5 Things I WISH I KNEW Before Starting Chrono Cross!

[@davidvinc]

Come join me for some streaming on Twitch! www.twitch.tv/davidvincstreams

[@mcmillanjustin903]

I hated this one after playing the first one.

[@Xhalo1183]

Techs that steal have accuracy that is around the same amount as the strong attack. Give the enemy a few pokes to boost accuracy before stealing. Also make sure to steal from bosses.

[@veghesther3204]

and run away if you steal the WRONG ITEM as in most of the time you'll steal the useless Photon Beam element off of Harlie and will and MUST Steal the Moon Glasses off of her so either run away if steal either FAILS or you steal the Photon beam element off off her.

[@sonadowfiend]

@@veghesther3204 Odd... I thought Harle dropped the Moonglasses if and only if you beat her before she uses her signature move, Moon Beams. I never knew you could steal a pair from her.

[@veghesther3204]

She rarely drops them your better off trying to steal those.

[@sonadowfiend]

@@veghesther3204 Well, butter my buns and call me a biscuit! The guide I used way back when claimed it was guaranteed if she didn't get the chance to cast Moon Beams and I got them, so I had no reason to doubt it for all these years. I wonder if the Sunglasses the Sphinx dropped (for fighting him like any other boss instead of solving his puzzle) were or were not a fixed drop.

[@veghesther3204]

For that boss its a 100% drop as long as you do NOT fight its Riddle mode form at all so you MUST attack it before it asks the first Riddle in order to get the Sun Glasses at a 100% rate it however DOES have a Rainbow Shell as a RARE steal however without at least 1 Yellow plate user Crisosphinx is nearly impossible to kill even on a 1st run with Diminish used nobody will really survive 3 Yellow attacks in 1 turn unless you absorb it Magic Negate doesn't last for the entire battle which is why the Yellow Plate is a must. However you still need the Yellow Plate user to Survive its physical hit turns which I could NOT actually do WITHOUT equipping the Stolen/dropped Moon Glasses on Lynx/Serge at all. I could kill Harlie without her ever using Moon beams and rarely got the Moon Glasses to drop IF ever its like a 1% drop rate. The Boss of Guile's Viper Manor guide route CAN drop the first Ice Blast element when killed but its NOT a 100% drop rate off that boss Marcy as a boss will always drop it.

[@PowerPandaMods]

Here's another, which goes along with ditching Kid: Chrono Cross doesn't just have "New Game +", it has "Continue Game +". After you beat the game, you can port your end game stats to ANY save file you have made. So any time you are forced to chose between one party member and another, simply copy your save. Here's an example: The Hydra Humor quest is important for the storyline, but it locks you out of getting Glenn. So before you choose whether to help Kid or not, split your save file. Play through the Hydra Humor quest (and get Razzly), save, and then go back to your main save file. Once you beat the game, you can Continue Game + from this save file, quickly beat the game, and then use the Chrono Cross to bring Razzly to your main save file. This trick can also be used when you have to choose 1 of 3 guides to Viper Manor. Split your save file right before making the choice, and you can get the other 2 guides in your final save file in no time flat.

[@veghesther3204]

I did that but it still takes 3 runs in order to keep Harlie as a permanent party member but I prefer physical hits over spells which is why for me Razzly still sucks on a first run of the game.

[@PowerPandaMods]

@@veghesther3204 it only takes 2 runs, plus a 3rd trip through Viper Manor. And yes, I prefer Glenn to Razzly any day of the week.

[@veghesther3204]

Its 3 since you need to beat the game with Harlie in the party in order to keep her then use THAT save file to start ANOTHER NG+ run and get the 3rd Viper manor guide in my case I had Pierre be the 3rd and last one of the 3.

[@ei8ht_bit_soul8bs58]

“You get the added benefit of Korcha hating your guts” lol the best reason

[@wolfensight1138]

Brings back so many memories... Especially, when I first played CC... I refused 'Kid' because I was tired of always being so 'nice' in RPG's... (Back then I didn't even know it was the only way to get Leena on first run) ... So when she joined... I learned to choose the 'dark' side once in a while for the next 20+ years in RPG's ... lol

[@Malisteen]

I disagree with the 'ditch kid' advice, at least for a player's first run. Kid is important to the endgame story in a way that almost none of the dozens of other characters are. Yes, you get stronger characters for your party if you ditch her, but you can always pick those characters up in ng+. IMO, for a first run, spend as much time with Kid as you can. If you can learn to like her and invest in her emotionally then the story just lands harder. Missing Glenn is a major shame, especially with his connection to one of the stronger side plots, and forcing you to choose between kid and glenn is one of the game's biggest mistakes. But even so I recommend at least trying to connect to kid.

