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Submit Your Thoughts On Chrono Cross For The Deepest Dive (Patreon)

Published:
2022-04-11 14:18:35
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:

Content

It's time to submit your comment on the opening hours of Chrono Cross! For the first discussion, we're covering everything in the game up through the completion of Viper Manor. Even if you haven't hit that point yet, feel free to submit a comment on what you've played. Please don't spoil anything after that point in the comments, including characters.

Submit one comment below and please get specific. Don't write a long review, please keep your one comment to around the length of a tweet. I repeat: please keep your one comment to around the length of a tweet. We want to get to as many comments as possible. Let's get specific, submit a comment about your favorite line of dialogue, character, Element, detail in the environment art, etc. The more specific you are, the higher the odds of us reading your comment during the discussion. We'll finish collecting comments on Tuesday morning.

We're recording The Deepest Dive on Chrono Cross on Tuesday night at 8pm Central, and we're actually going to try recording it live on MinnMax's Twitch channel.

You can unlock the podcast version of the discussion in your favorite podcast app by supporting MinnMax at the $5 tier.

Here are the future stopping points for the discussion.

April 18th - Stop at the "big change"

April 25th - Stop when the "big change" reverses

May 2nd - End of the game

Become a Game Champion by supporting MinnMax at the $50 tier on Patreon and lock in the game of your choice! https://www.patreon.com/minnmax

Matt - The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

Pepperoni4ever - Silent Hill 2

Fred Dinovo - Tetris Effect

Brett Hunter - Super Mario 64

PrettyGoodPrinting.com - The Incredible Machine

Andrew Vala - Final Fantasy XV

DominicCichocki - Life is Strange 2

Andres Silva - Dark Cloud

Clemens Zobel - Assassin’s Creed

Spider Dan - Illusion of Gaia

Steve B - Jak II

Files

Comments

Tye McWhorter

I’ve been very impressed with NPC dialogue. For example: the NPC waxing philosophical on the concept of water as an analogue for rebirth, or the classic “time flowing like water” theme. It provides the game a spiritual flair that rises above most JRPGs. Also, returning to Arni to see how Serge’s death rippled (pun intended) across the village, culminating with the discovery that the monument where you carved “Serge and Leena forever” in your world is your freaking TOMBSTONE in this other world is distinctly “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Where are Zuzu’s petals?!

James Gameboy

I've found myself having an odd reaction to the game so far: I like the story and love the combat, but I'm kinda cold on the music. Chrono Trigger is a favorite score of mine, but Cross hasn't really hit for me yet. Would you say that your favorite score moments happen deeper into the game, or am I missing something? Gonna try some listening outside of the game as well.

Joel Hopkins

First time playing here. I didn't come in with any expectations really... so far I'm enjoying the story and I'm getting the vibe the game is gonna get strange in a good way. But I'm not really sure I get the combat system yet. I find myself speeding up time, turning on the combat boost, and letting it play out on auto battle. Before I get too far. Should I stop myself doing this, am I playing the game wrong? And missing out on the best bit of the game.

Tye McWhorter

Initially, I was frustrated by the opportunity of missing party members, but now I realize it’s a meta application of the theme: key decisions by the player shape Serge’s path. Only by stepping into alternate worlds (save files) can we see the “other” lives. This game has layers, people!

Allan

Time's Scar is incredible of course, and I remember spending way too much time sitting on the other world map just to listen to the music, but I want to draw attention to a track some first time players might have missed. Wait on the title screen (which also has great music... seriously, this soundtrack) and you'll get an attract mode thing similar to what Chrono Trigger had. The music that plays is called Time of the Dreamwatch or Dreamwatch of Time . It's already yet another great track, but then it goes and throws in a bit of the Chrono Trigger main theme for the extra nostalgic cherry on top. Definitely check it out if you haven't already.

ProcyonNumber6

Hey Benn and Friennds, At the festival there are two dancers Yu and Mi. Chrono Trigger released in 1999 meaning it beat the Fook Yu and Fook Mi joke in Austin Powers Goldmember by a 3 years!

lcs

Did anyone else have trouble luring the blob monsters in Shadow Forest? The exactness the task required (at least for me) reminded me of some of the more frustrating movement-based challenges in some Xenogears dungeons.

Roronoa Serenoa (sam)

I appreciate the ease of fleeing a battle, especially the ability to run away from boss battles. A few fights caught me off guard and I was left with only Pierre and a turn away from certain defeat. This aloud me to get better at combat and realize mistakes I was making in battle.

Colton Westbrooks

Let’s talk setting. I adore the bright, tropical vibe of El Nido so much! It is one of many things that drew me into this game twenty years ago, and it remains a fairly unique setting. Better yet, the creators managed to make each location distinct, but still have it fit in. From the simple wooden designs of Arni, to the white stonework of Termina and the regal architecture of Viper Manor. It’s all memorable, and that is just the main areas of this first section.

