Never played either of these classic PSX games. Looking for some advice on which one to play first. I've played Chrono Trigger and absolutely loved it, but I've heard Chrono Cross is not even in the same league? I've also heard that the second disc of Xenogears is like reading a book, is this correct? What should I expect?
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Xenogears or Chrono Cross?
- Thread starter Vortex566
- Start date
Yeah.
Dangerous1992
Member
yes the second disk of Xenogears is like a Visual Novel, not a lot of Gameplay.
But i would recommend it over Chrono Cross, the story and characters are a lot more memorable in my opinion.
The thing that they both have in common is the two greatest Soundtracks in gaming both from Mitsuda
But i would recommend it over Chrono Cross, the story and characters are a lot more memorable in my opinion.
The thing that they both have in common is the two greatest Soundtracks in gaming both from Mitsuda
veggiesaurus
Member
Chrono cross is incredible. Just don't go in expecting a sequel to Chrono trigger
Alcoholikaust
Member
Xenogears by a country mile. Story music and art kill Chrono Cross.
sixteen-bit
Member
The thing that they both have in common is the two greatest Soundtracks in gaming both from Mitsuda
Totally agree. Mitsuda is unfuckwithable
First? It doesn't matter, both are awesome. Just make sure to play both.
If you come of playing Trigger maybe you should start by CC. CC has a long start up time but when it picks up the pace it gets really cool. The main problem I had with the game was the ridiculous amount of characters, although you can just choose a fixed party and not bother with the rest.
Xenogears is the contrary: it starts on a high note and somewhat loses steam in the middle to pick up again the awesomeness in the end. Honestly the only real problem I had with the game was the slow text speed, it's horrible. I had no problems with CD2 and yes, CD2 is like a visual novel without choices and some random dungeons thrown in the middle. Some say it's a deliberate choice but it's not, the game was too ambitious for its own good and the budget went to shit by that point of developement. Still, it's a masterpiece and not even Xenoblade or Xenosaga, even if they ere insanely good, can touch this game in my opinion.
Also Mitsuda's best work in both of them, CC OST in particular is mindblowingly good.
If you come of playing Trigger maybe you should start by CC. CC has a long start up time but when it picks up the pace it gets really cool. The main problem I had with the game was the ridiculous amount of characters, although you can just choose a fixed party and not bother with the rest.
Xenogears is the contrary: it starts on a high note and somewhat loses steam in the middle to pick up again the awesomeness in the end. Honestly the only real problem I had with the game was the slow text speed, it's horrible. I had no problems with CD2 and yes, CD2 is like a visual novel without choices and some random dungeons thrown in the middle. Some say it's a deliberate choice but it's not, the game was too ambitious for its own good and the budget went to shit by that point of developement. Still, it's a masterpiece and not even Xenoblade or Xenosaga, even if they ere insanely good, can touch this game in my opinion.
Also Mitsuda's best work in both of them, CC OST in particular is mindblowingly good.
nrvalleytime
Member
You can say whatever you want about Xenogears. But the music doesn't hold a candle to the greatest soundtrack of all time.
OP, Chrono Cross is unlike any other RPG out there. Play both, but play CC first and enjoy the ride. Don't burn yourself out on pursuing every character; just make your decisions, and have fun with the greatest RPG of that generation.
All you haters, don't make me call Ishida into this thread.
Dangerous1992
Member
the standard battle theme of Chrono Cross is not the greatest, it boggles my mind that its a track of the same soundtrack xD
Xenogears first. That said, as much as I love its soundtrack, I consider it second to the one in Chrono Cross as far as Mitsuda's work is concerned.
Yeah, I'd say that's the only weak track on the entire OST overall.
agreed. However, I wish I had played CC, it also has beautiful music.
nrvalleytime
Member
You know what - I agree with you there. It's not exactly the greatest battle theme. But man, does the rest of the soundtrack soar.
Wireframe
Member
Only played a bit of CC and liked what I saw but Xenogears is incredible. Disk one has almost perfect pacing and if it wasn't for FF7 development diverting resources, the second disk would have had much more put into it. As it stands it's one of the best RPG's but it could've been so much more.
NHarmonic.
Member
Lol, yeah dude, possibly the game with the best OST ever.
Parakeetman
No one wants a throne you've been sitting on!
Xenogears, you can give Chrono Cross a pass.
FOREVER
DiipuSurotu
Banned
KevMan1815
Member
I will also say Xenogears. It will always have a special place in my heart and I replay it every couple years or so.
I also agree that both have excellent soundtracks, but I would say Chrono Cross has the better of the two overall.
I also agree that both have excellent soundtracks, but I would say Chrono Cross has the better of the two overall.
Cyrus_Saren
Member
While both are great, I'd have to go with Xenogears.
legacyzero
Banned
Xenogears.
The game is near perfect, even with the weak second disc.
Chrono was just too hard to follow story-wise. The characters were uninteresting. The sound track and visuals were amazing, though.
LOL Yep, those violins piercing ears. Boss theme was ok though
The game is near perfect, even with the weak second disc.
Chrono was just too hard to follow story-wise. The characters were uninteresting. The sound track and visuals were amazing, though.