[@Vic9mm]

I'm going to take your word for it...Ill stick with Kid for this playthrough I'm already 2hrs in taking my sweet ass time heading towards Termina.

[@_Tizoc_]

I’m of the go with Glenn persuasion

[@bluekinopio9390]

@@Vic9mm me too I’m at termina now I’ll just get whoever I missed in the next go around

[@Malisteen]

@@_Tizoc_ for subsequent play thorughs, absolutely. Glenn is a fantastic character, one of the game's best, and the fact that he's miss-able is one of cross's many huge flaws. But for a first time run? Without back seat driving most players are going to rescue kid, and for a first impression of the game I really do think that's the best way to go.

[@SeventhheavenDK]

@@Malisteen I don't think the decision between saving Kid is that important, the time Kid is unavailable if you choose not to save her is very short, Technically is just the boss battle at Radius' home and the Ghost ship (and none of them offer anything substantial to Kid's story arc). Also, there is no choice between Kid and Glenn, the real choice is between Glenn and Razzly, one of the best (if not the best) warriors and one of the best mages in the game respectively, that is the decision that hurts. Story wise, Razzly shines during the Hydra Marshes and Water Dragon Isle arcs and that's it. Glenn is more connected to the main story and to Dario's subplot, however, aside of Dario's battle, none of Glenn's other interactions or scenes need him to even be recruited at all. So, in the end is about who you like more, but without a guide most people will obviously choose to save Kid. Still, I disagree with the "leaving stronger characters for a second run" argument, because by the time you start a second run, any character will be overpowered anyway, so I find more important to get stronger characters for a first run. Both Glenn and Razzly are great characters anyway, so you cannot go wrong either way, it's more about who you like more, but Macha and Doc are way better than Korcha and Mel, but that only counts if you plan to use any of them.

[@Allor7]

The fact that not helping Kid gives the added bonus of not recruiting Korcha makes it easily the best choice in the entire game.

[@rabbyd542]

Can't stand that character lol

[@raymondaranda8716]

Lmfao

[@buggr]

You say that like recruiting Glenn isn't the best choice, Korcha can sit in the PC like a Pokemon but Glenn does not go on the bench.

[@raymondaranda8716]

@Robert S. Stein x strike plays homage to frog / Glenn

[@raymondaranda8716]

@Robert S. Stein duh. His real name's Glenn

[@brunch1572]

Grinding is not useless, at least in the original game. You get huge stat gains when you beat a boss, but if you grind enough mobs, there is a "mid-level-level" in which you gain similar huge stat boosts. This is easy to miss as you can skip so many of the encounters, but if you skip your mid-level stat gains your characters will be hugely gimped. I'm not saying it's a good thing, it's actually one of my main gripes with the original game, because gimping my characters bothers me so much that I can't resist the grind, and therefore have less fun because of it.

[@felman87]

Not to mention those small little stat boosts add up. It pays to spend a bit of time fighting battles after each new star.

[@christopherlitzner8445]

one of the worse things is sometimes you will have two bosses one after the other which will cause you to miss out on getting a chance to get the secondary stat boost between each star level. unless when running it would allow you to backtrack and farm some enemies for a few fights to get them. Having not known about the being able to run from bosses thing maybe it is possible to get each of the stat boosts between star levels. will have to test that out

[@veghesther3204]

You can't for a back to back boss fight you must fight them BOTH so no you can't boost stats after killing the first boss since the 2nd fight would trigger immediately afterwards but the game would not allow you to leave the boss room for stat gains after killing the first of the 2 or 3 back to back fights at all and you can't save the game in between the back to back boss fights either.

[@alondite215]

@@jaysea5804 Right? What the hell is even the point of playing the game if you're going to skip the actual game?

[@mooserocka522]

Exactly he misses mini star levels. You level after every star level for 5 battles then move on.

[@HybridAngelZero]

These tips are actually fantastic, for real. I'm so conditioned to not be able to run from boss fights in RPGs, I probably wouldn't have even tried to. I'm also a chronic yes-sayer when anyone in a game asks to join my party, so I no doubt would have taken Kid and missed out on some great characters

[@yoso378]

It's not your fault cause it's really not a good game design choice. There's absolutely no reason to turn her down when she offers to join you and even though you can turn her down for a lot of the game, this is the only instance where you get anything out of it. It also REALLY feels like a "but thou must" because why would you be able to turn down someone who is obviously a main character?

