User Reviews (21 - 31 of 171)

Show these reviews first:

Highest Rated
Lowest Rated Newest
Oldest Most Helpful
Least Helpful

Worse than their SNES counterparts

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 7 / 12
Date: December 26, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Normally I do not review on Amazon, but I am deeply surprised that no one else seemed to notice any of the flaws in the game that I did, considering how obvious they were: hmm... how many reviewers actually played this re-make...? :)

So, before I begin this review, I would like to qualify that I'm a huge Squaresoft fan: I have played thirteen different final fantasy games, Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, Vagrant Story, and Xenogears. When I played FF4 and CT, I greatly enjoyed both.

After purchasing the re-makes (since I do not have an SNES anymore) and playing them, I must say I was disappointed.

First of all, the 'improvements' that you'll actually care about:

1.)You can hold down the 'O' button to run.
2.) The cut scenes from Chrono Trigger are well done and enjoyable to watch.

Next, all the 'downgrades'.

1.) The cut scenes for FF4 are a slap in the face. It's about 2 minutes of random, poor quality CG.
2.) The game now has loading times between different places (towns, for example); even with the loading times....
3.) THE GAME RUNS SLOWER THAN IT DID ON THE SNES!!! It's due to the fact that the PS has to read the data off the CD, while the SNES already had the whole game loaded into memory. It ran, on average, 1.2x slower than the original, but sometimes as high as 2.0x!!!
4.) The battle timing mechanism for FF4 feels different from the SNES version, and IMHO, is worse. This may be a result of the slowdown discussed above.

So in conclusion, these two games are both great classics (5 stars). However, if you've previously played them on the SNES or an emulator, you're going to be disappointed by how slowly they run (-3 stars).

Chrono Trigger remake not quite everything I had hoped for.

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 6 / 10
Date: September 14, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I have to admit that I mostly bought this collection for Chrono Trigger, and as such I'll have to remain silent about Final Fantasy IV. As far as the latter is concerned, I've only played through about five minutes, and while I liked what I saw, I don't feel confident that I can review it well at this time. My score for this product is limited to CT.

The game itself is almost legendary among gamers, and so I will have to assume that you are already familiar with its good points (found in many, many other reviews on this site) and delve straight into the reasons why I was disappointed with this release. Bear in mind that the game itself is NOT one of my main criticisms, and the two-star rating is not indicative of my dissatisfaction with the storyline, graphics, characterizations, and so forth. Rather, my griping deals with its delivery on the PSX.

The loading times are terrible. I've heard a lot of explanations for WHY these loading times exist, such as cartridges (e.g. the original SNES cartridge for CT) don't take as long to load as CDs, and that this PSX version actually runs an emulator that converts the original SNES data into something the PSX can load, hence creating delays that weren't present in the original. I don't entirely understand these explanations since I'm not familiar with the technical or hardware end of things: what I do know is that this game runs ridiculously, embarrassingly slow.

Every time you engage in a battle, everything freezes and you're stuck there waiting for the battle to begin. Since I bought a PS2 these load times have gone down substantially and so now they're maybe only ten seconds or so, but I remember on my original PSX the load time before a battle would oftentimes be as long as two or three minutes. And I'm not just talking about boss battles, I'm talking about run-of-the-mill ordinary battles that you run into ALL THE TIME. Even on a PS2, those ten-second delays would add up very quickly. I also dreaded every time I had to open the menu because then I'd have to wait a long time for it to pop up.

This is especially annoying when you're doing battle on a "moving" area, like an elevator or conveyor belt, because the otherwise beautiful flowing backgrounds become halting and jerky. The most embarrassing example of this is the final battle against Lavos. During the battle, he'll frequently shift the time period of the battle, and this involves changing the floating background image. On the original SNES this was a really cool, if not totally useless design feature. On the PSX, this makes an already long battle even longer because the game hangs up for a little while before each scene change. And at the end, when you finally kill him for good, his death sequence involves rapidly flashing through different time periods. On the SNES this was awesome; on the PSX this is totally lame, because each scene change is preceded by a delay. Unlike the SNES game, it didn't leave you feeling satisfied that you had just beaten the hardest boss in the game, it leaves you feeling frustrated that the designers for the PSX port couldn't fix this.