LOL Yep, those violins piercing ears. Boss theme was ok though
DrForester
Kills Photobucket
Xengogears. Even with the lack of interactivity on disk 2, I still find the story and characters to be excellent.
shark sandwich
tenuously links anime, pedophile and incels
Xenogears. The scope and ambition of Xenogears' story is just incredible. Easily the most epic JRPG ever made.
As for the weak second disc, the game is easily 50+ hours as it is. It would've been probably 80+ hours if everything on disc 2 were fully fleshed out. So it's not like there is any lack of game here.
As for the weak second disc, the game is easily 50+ hours as it is. It would've been probably 80+ hours if everything on disc 2 were fully fleshed out. So it's not like there is any lack of game here.
There's a lack of interesting game at times though. Give me a fleshed out second disc over half the minor party member stories that feel like total diversions (especially given how many of them basically barely do anything outside of their intro stories). Xenogears feels like a TV show that got a late notice they weren't getting renewed so we got stuck with a lot of the episodic content and rushed through the real meat of the story.
AkelisRain
Member
For me, I would choose Chrono Cross. I enjoyed it much more than Xenogears. So much so I never could complete Xenogears because I got tired of it.
TheDarkKnight774
Member
Xenogears. It's still my favorite JRPG.
Goodsprings
Neo Member
my vote goes to Xenogears
R_thanatos
Member
I think the gameplay of xenogears has aged quite nicely .
The graphics are another story but in term of gameplay xenogears still quite strong.
Doctor Doom
Banned
Doing them in either order is fine, they're both great.
But If I were forced to choose, I'd say I found xenogears more memorable, so I'd go with that first.
But If I were forced to choose, I'd say I found xenogears more memorable, so I'd go with that first.
Both have similar roots and have a simularly rushed endings. CC's ending is not as bad unless you are a Chrono fan because then you may become furious as to how CT's plot holes are plugged up and how it's actually told to you. They are both similarly great experiances though and unlike CC there are no preconceived expectations to live up to in Xenogears so it's a great ride all the way through.
Xeno does suffer from having less pre-renderred backgrounds though. CC's BGs aged quite nicely and it has some of the best music in videogaming history but Xeno leaves a lot to be desired visually to some people. Extra patience may be required. Music is on point though - same composer for both games afterall.
They both have major budget cuts though. CC being a story about parallel worlds has you retreading the same content twice on both sides. It's forgivable within the narrative but it doesn't go un-noticed. As for Xenogears yeah - the second CD has some glaring issues. If you liked the game until this point it probably won't take away from your experiance, but yeah - it too does not go un-noticed.
Well. Until you realize that
Xeno does suffer from having less pre-renderred backgrounds though. CC's BGs aged quite nicely and it has some of the best music in videogaming history but Xeno leaves a lot to be desired visually to some people. Extra patience may be required. Music is on point though - same composer for both games afterall.
They both have major budget cuts though. CC being a story about parallel worlds has you retreading the same content twice on both sides. It's forgivable within the narrative but it doesn't go un-noticed. As for Xenogears yeah - the second CD has some glaring issues. If you liked the game until this point it probably won't take away from your experiance, but yeah - it too does not go un-noticed.
Well. Until you realize that
Xenogears is only a fraction of a major story arc that will never be told in full because the series is deader than dead. It is part 5 of a 6 part series with no parts 1-4 or 6.
freeofgreed
Member
Xenogears by faaaaaaaaar. I recently played both for the first time a few months ago. Xenogears, even with all of it's shortcomings ended up being one of my favorite games of all time. I couldn't even finish Chrono Cross.
Hades Hotgun
Banned
Gears
Amazing art design, let down by terrible graphics. Great music that serves to enhance an ambitious and rewarding narrative among the absolute best in gaming. Decent gameplay, hampered by half baked mech battles and a broken random encounter system that lets you move around after a battle has been triggered, but before it actually starts.
For example, you will walk up to doors and not be able to go through, because you have triggered a fight and don't realize it. This won't be a major annoyance until Babel, where it will happen during forced platforming sections and the battle will load while you're in mid air, then you will fall after the fight.
Cross
Great art design, served well by gorgeous graphics. Unrivaled music that serves a unique and interesting story. Decent gameplay, hampered by a somewhat forced element based system. A follow up to Chrono Trigger that is more Earthsea than Lord of the Rings in approach. Meaning it is not a straight continuation, but more experimental.
Both are worth playing, but I think Cross holds up better in graphics and gameplay. However you may be more satisfied by Gears.
Amazing art design, let down by terrible graphics. Great music that serves to enhance an ambitious and rewarding narrative among the absolute best in gaming. Decent gameplay, hampered by half baked mech battles and a broken random encounter system that lets you move around after a battle has been triggered, but before it actually starts.
For example, you will walk up to doors and not be able to go through, because you have triggered a fight and don't realize it. This won't be a major annoyance until Babel, where it will happen during forced platforming sections and the battle will load while you're in mid air, then you will fall after the fight.
Cross
Great art design, served well by gorgeous graphics. Unrivaled music that serves a unique and interesting story. Decent gameplay, hampered by a somewhat forced element based system. A follow up to Chrono Trigger that is more Earthsea than Lord of the Rings in approach. Meaning it is not a straight continuation, but more experimental.
Both are worth playing, but I think Cross holds up better in graphics and gameplay. However you may be more satisfied by Gears.