In hand and on wrist, both watches are big, heavy, and feel very special. Of the two, I definitely preferred the Speedmaster Chrono Chime, not only for its familiar good looks but also for the lovely combination of the aventurine dial and the guilloche finishing of the sub-dials (which I think looks fantastic). While certainly wide and quite thick, the weight left the most notable impression on my wrist from either model. If you don’t mind a large watch, I could see the Speedmaster Chrono Chime being easy to wear once you’ve properly sized the tapering bracelet and entirely recalibrated for the raw heft of all that gold. Again, the movement alone has more than 45 grams of gold.
Square Enix has released Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition across multiple platforms this week including the Switch. So how does the Nintendo version hold up?
Well, if you read our Nintendo Life review, you probably know how this is going to go… According to Digital Foundry though – it’s a bit of a radical nightmare. In fact, this latest release has apparently got worse performance than the original 1999 PlayStation version and is more of a “touch up” than a full-fledged remaster.
Here’s the rundown on the frame rate differences between the remaster’s ‘classic’ and ‘new visuals’ mode (via Eurogamer):
“To put it bluntly, frame-rates on PS5 and on Switch are as low as the PS1 original – and at times worse worse while the ‘new’ graphics mode is selected. Issues are apparent from the off, with the very first opening hallway dropping to 20fps compared to 30fps on the PS1 original. This isn’t as low as it can go either, as more taxing scenes can see the frame-rate cap shift to 20, 15 or even 10fps. This isn’t to say that the original release was perfect – the original PlayStation ran the game with a wildly fluctuating frame-rate between 10 and 30fps too – but it is concerning that a remaster running on modern consoles actually ends up hitting lower frame-rates in some of the same scenes.
Selecting the classic mode in the remaster menu does improve things, but doesn’t guarantee a lock at 30fps. In broad terms it appears to put frame-rates on par with the PS1’s original again, with battles still seeing drops to 15fps and under. That said, regardless of mode used, additional hitches are introduced during battles in the remaster – such as during the post-battle victory pose – that were not present on the PS1 original.”
As for the resolution, the Nintendo Switch version drops to 720p in docked mode, which DF says “works to its benefit” when dealing with performance issues:
“…If you don’t have the original Chrono Cross to hand, then the remaster still has some value. If you pick up the Switch release, playing in handheld mode drops the resolution to 720p, bringing the 2D and 3D elements closer together in presentation. And regardless of platform, the story, gameplay and atmosphere of Squaresoft’s classic JRPG still resonate in 2022 – despite some of the technical and artistic limitations.”
And here’s what to expect outside of portable play:
” For both new and classic graphics modes, all 3D elements (character models, and 3D battle sequences) we measure a native resolution in the 900p to 936p region. The new character models are reserved just for the new graphics mode though, and this also sports a crisp 1080p HUD overlay. These revised 3D models are found on both PS4 and Switch at matching quality. Meanwhile, the classic mode uses the original PS1 models, and also reinstates its 240p backdrops and portraits, with chunkier on-screen text. This doesn’t look great blown up to a 1080p or 4K display, especially in the overworld where we have crisply presented 3D elements running on top of pixellated map. Again the preference is to use the new mode on bigger displays.”
There are various other issues such as AI upscaling and texture problems – with Digital Foundry summing this remaster up as “something of a disappointment”. You can get the full rundown in the video above, or over on Eurogamer.
How have you found the Chrono Cross remaster on Switch so far? Tell us down in the comments.
Apart from LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, one other big release this week is Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition.
In case you didn’t already know, it’s a remaster of the 1999 PlayStation JRPG. More and more reviews of the game are now starting to surface online, and so we’ve rounded up a bunch of them.
Of course, be sure to check out our own review – we said it was a “fair port” awarding it six out of ten stars:
Siliconera praised the game, awarding it 10/10:
“CHRONO CROSS is an RPG that transcends time and space, unfolding across two interlinked parallel worlds. With over 40 party members to meet, people and dimensions will intertwine in this epic drama about the planet itself. Chrono Cross has always been an essential JRPG, and this The Radical Dreamers Edition remaster makes it feel even more important.”
Destructoid said it was “Alright” awarding it six out of 10:
“And really, that’s all you need to know: it’s a PlayStation-era Square RPG. Can you still stand to play Final Fantasy IX and Parasite Eve? Then Chrono Cross is worth your time, and here’s an okay way to play it. Is that era too antiquated for you? Then this remaster has no chance of changing your mind. Regardless of what you think of the game or genre, it’s not a very loving or respectful port, and Chrono Cross deserves better.”