[@HybridAngelZero]

@@yoso378 I feel like it's there to get you to see what happens if you say "No" on a second playthrough, but it's still pretty darn unintuitive xD

[@baixiaolang]

You miss out on great characters basically no matter what you do. If you don't save Kid you get Glenn, one of the best fighters (if you finish his side quest and get his weapons). If you DO save Kid, you get Razzly, one of the best Element-users in the game. You can't get them both on the same run (except in new game +)

[@yoso378]

@@baixiaolang lol in my case I missed out on both my first run because I didn't realize that blob of pixels in the corner of that pit was a fairy in a cage.

[@Malisteen]

Re: running from bosses, this os especially key for the 'trap' elements which let you cancel & steal specific spell elements. If you see a boss use a spell you have a trap for in your inventory, then run away to equip the trap so you can get that spell.

[@Dhalin]

Thanks for the tips! I had played CC back in the day, but I have largely forgot most of the game, and though I was already aware of most of these tips, it's still good to be reminded of them. Though that whole bit about refusing Kid at every opportunity really sucks. I'd feel so bad about being such a jerk to her, just to get better group members. But at least you can always get an ending, any ending, and then go back through the game and then accept Kid but still have access to Glenn.

[@Nebocsid]

If my memory serves me correctly, during New Game Pluses, you can merge past party members if you use the Chrono Cross somewhere in or around Sprigg's home. Like if you get Guile in the first playthrough and Pierre in the second (but you can't get both in the same playthrough) then you can still have both Pierre and Guile available to you at the same time. It's been years since I played so you're more than welcome to correct any errors I made.

[@everythingisbizzaaaaaro3694]

I wish I had known during my first playthrough that Miguel was gonna be a thing. I was so unprepared for him back in the day. Got him on the 2nd attempt, but still.

[@veghesther3204]

Battle boost cheats make all enemies attacks have a 100% MISS rate including Holy dragon sword when Miguel spams it without those cheats do NOT use a 2nd Black Innate user Harlie against both him and Garai at all.

[@Nutty151]

Is Miguel harder than Dario? It's been such a long time since I played I don't remember.

[@BB-te8tc]

In a sense, yes, because he's a story progression boss. Dario you can fight at any point once he becomes available so you can get much stronger (and use the Black Plate to absorb damage)

[@veghesther3204]

However if you turn on the Evade ALL attacks cheat you won't even need the Black Plate since that Evade boost cheat makes it impossible to take damage and lose HP IN battles though with that Cheat on you'll still be able to absorb his elements if you equip the Black Plate. With every cheat on NOTHING in game will cause damage to you save for Lava/the Poison damage from Hydra Marsh.

[@Nutty151]

@@BB-te8tc Thanks, I do remember both being some of the hardest bosses in the game and taking me a few tries. The hardest boss in the game for me would have to be the Criosphinx though.

[@paulnewhouse5126]

Thank you for reminding me about kid. Glad i watched this b4 starting the game up.

[@Fatalordi]

You can change the equipements and elements of all the characters in the main menu, just press Left while chosing a character of the party. Just found that after 40 hours of teleporter shenanigans.

[@bandrew1442]

"like if someone dies" Leena dying in the boss fight really left an impression huh lol

[@RetroSonya]

I played it back in 2001, and I’m playing the remastered version. I loved the game then and it brings back many memories. I’m glad this awesome game wasn’t left behind and is being shared with today’s young generation!

[@felman87]

For the healing, I always put at least 1 Recover All and Heal All in each level. Yes, you get those Negative points for putting it in a level below what it's supposed to be at but it can save you in a pinch. Having a weak party heal beats nothing at all.

[@otakudaikun]

Kid is hands down the coolest looking character in this game. The fact that the meta encourages you not to recruit her turns me off from the experience entirely.

[@absflgd]

Having element of every color is an awful advice. Unless the character has high MAG stat, using offensive elements is useless. And if your character has great MAG stat, it's more efficient to change color of the enemy with Turn [Color]. So when I play with Leena, I fill her grid with blue spells and cast Turn Red on the boss. But this only works until Fort Dragonia. After that point, offensive magic is completely useless. You can use Turn Black on boss to make Serge hit harder. Eagle Eye and Vigor are the best spells in the game because they allow Serge to land a lot of level 3 attacks. You can put Eagle Eye, Strengthen, Weaken, Turn Black/White on level 1, it says -3, but these spells are not weaker. Use Diminish to halve the damage of boss techniques. While offensive elements are useless, offensive techniques (ones with yin-yang mark next to name) are still good because they scale with ATK and not with MAG. So using Dash&Slash is very effective through entire game. Even if a technique looks "magical", it still scales with ATK. And most important - shops that sell elements change the offer as plot progresses, so don't forget to revisit vendors after you defeated an important boss. There are three element shops: in Termina, Guldove and Marbule.

