Chrono Compendium

Zenan Plains - Site Discussion => Chrono / Gameplay Casual Discussion => Topic started by: Jormungand on January 03, 2009, 02:28:35 am

Title: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Jormungand on January 03, 2009, 02:28:35 am
This topic is to find out both what we want and what we expect to see. There's a lot of questions to be asked:

1. Would we see characters from the other games? Would the setting stay the same, or would the story take place elsewhere?
2. Time travel, dimensional travel, or (oh god) both?
3. Akira Toriyama or Nobuteru Yuuki? Or some new blood?
4. A huge team of playable characters like CC, or a smaller team like CT?
5. Battle transition for encounters (CC), or fight right on the field (CT)?
6. A battle system like the other titles, or entirely different?
7. Console or portable?
8. Is it possible that both CT fans and CC fans alike can be pleased?
9. Is there hope for another game in the first place?

Here's where I stand. I think the story will retain the same setting, but take place in a different time. I think some sort of cameos are a probability. As for time vs. dimensional travel, I don't know what we would get. I would prefer a return to time travel. With both, things could get absurdly complicated in a short amount of time.

I don't care for Toriyama; Yuuki's character designs are much better... and his work fits better into the artistic style of CC, which I would want to return. I would also like a smaller team of playable characters each with development at least to the equivalent to Kid. I also like fighting battles on the field, but transitions work just fine. As long as we can see the enemies on the field. As for the battle system, I expect something new. I like the customization aspect of CC, as well as the dual-triple techs of CT. I think a character-switch mechanic during battle would also be nice.

Console vs. portable... Console, please. Chrono deserves high production values and a big budget. Regardless of how much production is put into the game, the budget does not guarantee quality either way. Just as a high cost development cycle doesn't produce instant magic, neither does buckling down and putting out a retro-style portable title. The core gameplay will succeed or fail regardless of this aspect. Thus, I would prefer the greater, more detailed and theatrical experience since I believe (and I think most fans would agree) a Chrono game deserves an epic medium to tell its story.

Now the fun question: Can fans on all sides be pleased? Probably not. But certainly a new chrono game could do a lot to reconcile the differences. Regardless, I don't think the developers of a potential new title should concern themselves with pleasing the fans, as long as they stay true to the universe and give us another great experience. As for whether we can expect a new game... the frequency of speculation topics like this will only increase since CT DS' release. It'd be one thing if it would've been a straight PSX port, with no additional plot content. But since they went to the trouble, they must have known speculation would rise. It of course first depends on the series' bankability; and then, on the availability of the team. We already know Kato and Mitsuda's positive interest in this. I guess all that's needed now is for FFXI to finally die.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Fireseal on January 03, 2009, 05:58:47 pm
I guess all that's needed now is for FFXI to finally die.


Even though I loved FFXI when it first came out, I concur that it must die.


I'm currently on my third play through the game, trying to get everyone to lvl 99 with max stat on Magic(except for Ayla), trying to get the extras list completed before paying the Dream Devourer a visit. I'm at the part where you need to find the Masamune & the Hero Medal and it gave me an idea.. One thing I'd think would be neat to see is for the Hero's Medal to appear once again in this third Chrono game, and that the character using this Hero's Medal would be named 'Cyrus'(not the Cyrus from CT, just another character who happens to bear the same name, kind of like Glenn from CC. Or maybe it be the same Cyrus from CT, whichever SE thinks is more convenient) or 'Tata'(the little kid who for sometime in CT, paraded as the Hero of Guardia, to provide some comical relief like Pierre from CC).


Another thing I'd like to see in this third game, in order to view the game's true ending, the player must view all of the other endings beforehand. Although I can picture this being very annoying for some people.. hehe..


Last thing I'd like is for the main character to be able to have dialogue. I just came back from reading 'Rate the Characters of Chrono Cross' article, I was so glad that I was not the only one that felt that SE should cease making games with their main characters being silent.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Zergplex on January 03, 2009, 06:48:36 pm
Now the fun question: Can fans on all sides be pleased?

In my opinion this question is irrelevent. Did they try to please the Chrono Trigger crowd when making Chrono Cross? No, they had an idea and they made cross into a great game of it's own regardless of Chrono Trigger. I feel the third game, while it may draw on the other two in ways, will also be it's OWN game. The fans will either be pleased or they won't, Square will be focused on making an amazing game without concern for the two games that came before it. Maybe it will end up similiar to one of the two original games, or maybe like Cross it will have a style all it's own.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: chrono eric on January 03, 2009, 08:08:03 pm
I think an absolutely awesome new game would include both time travel and dimensional travel. Absurdly complicated? Probably. But it would be incredibly interesting.

I'd also expect for all loose plot ends to be completely tied up just in case there won't be a 4th Chrono game. That would stop all the endlessly circuitous speculation. That's probably hoping for too much though, especially since we don't even know if another Chrono game will be made.