Shakenbake67

Hey MinnMaxers, been really busy so I doubt I’ll finish the same time everyone else is. Looking forward to listening to this as I get further along as the months go on! Love deepest dives! However I did want to leave one comment. I hate Poshul. I hate the way it looks, the way it talks, the way it even attacks in battle. As soon as I got the choice to get him off the team, he was thrown off without a second thought. He is a terror and a menace and needs to be put down! Thoughts? Love Chrono Cross tho!

Greg Spenser

(PixelatedSoul on discord) You know how music can instantly take you right back to a time and place? 22 years ago I was literally playing Chrono Cross when I learned that my sister had suddenly died. So this game and its soundtrack is directly tied to that time in my life. I did finish the game back then, but I have not touched it since. So I'm sure this playthrough, which I am enjoying greatly so far, will be a bit cathartic for me.

Braulio Martinez

Hey MinnMax, Are you all having a rough time with the pre-rendered backgrounds? Getting the chests in the section with the Komodo Dragons was ridiculous. It reminded me of how when my gf beat the original FF7 in 2019, she would just pass me the controller to get past the "background bullshit" and I would do it just by memory. It's incredible how there is nothing to indicate you can jump/interact with the backgrounds.

Interrotta

If you run from the Lynx fight in Viper Manor to switch which elements you have equipped; there’s a shadow behind you, designed the same as the shadow that leaves Lynx after that fight. I don’t know what it means, but I remember seeing it and going “that’s odd is that blocking my way out?” And after the fight going “ah. It’s part of whatever that thing is.”

Keenan Horrell

A tip for anyone wanting to beat the Feed The Dragons mini game outside Viper Manor: use the slow down feature on left trigger. Now its just a game of being patient instead of the most infuriating mini game alive. Which leads me to my question, what is the most frustrating mini game Square has ever made? Dodging the lighting in FFX? Jump rope in FFIX, perhaps?

Yarrow

The leveling system is so in-depth! The basics are simple, you get a big stat boost after a boss and smaller one on enemies in between, but there is more if you want to "Minn-Max". In addition, there is a 3rd type, the mini-star. After beating a certain amount of enemies (no more than 8) you can receive a bigger boost with multiple stats. This also previews what your next star level will give. So if you get 5 HP 1 Str and 1 M. Res, you'll at least get those stats on your next star level. Sometimes this boost will come after your small boosts have stopped, and not every star level has one!

Timothy Smith

Hey Chrono Crossers, Just want to gush about how dense and purposeful this game is. Chrono Trigger was masterful for its time at giving NPC’s and the world more context as you visit more timelines to see how they all impact and reference each other. Chrono Cross in this regard does it better. I think the craft of each NPC and small world details between the two universes is done so well. philosophical debates, ambitions, life changing experiences, racism, etc. Every character is expressing something interesting and only becomes more so when you meet their counterpart to see how better and worse things became. Have you come across a game that does the parallel universe experience better?

Ethan Poe

Just want to say I really love the Polynesian tone of this game and later FFX. I really miss this era where major RPGs would draw more heavily from less traditional fantasy settings.

Timothy Smith

I remember at the time loving that key items had neat little art for each one. They didn’t need to do it, its great seeing the detail of it and always wished more ps1 & ps2 era RPG’s did it. I think the Time Shifter item and art is new

Jeorin

Had plans to write in about something completely different, but Lynx decided otherwise. This was the first big bad boss battle of the game. The first real challenge. He didn't attack me, and just used his debuffs the whole fight, until the very end when he finally hit Serge with an instant death spell. I immediately revived Serge and finished off Lynx. Absolutely bonkers RNG. Kind of undermined his threatening dialogue after the fight.

Tactical Dreamer

I can't overstate how great it is that the game let's you use your remaining elements for healing after every battle without any extra menuing. There are still modern turn based RPGs that make you dig through menus to heal after every battle, so Chrono Cross was definitely ahead of its time in that regard.

Creeeestheguy

This music is more incredible than I remember. Everything else, I’m not really blown away by. Chrono Trigger is my favorite game of all time so I definitely have a bias, but I just don’t like anyone from the cast so far. They also have really dumb names. Don’t beat me up!

RickyWinterborn

calling good music as the top comment. the intro theme gives me goosebumps err time

Derek Galatovich

Just wanna thank the crew for covering this game. I'd never have tried it and fallen in love with it if it weren't for this! So many things to comment on... But right off the bat, I think the ability to avoid battles in this remaster is more handy than it's ever been in any of these re-released RPGs. Beat a few enemies, get your stat upgrades, then avoid battles when they're no longer rewarding you exp, guilt free, without worrying you'll be under leveled. Love this leveling system. So many clever systems at play. When all is said and done, I won't be surprised if this is my favorite square game ever.

