Chrono Trigger Director Talks Remake, Mentions FF7 as an…

Summary

Yoshinori Kitase seeks fans' input on how to best revive Chrono Trigger, a timeless JRPG with an iconic team of creators.
Fans show interest in a graphical remaster or a FF7 Remake-style update for Chrono Trigger, with Kitase suggesting that both would be viable options.
Poll results indicate that fans lean toward a graphical remaster, though some are open to a full-on remake with modern improvements and enhancements.

One of the original directors of Chrono Trigger, Yoshinori Kitase, asked fans about the best approach to bringing back or remaking the classic JRPG for a modern audience. First released for the SNES, 1995's Chrono Trigger was one of the most influential JRPGs of all time. It had a team of talented creators working on the game, including Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi from Square, Akira Toriyama of Dragon Ball fame, and more. Chrono Trigger also had three directors, Yoshinori Kitase among them, who was the director of many critically acclaimed Final Fantasy games and continues to work at Square Enix to this day as a producer.

Chrono Trigger is praised as one of the best RPGs of all time due to its timeless graphics, deep combat systems, and a compelling story that has continued to capture the hearts of audiences nearly three decades after the game's original release. Its overwhelming popularity is maintained to this day, as Square Enix has re-released the game on multiple platforms, including the PC and even mobile devices. Despite Chrono Trigger still being accessible today on many platforms, it seems that there is some desire to remake the classic game.

On an episode of the My Perfect Console podcast hosted by Simon Parkin, Yoshinori Kitase was brought on as a guest. During this episode, Kitase asked the host and fans what the best way to reintroduce or remake Chrono Trigger for modern audiences would be. Kitase also shared three specific routes that the game could be remade: a straight port, a graphical remaster, or a remake on the scope of Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

Chrono Trigger Remake Options

Parkin shared his view on the matter, stating that he really liked how Nintendo approached remaking The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening for the Nintendo Switch. Kitase then thanked Parkin for his input. Based on Kitase's suggestions, there are multiple avenues a Chrono Trigger remake could go down.

A graphical remaster on the same level as 2019's Link's Awakening remake or an HD-2D remake like Live A Live would be best for gamers who would prefer that the core gameplay and storytelling of Chrono Trigger to remain the same. On the other hand, a remake on the scale of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, complete with a shift from a turn-based gameplay system to real-time action combat, could appeal to a wider audience.

A poll run by Twitter user Genki asked the same question that Kitase posed, with 2354 votes casted. Users mostly voted in favor of a graphical remaster, with a majority vote of 54.3%. 36.3% of fans who participated in the poll voted for a full remake on the scale of the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy. One user, Stealth, shared their ideal Chrono Trigger remake, saying that he'd like it in Square Enix's HD-2D JRPG style, with full voice acting, quality-of-life improvements, and all the extra content from the re-releases.

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Chrono Trigger

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Released: March 11, 1995

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The timeless RPG classic returns loaded with upgrades! Journey to the forgotten past, to the far future, and to the end of time. A big adventure to save the planet, now begins…

CHRONO TRIGGER is the timeless role-playing classic developed by the ‘Dream Team’ of DRAGON QUEST creator Yuji Horii, Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, and the creators of FINAL FANTASY. As the story unfolds, embark on a journey to different eras: the present, the middle ages, the future, prehistory, and ancient times! Whether you're a first-time player or a longtime fan, this epic quest to save a planet's future promises hours of enthralling adventure!

As the definitive version of CHRONO TRIGGER, not only have the controls been updated, the graphics and sound have also been revamped to make your adventure even more fun and enjoyable to play. To complete your journey, also included is the mysterious ‘Dimensional Vortex’ dungeon and the forgotten ‘Lost Sanctum’ dungeon. Meet the challenges presented to you and long-lost secrets may be revealed...