Square Enix’s 1999 JRPG Chrono Cross is now two decades out. As a sequel to Chrono Trigger, the game should have been a smash hit.
Chrono Cross became a critical darling, but not a blockbuster hit like everyone else expected. It was one of the best games of all time for its intricate plot. The game was ahead of its time, with a mature story and nuanced, colorful fantasy world.
Cross is one of the most praised titles of all time
Cross was the indirect sequel to Chrono Trigger, one of the greatest games of all time. The franchise itself was the brainchild of legendary video game creatives. These include DBZ’s Akira Toriyama, Dragon Quest’s Yuji Horii, and FF’s Hironobu Sakaguchi.
Cross did not receive the same talent during its planning in the mid-90s. Masato Kato was at the helm of the game and did so in continuation of another title. It was a Satellaview game called Radical Dreamers, connecting both Trigger and Cross. With Yasunori Mitsuda still handling music, the game came out in 1999.
The game was a success, and one of the most critically praised titles of all time. Game review sites at the time gave it one of the highest scores ever. Some even gave Cross a 10 across the board and naming it Game of the Year in 2000.
How the Chrono franchise killed Cross
Even with all the accolades it received, Chrono Cross is a forgotten title. The game became a victim of its own name and beautiful story. While many fans loved it, the game suffered for not being a “sequel” of Chrono Trigger.
Many of the fans who played it during its heyday remember it for its beauty and complexity. History remembers Cross as the “disappointment” for being an indirect sequel. It doesn’t help that the game is rarely republished for new players to enjoy.
The only other time the game received a re-release was on the Playstation Network. This happened in 2011 and has not come out again. Having the title remade anytime soon is also impossible.
Cross’ studio Square Enix is busy with remakes for the Final Fantasy series. Square also has a ton of first-party games, including Marvel’s Avengers and Outriders. Even Chrono Trigger is yet to receive a remake, with only ports as late as 2018.
Chrono Cross is a forgotten legend, and it’s a small miracle. For how good it was, history hasn’t been kind to its story. Even then, fans of the game are still waiting for a remake for this beautiful title.
Images courtesy of Square Enix/Youtube Screenshot