[@SpoonySamurai]

Kid might not be the best but she's possibly one of the most important characters storywise in the whole game. I can't spoil anything but I checked the wiki just now and even the wiki doesn't mention what I want to say

[@SeventhheavenDK]

I really suffer a lot with the decision of saving Kid or not, not because of her, but both Glenn and Razzly are two of my most favorite characters, and awesome green innates. When I play the three cycles of the game at least I can have all, but when I am just in the mood to play one cycle I suffer A LOT with this decision. Normally if I am planning to play only one cycle my decisions are: Team up with Kid from the beginning (ditching Leena), Choosing Guile as a guide, and then I always debate if I choose Glenn or Razzly (I think most of the time I go for Glenn only because he is more connected to the story, tho Razzly's arc in WDI is very cool too).

[@veghesther3204]

On a first run I'll always do the save kid route and even then Razzly still sucks.

[@SeventhheavenDK]

@@veghesther3204 . I don't remember Razzly sucking in any way, I even remember she surprised me as she demonstrated to be a very strong character, and I didn't see that coming the first time I played the game.

[@veghesther3204]

Well I prefer a 3x Physical damage set up end game and Razzly SUCKS for that.

[@SeventhheavenDK]

@@veghesther3204 . Well, for that I use Riddel (my favorite mage), as with her I one shot mobs most of the time with a target-all spell, like Holy Light, Ultranova or even Carnivore.

[@veghesther3204]

I don't either the ONLY good spell end game is almost always going to be Black Hole only and I'd rather still use a 3x Physical hits users setup and Riddel STILL sucks even against Dario where I'd rather equip the Black plate to LYNX and never to her.

[@karlluigi1987]

What I love about this game, is that you don't need to grind that much so you could focus more in the story and exploring

[@acarbonbasedlifeform70]

#3 was really unexpected, not gonna lie I'll have to check it out in practice to see if it works Other than that, a useful list!

[@SirVyre]

Lmfao, I didn't know that you could run from boss battles, and I've been playing through Chrono Cross since 2000. Well done, David(also great points about 3). As far as what I wish I knew going into Chrono Cross... hmm... If you don't use an element at the end of your attack round, then you will get stamina reimbursement faster, allowing for you to attack again sooner. Always using an element puts you into negative stamina range, which inevitably loops you into a turn where you have 4.0 stamina, so you do less damage per turn unless your elements are superbly powerful for what you are fighting. Use this knowledge to your advantage to really take advantage of the physical power houses after their physical personal elements are depleted. Unless the remaster is changing something, like they've altered character portraits(largely for the worse), make sure to stock up on consumable elements, particularly the ones that heals status ailments. Over the last decades, modern RPGs have been taking the Super Mario RPG route of having enfeebling status ailments wear off after battle, but Chrono Cross is and should be old school. Believe me, nothing sucks more than getting the Sprained ailment, and having no Braces to take it off.

[@ryanm4281]

I wish I had known what Radical Dreamers was when I first played this.

[@squallphin]

most people talk about sticking with Kid but ill do it for Razzly , her fate is the worst if you dont help her

[@ahmadmanga]

Hahaha! "Ditch Kid." I know what's said is true, but can't stop laughing at it.

[@tommiefunk2099]

I want to like Chrono Cross. I really do. I bought it for the Playstation when it was new and got it on my Vita as well. And every time I play it, I remember why I don't like it.

[@grahfkarate1799]

Same! LOVE Chrono trigger, love the music but can’t get into it. Lack of character development, even in combat. The characters are all the same practically.

[@JohnsonJJohnson33]

Ain't nothing wrong with that! Sometimes the game just doesn't click, and tbh I'm unsure if it'll click for me again like it did the first time I played it

[@SeventhheavenDK]

Everyone has likes and dislikes, don't force yourself, I personally love Chrono Cross, but it happens, there games that simply do not connect with you. I know the feeling, because that is exactly what it happens to me with FF9, I even bought it again for switch, and just like you I just remember why I never liked the game.

[@juanortiz9123]

It's ok that you don't like it. The problem is to waste money in something you'll never like, much less finish.