How is the CTDS sales doing? I don't keep track of that stuff. I know they were predicting less than stellar sales bc of the leak of the game and Chrono fans downloading it. That would ironically potentially screw us for a Chrono sequel.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: lockgar on January 03, 2009, 11:07:47 pm
This topic is to find out both what we want and what we expect to see. There's a lot of questions to be asked:

1. Would we see characters from the other games? Would the setting stay the same, or would the story take place elsewhere?
2. Time travel, dimensional travel, or (oh god) both?
3. Akira Toriyama or Nobuteru Yuuki? Or some new blood?
4. A huge team of playable characters like CC, or a smaller team like CT?
5. Battle transition for encounters (CC), or fight right on the field (CT)?
6. A battle system like the other titles, or entirely different?
7. Console or portable?
8. Is it possible that both CT fans and CC fans alike can be pleased?
9. Is there hope for another game in the first place?


1. Yes, maybe even explain what actually happens to them. In both games :p . Cross didn't really explain what happen to the islands, and how they where effected, after the ending, just that they did it. Also, what the hell happend to Crono and crew?

2. BOTH!

3. Akira, I like how his character designs tend to be more practice, rather then have a character with 6 belts on them. Also, how you usually wont mistaken a character's gender, unless it is completely intentional "DAMN YOU FLEA!  :lol: "

4. I actually wouldn't mind so many characters, but maybe reduce the amount you can have join youto better develop them. One thing I loved in Cross was the amound of character you could have, but you always had to have serge in the group, so you could only really ever have 2 of them with you at a time.... RPGs tend to have this knack of having three to a group, so another thing I would love to see is maybe see that go up , 4 - 6.

5. I think fight on the field is just plain awesome. Its a pity more games don't take after this. I would also love to see how the field effect the battle like it did in Cross, where the elements would change depending on the area. Also how in trigger, distance could effect some of your tech attacks. Maybe add some more interesting things like have enemies on another elevation, unable to be hit by someone with a melee weapon without some sort of special attack or magic.

6. Originality is always good. I however, would love to see double and triple techs have more of an important role in the next game. On another note, I thought Cross had one of the best melee/range attack systems ever. I did not really care for the element system. Interesting idea, but just didn't like how you had to plan ahead of time for the next fight "with no knowledge on what you are about to fight without cheating", or some elements would be completely useless. Granted you had the ability to run away in any fight for that reason  :lol:.
 
7. Console, defiantly a console.

8. With the amount of hate I've seen from BOTH SIDES, that would be impossible. Heck I've seen users here hate on every opportunity they get when someone simply express an opinion.

9. If the CT:DS release manages to outsell there other re:releases then you bet your ass it does.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Acacia Sgt on January 03, 2009, 11:21:13 pm
Let's see...

1 - Yes. Who knows, maybe in the same place, but another era?

2 - Both sounds good, yet for time travel it must be done in a way that it doesn't affect the previous events of the past games, or make them change them and complicate things a lot.

3 - That is one I don't have an answer.

4 - Well, large casts like in CC are more for Strategy RPG's like Fire Emblem, where at least in there the characters have a reason to join you! Maybe a smaller team, like maybe 10 or so characters.

5 - Fight in the field. It was interesting seeing that in a non-action RPG.

6 - That's the last that I care, something different than the last two, or a mix of both. But, I would want to see more Double and Triple techs, unlike Cross who had few.

7 - Console, they have the capacity for more content than portables.

8 - No, there will be things that some will like, but others not. It's very hard, if not impossible, to please everyone.

9 - That will depend, but I do hope that another game will be made.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Zergplex on January 03, 2009, 11:33:20 pm
How is the CTDS sales doing? I don't keep track of that stuff. I know they were predicting less than stellar sales bc of the leak of the game and Chrono fans downloading it. That would ironically potentially screw us for a Chrono sequel.

There is a thread in the CT:DS forum regarding it's sales for the first week. If I recall correctly it was .7 million copies, though my memory could be faulty. Either way it was a very good first week for the game, beating some other DS games total sales in it's first week.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: chrono eric on January 04, 2009, 11:06:10 pm
So then I would think the outlook would look good for at least a Chrono Cross remake. Which is a start I guess.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Xenterex on January 05, 2009, 02:44:55 am
1.  Characters in both games have a prominent impact with their perspective lives, so at the very minimum, so sort of mention of characters from either/both would be appropriate, though not necessarily for their actions directly tied to their prospective games.

2.  Dimension travel is a touchy subject that I think a) is too difficult to really make feasible for a good story b) leads to too many "what if" style story writing.  Both together would be a headache and would need REALLY good writing to pull that off, and I don't think anyone would want to invest that sort of idea (unless someone's been working on something like this and refining it for at least a decade)  into a high production game with known writer's, let alone a possible dark horse.

