be honest. You are the reason,why I finally broke and bought this game (it arrived just yesterday). I played Chrono Trigger more times, than I care to admit, but I never played CC. Mainly because I've heard everywhere, that its crap in comparisson to CT etc. But your enthusiasmus convinced me to give ita chance^^.
I'm glad you went through the feelings and emotions you did while playing this game. I thought I was the only one as a kid. The look in your eyes when you talk about getting Kid back..man. I felt that.
The ending. I felt that too. Now that I'm older and just got the remaster that came out...I'm ready to feel that again. This game fundamentally changes who you are as a human when you play it at THAT point in time in your life. I think it's the ultimate masterpiece and to this day sits at the #1 spot in my life.
Oh my gosh, this is such a beautiful story. I have been waiting for someone like this! This game made me feel the exact same things you described and it is great to know that there are people who love this game dearly. Lovely video!
I can relate the feel. i got the disk from my dad as birthday present before he passed away. Play this game annually at my birthday untill i lost my memcard in 2012, cant finish all of the ending route back then. Now i feel the urge to fullfil my dream on emulator
Thank you for sharing your story! My first encounter with this game was very different, but I too carry this game around with me to this day.
It's awesome to hear a story such as this. Around that time I was heavily into jrpgs and survival horror as well haha. But after I started this game it quickly became my favorite of the 90s and 2000s. From the music to the gameplay, the story. Hell even the small connections to Chrono triggeer. This game was something special. It changed my perception of a lot of things in terms of not only jrpgs but life itself. Thanks for sharing man. You just earned a sub 😅
I played this game when it first came out. I was in elementary school, and I remember bringing the strategy guide to school in my backpack every day. I'm glad people share the same feelings and memories.
I like how the music gets scary when he gets to the part about the disc getting scratched
I felt with this game very personally. I could feel the despair n confusion that Serge felt when he got transported to an unknown yet similar world. I felt the salvation n relief when Kid showed up and journeyed with him. The music which played when u r on the map in another world gave me goosebumps as well. It suddenly felt like I was in a completely different place when I got out of the beach. Goshh the music was amazing.
Thank you for sharing Erik. I went through a similar experience with Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 7, both of which I played before Chrono Cross. I'm not sure that the game you play matters so much as the emotions and so many RPGs deal with similar themes and emotions. I'll never forget the death of Aerith. I think a lot of us grew up from a moment or two like that. What made it even harder was the naming options and I'd always name characters after my real life friends.
I absolutely love your take and outlook on this game, and have a very different experience with it. I grew up on the NES and SNES. For me nothing beats FF3 (VI) or Chrono Trigger. Those were my childhood, some of the fondest of memories I have. I was faced with moral dilemmas I could not realistically understand as a kid, but they still touched home... and gods, those games were perfect. I really felt I could get something new every time I played through them. FF3 (VI) was perfection, and a game that that ultimately changed my core being. But Chrono Trigger... If I played that game first, it'd be a different story and it would be my favorite. I honestly can't say which was a better game. CT nailed so much, and so right...it almost beats out my love for FF3 (VI). CT was near RPG perfection, and realistically I can't think of many games that come close to how great a game that it is.
Which brings us to Chrono Cross. Jesus the hype was insane in that era. We got a demo disc with other games in a video announcing it's release. I'd watch that shit nearly every day. This was finally a sequel to our beloved game... and when it finally released... we got a totally different game then what we were expecting. CC was a let down, worse, it was nothing comparable to a beloved game. It was worse then that, it was a total slap in the face. It barely had anything to do with CT (except the last 5% of the game which almost felt tacked on, and made what you did in CT the worst possible scenario and made you feel like what you did in that game the absolute wrong choice), almost no characters had combo attacks, it was damn near random battles constantly... you had to go through the same maps like 5 times (I still FUCKING hate that damn dungeon you have to go through in the intro and again later on story wise, and I want to say a third time for some arbitrary reason just because it feels like you have to do it 3 times a game and now I'm at point I near have PTSD from it), and you collected characters like they where trading stamps, and 90% of them worthless, or worse because the leveling system was bullshit. You don't have a character in your party when the beat a boss? LOL they can now never reach their full potential. I really felt worse and worse going through that game. I did not like it at all, and felt this was one of the worst games SE put out, and actually made an earlier title of the made worse. I gave it another chance a few years later, and still stand by a lot of my original feelings. The battle system was one of the best they ever did, but that is the one of the only highlights of the game.
