AbstractIt's time to pick your poison. FINAL FANTASY IV and CHRONO TRIGGER are together for the first time in one complete package. Updates to CHRONO TRIGGER include a new beginning and ending both of which shed light on the sequel: CHRONO CROSS. FINAL FANTASY IV is speedier in its treks through the towns, letting you skip right to the good stuff. Both updated games have new modes of play, improved graphics, and hidden goodies galore.
ESRB rating
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Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes |
Full descriptionA re-release in much the same vein as Final Fantasy Anthologies, Final Fantasy Chronicles bundles two of Square Soft's most beloved SNES RPG titles -- Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger -- in this PlayStation release. Final Fantasy IV, known in the US as Final Fantasy II, follows the exploits of Cecil, a Black Knight and former leader of the Red Wings who questions the orders of his king and is demoted because of this. From here, he embarks on a journey that will span worlds and decide the fate of the entire kingdom.
Battles are turn-based, but introduced to the series is the Active Time Battle (ATB) concept, which forces players to be quick with their decision-making because, despite the turn-based nature of the title, enemies can attack at brief intervals. The player's party can consist of as many as five people at one time and throughout the adventure, characters will leave and join up with the party. The characters themselves are divided into classes and possess specific attributes and skills. Kain, for example, is able to use a jump ability in battle while Rosa wields white magic. Known as the "Easytype," the original US release excluded particular items, abilities, and spells, all of which have been restored for this release, dubbed "Hardtype." As part of the update, new FMV cutscenes are interjected throughout the game.
Released late in the SNES system's lifecycle, Chrono Trigger documents the adventure of a young boy named Crono and his misadventures through time. During the Millennial Fair, Crono meets and quickly befriends a woman named Marle. While visiting Crono's inventor friend Lucca however, Marle is inadvertently sent into the past and Crono and Lucca must set off after her. Dubbed the "Tech System," the game allows characters to combine elemental attacks in order to produce Double and even Triple Techs; powerful offensive and defensive techniques. New Tech skills can be learned as the character increases in level.
Unlike Final Fantasy IV, battles in Chrono Trigger are not initiated at random, allowing players to avoid enemies (who are in plain sight) as they see fit. New animated cutscenes have been included as part of the update, as well as an Extras Mode that houses any additional extras unlocked by attaining one of the game's twelve different endings. A Theater, Music Box, Art Gallery, and Bestiary are just some of the options available, allowing players to view unlocked movie and ending sequences, listen to music from the game, view stills of the main characters, and read up on monsters, bosses, and techniques.
Editorial reviewSource:
AmazonShowcasing enhanced versions of the Super Nintendo classics
Final Fantasy IV and
Chrono Trigger,
Final Fantasy Chronicles is a must-have "retro" bundle for the serious role-playing game fan.
Originally released in the U.S. in 1991 as Final Fantasy II, the groundbreaking Final Fantasy IV introduced the "Active Time Battle" combat system that has since become a staple in the series. In addition to new computer animation sequences and minor gameplay enhancements, this reissue sports a new dialogue translation that is more faithful to the Japanese version and fleshes out the previously pared-down story of a conflicted knight and his quest for redemption.
Although not as well known as Final Fantasy IV--and not even part of the Final Fantasy series, for that matter--1995's Chrono Trigger is a nonlinear adventure game where players must travel across time to save a princess (and the world in the process). New Japanese cartoon cutscenes from animator Akira Toriyama (creator of Dragonball Z) grace the updated Chrono Trigger, and an extras mode (filled with game-related goodies that must be unlocked) has been added, increasing the already high replay value of this title with multiple endings.
Admittedly, the games' two-dimensional graphics and simplistic sounds are quite "last generation," which may turn off some younger gamers and recent converts to the genre, but their solid gameplay, deep storyline, and memorable characters are still first-rate by today's standards. --Joe Hon
Pros:
- Brings together two classic Super Nintendo role-playing games
- Retranslated text of Final Fantasy IV more faithful
- Extras mode increases Chrono Trigger's replay value
- New animated "movie" sequences
Cons: - In-game graphics and sounds are quite dated
Added extras such as FMV and animated cutscenes have been included for each title
Unlock hidden extras such as ending cinemas, music tracks, character listings and more
- Portions of content provided by Rovi Data Solutions, Inc. and IGN Entertainment, Inc.