3.  so long as the character design fits with the world feel and compliments the story development, don't care.

4.  A solid core cast to at least progress the story is a must.  Square's game style generally doesn't work well with larger casts, and Enix tends to just add in "fun" type filler characters, which are okay in a certain, or at least story justifiable quantity. Overall though, I'd like to shoot for at least 4 main party that have development and purpose, plus two major villains, not too mention at least a few npc's on the sidelines for game progression, but not necessarily positive or negative player interaction.

5. I think games can handle fight in the field better nowadays, and I think it works better with the idea that monsters can be seen, and thus avoided.

6.  Tech combinations are neat and should hand around, but something alittle different on the turn based timer rotation could be neat.

7. At least a console installment (even if the game is retro like Mega Man 9)
8.  Yes, but chances are that SE (should they actually pursue such a project) would bisect the road tat links the common ground of the fanbase from the previous games and further divide and isolate particular fan interests.
9.  I'm leaning more towards no at this point.  SE has had their gambles in the past, and paid for them.  They're more prone to creating, or even releasing games that tend to be more 'safe', or at least don't have major financial backing at risk to them anymore.  a new Chrono game would be so hard for them to read into at this point, let alone produce with the amount of attention that it would warrant for more than just namesake success; they'd probably prefer to play it safe and simply not make one. 
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Ramsus on January 05, 2009, 12:28:13 pm
They still haven't explored the origin of Lavos. That leaves a real big open window for an interesting game that features not just time travel or dimensional travel, but possibly space travel too, which could be pretty cool.

You'd start out in the future of Crono's world, and in a space exploration mission to a ruined world with traces of advanced civilization, get flung through a gate into the distant past where it turns out there was human (not human-like, but human) life there millions of years before it should have ever existed. Then you come to discover a bio-weapon to control time and magic resembling Lavos is being worked on. The weapon then lets loose on the world, as the person who turns out to be the main bad guy attempts to fuse with it and become all powerful. After nearly beating it, it sends its spawn off into space, and sends you back into the future so it can recover.

Having lost the means to return and defeat the ultimate bad guy, you return home to regroup, and based on the genetic data collected by your computer, you find a match in a database that leads you to encounter Balthasar and Lucca...

Throw in some cameos of the really popular characters, events, and scenes from the previous two games (i.e. have Robo, Lucca, or even Magus join your party a few times, maybe end up in a dual with Crono, etc.), and a plot twist that ties it all back to the beginning, and things could get to be pretty fun and exciting.

A more futuristic design aesthetic would be better for most of the art, but the style should be flexible enough to work with more colorful periods and characters (i.e. 1000 A.D). Having turn-based battles in the field would be something that makes it stand out a bit, especially if it took the battle mechanic ideas from Cross a few steps further, maybe mixing it a bit with Xenogears, but refactored to include a regular technique system that allows dual and triple techs to fit in well.

I'd also say mostly ditch the dimensional thing except as applied to technology, and keep the actual main cast of permanent, playable characters down to maybe 4 or 5 tops. That way you can really flesh all the playable characters out completely. You could also throw in support for recruiting characters as easter eggs, maybe with a post-game dungeon that lets you carry over some of the secret characters into a later point of a New Game+.

The real focus of this game shouldn't be time travel so much as a basic theme of how choices affect time. To accomplish this, everything you do in the alien planet should have a significant impact on future outcomes in the game.


But whatever. The important thing is that they make the game its own game first, with a style and mechanic that fits whatever story and theme they choose. The game should be able to stand on its own as a quality game, and only be a sequel by virtue of the cross-overs in the story and with some of the characters and cross-overs in some of the mechanics (i.e. time travel, dual techs, elemental types, etc.).
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Schrupp Daddy on January 07, 2009, 01:54:29 am


Insert Quote
3. Akira Toriyama or Nobuteru Yuuki? Or some new blood?
8. Is it possible that both CT fans and CC fans alike can be pleased?
9. Is there hope for another game in the first place?

Now the fun question: Can fans on all sides be pleased? Probably not. But certainly a new chrono game could do a lot to reconcile the differences. Regardless, I don't think the developers of a potential new title should concern themselves with pleasing the fans, as long as they stay true to the universe and give us another great experience. As for whether we can expect a new game... the frequency of speculation topics like this will only increase since CT DS' release. It'd be one thing if it would've been a straight PSX port, with no additional plot content. But since they went to the trouble, they must have known speculation would rise. It of course first depends on the series' bankability; and then, on the availability of the team.


