Left feeling a bit empty after playing it for the first time a few months ago(why did I wait so long?) I am afraid no JRPG will be able to surpass it. Would love to have a discussion about similar games that reach the same quality level (Note: I have already played Final Fantasy VI ).
Phantasy Star IV does not reach the same level, but you should give it a try anyway. It has some neat things for its time, if you can put yourself back there. Like comic style “cutscenes” in a 16-bit game, and hidden combination attacks.
I’ve heard a lot of vague talk about it. I have Game Pass (which it’s one). Does it live up to the hype? It might be my next try if/when I cool on Starfield.
What I’ve heard is that it’s very much like Chrono Trigger aesthetics-wise but very different regarding writing quality. Now, a lot of people play JRPGs not necessarily for their plot, story, character motivation/development and quality of prose but for their particular atmosphere crafted by their use of graphics, music, animation/sprites, etc and there’s nothing wrong with that, so maybe it will be your vibe
I played the demo and liked it a lot. Beautiful looking game that feels good to control. The only reason I’m not playing the full game is that I feel like I owe Baldur’s Gate III my attention, since I so rarely buy new games :p
Live-A-Live is probably the best game similar to Chrono Trigger since the whole non-random battles element came from there (and the SaGa titles). That and several of the team members that worked on Live-A-Live worked on Chrono Trigger. Also, the whole OST is by Yoko Shimomura, the lady who did the osts for;
Kingdom Hearts
Street Fighter II
Super Mario RPG
Legend of Mana
The Remaster is well worth it and fixes a lot of RNG issues that the original SFC version had.
I am only a few hours into Chrono Trigger so I don’t know what metrics to assess quality but currently Xenogears, not mentioned at the time of this post was my absolute favorite go to game.
Its such a whirlwind of a story, and while the second disk is a bit of a let down playability wise, lots of story and exposition is still there. The last few fights are amazing.
And additionally Final Fantasy XIV, the MMO has one of the best story narratives I’ve ever experienced across the main game and it’s expansions concluding with endwalker last year. I love Xenogears, but if I ever got to wipe my memory to experience something for the first time I’d pick FFXIV. It’s a stout 150hrs ish though to get through it though at this point but all soloable/minimal party play.
I can’t believe it hasn’t been mentioned much but Secret of Mana is definitely a strong contender as GOAT JRPG, as good if not better than Chrono Trigge imo.
Its not a very “patient gamer” recommendation, but Sea of Stars came out a couple of weeks ago, it is a modern game inspired by retro JRPG titles like Chrono Trigger. I haven’t played it yet, but it looks super cool.
If you want something more modern, but that still feels very classic, try Sea of Stars. It gives off major chrono trigger energy from my play through so far.
It’s got that Chrono Trigger Feel™. The first time we triggered a battle, the party and enemies all jumped to their starting places on the map. I was so happy
Curious, exactly the opposite for me. The direct battles in the sequel did it way more for me than the pokemon mechanic in the prequel. Absolutely loved the sequel, great art style (apart from the „clay/plastic“ overworld). I thought the prequel was alright but it didn‘t have me glued to the screen.
Nothing surpasses chronotrigger even after all these years.
Two contemporaries of chronotrigger that were much different but still quite good are terranigma and seiken detensu 3.
Two games that claimed to be trying to do something similar mechanically that are RPGs are septerra core and anachronox. Both are for PC and should run on a potato these days.
The legacy of Kain series and in particular the soul reaver offshoot has a great story and time travel elements, but they’re more action puzzle games.
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The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky. A masterpiece epic series.
Phantasy Star IV does not reach the same level, but you should give it a try anyway. It has some neat things for its time, if you can put yourself back there. Like comic style “cutscenes” in a 16-bit game, and hidden combination attacks.
Sea of Stars JUST dropped.
I’ve heard a lot of vague talk about it. I have Game Pass (which it’s one). Does it live up to the hype? It might be my next try if/when I cool on Starfield.
It’s directly Chrono Trigger inspired.
If this wasn’t !PatientGamers, this’d be a lay up for Sea of Stars, and every comment would just say “Sea of Stars”.
Nice. You definitely just nudged it up on my playlist.