[@socializard1]

Every time I replay chrono cross I'm reminded why I love it. 😀

[@grey_wulf]

Hi David! I wasn't a huge fan of Chrono Cross for many of the reasons you've stated previously. Anyway, just dropping by to comment and 👍the vid. Have a blessed day everyone!

[@buggr]

If you want Razzly's ultimate move, you can't bring her into the boss fight with the Hydra or else she will find it was pregnant and deliver the babies, saving the Hydra Marsh in Home World and stopping the Dwarves from ravaging Water Dragon Isle and killing the faerie Rosetta. Rosetta needs to die or the tree won't bloom, this is vital if you need the trophy for using Delta Force triple tech.

[@lingivey36]

Ditch Kid tip is really good. Though the grinding one.. I think you can fight a few fights and then an important stat will increase.. like strength.. then nothing will increase until you get your next star.. I remember grinding up to that point before each boss made me significantly stronger.. when I started fresh.

[@polyman6859]

Recruiting Leena and Poshul was great, I wish I knew about the Glenn method. I said no to Kid 3 times to see what would happen. I really like Kid and Korcha I don’t get the hate for them…

[@bandrew1442]

A good thing to know is that you can exploit the roulette game on Fargo's ship to get the best materials in the game.

[@veghesther3204]

Actually you can't this version doesn't allow you to PAUSE the Roulette wheel so that you always land with it facing North 100% of the time so theirs no way for a 100% RNG method.

[@bandrew1442]

@@veghesther3204 Well shit lol

[@jonmcknight18]

Bunyip also doesn't use volcano so you have to wait till dead sea to trap it.

[@veghesther3204]

Though Home World Fort Dragonia has a free Volcano element inside a chest but I still rarely used it.

[@lordtrinen2249]

Ditching Kid does open up some doors when it comes to character recruitment but it closes others. Unless I'm mistaken (I need to refresh myself on all the character recruitment requirements) you miss out on Razzely the fairy if you choose not to save Kid. Maybe one or two other characters too? Regardless, if this is indeed your very first playthrough, I strongly recommend recruiting Kid and keeping her around as much as possible. Given her importance to the overall story, it's important for new players to try and develop a bond with her. Plus she's one of only two characters that acquires a Stealing ability, letting you snag some very valuable gear from bosses.

[@PastingKing]

Ditching Kid twice gives you Leena, Glenn, Macha and Doc? I think. Saving Kid gives you Korcha, Razzly and Mel I believe

[@ofidiotabagista5259]

1- I wish I knew the story, because most of the time you're just wandering around without a purpose and it becomes boring. Only by the end of the game(or if you read external material) you'll understand what's going on. 2- I wish I knew where El Nido archipelago is located in the Chrono Trigger world map. 3- I wish I knew why no character mentions they're living in an archipelago surrounded by mountains without access to the external world. 4- I wish I knew how Porre was able to invade El Nido. 5- I wish I knew most party members are just battle units and not characters.

[@ahmadmanga]

For 2, I believe it didn't exist in Chrono Trigger's timeline, wasn't it created by people in 2400 A.D. ...Not sure though.

[@ofidiotabagista5259]

@@ahmadmanga It was created in the future but traveled back in time to when the game takes place. So it has to be somewhere and not having the world map visible bugged me a lot back when I played it.

[@BB-te8tc]

"4- I wish I knew how Porre was able to invade El Nido." The added content for the DS and Steam/mobile versions of Chrono Trigger alludes to this. A certain character orchestrates it via time travel abuse.

[@BB-te8tc]

"2- I wish I knew where El Nido archipelago is located in the Chrono Trigger world map" I always assumed it was the "whirlpool" where the Heckran cave is.

[@BB-te8tc]

"3- I wish I knew why no character mentions they're living in an archipelago surrounded by mountains without access to the external world." It's convoluted but the Records of Fate are responsible for that, I think.

[@EmilyRose900]

That Kid pushes her way into the party even if you don't try and save her. I just started playing it blind and my friend told me about this just after making the decision to save her. Now I gotta replay the whole game just to do it the right way

[@SPChannelTV]

Havent saw the video yet so sorry if this is mentioned, But the Hydra Marshes. If you kill the hydra For its humor before you Invite Razzly to your party, She is a fairy, Being held captive by the pentapus, A huge octopus-looking thing. You have to find and kill the Wingapede by using the beba flute, If you kill the Hydra before you free Razzly, She is lost to you until the next playthrough.

[@feeamerie5011]

I’m genuinely excited for my physical copy from Playasia! I think I’m probably the only lifelong Jrpg junkie who hasn’t played this game ever. Never owned the consoles it appeared on. So I get to experience it for the first time. Ditto: Chrono Trigger if they EVER do anything with it, because I was Genesis that generation.