You can never please everyone, and when you love what you're making, you don't really care about anyone. The definition of a fan is someone who enjoys your work, and if you have to plead with them and make compromises to get their love, then you're wasting you're time. Artists who do things for their fans are doomed to fail: once your fans lose interest in what you're doing, and you were doing it all for them, then what do you live for? Works created for 'the fans' usually range from mediocre to garbage: the entire Star Wars prequel trilogy, the sequel to the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Megaman X 6-8, Nickleback, and Family Guy. As an artist, you have to love what you do to the point of being selfish about it. If you have fans, then great! But if you don't, who cares? You're doing what you love to do!

Unfortunately, some works of art are more expensive than others, and its easier to do when you have the checkbook of a major company backing you. Sure, Masato Kato could do another Chrono game all by himself, but it would be about the quality of a flash-based game without any good economical backing, which you will not get if you can't convince them that your idea is marketable. I'd think that one out of five game ideas come through as the creator/team's original artistic vision. And since Masato Kato isn't exactly a household name, I don't think that attaching his name to any body of work would make it a best-seller.

With the mixed response towards Chrono Cross' plot, I don't think that Square would let Kato unleash another opus without a few consultants and several final drafts. That, coupled with the fact that most j-rpg fans are more into zippers, belts and gimp outfits these days probably means that there will be a brand new artist to draw up a 'brand new' cast of character.

I guess we have to realize that the last entry in the series was almost a decade ago, and officially old news to most people. I bet  4/5 of the people who bought Chrono Trigger DS had already played it on the SNES and Playstation, so I don't think there'd be to many fans. Of course, its loved in Japan, so maybe if it went past the 3x million mark they'd decide that enough people care about it so it'd be good for a go.

So, what's more important, getting an edited version of your original idea put out (which is what would probably happen), or keeping it to yourself and leaving your fans disappointed? Some people care so much about their 'artistic vision' that they would rather have it die before having it changed, but maybe Kato would make a deal with the devil. Of course, he doesn't own the rights to the Chrono series, so Square could just get a/some different writer/writers altogether.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Xenterex on January 07, 2009, 04:07:39 am
even outside of being a 'artist' masterpiece, or at least perceivably so in the hands of experienced story writers, sometimes the edits, or rather collaborations and revisions and simply having other people involved and really help with a story, particularly one with as many unusual elements as Chrono games have.  I have from my writing that much of my drafts only really make sense to me because its all sound in my head, whereas once I get a few proofreads from someone else, things fall into place better.

Personally, I got the feel from Cross that it had little revision/colab work done on it, and that's one of the things that turned me off on it right away.  It simply had more potential than what we were given, and I think if there were to be another Chrono game, Kato should either have more of an inner circle to work with, or he be given more of the senior editor position to fine tune what is written by a team, as I think that's when he shines the most.   As far as "keeping your idea to yourself" in the chronoverse goes, I'm thinking that if they actually had something worked out, there would've been some sort of release done by now, and not even a video game.  Manga or novels or a movie or whatnot would easily justify the production value if they put little more work into than slap a chrono associated title on it.

As far as a new game goes, I would love more onto the origins on Lavos (in some shape or another, not even the lead plot, though that could be spiffy esp space travel+)  Heck, there's the whole Zenan continent conflict/mystery to cover, which for all we know could evolve into a time-war civil dispute. I think the post disappointing thing about the Chronoverse thus far is simply not having more installments being produced over this past decade because they do have so much there.  Granted, I'm alittle pessimistic about how another official game would turn out, it still a wasted potential.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Shadow D. Darkman on January 07, 2009, 09:08:45 am
1. Would we see characters from the other games? Would the setting stay the same, or would the story take place elsewhere?
2. Time travel, dimensional travel, or (oh god) both?
3. Akira Toriyama or Nobuteru Yuuki? Or some new blood?
4. A huge team of playable characters like CC, or a smaller team like CT?
5. Battle transition for encounters (CC), or fight right on the field (CT)?
6. A battle system like the other titles, or entirely different?
7. Console or portable?
8. Is it possible that both CT fans and CC fans alike can be pleased?
9. Is there hope for another game in the first place?

1. We had better see the old ones, kinda like how Crono, Marle, and Lucca appeared in Cross. If anything, keep it on Elosia (the planet that CT and CC takes place on, according to Chrono Trigger: The Planeswalkers by MoxJet on IcyBrian).

2. IDC if you travel dimensions like in Cross, but it's not a Chrono game without time travel, even if it's only a small bit. Space travel would be interesting, like if we went to where Lavos' species originates from, and ultimately cause their extinction.

3. Toriyama-sensei and Yuuki teaming up and pooling their art styles into one. That would be kickass.

4. I'd say a midway point between CT and CC party-wise. More than 7 characters, but not like over 30 characters. Try about 14 for good measure.

5. Don't care. As long as if they use battleground transition, the arenas look good.

6. CT's battle system. CC's was too confusing for me.

7. Doesn't matter, as long as it comes out, I'll get it.

8. Highly doubtful. More than likely people will still hate on it regardless.

9. If someone isn't hoping for a new game, they're not real Chrono fans.

Another thing I'd like to see in this third game, in order to view the game's true ending, the player must view all of the other endings beforehand. Although I can picture this being very annoying for some people.. hehe..

