User Reviews (11 - 21 of 171)

Show these reviews first:

Highest Rated
Lowest Rated Newest
Oldest Most Helpful
Least Helpful

Two Classic Games in one package

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: July 28, 2001
Author: Amazon User

You can't really beat this package. I actually bought this for Chrono Trigger alone, and I traded 4 other games for it, including Final Fantasy VII. That was one of the best trade-ins I've ever done. I never really cared for FFIV back on the SNES or now. Don't get me wrong, it's a fine game, but I just never could get into it.

Anyway though, I've played them both now, and despite a few minor flaws, this is still a great buy for those who like the old classics. Since I haven't played FFIV very much, I don't really have much to say about it.

But, Chrono Trigger. I still believe that no RPG has ever been able to top this game. It set a high point in RPGs that simply could not be duplicated. And now, this new release of the game, with new cutscenes and some touched up music, yet still keeping the original gameplay intact, is excellent. Now I've already written a review of the original Chrono Trigger on Amazon, so there's no need to restate all that here. So instead, I'll just address the few flaws of the game.

The only flaw that it really has is the loading times for the battles and the menu screens. And, that is a valid complaint. However, I don't think it warrants taking any stars off of the rating. Consider this: For one thing, at least the battles are not random like so many other games. And secondly, think about what happens when you encounter enemies in, say, FFVII, FFVIII, Legend of Dragoon, or almost any other RPG of their type today: First, for about 5 seconds, the battlefield just swirls around for no reason. Then, it centers on the battlefield, and the enemies appear. For about 2 more seconds, the enemies stand there performing their pre-fight motions. Then, your characters appear and take about 3 more seconds doing their pre-fight motions, getting into their stances, stretching, swinging their weapons around, etc. When the battle finally starts, about 10 seconds have already been wasted. Even at their worst, the load times for Chrono Trigger are no longer than 5 seconds. Besides, the only reason this happens at all is because the game is on a CD instead of its original cartridge.

At any rate though, if you like the older Squaresoft titles (which in my opinion were far better than the ones out today), get this game. If you were first introduced to RPGs by games like FF7 and FF8, then be careful with this one, you might not like it.

The classics never die!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: September 02, 2001
Author: Amazon User

"Final Fantasy Chronicles" combines Final Fantasy IV (II in the U.S, released in 1991) and Chrono Trigger, two of the most innovative and challenging RPGs of all time.

The version of Final Fantasy IV found here is the complete version of the game, with a bit more challenge and velocity than the SNES release. Skin deep, though, they are basically the same game. The original graphics are preserved, but with the added benefit of FMV movies at the beginning and end of the game. The story, dialogue, items, weapons, spells, and all that jazz remain intact. This was released as "Final Fantasy IV Hard Edition" in Japan, and as the title suggests, this game is not easy. You are looking at 60 hours MINIMUM to complete this game, 100 is more realistic. Despite all my praise of FFVI, this is what I consider to be the best game in the Final Fantasy Series. It has a deeper story, and it is far more challenging. I cannot argue that the graphics are a bit, well, dated. But who cares? A great game is still a great game.

Ditto for Chrono Trigger. This is one game that I am glad they re-released. It is one of the most pleasant gaming experiences you will ever have. Unlike the Final Fantasy games, the battles happen in real time, and you can use combo attacks with certain characters. The basic elements, like leveling up and attain stronger weapons and magic, are still here. The graphics are way ahead of it's time, and fit well with other Playstation titles like "Legend of Mana" and "Breath of Fire III". This game is a pure classic.

One mistake made by RPG fans (like myself) is that they do not get these games while they are readily available, and wait until they become out of print and hard to find. I urge you not to do the same. There will come a time when this game, like the FF Anthology, will demand a high price because it is extremely rare. Best to get it now while you can.

Bad port of an exceptional game

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 7 / 9
Date: June 29, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy IV are reviewed and re-reviewed several times over. Both games are exceptionally story rich, with enjoyable character interactions and interesting plot lines. The graphics are what you would expect from the time, and don't detract from the game play or enjoyment at all.