What I’ve heard is that it’s very much like Chrono Trigger aesthetics-wise but very different regarding writing quality. Now, a lot of people play JRPGs not necessarily for their plot, story, character motivation/development and quality of prose but for their particular atmosphere crafted by their use of graphics, music, animation/sprites, etc and there’s nothing wrong with that, so maybe it will be your vibe
I played the demo and liked it a lot. Beautiful looking game that feels good to control. The only reason I’m not playing the full game is that I feel like I owe Baldur’s Gate III my attention, since I so rarely buy new games :p
Live-A-Live is probably the best game similar to Chrono Trigger since the whole non-random battles element came from there (and the SaGa titles). That and several of the team members that worked on Live-A-Live worked on Chrono Trigger. Also, the whole OST is by Yoko Shimomura, the lady who did the osts for;
The Remaster is well worth it and fixes a lot of RNG issues that the original SFC version had.
I am only a few hours into Chrono Trigger so I don’t know what metrics to assess quality but currently Xenogears, not mentioned at the time of this post was my absolute favorite go to game.
Its such a whirlwind of a story, and while the second disk is a bit of a let down playability wise, lots of story and exposition is still there. The last few fights are amazing.
And additionally Final Fantasy XIV, the MMO has one of the best story narratives I’ve ever experienced across the main game and it’s expansions concluding with endwalker last year. I love Xenogears, but if I ever got to wipe my memory to experience something for the first time I’d pick FFXIV. It’s a stout 150hrs ish though to get through it though at this point but all soloable/minimal party play.
Echoing a few here.
Earthbound. Legend of Dragoon. Illusion of Gaia. Secret of Mana. Suikoden. Final Fantasy 6.
Xenogears for PS1
Very different from all the later ‘Xeno-’ titles.
Same composer as CT.
Not as polished a game design, but overall outstanding and interesting in story, mechanics, and scope.
I can’t believe it hasn’t been mentioned much but Secret of Mana is definitely a strong contender as GOAT JRPG, as good if not better than Chrono Trigge imo.
Better? Never. I will say it is the by far the best real multi player rpg I’ve played.
multiplayer? would it be a good game for a couple?
Oh totally, and one player can readily dip in and dip out if you’ve got differing interest levels.
damn, never realized that’s a thing. My SO doesn’t have the time to game that much, so that’d be really helpful.
Can you recommend other games with similar multiplayer mechanics as well?
I agree. When I have my SNES nostalgia, I play Secret of Mana first, then Chromo Trigger for the withdrawals.
Its not a very “patient gamer” recommendation, but Sea of Stars came out a couple of weeks ago, it is a modern game inspired by retro JRPG titles like Chrono Trigger. I haven’t played it yet, but it looks super cool.
Finished it yesterday, can confirm, while it’s not on par of course, it’s a great game and an amazing tribute to old JRPG.
Undertale, tales of vesperia, golden sun, Earthbound are some decent choices
If you want something more modern, but that still feels very classic, try Sea of Stars. It gives off major chrono trigger energy from my play through so far.
It’s got that Chrono Trigger Feel™. The first time we triggered a battle, the party and enemies all jumped to their starting places on the map. I was so happy
Bravely default for the 3Ds or emulate it with Citra
Not gonna spoil anything, but I fell so hard for the twist and it absolutely made the game for me lol, big recommend.
Oh i have already played it. Yes same here, I went into it blind so it was great. Emulated it too so I could speed up the grinding
I just love everything about Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. The second game never came close for me. But most have already played it.
Curious, exactly the opposite for me. The direct battles in the sequel did it way more for me than the pokemon mechanic in the prequel. Absolutely loved the sequel, great art style (apart from the „clay/plastic“ overworld). I thought the prequel was alright but it didn‘t have me glued to the screen.
Haha that’s so nice to hear! Glad you liked it!
Secret of Evermore, or switch genres. Nothing beats Chrono Trigger.
Nothing surpasses chronotrigger even after all these years.
Two contemporaries of chronotrigger that were much different but still quite good are terranigma and seiken detensu 3.
Two games that claimed to be trying to do something similar mechanically that are RPGs are septerra core and anachronox. Both are for PC and should run on a potato these days.
The legacy of Kain series and in particular the soul reaver offshoot has a great story and time travel elements, but they’re more action puzzle games.