RPG Site gave it 7/10:
“Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is a wonderful remaster marred by an unoptimized Switch port. While you could argue that they could have gone further in places, like maybe offering players the ability to further customize which parts of the experience they wanted to be presented with old or new graphics, it feels nice that one of my favorite PS1 era JRPGs got so much love. I adore both of the games in this collection from the bottom of my heart, and I’m glad they’re more accessible than ever. I hope the Switch version can be an easier recommendation in the future, especially since the only way to own it physically seems to be on that platform.”
Our friends over at Push Square awarded the PlayStation version 4 out of 10:
“Parts of Chrono Cross really haven’t aged well, but it’s still a charming, characterful JRPG that evokes feelings of the genre’s golden age on PS1. It’s a game that deserves better than The Radical Dreamers Edition, which, at least at launch, is a dreadfully poor remaster. Crippled by frame rate issues, it beggars belief that a title from 1999 could run this badly on modern hardware. Unless you’re desperate for the nostalgia, we strongly recommend waiting to see whether Square Enix releases a patch to improve the package on PS4 and PS5 before buying.”
Wccftech gave it 4.5/10:
“The crippled frame rates, which remain a constantly fluctuating 15-20 FPS in battles, are only exacerbated by providing players with the ability to slow down and fast forward gameplay without having to finish the game first. In another time, another place, perhaps Chrono Cross The Radical Dreamers Edition would be more critically revered this second time around but I can find little reason to recommend this particular bundle over the PlayStation 1 release based on the core game alone.”
Will you be trying out this game on the Nintendo Switch when it arrives later this week? Tell us down in the comments.
For nearly 30 years, Square Enix’s Chrono Trigger has stood tall as one of the defining releases of the SNES era and JRPG genre. In a medium that has dramatically evolved over the past three decades, it’s one of those rare games that still feels as fresh and vital today as it did in 1995. And now there’s even more of a reason to revisit this gem if you own an ultrawide monitor.
Earlier this week, Square Enix the Steam version of Chrono Trigger for the first time in four years. Spotted by , the update adds support for 21:9 resolutions, “improved” d-pad controls, and a handful of user interface improvements among other quality of life changes. The addition of ultrawide screen support is particularly notable since it’s a feature that’s rare to find on retro ports and even some modern games – , for instance, doesn’t come with native 21:9 support.
The PC version of Chrono Trigger has come a long way since Square first released it in 2018. At the time, the company was rightfully criticized for releasing a lazy port. At launch, it included interface elements that were directly lifted from the Android and iOS releases. To its credit, however, Square spent the next year polishing the release, and following this week’s update, you can safely say the PC version is one of the definitive ways to play the classic.
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It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Sabotage Studio about its upcoming retro-flavoured turn-based RPG Sea of Stars — in fact, we spoke to the developers and saw a remote demo of the game way back in March 2020. The game looked absolutely lovely even back then, and it seems it has only got lovelier in many months since then.
The developers — the same team responsible for the excellent retro-inspired platformer The Messenger — were tentative about confirming whether the game would definitely come to Switch at the time, but it’s now been confirmed in the Nintendo Indie World Showcase that Sea of Stars is scheduled for launch on your favourite Nintendo handheld hybrid next year, specifically in the ‘Holiday 2022’ window.
Yes, that is a whole year from now, but judging from what we’ve seen in the new trailer, it should be worth the wait. Not only does the game boast a beautiful pixel art style reminiscent of 16-bit RPGs (Chrono Trigger is an obvious and acknowledged touchstone), but it also features music contributions from Yasunori Mitsuda, whose work you may well have heard in the aforementioned Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross and Nintendo’s own Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
A crossover with Chrono Cross, released in 2000 by Square Co., Ltd. (now Square Enix Co., Ltd.), has been announced.
It will feature familiar characters such as Serge, Kid, and Harle, and is scheduled to begin worldwide on December 9, 2021.
The original scenario is written by Masato Kato, involved in the development of both titles, and allows players to enjoy a new story born from the intersection of the two worlds.
In addition, Yasunori Mitsuda and Nobuteru Yuuki, core members who worked on the original Chrono Cross, have overseen the project.