However, I think it's important to note some of the issues in porting this cartridge game over to a Playstation disk. Cartridges, like the original one designed for the SNES have very fast data reads. This keeps the pacing of the game brisk and enjoyable. Unfortunately, when porting this game to a playstation disc, they did not take into account the amount of time it takes to seek data off a CD. As a result, the game has a series of small 10 to 15 second delays between various screens, interactions, and other events. This becomes a bit tedious, especially in the early game, when much of the game is developing the story stage. The game is still quite playable and enjoyable, but it does detract from the overall gaming experience.

My search is over, and it was worth it!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: July 14, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Ever since Chrono Cross and Final Fantasy Anthology, I've been searching for Chrono Trigger (being that more than 90% of the people I talk to say its the greatest RPG ever made) and Final Fantasy IV (Because this was the true beginning of the FF series in the US).

When I heard about this package, I simply had to go out and buy it. Why? Because I was desperate! At least I grew to be. Now that I just bought this on June 14, I can proudly say that Chrono Trigger is one of the greatest RPGs ever. But Chrono Trigger seems to be somewhat short however. (I just got it June 14, and was at the end by the June 16, pretty short or maybe it was because I couldn't put the controller down).

FFIV-Has an interesting story, along with interesting Characters. Almost as good as VI. This game is very difficult though. Its one of the hardest RPG's I've ever played in my life! Again, it is somewhat short, but it was fun! But, it takes a REALLY LONG TIME TO SAVE!!! So my advice is to use the memo feature and then save it to your memory card before you're done! But it is faster than FFA at loading. That helps a bit. The story is also interesting, and they added in new CG cinemas. They are indeed better looking than FFA, but not FFVIII or CC. Sadly, there is no extras mode for FFIV (that[stinks]... cuz' it was really fun too!)

Chrono Trigger-The best story I've heard in an RPG since Lunar Silver Star Story Complet, Grandia, Chrono Cross, and Final Fantasy 7. The characters are very interesting, and the story moves at a fast pace. The best part about the game was TIME TRAVEL! Which I enjoyed more than just going back and forth between two worlds (Chrono Cross). The Music in this game is really good for super nintendo, and with the new animated scenes this is really nice. The animation is very nice if you ask me. And the Extra's feature! This is seeming more like the FFVI package in Final Fantasy Anthology. However, Chrono Trigger takes a lot of loading time just to open up the menu, and engage in battle (another in common with FFVI!) But the endings are very nice, and its full of side quests! This is without a doubt one of the greatest RPGs ever made!

Overall we have 2 of the greatest RPGs in one package. I'd get this, even if you do own it on the SNES.

NOTE:Final Fantasy II in the U.S. was Final Fantasy IV Easy Mode. In this package it is Final Fantasy IV HARD MODE.

Enjoy

Twice the games for quadruple the fun!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 6
Date: July 31, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I admit that the first rpf I ever played was Mario RPG for the SNES (what a piece of crap mrpg was!) So I was a little leary of rpgs that were on the old Super Nintendo. But I loved some of the more clasic RPG's like BoF3 and 4 (for those of you not in the know, that's Breath of Fire) so I decided to give Chronicles a try. Wow! Chrono Trigger is probably the best RPG I've ever played (and yes, I've played FF7, and I loved it.) This game has characters and a story with true depth (something like 10 endings) and solid combat system, and suprisingly decent graphics.

Added to that is Final Fantasy 4, which I think ranks next to FF7 in shear genius. This game is great, and the best surprise is that it's challenging; I was expecting roughly 10 hours of good gaming, but I just hit 11 hours, and I don't think I'm anywhere near the end. Save times are slow, but who cares about a few seconds missing from your life. Oh, my only complaint about CT is that it gets slow when you enter of leave battles, and when you switch betwixt the menus. As if these are really complaints! Buy these games (and if you like them, then buy Breath of Fire 4, not for the cookie cutter gamer.)

Good title for cRPG fans

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 5 / 6
Date: September 08, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This is a good collection. It's even better if you have a PS1 emulator and a fast PC. This would cut down on the lag. (Of course, if you have such, other options arise.)