I'm a big fan of Akira Toriyama's work, and thus I was very pleased with the inclusion of anime cut scenes. However, I have a VERY large gripe: the US release does not translate the Japanese subtitles. Normally it's not a problem because most of the cut scenes don't have any dialogue at all, but I can think of two off the top of my head that do. (SPOILER WARNING FOR THE REST OF THIS PARAGRAPH) When Chrono is killed, there is a brief flashback to Janus (as a kid) telling the party that one of them will die soon. That one's not too bad, since you can kind of figure out for yourself what's going on in this scene (especially since it's a flashback of something that happened in-game). However, the second scene, which you can see when you beat any of the game's endings, involves the downfall of Guardia and the rise of Porre. This is a pretty crucial bit of information that should've been translated since 1) you can't figure that stuff out just by playing the game itself, 2) it sets up the story for Chrono Cross, and 3) the scene itself is just impossible to understand unless you can read the Japanese subtitles. I can't imagine why they didn't bother to translate this stuff, especially since they translated the PSX team credits (which appear to also be in FMV format).

Speaking of translation, I'm a little disappointed that this game did not receive a retranslation, as FF4 did. Don't get me wrong, I think Ted Woolsey did a decent job with CT. However, it's undeniable that a lot of changes had to be made when they brought it over to the West, whether it was in shortening text to fit into the SNES's format, localizing dialogue to be more "accessible" to young American children, or in censoring references to religion, alcohol, sexuality, and so forth. Furthermore, Woolsey's translation sometimes hiccuped, leaving behind either plot holes that didn't previously exist or ambiguous lines that were actually intended to be much stronger in the original Japanese. I realize that it would've been a lot of trouble for Square to give a retranslation for something that they thought already had a solid translation, so this aspect was not factored too heavily into my scoring of the game; it just would've been really nice, especially since, as I said, FF4 received a retranslation.

I hesitate to recommend this version of the game to first-time players. I think CT is a game that all RPG fans should at least be familiar with, but I'm not sure this PSX version is the one they should cut their teeth on. If you're like me and you've already played this game dozens of times on the SNES, skip this one. (Unless of course you're buying it for FF4.) Stick with the original SNES cartridge, and hope for a GBA/DS/Wii VC conversion at some point in the future. The load times are simply unbearable, especially if you're used to the quick pace of the original.

Two superb games that suffered in the transition to PSX

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: September 24, 2001
Author: Amazon User

"Final Fantasy IV"
The first 16-bit Final Fantasy game, it's considered by many to be the best. (Personally, I preferred FFVI, but different strokes...) The graphics haven't aged particularly well in the nearly ten years since its original release, but the music still is quite well-done.

Those who have played the original U.S. release, Final Fantasy II, will discover that the new version has a completely revamped translation and a ramped-up difficulty level - a definite mark in the plus column for the game. And as a bonus, it is marked by the near-absence of load times!

"Chrono Trigger"
One of the best games of the 16-bit gaming era, it's an enjoyable romp through time, with engaging characters and dialogue and an intriguing storyline. It's also the predecessor to the PlayStation game Chrono Cross, and a must-play to pick up all the nuances of that game.

The game has aged as well as could be expected - the music and graphics sound crude in this era of polygons, FMV (full-motion-video) and synth game music that sounds like the real thing, but the quality is still evident. The story is as absorbing as ever, and the addition of the Extras mode - with added anime FMVs to link the game to Chrono Cross - makes it even better.

The only real problem with Chrono Trigger is the terrible slowdown that plagues the game. If you can put up with the several-second load times for battles and menus, the game is as good as it ever was - and that's pretty darn good.

If you've never played the original games, this is your chance. And if you have, take the opportunity to savor the nostalgia. And with two games for the price of one, this is definitely a collection worth buying!