[@ACanuckNamedTex]

I wish I knew failing to do the puzzle at the final battle gets you no ending and only credits.

[@shocktrauma85]

I would say saving kid is sacrificing a powerful green physical attacker for a powerful green magic user. Razzly is awesome too.

[@Jared-cm2wv]

Modifiers do not affect buff and debuff elements, so put elements like Eagle Eye as LOW as possible. You can select another active party member during combat by pressing left or right on the d-pad. Using this with the last tip, you can give your weakest party member Eagle Eye in level 1, select that party member, attack, and use that element on Serge. Now Serge starts with 99% accuracy strong attacks. In Termina, there's a big house down the road from the blacksmith. There's a hidden chest there containing an item that the smith can disassemble for 3 iron. You can use this to give Serge an iron swallow much earlier than he would normally get one. ...and don't bother with feeding 100 dragon-horse-things. It only gives you an iron vest, and the extra defense isn't worth the stress.

[@xq1234wzts]

Statement about Grinding is not entirely correct. After 3/4 battles your current party will not gain any boost in stats, however if you switch your party members then those who did not get the bonus are getting a "big" boost" after one fight and one fight only. This is really helpful if we want to have more than 3 characters pumped up. So basically you fight couple of fights until your main party stops getting bonuses and then you rotate all the remaining characters, make one fight and repeat - this is grinding in this game.

[@SimasAlan]

Those are grea tips, i did finish this game back in the day, but i don't remeber much of how to play it right now, so i really appreciate your tips for a another game play of this master piece!

[@JMrealgamer]

Thanks for explaining this. I haven’t played it since PS1 so pointers like these will make the game more enjoyable this time around. It’s been so long I honestly don’t know if I had once remembered this stuff or not. Lol!

[@gregcarmell8222]

I was kinda hoping this was going to be a piss take like "Number One: Dont play Chrono Cross" "Number Two: The writers hate the Chrono Trigger cast" etc

[@emmychansuper]

I say keep Kidd in the party, no matter what David says. At least have someone who can steal stuff, because this game has crafting mechanics

[@Wraithknight2]

Fargo > kid...change my mind

[@cicisstormshelter1076]

Having playing the original Chrono Cross, my old JRPG mentality got the best of me and I never realized you could flee from boss fights and just come back to them later! ^_^

[@jac3744]

Watching walkthrough of this game made realize how many characters I missed to join my party. Like how was I suppose to know

[@M4ruta]

Number 6: This ain't Chrono Trigger. A lot, and I mean _a lot_ of people expect this game to be Chrono Trigger: The Sequel, but it works very differently. The art style is different, your companions are different, the battle system is different, and the overall tone is different. Trigger was essentially a feel-good buddy RPG across time, where as Cross is more of a happy-looking mash-up of European folklore and JRPG plot twists, with some existentialist conundrums thrown in (because why not?). And while the characters in Trigger were endearing and memorable, there were also rather flat, whereas Cross gets pretty dark and psychological at times. Finally, the two game intersect in terms of story and plot, but Cross leaves a lot of those connections for the player to figure out rather than explicitly stating them. Thank you for listening to my TED talk.

[@ScottakaFil]

I wish when I was a poor college kid that I knew this game wasn't the sequel to Chrono Trigger that I wanted. Major bummer about the days of yore, sometimes you wasted what little money you had on games you just ended up not liking. That's just my opinion though I don't want to take anything away from those of you who love this game.

[@letterm6656]

I wish I know how to tech better. I beaten this game numerous time as a kid. I don't think I ever double or triple tech once or at least I don't remember such mechanic. I only found out that you can dual tech after I watch a random streamer's let's play....

[@bandrew1442]

Considering there are only a handful of dual techs, and only two triple techs, it is an easy thing to miss lol

[@VOAN]

I just play it like every other RPGs so I'm good. On RPGs that don't level up I just build stats and on RPGs that does level up I grind.

[@dunglifemovement]

I found out recently that if you reject Kid 3 times when she asks to join you at Cape Howl, it enables you to recruit Leena...

[@blairmcmackin8857]

Any word on how the "radical dreamers" portion of this game is? I love chrono cross/trigger and kind of wanna get this just for the radical dreamers part. But besides knowing it links the games together I have no clue what it is. Is it more like Trigger or cross or is it something completely different?

[@yoso378]

It's a text adventure about Serge, Kid, and Gil (unless his name changed in this remaster) infiltrating viper manor to steal the frozen flame. It's not exactly the same events that happen in Cross, and there's more direct connections with Trigger. Being a text adventure though, it may not be something everyone is going to enjoy.