Some have mentioned the lag issue. As one who played through these on the SNES, I can assure you there is horrid lag. The PS2 has a faster CD drive and some form of caching for PS1 titles which helps dramatically, but by no means removes the delay.

In Chrono Trigger on the console, fights started with no discernable lag. The creatures on the background jump out at you and you're fighting with no visible delay beyond the jumping animation.(or whatever they do) In FF2/4 the screen did fade black, and then faded in, but this took about an eighth to quarter of a second. (estimated)

Chrono Trigger was a great game. The story is fun, and the characters are great. The story is non-linear and you get a great feeling of control. How many games give you the choice of killing off one of the bosses or accepting their help? (Your choice affects the ending in a reasonable fashion)

FF2 (4) was also a great story. When I played through it first, I commented how it felt like playing through a book. Much less choice in progression than even in earlier FF's, though. Fun, regardless.

Finally, he sound quality was lower on the PS version than on the original console. The fade effects on the music and such are gone. I haven't played through sufficiently to notice any other changes, but that one was rather glaring. I really liked the use of fadeing to make it sound like you were getting away from the source. (Such as the Millineal Fair music fading as one wanders away from town.) The PS version rather ungraciously terminates at some distance, and then at some further distance fires up the new music. Jarring.

The original Chrono Trigger would get 5/5, but these issues particularly hinder it.

Best Final Fantasy Ever Made!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: July 06, 2001
Author: Amazon User

If you ever played Final Fantasy IV (II in US) you would know tht it is a great game. I think it is better than all the others with VII and IX close behind. The replay value is excellent because I have gone through it at least five times. It does not have the side games like the newer games but has a good story line, great music, and interesting characters. The one draw back is that is does not have the regular final fantasy graphics on playstation, it has early 90's graphics. A bonus is Chrono Trigger which is a great game also. It is similar but very different than Final Fantasy and Chrono Cross is not like Chrono Trigger. If you are a RPG fan, then you played both of these games. If you like Zelda, Fina Fantasy VII or IX, Mario RPG, or even Pokemon then you will like these games.

The fans are answered.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: May 05, 2002
Author: Amazon User

That is why this was released. The fans demanded it. Finally, their voice means something! Final Fantasy IV was among the first games that introduced the epic storyline, though with this came the inception of melodrama. Within the first few hours of play, there must be around five deaths/diseases/oustings/hatreds etc. This is so obvious that it is almost funny. However, in its time this game was one of the best. The gameplay is solid, offering traditional active time battles and a much-improved translation over the snes version.

Chrono Trigger is considered by many to be the reason to own this collection. This game offered a unique skills system, one brilliantly flowing storyline revolving on the axis of time travel, and enough sidequests to keep a person busy for 10 hours! Needless to say, this combination makes one of the best games ever. Only downside to this version has to be the load times. At least a five second wait for the menu opening makes this a chore to get into. However, once the story draws you in, the load times become completely insignificant.

A must own for first time players who have a taste for old-times. If you choose to buy these games again, like me, the extras in Chrono Trigger (bestiary, ending checklist, CG gallery) and the revamping of Final Fantasy IV's storyline make this well worth the low asking price.

Chrono Trigger

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: May 23, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This is a good deal. You get FF4 which was final fantasy 2 back on the super nes, and the great game Chrono Trigger. A must have for rpg lovers. Plus the art for Chrono Trigger is by the same artist of Dragonball and Dragon warrior VIII fame. The games are long and Chrono Trigger can have many diffrent endings depending on the choices you make. Overall It is a must.

Excellent package, but serious flaws in code

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 6 / 9
Date: August 01, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Both Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger are excellent games (CT could be my favorite game of all time). Final Fantasy IV has been excellently restored to its original "hardtype" version. Story elements and dialog have been restored, which is extremely exciting.

However, I have a complaint about the port. Somewhere in the port, the code for saving a game was not optimized for the playstation but instead uses a version that works fine on solid-state memory (like a cartridge, which these games were originally on) but horribly when going from CD to solid-state. This is a serious flaw, as saves can take up to half a minute to complete. That is why this game gets 3 stars on overall.

Review Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next 

Actions