I dunno, I kind of liked the hella new graphics and everything. Probably the only part I objected to in the SEs was when Greedo shot first. The DVD releases look phony when they have Han dodging. Other than that, it's all fine by me, even inserting Hayden into the ROTJ finale. I certainly like the graphical revamp they received, both for the SEs and again for the DVD release; the technology the characters have to deal with is supposed to be ZOMGAWSUM, and the CG reflects that.
As for a Chrono remake, everyone was getting hyped up for CTR and CTRP before SE totally pwned them; there would be at least some enthusiasm for a CT remake. Actually, there'd be quite a lot, but as has been stated, unless the original designers are involved there's no way to ensure its quality. Look at all the crappy Hollywood remakes of movies that have been rearing their ugly heads lately; they're cashing in on a name, and SE has fairly well proved that they subscribe to this mentality as well, because it's easy money.
CT does have a large cult following, but it's nothing against FFVII, or just Final Fantasy in general; half the FF fans out there are mindless, foaming zombies. Hell, compare it to Star Wars, the largest fan community in the world. Basically, George Lucas has the Midas touch; anything he puts out, people are going to buy, whether it's good or not. It's just a fact of life. There are plenty of smart people in the Star Wars community, people like Dr. Saxton and Mike Wong among them, but there are also plenty of retards. If Chrono had a fanbase that size, we might very well be complaining about SE rehashing Chrono Trigger over and over and discussing a petition to make a new Final Fantasy game. But as it stands, Final Fantasy has the Midas touch of the game world, probably second only to Zelda. At one time, Chrono did have this touch, but then Chrono Cross was released. All the rehash-loving morons, who by what could only be described as an act of God managed to finish CT, instantly bought CC and decided it was crap because it wasn't the same game. This happened to Zelda as well, actually; Adventure of Link sold well, but people hated it because it used a different combat system and it didn't have all the puzzles and everything in the dungeons. For ALttP, they went back to the old formula, and everyone raves and says OMFG BEST GAEM EVAR LOLZ!11! That also happened to Final Fantasy VIII. I personally didn't like FFVIII. In fact, I hated the combat system quite a lot, but it's by no means the worst game ever. Hell, even Star Wars isn't immune; when they introduced the New Jedi Order series, people decried it for the new concepts and tone it brought to that universe. That also happened many times over in the numerous games attached to the license. But it's Star Wars, and like I said, people will buy it even if they hate it. Hell, I'll buy it even if I hate it. I never said I was immune to being a zombie. It just so happens that I tend not to hate it, but that's beside the point.
If anything will definitely kill the Chrono series, it isn't rehash; rehash will sell like hotcakes. This may seem to support the "remake" point of view, but a remake is no more immune to this than a sequel is; if a remake isn't a complete and utter rehash in today's market, it won't sell well, and it's impossible for a conscientious artist to ever just do a rehash, as Kato and Mitsuda themselves have said. This is why they either wouldn't be involved in a remake or wouldn't put their full effort into it, resulting in a half-finished product that would definitely put the final nail in Chrono's coffin.
It's innovation that poses a danger from a marketing standpoint, and SE realizes this. Inventors, for example, have always taken risks. Einstein took a risk in writing his theses. Bell took a risk in inventing the telephone. Innovation is what was introduced in Chrono Cross, and look what happened there. As sad as that is, it's the state of the market today.
My personal preference would be to have it all, a remake and a sequel. The sequel would definitely come first; if that sold well, then Kato and Mitsuda could do a CT remake with a clear conscience, and thanks to them we'd get something awesome out of it.