This would be annoying. Scrap it.

Last thing I'd like is for the main character to be able to have dialogue. I just came back from reading 'Rate the Characters of Chrono Cross' article, I was so glad that I was not the only one that felt that SE should cease making games with their main characters being silent.

Agreed. We never know what Crono or Serge would say b/c SE wants them to be "literal avatars" of the person playing it. If this were true, heh, they should let us decide what to do with what's going on. *grins like a maniac at the thought he's having*
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Schrupp Daddy on January 07, 2009, 08:06:33 pm
I have from my writing that much of my drafts only really make sense to me because its all sound in my head, whereas once I get a few proofreads from someone else, things fall into place better.

True. With me, I see how everything is in my head, so I sometimes make the mistake of not explaining something when I'm writing it out, simply because I don't take into account the ignorance of other people. (Which can't be blamed since we can't exactly read eachothers' minds!) While I don't like other people helping me develop the bulk of my work, I do like it when people point out inconsistencies, and I'm sure its the same among professionals: we all need editors.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Rowan Seven on January 08, 2009, 06:01:13 pm

In unoccupied Medina, Melchior's adopted grandson dreams of avenging the parents he never knew, unaware of the royal blood that flows through his veins...

In the El Nido archipelago, an intrepid youth dreams of an adventure the world has forgotten and a girl who is unforgettable, not knowing that his quest to find her will take him to times and places beyond imagination...

In military-controlled Porre, a mighty general dreams of immortality and world domination, there being few left who can oppose his schemes...

In the sea of time, a beautiful princess dreams of returning to the one she loves, but she has lost her way...

And beyond the walls of time and space, an ancient king dreams of becoming the lord of time itself, his far-reaching plans already in motion...

The planet's dream has become a nightmare, and when the three triggers act as one to cross the final gate and enter the realm of Zurvan there will be no averting the...
Chrono Break!


Heh, anyway, moving away from fan musings to the questions you posed...

Quote
1. Would we see characters from the other games? Would the setting stay the same, or would the story take place elsewhere?

Hm...personally, there are two major approaches I think of when considering what a third game in the Chrono series might be like.  It could follow the Chrono Cross model, starting in the same world in the "present" but featuring new locations and starring a new cast of characters.  The story would be related to the previous installments and feature references to and cameos from both, answering some questions, raising new questions, but capable of standing on its own.  Or it could try to be a "culmination" of the series, continuing the stories of both Trigger and Cross, providing closure to both casts, and definitively resolving this time traveling epic.   

Both options have advantages and disadvantages, and both would require a really good story to even begin to meet expectations.  I might prefer the latter for the sake of closure, but on the other hand the unanswered questions and uncertainties are part of the charm of the two games, in my opinion, and I like how, instead of spelling everything out, the games give us the freedom to fill in the unknown with our imaginations.

Quote
2. Time travel, dimensional travel, or (oh god) both?

Either, both, or something different would be fine with me so long as it is interesting and enjoyable.  Besides, the two aren't mutually exclusive, and perhaps part of the game could feature time travel before some momentous event occurs (collapse of a timeline?) and a jump to dimensional travel takes place.  Including dimensional travel could also open up the reptite/dragonian dimension in a new game, and that could be very intriguing.

Quote
3. Akira Toriyama or Nobuteru Yuuki? Or some new blood?

Tough question.  I prefer Yuuki's art style in Chrono Cross over Toriyama's designs in Chrono Trigger, but I think creating a game that looks great and will continue to be attractive as graphics and modeling  improve is more important than who the lead artist is.  Chrono Trigger is still visually appealing (at least on the small DS screen) despite being released so many years ago, and Chrono Cross is a delicious feast of beautiful color for the eyes.  If a new Chrono game is made, it might be better if they went with something enduringly memorable like Valkyria Chronicles' cell shading rather than attempt hyper-realism.   

Quote
4. A huge team of playable characters like CC, or a smaller team like CT?

I might be in the minority here, but I rather liked Chrono Cross' extensive cast.  The Cross cast had diverse personalities and motivations, and I found them to be a refreshing change of pace from the common "three to seven characters drawn together by fate and coincidence who you'll know just about everything about by the end of the game" pattern.  Still, I will admit that some of them were somewhat...silly, so maybe a compromise between Chrono Trigger's seven and Chrono Cross's 40+ would be advisable.  Or, perhaps even better, have a smaller group of "core" characters with a huge cast of NPCs that join and leave your party as playable characters as the story progresses, with some characters exclusive to certain divergent paths players choose like in Chrono Cross for additional replay value. 

Quote
5. Battle transition for encounters (CC), or fight right on the field (CT)?

