During today's maiden voyage to the show floor, we came across a lonely copy of Chrono Trigger DS, and pounced upon it without so much as a second thought.
Though taking pictures of the device's dual screen functionality is apparently strictly verboten (and a Square Enix rep watched us closely as we deleted several such images from our camera's CompactFlash) the PR team was more than willing to tell us what sets this version of the seminal time-traveling RPG ahead of both its 1995 SNES and 2001 PS1 counterparts.
Though Square Enix started by explaining that Chrono Trigger DS is a "faithful recreation" of the original title, an extended conversation with the game's product marketing manager revealed that it is far more. Based on what we've seen and heard, Chrono Trigger DS is shaping up to be the definitive version of the game, with all the advantages of its two earlier counterparts; none of their weaknesses; and some surprising new benefits as well. Since a lot of the new features were under wraps (we'll hear more in early August) we don't feel quite right including them with our impressions -- but will mention them immediately afterwards.
What we saw: So by now you're probably very curious about what's on that bottom touchscreen. The answer is, everything that you don't see right here:
Menus, gauges, enemy names and more -- all appear on the bottom screen, freeing up the top to display gameplay and gameplay alone. And they haven't just been moved -- they're also far more intuitive now. Gone is CT's old, convoluted menu system, and in its place is a modern touchscreen affair where you can quickly and easily equip, activate techs and choose which enemies to slaughter with just a couple taps of the stylus.
What we heard: Not only that, but these position of each menu element is fully customizable -- and there's even a mode, tentatively dubbed "SNES," where you can view everything on one screen.
What we saw: The game looks crisper and prettier on the small screen than ever before.
What we heard: There's nary a change in the art assets, but seeing as how existing versions of the game have only ever been playable on interlaced analog television sets and here the DS has a digital LCD screen, a crisper image is par for the course.
What we saw: The center of the bottom screen is home to a map -- world maps are completely visible from the get-go, but thankfully not those for dungeons you've yet to fully explore. Whenever you slide your stylus across the map, all icons and gauges disappear, allowing players an unobstructed view of where they're going.
What we saw: Akira Toriyama's Chrono Trigger cutscenes playing perfectly on the small screen.
What we heard: Chrono Trigger DS will have everything that appeared in the PS1 version -- except nasty load times.
What we saw: Yasunori Mitsuda's beautiful yet dated Chrono Trigger soundtrack inspiring another generation of heroes to take up time travel.
What we heard: A Square Enix rep mentioned that new Chrono Trigger music has been recorded, though whether it will appear in the game or not is uncertain.
What we heard: CTDS will have wireless link play of some sort.
What we heard from our friendly E3 Square Enix Rep: While that feature is still under wraps, Square Enix assured us that this wouldn't be some sort of kiddy "send a text message to your friend." This will apparently be a "real" multiplayer mode. When quizzed further about what they meant, the Square Enix rep couldn't say much, but told Gamecyte that the mode is certainly "more in-depth" than, say, the "let's see who's the better level grinder" link battle affairs available in titles like Fire Emblem and Golden Sun.
July 17th, 2008 at 10:06 am
I guess i'm gald to hear that this is a little more than a "simple" port. Considering squares more recent DS rpg ports, I guess was expecting something grander, but I can't blame them for keeping it retro - Chrono Trigger is the Holy Grail of RPG to many gamers, even adding touch functionality is sure to anger a few hardcore retro enthusiasts.
Those "in depth" wi-fi capabilities will still have to blow me away to get me to buy Chrono Trigger for a third time.