Cult classic ‘Chrono Cross’ gets remastered for modern consoles and PC
In case you missed the news, a remaster of the the classic Japanese role-playing game Chrono Cross is coming to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC in just a few months.
Chrono Cross: Radical Dreamers Edition is coming to modern consoles, with updated graphics, an enhanced soundtrack, and a bonus origin story game only released in Japan, this April 7, 2022.
Nintendo officially confirmed The Radical Dreamers Edition of Chrono Cross on Wednesday (Feb. 10) during its first Direct of 2022, following rumors and leaks online.
Originally released in 1999 for the PlayStation video game console, Chrono Cross serves as an indirect sequel to Chrono Trigger, which first came out on SNES in 1995.
Chrono Cross follows the story of protagonist Serge, who stumbles into another world and learns of the connection between his existence and the future of his planet.
Playing as Serge, you can recruit more than 40 other characters to your party, and depending on your choices, can unlock 12 different endings. The classic time-bending tale of adventure and friendship, was known for featuring one of the largest and most diverse casts of playable characters of any RPG during its initial release more than two decades ago.
The remastered game will feature updated illustrations and character models from original character designer, Nobuteru Yuuki. The heroes of Chrono Cross look better than ever, with all 3D models revamped and upgraded. But nostalgic gamers who prefer to play old-school can still switch back to the original versions via the menu.
The heroes of Chrono Cross look better than ever, with all 3D models revamped and upgraded!
— Chrono Cross (@chronogame) February 13, 2022
Want to keep it classic? Switch back to the original versions via the menu. pic.twitter.com/fpBZzW7UGC
In addition to updated illustrations, Nintendo said the remaster features an enhanced version of Yasunori Mitsuda's classic soundtrack, arguably among one of the best video game soundtracks of all time.
Fans of the series can also pre-order a unique item that was originally only released in Japan, the Chrono Cross Music Box: Chrono Cross - Scars of Time.
The title of the remaster comes from Radical Dreamers, a related 1996 text-based adventure Square released on Nintendo's Satellaview, a peripheral for the Super Famicom. The origin story which was only relased in Japan, will be playable worldwide for the first time in the upcoming game.
Want to know where the story began?
— Chrono Cross (@chronogame) February 11, 2022
Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition contains the Radical Dreamers - Le Trésor Interdit - game.
Originally only released in Japan, this text-based adventure allows you to experience the origin of this tale of two worlds. pic.twitter.com/TPuDK8p91r
Like many of Square Enix's recent Final Fantasy remasters, players will be able to turn off enemy encounters so you can enjoy the story without having to fight countless random battles to level your party.
Modern and additional features include:
- 3D models converted to HD
- Brand new artwork and character redesign
- Refined background music
- Ability to change game speed
- Ability to turn random battles on or off
- Background filter feature
- Battle enhancement features
- Auto-battle mode and battle boosts
- Switch between imitation pixel font and HD font
- The inclusion of Radical Dreamers, never before released in the West
- Players can choose between playing with original or updated graphics
Check out the official launch trailer below for the PlayStation 4 platform.
Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is set to release on April 7 for PC via Steam, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Pre-orders are available here.
