The web page had almost no information only showing the clock with a familiar ticking sound from the title screen of Super Nintendo (SNES) classic, Chrono Trigger and "ctds" in the URL (which fans immediately deciphered as "Chrono Trigger DS"). Aside from that the only other bit of infor was the Nintendo DS logo on the left-had side of the page.
Fans were abuzz with whispers of the potential of a remake much like the new 3D reimaginated versions of Final fantasy III, from the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Final fantasy IV, another SNES classic, both remade on the Nintendo DS. Some even dared to dream that maybe we could be seeing the true third Chrono game on the DS - The second game being Chrono Cross, the Role-playing game (RPG) follow-up on the Playstation, which was based off the Japan-only Radical Dreamer.
Only days later Squenix relieved in a minimal press release that Chrono Trigger DS was on its way to both Japan and North America "winter 2008". the press release revealed that the game will feature new touch-based control, a new dungeon and unspecified wireless multiplayer. It also said the game's core would remain the same, which meant no updated 3D graphics for the DS version of Chrono Trigger. It would be the same as it ever was, only portable and with a few extras.
A couple of days passed and both a Japanese and English version of a trailer showing off some concept art and in-game confirmed that the game would, indeed, be a direct port of the SNES RPG, scaled down to fit onto the DS 3" display. No updated 3D graphics, no redrawn sprites, simply the same masterpiece we all played on the SNES and (the buggier) Playstation port in the Final Fantasy Chronicles collection on the Playstation.
Is this a good thing? A bad thing? Certainly it ensures that we get our grubby little hands on it sooner and Squenix is guaranteed to turn a profit, but is that really a good thing? Or is it a great thing?
Looking at the positives first. let me start out by saying that Chrono Trigger is still among my all time favorite games, RPG or otherwise. It was a beautiful example of sprite graphics, had one of the most original plots I can think of, one of the best combat systems I have yet to play and the best incentive to replay time and time again with a panthora of extra endings and the ability to restart with all your gear intact.
So what's so great about it? Well it is Chrono Trigger, which is great for the reasons I already explained. And as I get older, having games portable seems to become more and more of an asset. Also, having some extra content, namely the extra dungeon, is a nice add-on for long time fans.
But the real argument for it would be that it preserves the classic. believe it or not there are still the people who like classic 2D animated graphics. They fear that to update the game into 3D may hurt the classic feel of it.
But would that really be such a bad thing? Final Fantasy III on the DS saw a complete 3D remix, including new plot points to give the nameless heroes a bit of a back story and a more modern look. Even with all the modern updates the game still maintained its old school feel because it maintained the same "soul" of the classic, with the ramped up challenge level and classic turn-based combat.
The same is being done with Final Fantasy IV on the DS and in about 10-days time we will know for sure if it maintains the classic feel of the benchmark RPG.
So why is it that with the proven success of classic updates, why do people think that Chrono Trigger will fail as an update? Mostly it is likely because Chrono Trigger has become a game so revered by fans that to change the core of it in any way is considered a sin.
But what about the spirit of the remake itself? I feel it could really go one of two ways. First off let me say that the piles of fan petitions you will find online will not influence Squenix to make a true new Chrono game. We have to talk with our wallets. But with Chrono Trigger DS being a remake there is a certain risk to be had.
Yes, if Chrono trigger does well, it could very well show Squenix that Chrono still has legs and influence them to produce a new true Chrono game. But at the same time it could easily go another way. It may very well simply prove to them that remakes will net them easy money so we will simply end up with more ports and remakes. And the updated ports of Final Fantasy III and IV are one thing, but if a port shows a real profit it could mean even more under-produced SNES remakes that could be just as easliy done on the Gameboy Advance as the Nintendo DS.
However, like the rest of the hardcore horde i will be going out and putting my cash down on a copy of Chrono Trigger DS. I'll likely love it just as much as I ever have. So lets hope this means we see more original Chrono games in the future and no more under-powered remakes.
Thanks to www.rpgamer.com for providing the info on the Square-Enix press release and http://ds.ign.com for providing the Chrono Trigger DS logo and screen shots for Chrono Trigger DS, Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy IV.
No comments:
Post a Comment