A welcome, but slightly flawed, re-release collection

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: January 09, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I love it when companies re-release classic games on newer systems for those of us who grew up with them and like to walk down memory lane, and FF Chronicles collects 2 great games in one. I have many blissful memories of playing FF 4 (2 at the time) when I was much younger and it was newly released. My obsession with Final Fantasy started with number 1, and was established without doubt after playing 2. It is a phenomenal, albeit very dated game. The characters and storyline are among the best in FF history, and the gameplay (though straightforward) remains very fun. The graphics and sound of the game were top notch when released. The graphics remain very colorful and appealing even now, and the music is good if rather "cheap" sounding compared to modern games. I sometimes wish they would have spiffed these games up a bit (improving the instrumentation of the music, adding some bonus features, etc.), but I can also respect getting the games in their original form without alteration (except for the CG scenes, of course).
That is one area of major disappointment for me, the CG movies they added to FF 4. They exhibit the worst graphics I have ever seen on the PS1. A big disappointment, especially coming from the masters at Square. It looks like someone with no experience just threw them together at the last minute. I would rather they just not added them. Furthermore, I wish they could have maybe spliced them into the game instead of just having them at the beginning and end. That really misled me.
Still, a great, faithful remake of a wonderful game from the days of old.

I never played Chrono Trigger on the SNES, so it was a new experience for me, and I did wish once playing it that I had played it in my youth, as it is a phenomenal game that, although I enjoyed it, I would have appreciated much more when I was younger. Great graphics for the time, and about the best music I've ever heard in a video game. The story and game play really pull you in, and the world is one, like any great fictional place, where you find yourself wishing you could just become part of it.
Also, in contrast to FF 4, I really enjoyed the CG movies they added. They are in the anime style by the guy who did Dragonball Z, are spliced into the game at the appropriate parts, and are really very good.
I am disappointed however, as many others on here have stated, that this game has painfully long load times that really decreased my enjoyment of the game. Every time you get into a battle or bring up the status screen, there is about a 3-5 second wait, which may not seem like a big deal, but believe me, it gets annoying real fast. Still, if you're patient, it is a good game.

I find myself wishing that they had released FF 3 on this compilation instead of Chrono Trigger, though. I mean, it is FF Chronicles. If they had put 3 on here, we could have had the entire FF series on the PS. As it is, 3 will likely never be available in a form I'm willing to acquire and play, and thus it will eternally remain a hole in my FF experience. If they had put FF 3 on here, maybe they could have done another 2 disc compilation with Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana. Now that would have been awesome.

Sadly, I can only give this 4 stars overall, and thats me being realistic as opposed to overly nostalgic. They are both great, classic games, and I'm glad to have them, and I did enjoy them. But, this collection is flawed in several ways that just a little bit more work from Square could have prevented, and made this truly worthy of 5 stars.

FFC is matched only to the SNES versions of both games.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 8
Date: June 30, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Final Fantasy Chronicles was releases on Friday, June 29. I recieved the game on its release date and took it home immediately. After frantically ripping the wrapping and the sticker-label off, I removed the Chrono Trigger disc and inserted it into my Playstation. The opening anime cut-scene is pretty cool but a little choppy at times (don't worry not all of the cut-scenes are choppy). To sum up the Chrono Trigger portion of FFC I have to rate this one a 4. If you want to open up the menu, or try to battle you should expect at most a 7 second wait. I AM glad to see that Square even paid attention to the game in the first place. I personally thought that they would ignore all the "please bring back CT" letters. The Akira Toryama anime cut-scenes are a great addition to this game though. The music is re-done and the graphics are a little cleaner (barely noticeable though, to retain the look of the original). All in All... IT'S CHRONO TRIGGER!! What else could you possibly want from Square? (They already have FFT covered too, expect that in July.) If you want Chrono Trigger for a fair price with bonus extras mode and anime scenes, then get this. Now on to FF2 (IV). FFIV is great on Chronicles. The load times aren't as grim as with CT and the script has been totally re-written. (Let's hope that they don't leave out the "spoony bard" line though). It is great and Square did a great job putting this on CD. The movie scenes are FF7esque and the menu is easily accesible. Not much more to be said about this game, it wasn't messed up as much. In closing, I recommend this game to those unfortunate souls who missed either Chrono Trigger or FF2 on SNES (including myself). If you have BOTH titles on SNES don't waste your money on this title unless you want them strictly for cut-scenes or to complete your collection. I gave this game 5 stars because I am thrilled that they brought these two classics back and with so many new things to explore about them. I hope this review helps you.