Either one's fine with me so long as it doesn't take too long for fights to start and looks good.

Quote
6. A battle system like the other titles, or entirely different?

I played the games more because I enjoyed the story than because I enjoyed the gameplay, so as long as the battle system continues the tradition of techs and offers at least a reasonable challenge without being frustratingly convoluted there's a good chance that it'll be pleasing to me.

Quote
7. Console or portable?

Console.  While both the DS and PSP are powerful systems in their own right, I view the Chrono series as a console series and would like to see what a possible third installment could accomplish by utilizing the technological potential of the next generation systems.

Quote
8. Is it possible that both CT fans and CC fans alike can be pleased?

Depends on what you mean by your question.  If you're asking whether everyone would be pleased with a third game, that is unlikely.  It can be very difficult to please everybody, especially with a series as beloved and with as many beloved characters as the Chrono games, and trying to do so could weaken the final product.  However, I imagine that many Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross fans would be pleased with a third installment if the game is good, even if there are segments of the fan community who feel differently. 

Quote
9. Is there hope for another game in the first place?

Yes.  Both games were financial successes and critically acclaimed, and the series has clearly not been forgotten.  With the release of Chrono Trigger DS there are even more reasons to encourage hope in the possibility of a new installment.  None of this means that there will be another game, of course, but optimism is not uncalled for here.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Phillies64 on January 14, 2009, 02:34:53 pm
I might be in the minority, but I think silent main characters is a must for the Chrono series. It's an RPG tradition that's been dying out, but I think it's a staple of the Chrono series that could be kept. Sure it's a bit wacky, but it's also one of the series' charms. It's also great to see how creative they can get with the sprites. Chrono never talked, but you always knew what he was saying.

 
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Shadow D. Darkman on January 14, 2009, 02:58:54 pm
I hope someone makes a CTDS hack in which Crono talks. That would be so kickass.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Phillies64 on January 14, 2009, 03:06:02 pm
I hope someone makes a CTDS hack in which Crono talks. That would be so kickass.

Call me a purist, but I'd really hate to see that. It's one of the games gimmicks. It used to be a common RPG trick, but now it's so rare to see. It's kind of refreshing actually.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Shadow D. Darkman on January 14, 2009, 07:18:55 pm
That's fine, you can just not play it. But I mean for those that are polar opposites to that view, they can see CT as if Crono wasn't just blindly doing everything or just mute.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Phillies64 on January 14, 2009, 07:38:11 pm
That's fine, you can just not play it. But I mean for those that are polar opposites to that view, they can see CT as if Crono wasn't just blindly doing everything or just mute.

Yeah. I can see that. It'd be a grueling project, but I'm sure someone out there has attempted it.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Fireseal on January 14, 2009, 10:25:02 pm
Just use your imagination.. Or attempt to recreate it via RM2K3. :D
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Phillies64 on January 15, 2009, 02:21:07 pm
Another option I might add to a future game would be the edition of some sort of diffculty + option. Once the game is completed for the first time and you move on to New Game+ the Chrono games tend to get insanely easy. For example, maxing out the characters in CT seems almost pointless when you can easily kill everything at level 60+. So I propose that once you unlock New Game+ you should have the option to raise the games difficulty as you continue. Maybe the monsters can level proportionate to your level. I've seen certain RPGs do this.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Shadow D. Darkman on January 15, 2009, 02:41:02 pm
I've seen certain RPGs do this.

Those RPGs being...?
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Acacia Sgt on January 15, 2009, 03:50:58 pm
FFVIII has done it.

And that's the only one I know.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Phillies64 on January 15, 2009, 04:26:27 pm
The Lunar series has also done this.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Zergplex on January 15, 2009, 06:02:24 pm
The altogether awesome Final Fantasy Tactics had enemies that leveled along with you as well.

God I love that game.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: mav on January 15, 2009, 06:39:12 pm
You're not alone--FFT is undoubtedly one of the greatest games ever. Although...I don't know if we can compare its enemy-level system to other RPGs'; it's not as much of an RPG as CT...
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Acacia Sgt on January 15, 2009, 06:41:45 pm
No? It's just in a different RPG category, no more, no less.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: mav on January 15, 2009, 06:44:19 pm
Right--I kinda worded myself strangely: CT is a traditional RPG, FFT is a bit more of a strategy RPG. The genres are similar, but not entirely the same, the categories, however, are not.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Phillies64 on January 15, 2009, 08:34:42 pm
Not to get too far off topic, but I wish they would just re-release the origin FFT for the DS.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Zergplex on January 15, 2009, 08:48:55 pm
Not to get too far off topic, but I wish they would just re-release the origin FFT for the DS.