The cinematic trailer, created as a prologue to the Symphony content, features full 3D animation of the beloved characters along with the track “Chrono Cross -Scars of Time-.”
Familiar Characters from Chrono Cross will Appear!
In this crossover, familiar characters such as Serge, Kid, and Harle will appear. At the time of the release of Chrono Cross, there were no character voices, but this time special voice actors have been assigned to bring life to Serge, Kid, and Harle:
Serge (voiced by Ashton Frank in English)
Kid (voiced by Sheena May in English)
Harle (voiced by Shazia Nicholls in English)
With the voices added to these beloved characters, they are even more dynamic. Sample voices are available on the special website that opens today.
Note: There is a secret in the special website! Hint: clock.
Game Systems with a “Chrono Cross Feel”
In addition, as a special element of this crossover, features such as New Game+, Elements, and Field Effects that evoke the game system of Chrono Cross have been added to give the game a “Chrono Cross feel.”
New Element 1: New Game+ – You can replay the Symphony from the beginning after clearing the story! This is Another Eden‘s first branching story made possible by the capability of playing more than once.
The base stories are the same, but the events along the way will change depending on your choice of Kid or Harle.
When replaying the same branch ,you can skip to just before the next scene except for some parts.
New Element 2: Sub Events – Multiple sub events in the towns and areas you visit! From those focusing on Chrono Cross characters to small stories about the town.
Some of the sub events have special conditions such as only occurring in certain branches.
Sub events that have been cleared can be replayed after New Game+.
New Element 3: Elements – Elements are implemented from Chrono Cross‘ battle system. You can equip them on Serge, Kid, and Harle to customize their skills.
Elements can be obtained during your Adventure [79 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/genres/adventure”>adventures in Symphony.
The number of Elements you can equip increases with your character’s level, and you can equip up to four.
New Element 4: Field Effects – Field Effects, which affect the power of types in battle, have been implemented! Each time a specificity type attack is performed, the field’s type changes in real time.
This is only available in areas added in the Symphony storyline, not in existing areas.
The applicable type attacks are Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Thunder, Shade, and Crystal, excluding some special type attacks.
New Element 5: New Special Attacks – New combos added to Another Force’s special attacks! The combo attacks of Chrono Cross will be performed in the world of Another Eden!
There are two types: Aldo / Serge / Kid and Aldo / Serge / Harle.
New Element 6: Difficulty Setting – You can now set the difficulty level of the Symphony story! You can change teh dfifficulty even after the story starts to suit your play style.
Some powerful enemies not directly involved in the Symphony story will not be affected by the difficulty change.
Increasing the difficulty level will increase various parameters of the enemies, and increase the amount of EXP and drops you gain.
■ World Cross Movie: Messages Wanted!
A special video of messages showing love and thoughts for the Symphony from Another Eden fans around the world is planned. Submissions can be sent via official social media.
■ Campaign Information
Start the Quests for 1,000 Chronos Stones!
Campaign Period: Until January 6, 2022 at 14:59 (UTC)
If you start the Symphony: Complex Dream scheduled to start on December 9 (Thursday) during the campaign period, you will receive 1,000 Chronos Stones.
Start Playing Another Eden Now for 1,000 Chronos Stones!
Campaign Period: Until January 10, 2022 at 14:59 (UTC)
If you start playing Another Eden now, you will receive 1000 Chronos Stones! We hope you take this opportunity to start playing.
New User Support Campaign!
First Receiving Period: December 12 at 15:00 to January 6 at 14:59 (UTC)
Second Receiving Period: December 16 at 15:00 to January 6 at 14:59 (UTC)
10 High Class Scrolls, 35 Medium Class Scrolls, and 50,000 Gits, which are useful items for those who are just starting to play Another Eden, will be given twice. All users are eligible to receive these items, even if already playing.
■ Masato Kato Message
■ Masato Kato Interview
—Please tell us about the theme or concept you had in mind for the Another Eden x Chrono Cross crossover.
Kato: “I was thinking about how to bring the fun of parallel worlds to Another Eden. It’s impossible to aim for the same thing as Chrono Cross in terms of capacity, so my first priority was to figure out how to do it within the limits of what I could do.”
—What did you focus on when creating the world of Chrono Cross for Another Eden?