I can't explain how much I understand what you say, because I would say exactly the same if I had to make a video about this masterpiece of art. It settled the bar so high for me that even today it's hard for me to feel even a 10% of what this game made me feel when I played it for the first time when I was 13, and ever since then I continously go back to this game every once in a while. Even by todays standards, when developers try so ambitiously on making a new game, it's not even near to this one, because Chrono Cross surpasses the traditional videogame conception and rises as a deep, dramatic and beautiful peace of art. So it's great to see all this people like you who keep loving this game nowadays and share stories like yours. We can only hope for a sequel, a remake, or at least a remaster version. Great video! Sorry for my english. Greetings from Argentina!
The last story, final fantasy legend 2, super Mario RPG all on full display? Your taste is impeccable
Great video for a great game. You had quite the experience if this was your first rpg mine was FFVII bk in '98. Truly the PSX was a powerhouse for rpg's and it gave us some of the best moments in gaming. For me Chrono cross although i knew about it from around the time it released it came as the last game i ever played for the psx be4 i move to the next gen so it was from ffvii to chrono cross for me....and instantly i put it up there in the pantheon of greatest rpg games of all time easily standing in the same lvl with the FF series or sometimes even hovering above it...its a mystery to me how such a great series as the chrono one died out so quickly but both this game and its predecessor chrono trigger have something extremely unique about them that makes them kings in the rpg genre music story gameplay you name it they excel in everything and yes they give out this eerie nostalgic deep bond like feeling that makes them unforgettable. Finally its a shame that this game got foreshadowed by ffviii because they came out around the same time and people never showed it the love and attention it deserved...at least we did.
Every now and then I'll come back to this video and marvel at how personal it is the creator. It's nice to see.
The title screen does memorize you. I remember feeling this when i first played it when i was young around 15 years old. I couldn't put the game down. It was beautiful all the way from beginning to end. I understand your feeling with this game so much! Its my childhood masterpiece.
"The Girl Who Stole The Stars" is my favorite video game music ever and nothing is gonna change that
This was a great story! Thanks for sharing and Chrono Cross brought similar joy to me when I first played it in 2004
I got shivers listening to you in this video. I feel you so much tbh. I felt the same thing with Suikoden 2 20 years ago and can't get it out of my head since then. You are awesome!
This isn't a video about Chrono Cross; this is a video about you. And an incredible video at that. It's clear how much this game means to you and thank you for sharing your experience.
I've owned Chrono Cross since it was released but was severely disappointed as a kid because I was expecting a Chrono Trigger sequel. Then I played it a few years ago and appreciated it for what it was but didn't finish it. Since then it's always been on the perimeter of my mind: the music, the water imagery, the characters. I recently reached a tipping point and picked it up again. Going to see it through this time.
It's 2023, you are my number one source of RPG inspiration (and direction regarding which RPGs to play), I have never played this game, I am going to play it on my PSP now faster than Yngwie Malmsteen plays a diminished arpeggio.
That was beautiful, Erick. Your genuine appreciation and love for the game helped me look deeper into the RPG genre and I'm sure that when the time comes for me to play Chrono Cross, I won't rule out the possibility of it becoming my favourite game, too. Even when I haven't played it, its music already has left a mark on me: it was the soundtrack to this past summer and I simply cannot bring back those memories without the soothing melodies of tracks like Anri Village, Fields of Time and Radical Dreamers. I think that it's things like these, the deeply personal experiences, that help games (and any other kind of entertainment) become more than just that. This video, and your story, have enriched the world of Chrono Cross, if only a little more, and I can only wish to enjoy the game as much as you have when I finally play it.
That intro had the very same effect on me as well...Id let it play until the fmv came on and then THAT mesmerized me even MORE. I heard and enjoyed music before in games but this made me EXPERIENCE the music instead. Love the channel man. Love hearing your random video game stories.
Dude... you made me tear up discussing this great game. All the feelings I had playing this the first time, resurfaced. Thank you for sharing your experience 😊
Erick, I almost never ever comment on videos but feel compelled to share my view on it.
I admire what you said and can understand what you mean when you were touched by the magic of a beautifully artistic game that feels resonant with you in a way that cannot be replicated by other games depending on your unique circumstance and the way you had to experience the game in your life.
I was primarily a Golden Sun fan among platformers and beatemups (also played Elder Scrolls Travels Shadowkey on Nokia N-Gage). I disconnected (not willingly) from games for the last 15 years and have finally made a comeback into games. I decided to be true to myself with the time I have available to play which is 4 hours a week. I am dedicating 1 hour to JRPGs, another hour to Elder Scrolls Skyrim (and eventually Elder Scrolls 6), and the other 2 hours exploring different games from all consoles and platforms on a regular basis like an adventure (constantly changing up games of all genres).
I discovered your channel and this video because I was searching for the best JRPG gems as I lost the 16 bit era and only had a NES back in 1996, but then caught up with PSX in 2000 and PS2 2002-2005 (and that was it), concluding JRPG with Golden Sun on GBA in 2003-2004.