You are not alone in this, I seriously considered buying a PSP for that game. I just couldn't justify the cost for the 3 or so games I would buy though.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Fireseal on January 15, 2009, 11:07:15 pm
It's not that great, there are very few CG's, which is what I detest about remakes of past games when they add VERY FEW CG's. The voice acting is okay, too bad it's only in CG's. There are two extra jobs, the pointless Onion Knight and the very much useful Dark Knight. The text has been corrected. The best equipment are acquired only through multiplayer missions... Okay is it superb and is very much worth buying a PSP for just that game.

But back on topic. I think the 3rd chrono game should be a direct result of Chrono Cross's dimension's unifying and not based off something in the far off future or based on the fall of guardia.

Maybe just having some random person from the mainland that lived in both split dimensions and also is included in the unified dimension, but somehow still has the memories of being two different people, possesing two other sets of memories starting from 1010 until 1020(and beyond, whenever the era will be the 'present' era in this 3rd chrono game) and that will be this random person's motivation to go on an adventure that goes beyond time and space!

Or maybe it'll just be about Fritz supposedly ending up in the Lavos timeline 2300AD, leaving that note in the Sewer Access, eventually going coo-coo by time-travelling and become that 'someone' mentioned in Lucca's Letter to Kid, that will travel back in time and capture/kill her and her friends. :P
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: V_Translanka on January 15, 2009, 11:33:05 pm
It's not that great, there are very few CG's, which is what I detest about remakes of past games when they add VERY FEW CG's. The voice acting is okay, too bad it's only in CG's.

Weren't there already very few CGs in FFT? Like two? And I thought the PSP version added anime sequences...?
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Fireseal on January 15, 2009, 11:34:32 pm
Oops, my bad, I meant anime sequences.. haha.. But yes, there were too few of them.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: HyperNerd on January 15, 2009, 11:43:24 pm
If it is on a console, it better not be on PS3. I'm willing to buy a 360 for a Chrono game, but a PS3... no.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Jormungand on January 16, 2009, 12:00:41 am
If it is on a console, it better not be on PS3. I'm willing to buy a 360 for a Chrono game, but a PS3... no.
Relax. By the time a new Chrono game gets announced, PS3 will be at least $100 cheaper. :p

Thanks for all the replies so far folks. This is shaping into a good discussion.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Acacia Sgt on January 16, 2009, 12:35:27 am
Relax. By the time a new Chrono game gets announced, PS3 will be at least $100 cheaper. :p

I hope so. If it ends up being for PS3, then I also want that at the time there would be more PS3 games that I would like so that I can buy the console itself.

Really, for just one game, even if it's a Chrono one, I wouldn't buy the console.

...
Wait, if it's a Chrono game, then I would!
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Fireseal on January 16, 2009, 12:44:48 am
I'd definitely buy the PS6 game for the 3rd chrono game if it comes out for that game system.




...






 :picardno
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: V_Translanka on January 16, 2009, 12:57:51 am
(http://ocio.fresqui.com/files/images/ps9.jpg)

I'd go so far as a PS9...and you know those fuckers are gonna be expensive...Probably need an Epoch to get one, too...
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: FouCapitan on January 16, 2009, 01:33:43 am
1. Would we see characters from the other games? Would the setting stay the same, or would the story take place elsewhere?

The Chrono series of games isn't Final Fantasy, Tales of, Breath of Fire, Dragon Quest, Legend of Zelda, or any of the dozens of other RPG series that have no connection between game titles save for themes and play styles.  In the relation between Cross and Trigger, theme and play style were actually two things that weren't the same, but many characters and the world setting remained the same.  I hope a third title would continue this.

2. Time travel, dimensional travel, or (oh god) both?

I would like to see a return to time travel.  Maybe with a few dimensional variances thrown in for good measure, but as the first word in the game titles says, it's about time.  (Chronos = time)  There are an endless number of eras and stories that are untold in the Chrono world's timeline to pick from.

3. Akira Toriyama or Nobuteru Yuuki? Or some new blood?

I'm a fan of Toriyama, since getting fansubs of DBZ and playing Dragon Quest on my NES, and I remain so to this day.  Yuuki did a great job for the sequel though, so either one would be a welcome designer for new or recurring characters in a fourth installment.  (RD didn't really have any artist design did it?)

4. A huge team of playable characters like CC, or a smaller team like CT?

Something smaller than what Chrono Cross had would be nice, as most everyone who has played it will attest that Cross had far too many characters that they just never used.  Keeping a smaller cast and allowing a greater connection to the personalities and flavor each individual character adds to the story is preferable.

5. Battle transition for encounters (CC), or fight right on the field (CT)?

Either way works, so long as they continue to stay away from the dreaded RANDOM ENCOUNTER~!