[@undecunsunds123]

Grinding has purpose don’t be fooled as long as you are gaining small hp ups after fights you are improving

[@KingdomHeart556]

As a matter of fact, neglecting Kid completely thru the whole play through is best bc of Leena

[@KingdomHeart556]

The number one tip is do not save Kid. That’s pretty fucked up but it is what it is. Gotta get that Glenn (and no Korcha)

[@mr.morbiss]

Sometimes you want to steal a specific rare item from a boss so running away to try again is always an option

[@DeadSpatula]

You’ve slightly missed the distinction between star bonuses, which you get from boss fights and affect everyone, minor stat bonuses, where one stat increases after a normal battle for party members, and major stat increases, which increase multiple stats after a regular battle for party members, and only happen once per star level. For characters you regularly use, grinding a few fights (only like 3-5 in most cases) every star level to get the major stat increase to happen can be valuable if you are not speed running.

[@dougphisig]

Definitely a lot of hate in the comments for this game, i'm excited to give it a go again as I do remember enjoying it when it came out though it's definitely very non-traditional style. I'm hoping I get around to doing the secret boss correctly this time and have the patience to do it. Only thing I remember is you need to do every element which was a big pain and that the boss was really tough lol.

[@yoso378]

I liked it when I was younger but imo it hasn't really held up as well as other games (except for the presentation and good God the music is incredible too). I do think it did a lot of cool unique stuff to try and innovate RPGs even if they didn't all work out. Party levels instead of character levels and the level up system are something I think way more games would benefit from. If you are talking about the riddle boss, it's way easier as an adult with a better vocabulary lol

[@greg1486]

1) It's the best game ever made 2) It's the best game ever made 3) It's the best game ever made 4) It's the best game ever made 5) It's the best game ever made

[@shaifs5072]

The stat growth from normal battles are known as mini-growth, it is complicated but they are important. The growth gets bigger as you get more stars. They are a big chunk that are about 75% of a star growth. Not every level has a mini-growth. It is about 7 battles to get the big growth with a few star levels requiring more. Grinding is important. You can get accessories which can be broken into materials or materials itself. It will be difficult to upgrade equipment without grinding. There is more to save/don’t save kid. Don’t save kid is the hard path. Korcha is useless but Mel and Razzly are not and can only be recruited through saving Kid. You definitely want to steal from bosses. Stealing in Chrono Cross is as important as it is in FF9. Mel has a steal tech and a double tech steal with kid. If you don’t save kid, you won’t have a thief until late of the first part of the game and lose that thief very shortly. Not saving kid gives less stars, you will miss out on exploring areas before they change and thus missing out on items plus a very good early game accessory if you have Razzly. Saving kid nets you a summon very early in the game and the next tier of upgrades. By not saving kid, you won’t have access to this tier until after it becomes obsolete. It’s not a simple matter of “Korcha sux, Glenn rules”

[@UltimateDrDoom]

Korcha does suck though. Glenn likewise rules.

[@michaeld1852]

I just bought this remake, and now I need to start over because I recruited Kid. Thanks for the tips brother.

[@OzymandiasWasRight]

I bought this game YEARS ago when it first came out. Im playing it again for the first time in 20 years and realizing I remember absolutely NOTHING!! ....i just told a 16 year old girl to walk home alone after we got jumped in a graveyard. 3 times!! ...sounds like I'm gonna do it for most the game too lol. edit: oops I almost forget. Whole reason I commented. Once again thank you for the great video and tips!! I'm slowly realizing how much I liked this game but never quite gave it a fair and full playthrough. I really needed these tips! Thank you.

[@alonsosanchez70]

thank you , I will put these tips in to action once I get my physical version in the mail :)

[@useless1]

#6 - Press R3 for invincible mode

[@caseysnyder144]

Eagle Eye is one of the best elements in the game! Put it as low down on the element grid as you can and feel free to go to town with physical hits. Not to mention using strengthen as well.

[@jonmcknight18]

Yep and dremer bandana\scarf is a great accessory since it let's you use both right away.

[@Parallelepiped2]

Great tips, David! I remember my first playthrough fighting every possible battle for fun, but it really doesn’t accomplish much!

[@TheEpitomeofSass]

These are def useful tips!! Thanks David 🥰 happy chrono cross remaster day! So excited to be playing it again in this way

[@blueythedragonknight3949]

Number #6 Download a mod that will allow to swap Serge out of the party....😆😆😆 All kidding aside if you do decide to rescue Kid you gain access to Razzly, The best green Innate Mage in the game so either way you get a powerful Green innate. It's too bad that a large portion of the party members suck big time as there are only 2-4 of each innate that are actually useful.