Lauren's wrong too

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: March 31, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Sorry Lauren, but FF 5 never made it to the States until Square put out thier Anthology for the PS1. It was FF 6 that was released as FF 3 in the states. Here's the breakdown: FF 1 - Released as FF in the States, FF 2 - Recently released under Square's FF Origins, FF 3 - Never released in the States, FF 4 - released as FF 2 in the States, FF 5 - released a couple years back under FF Anthology, FF 6 - released as FF 3 in the states, and FF 7 - released in both Japan and the US as FF 7. Ever since number 7 they have been the same in both countries.

THIS GAME IS THE BEST!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 9
Date: June 23, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I got this game from the Japanese gaming store and is is a great game.Perfect for RPG/Adventure game fans.It has topd my best game list.IF YOU ARE AN RPG FAN GET THIS!

Best Game Ever!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: July 04, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Chrono Trigger is the best game ever made. The story was so large that the first time I played it I racked 120 hours. And this is with playing with the story line. The game is breath-taking with one of the best sound-tracks ever composed. It's fun and has up to like 9 or more endings. Also has a neat game function that allows yyou to start the game from the beggining with all your gear from the previous game. Worth more than its price tag,.... FF2 is also a great game with fun gameplay and a great story. Quite reading, get it now and thank me later.........

A strange mixture.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: December 30, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is "a strange mixture" in that it combines what I found to be a bad game and a great game on one disc. I would like to mention now that I originally played both of these games on the Super Nintendo -- when they were new, and am not some thirteen-year-old weaned on the Dreamcast.

First, the good. Chrono Trigger is one of the greatest games ever made, and you will not regret playing it. The battle system is intuitive, the plot works, and the characters are complex (although not Final Fantasy complex). With about 15 different endings and the contributions of Nobuo Uematsu (one of the greatest composers ever to come out of Japan), Akira (world-renowned animator), and many others, the game is a masterpiece.

Unfortunately, I have to take this opportunity to dump on Final Fantasy IV. Having played every single Final Fantasy game (yes, including Mystic Quest), I can say that this is the pits. The plot is horrible. Every two dungeons or so, you discover that the villain that you've been chasing is only a subordinate, or a flunky, or has been hypnotized, and guess what? There's a new arch-villain. Plus about fifteen characters form your party kill themselves and magically come back from the dead fifteen minutes later. This includes a guy who was inside a nuclear reactor when it exploded, a guy who flung himself down a mine shaft with C4 strapped to his stomach, characters who turned themselves into stone with magic so strong that NOBODY could revive them for at least half an hour, and of course the character who was eaten by monsters, drowned, flung into the nether reaches of Hell, discovered by the King of Monsters, and zombified (or at least, gaining dark powers, possibly in exchange for a soul). However, I won't complain about the graphics, because they were the best that developers could do at the time. Speaking as a programmer, anybody who cries about graphics should be raked over a hot fire.

But, Chrono Trigger still adds enough balance to warrant five stars -- and if you check, the Super Nintendo version sells USED.

Enjoy!

best RPG ever.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: June 01, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game is horribly addictive. I love RPG's but this is one of the best RPGs out there. Storylines, music, multiple endings, they're all awesome and very cute. I love this game, and I'm playing it again after 2 years. This package adds another game to the already renown excellent RPG! Squaresoft is the most amazing RPG makers. Final Fantasy series are good but Chrono Trigger is the best RPG. Recommended for RPGers.

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

Actions