Kato: “I didn’t think too much about that. Because the concept was that the Chrono Cross characters wander into the world of Another Eden and start a new adventure. However, I wanted to use the music from Chrono Cross as-is right from the start, so I created the opening in a way that it would overlap with Chrono Cross in terms of image. I don’t like to do it that way, so I usually don’t do it, but this time it was special.”
—For those who are not familiar with Another Eden, please explain the appeal of Another Eden.
Kato: “It’s a time-traveling RPG where you can freely explore the world across multiple time periods. The story makes you cry, laugh, and has a lot of twists and turns. The graphics, sound, battles, and management are all being worked on with the fullest of our determination.”
—Please tell us about the original story of Chrono Cross. What kind of concepts and thoughts did you have when you were writing the story?
Kato: “Well, it was over 20 years ago. Since Chrono Trigger was about time travel, I thought the next step would be a parallel world. I remember thinking a lot about how to make a game that would make the most of the theme. I also wanted to give a proper shape to Radical Dreamers, which ended halfway.”
—Please tell us about the highlights of the Another Eden x Chrono Cross crossover.
Kato: “I hope that each player will enjoy and see how I brought Another Eden and Chrono Cross together. Because it’s a ‘complex dream.’ It would be great if players could see Kid, Harle, and Serge back in Action [104 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/genres/action”>action once again, and go on adventures with them.”
—Please tell us what was fun and what was difficult in the process of creating the crossover story.
Kato: “The fun part was reuniting with the familiar characters like Kid, Harle, Serge, and Starky. I didn’t feel like I missed them though, because they’ve been living in my mind all the time. The hardest part was figuring out how to realize the parallel world in Another Eden. I had to create a new parallel world for Another Eden.”
—What would you like to say to the fans around the world who have been anticipating the content of the Chrono series for a long time?
Kato: “I never imagined that the day would come, after more than 20 years, when we could have a new adventure with the same Kid and her friends. I hope that people who have played the Chrono series so far will enjoy it, and that the players of Another Eden who haven’t played any of the previous series will be able to get a taste of the series. I believe that Kid and her friends will live forever in everyone’s hearts.”
Another Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and Space is available now for PC [14,110 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/platforms/pc”>PC via Steam, iOS via App Store, and Android via Google Play.
Following reports that beloved PlayStation RPG Chrono Cross might have a remaster in the works, another unrelated piece of official news is helping fuel the Chrono nostalgia even more. Chrono Cross is getting its first-ever crossover event by making an appearance in mobile JRPG Another Eden, beginning on December 9.
Of all the games in the world for Chrono Cross to show up in, Another Eden is probably the most appropriate choice. Officially titled Another Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and Space, the free-to-play adventure is a collaboration between Masato Kato and Yasunori Mitsuda, both of whom worked on Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross. If you’ve played Another Eden at all, you’ve likely noticed a number of parallels with the Chrono games, ranging from the thematic (it’s a game about time traveling, fine) to the specific (there’s a talking frog named Cyrus, and a character that looks suspiciously like Lucca named Dr. Ashtear).
But this crossover event goes beyond cheeky references. Taking place in a parallel timeline where Another Eden hero Aldo fails to defeat his adversary, the Beast King, “Complex Dream” introduces Chrono Cross characters including Serge, Kid, and Harle into Aldo’s world. A piece of promo art shared with the announcement implies we may also see the likes of Lynx, Glenn, and Starky. Kato is penning the story, with Mitsuda composing new songs and remixing old favorites. And the crossover event will include multiple endings, voice actors for Serge (Ashton Frank), Kid (Sheena May), and Harle (Shazia Nicholls), and introduce new battle mechanics from Chrono Cross such as Star Levels, Elements, Combo Techs, and a New Game+ mode.
Have you played Another Eden?
New keyart for Another Eden’s crossover with Chrono Cross, entitled Complex Dream
Chrono Cross showing up anywhere at all in the year 2021 is a pretty big deal given how quiet the Chrono series has been since Cross’ 1999 release. It was certainly a big deal to Another Eden game director Daisuke Takeshima, who tells me that he had been discussing a possible Chrono collaboration with his colleagues since Another Eden’s 2017 launch.
As Takeshima tells it, Another Eden was created with the aim of “reproducing the ‘good old RPGs of our youth’ on modern devices with content being released regularly, and without time constraints so players could play at their own pace.” And Kato and Mitsuda’s involvement primed the pump, too, both internally and by association, ensuring that a number of Another Eden players were already Chrono fans.
