Chrono Trigger - PS One Classic

For months I wanted to experience Chrono Trigger, the game by Square that many enthusiasts consider to be the best RPG ever created. I had missed out on Chrono Trigger back when it was originally released in the 90s and I always felt as if I was doing myself an injustice by not having played it.

Many fans of the game warned me that the PlayStation 1 port of Chrono Trigger was inferior due to load times. Many advised that I would best play the version released for the Nintendo DS as, apparently, the Nintendo DS version of Chrono Trigger features all the cutscenes of the PlayStation version with none of the load times.

Due to my lack of a Nintendo handheld, I held off for a long time from playing the game. I asked around on forums if the load times of the PlayStation version were really as bad as people say, and most people seemed to feel like the load times were game breaking.

Allow me to ensure you that the load times of the PlayStation 1 version of Chrono Trigger hardly leave a damper on, what I would consider, a masterpiece. If you only have a PlayStation console do not let your doubts stop you from experiencing Chrono Trigger.

In my own personal situation, I chose to download the "PS One Classics" version of Chrono Trigger from the PlayStation Network because it plays on both the PS3 and the PlayStation Vita. Up until now, I've been playing the game on the Vita as Chrono Trigger is the perfect game for a handheld console.

The Story

Without spoiling the game for anyone who has yet to experience Chrono Trigger, I can tell you that Square has given you, what amounts to, hours of enjoyment and replayability. Chrono Trigger features a diverse amount of characters and environments and is fully engaging throughout. Never did I feel as if the game was tedious or as if the game was a grind.

The Presentation

The visuals of the game look immaculate on the Vita's OLED. The fact that the game is in 2D makes the visuals look hardly aged and the Vita's bilinear filtering seems to enhance the jaggedness of the sprites even more so.

The game sounds great and has, arguably, the greatest soundtrack of any video game out there. The Vita, however, does not have a powerful external speaker -- the game's music is best enjoyed through your favorite pair of headphones.

Controlling the game was a joy with the Vita. The controls of the game are fully customizable, as are all PS One classics played on the Vita, but Chrono Trigger is one game where you will want to use the incredible D-Pad provided by the Vita.

Overall, Chrono Trigger is an excellent buy for the PlayStation Vita. The game is not only one of the world's greatest RPGs, but it is also the perfect title for a handheld. Though Chrono Trigger might be old, it surely is one of the greats. I am eagerly awaiting the game's sequel, Chrono Cross, which is also available on the PlayStation Network.