Adrian Creates

I love the camera perspective around the village and many scenes where your character is followed by the camera. Could this work with a modern game and modern graphics, or would audiences hate that?

Dennis M.

Did any of you change the style of the window frame in the menu? I did not like the standard frame, so I'm glad they gave us options. I chose the simple black one. Looks so much better in my opinion. After that change I could finally start to enjoy the game. ;) Love it so far!

Timothy Kim

Thanks for doing this Ben. When I first joined the Patreon, you sent me a message asking for what content I wanted to see, and I replied with a Chrono Cross deepest dive. Good to see it finally happening. That said, did anyone on the panel pick Pierre? If so, any thoughts on this big dork?

takeshikitano3

My favorite moments in Chrono Cross are whenever you step out onto the map in Home World and hear that incredible song Plains of Time. After all these years it's still one of my favorite songs in any game.

Duderado

The intro cutscene is one of my absolute favorites of the era and immediately gave me chills. Time's Scar's brilliant use of instruments contributes to what I consider the best soundtrack in video games; step aside FF7. I frequently found myself stopping in each area to listen to the entire song before moving on, particularly the one after you defeat Zoah in the Shadow Forest called "The Departed One." It and has this beautifully melancholic sound that you can just get lost in.

Derek Galatovich

Oh man, I played nearly 40 hours with the left stick sensitivity set to digital and then finally just changed it. I didn't even think to switch it. If you haven't yet, set it to analog. Getting around could have been so much smoother this whole time...

Clemens Zobel

Poshul is the greatest of all time, the best there ever was. I love her. First time playing Cross, I've heard there's a ton of companions to recruit, I HIGHLY doubt I'll be switching out Poshul.

Chase Klein

There's a lot of little nods to chrono trigger in this opening section - Serge's mom has a regular NPC model and his dad is not mentioned at all - the bridge over to the Prophet's tower (where you fight Marcy) is somewhat similar to the dungeon bridge where you fight the dragon tank in CT - the drop into the dungeon cell is similar as well, depending on whether you have Kid in your party or not, you either fight your way out or you bang on the cell doors until Kid comes and releases you - The make multiple references to Heckran (boss from CT that you have to fight before jumping into the whirlpool back to the main continent) in the game. You need one's bone to recruit Poushul, and I noticed one when the viper churro vendor said the recipe called for one. Probably others just the two I found. One Other little thing - - Nikki sings 'sweet sister of mine' - that's a GnR reference right?

Jesse Spencer

I am absolutely baffled that I played and beat this game as a kid. As an adult I find it overwhelming- from the characters, battle system, star levels, color grid, elements, branching paths, and so much more. I have spent hours this weekend trying to understand how to play this game and it’s crazy how many tutorials you can find online, when the game itself barely explains anything. That being said, I am having a blast and haven’t put this much thought into a JRPG in years. I would love to know - what character did you choose in Termina? I went with Guile.

Kirk Mudle

Last summer I played Chrono Tigger for the first time because I was interning at a museum that was in the process of acquiring it for their permanent collect (🤫). Now this is my first time playing Chrono Cross and, aside from the befuddling combat system, Im really appreciating it so far! Some thoughts: I love that they saved the ability from CT where you can move around while NPC dialog appears on the screen. I’m amazed that more RPGs didn’t pick up on this idea. Speaking of dialog, I am finding the phonetic diallect that the localization uses for certain characters a little grating at times. It makes me curious what the original Japanese was like, and what the translators were trying to capture with those choices. P.S. my favorite gag so far is the guards asking you for the password to the treasure room in Viper Manor: “Correct. The password is silence.” Idk why, but this elicited a audible guffaw from me. Game good. P.P.S: The performance of the Switch version is absolutely atrocious. Battle scenes average at 15 fps, and I’ve experienced input lag just navigating some menus.

Chris Rodrigues (coldfever)

Growing up I never liked games like this (turn based RPG) but decided I would give it a chance now that I’m older and man I love it so far! The fighting does get a little tough for me, but the story has me. If this game wasn’t part of the deepest dive, I probably would have never played it. Also side note I use to just play multiplayer games but started listening to you during the last leg of Hanson’s GI days because of you guys I found my favorite game of all time (Undertale) and gave ff7 a try and fell in love with that game too! Thanks for the great content and getting me to try new things!

Adam Harris

Super early with my first play through but I loved the opening video (and finally understand the announcement video you guys did!). It hooked me right away and I’m interested to see where the story goes. Also, why do cybots have genders? I was laughing to myself about that as I started and chalked it up to just JRPG things.

