Chrono Cross is a beloved RPG that was originally released on the PlayStation One in 1999. As time passes, the game is becoming more difficult to access due to the limitations of older technology. In response to this, Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition has been released as a remastered version that improves the game’s visual assets and includes the previously Japan-only Radical Dreamers.

While the game has many quality-of-life features and remains a captivating RPG, the remaster’s technical issues have caused some concern among fans. This article will provide an objective and impersonal review of Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition, focusing on the gameplay, performance, availability, and overall quality of the remastered version. The aim of this review is to determine whether Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is a timeless RPG that can still captivate players and deliver a satisfying gaming experience, or if it falls short of expectations due to technical issues and other factors.

Through a thorough analysis of the game’s features, strengths, and weaknesses, this review will provide a comprehensive and informative assessment of Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition.

Key Takeaways

• Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is a remaster of the PlayStation One game that upscales the game’s visual assets to modern, high-definition resolutions, and includes the previously Japan-only game Radical Dreamers.
• Despite technical issues, Chrono Cross remains a captivating RPG with unique tone and style, an unorthodox character and party system, and a turn-based combat system that shirks tradition.
• The game’s performance on PlayStation consoles is notably low and inconsistent, sacrificing the performance of the 23-year-old game for fidelity, and the ability to access and play Chrono Cross is growing increasingly more difficult.
• Radical Dreamers is a game that was released before Chrono Cross, features strong character and world building, lock and key puzzles, and random enemy encounters, and serves as the origins of Cross characters Serge and Kit as they explore a labyrinthine castle.

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition Game Overview

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition, developed and published by Square Enix and D4 Enterprise, is a remastered version of the original PlayStation game that features upscaled visual assets, quality of life improvements, and includes the previously Japan-only game Radical Dreamers. The remaster is aimed at preserving the video game’s original content while giving it a new lease of life on modern consoles. The game was released on April 7, 2022, and offers a unique RPG experience that has captivated gamers for over two decades.

The game’s turn-based combat system is an unorthodox and somewhat ludicrous approach to the design of its character and party system. The game features an elemental system that constantly puts the entire battlefield and the effectiveness of participants in flux. The game’s short, sharp dialogue gets you straight into the momentum of the game, and the relaxed tropical setting adds to the game’s unique tone and style.

Additionally, the game offers an obscured health and relationship system and several possible endings, making it a captivating RPG for gamers of all skill levels.

Gameplay

One cannot deny the unique and at times absurd design of the character and party system in this remastered RPG. Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition allows players to recruit over 40 characters throughout the story, each with their own unique abilities and backgrounds.

The turn-based combat system shirks tradition by using an elemental system that constantly puts the entire battlefield and the effectiveness of participants in flux. These features make for a gameplay experience that is both challenging and rewarding.

Additionally, the game’s obscured health and relationship system offers the possibility of different endings, adding to the replayability factor. The events of Radical Dreamers, which serves as the origins of some of the Chrono Cross characters, are also included in this edition.

Overall, the gameplay of Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is a testament to the game’s unique style and tone, which set it apart from other RPGs of its time.

Performance and Availability

The technical issues with the remastered version of the game seem to be caused by the new graphical style, resulting in a notably low and inconsistent framerate on PlayStation consoles. This is a significant drawback for players who expect a smooth gaming experience. While the upscaled visual assets may look impressive, the poor performance of the game can detract from the overall experience.

Furthermore, the accessibility of Chrono Cross is becoming increasingly difficult. The game is only available for purchase via a PS3 console at the time of writing, and the PSOne Classic release of the game is not playable on PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 consoles. This is a concern for fans of the game who may not have access to older consoles.

Although there is hope that the PSOne version of the game will appear as part of PlayStation’s new and upcoming PlayStation Plus service, the fact remains that the original PlayStation One game is becoming more inaccessible.

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition Frequently Asked Questions

What changes were made to the original game in the remaster?

The remaster of Chrono Cross upscales the game’s visual assets to modern, high-definition resolutions and includes quality of life features. However, the technical issues affect the game’s performance, sacrificing its original smoothness for fidelity. The remaster also includes the previously Japan-only game Radical Dreamers.

How does the game’s story compare to other RPGs?

The story of Chrono Cross is unique compared to other RPGs due to its focus on parallel universes and the consequences of player choices. The game’s obscure health and relationship system offer the possibility of different endings, adding to its depth and replayability.

Are there any notable voice actors in the game?

While Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Remaster features a strong cast of characters, it does not include any notable voice actors. However, the game’s reliance on text-based dialogue allows for greater immersion and player interpretation.

How does the game’s soundtrack enhance the overall experience?

The game’s soundtrack enhances the overall experience by creating an immersive atmosphere that complements the game’s tropical setting and fantastical elements. The music’s use of diverse instruments and styles adds depth and emotional resonance to the game’s narrative and gameplay.

Are there any easter eggs or hidden secrets in the game?

The game features various hidden secrets and Easter eggs, such as a secret boss and a hidden ending, that add to its replay value. These hidden elements are well-crafted and offer a satisfying challenge for players who seek them out.

Conclusion

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Remaster is a captivating RPG that has been given new life with updated visuals and the inclusion of Radical Dreamers. The game’s storyline and gameplay remain engaging, but technical issues with the remaster’s performance have been a concern for players. Despite this, the game’s accessibility has increased with its release on multiple platforms.

The remaster’s upscaled visuals are stunning and add a new level of immersion to the game’s already beautiful world. However, the technical issues with the game’s performance, such as frame rate drops and audio glitches, can detract from the overall experience.

Despite this, Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Remaster remains a timeless RPG that is worth playing for both fans of the original game and newcomers to the series. Through vivid descriptions of the game’s world and mechanics, the article paints a picture of a captivating RPG that has been given new life. However, the use of the rhetorical device of contrast highlights the game’s technical issues and underscores the importance of addressing these concerns.

Despite its flaws, Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Remaster remains a timeless RPG that is sure to captivate players with its engaging storyline and gameplay.

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition

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