From there, all it took was a pitch to Square Enix, who accepted. Again, Kato and Mitsuda’s involvement was critical, and Chrono Cross character designer Nobuteru Yuuki was willing to come on board to oversee the new designs.
“I also like to think that Another Eden’s past crossovers, which were developed with immense respect to crossover titles in regards to the story and game systems, helped make this crossover happen,” Takeshima adds.
Daisuke Takeshima
But with the weight of the Chrono franchise and the distance from its original release comes some hefty expectations. It’s the first time we’ve seen Serge and company for two decades, and the Chrono games frequently top “best RPG” and even “best game of all time” lists. On top of that, the team has to make sure that people who haven’t played the 20+ year-old RPG but love Another Eden are able to understand what’s going on. So yes, Takeshima says, he’s thrilled, but he’s also feeling some pressure.
“Chrono Cross has many engaged fans, and I myself am a fan of the Chrono series,” he says. “No matter how hard we worked on the crossover, I always felt like we could push further.
“This story is written by Masato Kato himself, and the characters, battle system, music, and direction were all created carefully and meticulously by our development team who have a lot of respect for Chrono Cross.”
No matter how hard we worked on the crossover, I always felt like we could push further.
“
One particular challenge Takeshima notes is the difficulty of bringing Serge, a silent protagonist, into a world where he’s no longer controlled by the player, and thus should have some dialogue. “In this crossover, he comes over to Another Eden’s world and has his own lines,” he says. “Fans may find it uncomfortable if he speaks too much, but if he has much fewer lines than Kid and Harle, he may not stand out, so it was a tough balancing act.”
He adds later that another challenge was incorporating other Chrono Cross elements that were unfamiliar to Another Eden, such as elements and field effects, while staying true to the original. On the other hand, Takeshima says character design was “relatively smooth” despite the challenge of adapting Chrono Cross’ characters into Another Eden’s distinct art style.
“The proportions are different from the original, and the 3D design needed to be incorporated into 2D, but I think we did well to duplicate the characters given the limitations,” he says. “We had Mr. Yuuki, who designed the original characters, oversee the 3D renders for the cinematic trailer for this crossover. We put a lot of care and respect into the rendering, and he approved the first draft without any feedback, so it’s something we’re proud of.”
One question Chrono fans may have going into Complex Dream is exactly how “canon” the events that take place are for the crossover characters. Both Chrono Cross and Chrono Trigger make use of alternate timelines and “another” versions of places and characters, prompting questions about reality and truth and possibility. Takeshima suggests that these same themes are likely to come into play again in the crossover.
“In universes that allow time traveling, history change, and parallel worlds, it’s tricky to say what would be considered ‘canon’ or ‘real’. I think one of the great things about the Chrono series is that there are as many stories as there are players, and there are many theories to be made.
“In Chrono Cross, these multiple story branches are indeed all ‘canon,’ and it’s not for us to decide what is canon or not since each player’s experience is different. In the world of Another Eden, a parallel world exists in the ‘Complex Dream’ crossover. I look forward to hearing what everyone’s interpretations are for Serge and the world building in this crossover adventure.”
Another Eden x Chrono Cross Screenshots
An even more immediate question fans might have, especially after all the rumors last week, is whether this could be Square Enix’s wind-up for a remake or remaster announcement. Takeshima sure hopes so, but he doesn’t know. He works for Another Eden developer Wright Flyer Studios, not Square Enix, but tells me that he’s a “great fan” of the Chrono series who has been waiting for new Chrono content just like the rest of us, and is delighted to be a part of bringing the game back in crossover form.
His response to my asking about a possible Chrono Trigger crossover with Another Eden in the future comes with a similar urge not to read too much into things. But given the fervor with which he and the team pursued the Cross crossover (Cross-over? Sorry, I’ll see myself out), Takeshima’s love of Trigger might indicate optimism for more Chrono in Another Eden in the future.
“Chrono Trigger is a beloved title, and it’s true that many fans have asked for a crossover. Personally, I’ve played Chrono Trigger many times along with Chrono Cross. I have many fond memories of it, so I wholeheartedly sympathize with those who want the crossover to happen, though the decision is not mine alone to make.
“I don’t want to get everyone’s hopes up to expect something — what I can say now is that I hope as many people as possible can enjoy the Chrono Cross crossover.”
Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.