General Guy

When I originally played Cross, I inadvertently chose Guile to depart Termina with, not knowing I even had a choice who to leave with. I found out later you could only get the other two characters in subsequent playthroughs. I get that the devs wanted to add replayability to the game with this, but as someone who rarely beats games more than once, and since I love collecting things in games (e.g. characters), I was disappointed by this. What are the panel’s thoughts on this design choice? P.S. One of the hypest intros ever, and I still listen to this OST often

Vilis

I renamed Pierre "Sebastian", and this is his true name now. Also, turning down Kid and Miki and everyone in their efforts to sneak in, and just walking up to the front gate of Viper Manor with Sebastian (Pierre) and busting in is so absurdly glorious. It makes no sense. Leena was just like "Wait, you're being turned away Sebastian, but why don't we just charge in?" She made a compelling point: Why sneak through a forest if the gate is right here?

Kraid Belmont

Maybe one of the most fever dream moments I have experienced in a JRPG is entering the Viper Manor library, learning Serge has fallen into a black hole and entered a parallel timeline while floating in an ethereal space, then immediately being bullied by a child in a pink doll dress and being allowed to fight in a library that dragoons aren't allowed in that the said bully is a part of. Video games are cool.

Ian Switaj

Interesting tidbit. Early on, Guile was intended to be Magus in disguise but as development progressed and more playable characters were introduced -- both to dissuade players from using the "intended" party of Surge, Kid and Guile and because there was concern of portraying Magus's story amongst the sea of other characters -- the developers removed Guile's backstory and made him his own unique, individual character. It's tidbits like this that make me appreciate Chrono Trigger more since it took the less is more approach of having a more cohesive party to interact with and why I've never been much of a fan of this aspect of games like Chrono Cross that have a superfluous amount of party members -- many of which you can't recruit in your first playthrough because of locking out conditions. Yellow Red Green Blue Black White P.S. If you want to avoid a MAJOR Chrono Cross spoiler, DO NOT watch the last episode of the Chrono Trigger Deepest Dive, or at least the discussion after the final boss.

Shawn Mills

I really like how creative the enemy designs have been in the first part especially in Viper Manor. We have weird doors with eyeballs, robots accompanied with will o' the wisps, electric plants, and my favorite the Boxer Boys who are treasure chests with goofy arms and legs that give you a 50/50 chance to get a good item. The hell house from FF7 would fit in great with these weirdos.

Shuffleguy

Dear community, A poem on the colors of innate elements: Roses are red, Violets are blue, Do these innate elements, Seem logic to you? Tulips are yellow, The grasses are green, These color combinations, Cannot be unseen. The clouds are black, And the snow is white, The only contrary colors, Which are actually right. This knowledge is vital for you to thrive, See you on the next part of the Deepest Dive.

Mai Sinclair

Unfortunately, my first comment is not positive. This is probably a top five GOAT for me but it is very much not color blind friendly. I really hoped they would address that with the remaster so I could get friends to enjoy this game I love so dearly. But they didn't. I will have much more positive comments as we get later into this. I really love this game.

Thwip

I actually ended up restarting my game about an hour and half in. When Kid asked to join my party I of course said yes, only to find out this meant Leena would never join my party. This really almost seems like a punishment to the player for just making a logical choice, especially since Kid just joins you later if you refuse her the first time. P.S. Hanson has ruined the intro with the DD anouncement video as I could not stop laughing once Kid was shown in the intro.

Joe Dean

Hello folks, I think the element system is really interesting. Since you're not using up a resource like mp there's no reason not to use them and so I've been using them more than I would in other games. Wish you could use them more than once per fight though. Also I can't figure out how to tell if I'm close to leveling up or what about a fight made my stats (usually health by a few) increase. Any help understanding that would be appreciated. Thanks, Joe Dean

Matthew Clark

Hey CLCs, Just want to appreciate how streamlined this game was compared to other JRPGs at the time. No random encounters, no mp to manage, two easy options for autohealing after battles, and most of all, virtually no grinding (this also makes it more rewarding to fight optional bosses to get that extra star). Stoked to hear your thoughts!

Fred Dinovo

Hey crew, quick question. Where my Poshul pals at?

Miguel Medjai

Hello, So this is my first time playing Crono Cross and the combat is very interesting, The element system seems more complicated than it is maybe? Took the tutorial with the old man to understand the fields and but then you can plus the elements when equip? I've been jumping into fights just to keep testing the elements. Also I love the character portrait art. Looks awesome for all the important people

Mark Swan

I remember playing this game when it came out and loving, and now I am playing it and still loving it! My favorite thing that games dont do anymore, almost every character with a portrait can be recruited! Much like Suikoden or the Shining Force games, it makes it really exciting to meet people in towns and then try to figure out how to get them on your team. Even just the branching path to enter the manor and who you recruit for that is a great example of this.