I started Chrono Trigger for the first time 3 weeks ago and I am very impressed and when I was looking up Chrono Cross I hadnt realized that your video was just released yesterday, I am yet going to experience the game for the first time, but will first revisit Camelot for the work to totally understand Golden Sun via Beyond the Beyond and Shining Force.
I chose Chrono Trigger as my comeback to JRPG because Dragonball was my first anime, because it is 1 game without real sequels and because I wanted a an exemplary game from the 16 bit era and will leave the franchises with the longest number of sequels for last (which is why I chose it over Dragon Quest). I might consider Fire Emblem, Breath of Fire, Xenogears and a few others but not sure yet.
Here is my lineup for my comeback to JRPGs:
Chrono Trigger
Shining Force
Shining Force 2
Beyond the Beyond
Golden Sun
Golden Sun The Lost Age
Golden Sun Dark Dawn
Shining the Holy Ark
Shining Force 3 (English translation will finalize in 2 months!! )
Alundra
Chrono Cross
Skies of Arcadia
Phantasy Star
Soul Blazer
Landstalker
Secret of Mana
Illusion of Gaia
Earthbound
Lunar
Grandia
Final Fantasy
Dragon Quest
Octopath Traveller
Shin Megami Tensei Persona
Legend of Zelda
I really admire what you said and moved by this video, and I am going to keep visiting your channel, you have a new fan. Keep up the great work!!
Best Wishes,
Andrew
Chrono Cross came out during a particularly not great time in my life, so it's got some complicated feelings attached to it. I remember months of experiencing the hype of a Chrono Trigger sequel (even though it wasn't really a direct sequel), then riding my bike three miles to the local Toys R Us the Saturday morning after it released to pick it up, and of course, spending the rest of the weekend glued to the TV playing it. Was absolutely captivated by the colorful setting and characters, and as convoluted as it was at times, the story hit me right in the feels a bunch. Some of those plot twists were like a punch to the gut. Definitely helped to fill a pretty big void in my life, at least for a while. It's definitely been an interesting experience reliving all this through the remaster, and I suggest checking it out if you haven't already.
Dear Eric I'm from Italy and here Chrono cross never arrived. I had to play It emulated and I think Is one of the best masterpieces of rpg. I'm so happy for the switch remaster, finally After 20 years we can play It on a console!
I liked this video a lot more than 99% of the retrospective vids out there. Felt really personal and real. I was also strongly emotionally moved by this game. Strong moments for me in particular were the ones involving Miguel, Garai, Karsh, Radius, Dario, Riddel and Glenn
This story legit almost brought me to tears. I feel how you feel with this game man. Same
I am extremely late to this video. But thank you for this. I myself am 40 years old... And still to this day. My #1 game personally. And i have played many amazing..beautiful...great games.
But i have only played 1.. Chrono Cross.
Seriously thank you
i was JUST thinking about this game...out of my head, erick
Locke!
12:58 That was such a perfect time for the music to switch to the creepy Dead Sea song when you began to talk about a gamer’s worse nightmare back in the day
Cool story man!
I enjoyed listening to how this game resonated with you.
13 years later, I returned to this story. how much there was, how we will continue. it means a lot to me. thanks my friend, it's time to wake up in the hut and cross the time.
from Rus
Just recently got the remaster and man even the low key npcs have the most insightful things to say. I bought the game on import when I was 16 and it stuck with me forever.
Same here man! Re-play after re-play, great video!
Duuuude something really similar happened to me! My copy of the game (Disc 2) got scratched, and in the battle with the Time Devourer, anytime he would cast a Blue Element, the game would just get stuck, I couldn't get past that and it was YEARS before I could get another copy and finally finish the game. One of, if not my favorite RPG of all time as well. And as you said, THE MUSIC. Mitsuda is just a genius. I even made an arrangement of Time's Scar for my current ensemble, and we play it at concerts.
I absolutely love the passion you have about this game man, I'll have it in my collection but never played it, I'll try to play it and see how it is.
This game was an absolute masterpiece. I could’ve cried tears of excitement when they announced the remastered version. I agree with you, this having one to the most iconic soundtracks.
I remember being salty when Thai game was released. I was like 10 years old and really wanted newly released PS2. Then like an hour after opening Christmas gifts that morning, my dad came in my room and threw me a shopping bag he supposedly he forgot he got for me. When I could make out the squaresoft logo through the bag I was already excited, having
By that point already have played many of their games, but when the opening trailer of Chrono Cross began, it had my heart already.
One of the games of my life. Great video, man! Hug from Brazil.
I miss this game so much. The music has been in my head since 2000.
I remember playing this game 20 years ago, I remember there was this particular quest where you need to find a plant or a herb, which was extinct in the Home World, so you need to travel into the Alternate World to find it. This is one of the best, lots of memories, good times.