6. A battle system like the other titles, or entirely different?

I would like to see more of the first title's battle system.  Not a clone of it entirely, but more individual moves and abilities as well as the combination attacks that made the first game's battle system so damn fun.  I've often tossed around some game ideas for combination systems that change with the relation of one character to the next, with stronger personal bonds and more battles fought together would strengthen or change possible combination moves.  Something along those lines would be fun.

7. Console or portable?

Considering both previous full RPG titles in the series were top notch in graphics and sound at their time, I would expect a new title to be so as well.  Console.

8. Is it possible that both CT fans and CC fans alike can be pleased?

Yes and no.  Some fans liked both CT and CC, some fans likes CC more than CT, some liked CT more than CC.  Inevitably, no matter how good a new game is, somebody won't like it.  It is possible for a good 80% or so of fans who liked both Trigger and Cross to appreciate the new game, but you can't please them all.

9. Is there hope for another game in the first place?

It's definitely been on the books for Square for a decade, and with the CTDS release refueling the fanbase into making their voices heard, perhaps SquareEnix will finally give this project a green light, and reassemble the team of designers that made the first two happen.



And yes, FFXI needs to die.  It's past its peak, and it's time to move on to different projects.  Let's not let it run on forever and ever like World of Warcraft.  :x
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: utunnels on January 16, 2009, 01:37:23 am
(http://ocio.fresqui.com/files/images/ps9.jpg)

I'd go so far as a PS9...and you know those fuckers are gonna be expensive...Probably need an Epoch to get one, too...
I think when PS9 is out, it might not be an touchable entity, what you need to do is downloading the data into a chipset in your brain.  :lol:
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: V_Translanka on January 16, 2009, 02:58:52 am
In the commercial didn't they say it released some hormone or something?
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Shadow D. Darkman on January 16, 2009, 12:00:42 pm
In the commercial didn't they say it released some hormone or something?

Wait, what? :? <(???)
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: KebreI on January 16, 2009, 12:52:23 pm
In the commercial didn't they say it released some hormone or something?

Wait, what? :? <(???)
Jeez Shadow get with the 90's already.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Fireseal on January 16, 2009, 01:18:24 pm
I may be mistaken, but I think he may be refering to a hormone that is placed in the brain where you can access an operating system at will. The person with this hormone will be able to actually see windows poping out in front of him out of thin air and control its functions at will. But every one of those hormones will have to be customized for every customer. Esh, people can barely use Windows XP, much less Vista and iMac, I wonder how on Earth will people be able to use a OS's implanted in their brain.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Shadow D. Darkman on January 16, 2009, 06:50:51 pm
Hmm... Interesting.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: V_Translanka on January 16, 2009, 10:13:21 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvDWvVDIF_0

There, jeeze, I didn't think it was going to be a big deal...
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Xenterex on January 17, 2009, 01:49:29 pm
Quote
Those RPGs being...?

Legend of Mana had a feature with its newgame + to be able to have the monsters be lvl 99, but that game really needed that, even before newgame + it became too easy with blacksmithing.

I think something along the lines of either a difficulty enabler, or just a scaling difficulty feature with newgame + would be nice.  Sure its nice to be able to slaughter monsters effortlessly, but its also nice to need to do more than just rubberband/autofire a single button in an rpg.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: placidchap on January 17, 2009, 01:59:13 pm
I'd love it if the enemies got smarter, as well as stronger.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: TriforceofEternity on January 19, 2009, 02:03:20 am
Day/night cycle where NPCs come out at certain times and side-quests are only avaible at certain hours.     Plus badder enemies will pop out so you have to be on your guard.     

Note:  5mins will equal 1hr in the game.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: HyperNerd on January 19, 2009, 02:17:23 am
Didn't that happen in Castlevania two, or something, and almost everyone hated it?
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Shadow D. Darkman on January 19, 2009, 02:18:57 am
Happened in a lot of games, the earliest I know of being Zelda: Twilight Princess.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: FouCapitan on January 19, 2009, 02:59:14 am
Didn't that happen in Castlevania two, or something, and almost everyone hated it?
That's because the day/night cycles interrupted the game, would come in the middle of you doing shit, and and were accompanied by a slow text box telling you that it was changing from day to night.

Angry Video Game Nerd did a review on that one, in fact it was his first one.

(Warning, NSFW - language)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4we8iFk-fY
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: placidchap on January 19, 2009, 09:49:09 am
Happened in a lot of games, the earliest I know of being Zelda: Twilight Princess.

Castlevania II came out almost 20 years prior to Zelda: TP.  Zelda: OoT also had Day/Night, which was about 10 years before TP as well.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: Acacia Sgt on January 19, 2009, 11:31:03 am
Don't forget Seiken Densetsu 3, about... 12 years.

Thanks.
Title: Re: What would a new Chrono game look like?
Post by: placidchap on January 19, 2009, 12:19:47 pm
Judging by a quick Google, that is more like 12 years prior to Zelda: TP, not 21...unless you just typed the number backwards.