[@sleepyprinny]

I'll take Leena, but I actually like Kid so I'm not super comfortable ditching her. Plus, she's kinda literally your soulmate, so yeah, there's that.

[@Popnwinbee]

Really awesome advice. I’d love this for other rereleases in the future for games you have a lot of knowledge on. I’d played chrono cross already, and there was still some things I learned from this

[@CalebByRamen]

Great tips David! Im gonna bookmark this for when my physical copy comes in.

[@Viertis]

I knew about turning away Kid at the start for Leana, i didnt realize you needed to turn her away at every attempt

[@sonadowfiend]

Ah, Chrono Cross... So many characters, and yet I know that my final party will always end up being Serge, Kid, and Twinblade Glenn.

[@SeveredLegs]

EXCELLENT advice, David.

[@shindoko]

Grinding is not completely usless there is a minimum amount of battles needed to max each star upgrades stats also there is a hidden counter going from 0 to 5 to add an extra layer to the grouth rates this counter starts randomly each time you hard start the game

[@immortalweapon]

Do we need to make a second save at a certain part of the game in order to have all the party members? Or does the game "remember" who we had now?

[@bandrew1442]

You can only get all of the party members by doing New Game+

[@veghesther3204]

It remembers all the party members you got even if they aren't currently in the party so for the kill final boss while Harlie is still in the party ending the party members that you had join Serge the game would still transfer those over using the Chrono Cross itself.

[@desenhoerpg]

I am playing the Dreaming text adventure. Really enjoyable. Remember the old rpg books for one person only.

[@naiomipetric722]

I love chrono cross but yeah it's flawed. But i have alotta patience lol clearly . 40 charcter isnt as bad as 100 + charcters in suikoden.

[@unknown000001000]

I have a caveat or two regarding your no-grinding suggestion. In general, it doesn't help with stats or experience, but there are times when you can use traps to get some really nice stuff (you can trap a Tornado element from the dragonfly boss, run, and repeat, for example). There's also the shiny materials you get from killing enemies with summons. Each rainbow weapon requires one of each to forge and you're going to need to do some harvesting to get them. :3 Also, steal from bosses when you can. They can have some really good stuff. :3

[@veghesther3204]

That requires the Don't Save Kid route to trap Tornado but on a 1st run I'll always do the Save Kid route.

[@unknown000001000]

@@veghesther3204 Actually, Wingapede can be put off until later if you want to do the Save Kid route. However, that would mean that you wouldn't get Razzly as a result. :3

[@veghesther3204]

Exactly and even though I never use Razzly in battle their still a trophy for having all party members in the roster besides Lynx so I'd rather fight trap tornado off of it on a 2nd run of the game.

[@Arc_Anzu]

I wish I knew about which boss/enemy have which element, what traps do I need to use and when. You can easily miss some good elements entirely. About ditching Kid... I always thought that was a dick move. I like Kid. It's just mean to ditch her on your first playthrough. I did it only on the second one and on to see other stuff and collect everything.

[@yoso378]

I guess that's why you can run from bosses? If you see them use an element you can trap you can run and set the trap to your grid. This was also the era of hiding missable stuff to sell guides and Square games were notorious for it around this time...

[@sonofthefakegod]

I have always taken kid right away because I assume u had to But this time I will refuse her

[@Riz2336]

I wish I knew the thing about kid but I messed up and decided to rescue her not knowing about what your talking about in this vid

[@JRPG-Mickey]

Nice tips David! Appreciated this one!

[@robbyfilth7685]

Thanks for the tips. Just started this morning!

[@chevchelios6116]

That I was going to love it for the rest of my life ❤

[@BadVideoManIsAwesome]

My approach to RPGs is early game area grinding than bulldozerings through any and all enemies 😉

[@DCGMakuto]

#2 is only half right. While you don't get exp like in other games, the number of battles you have in between Star battles decides how many bonuses you get. So, more battles mean more Star bonuses. also the battle system is too great not to just fight everything you see.

[@robinjapan1463]

#5 Talk to everyone... Twice. (That includes letters)

[@financeoholic]

Okay yeah I completely forgot about these but they're super userful.

[@anthinyzamarron4115]

Always Wake the black dragon up.. the fight isn’t that hard but the payoff is worth it to be able to smith rainbow gear

[@davidshuttleworth]

Excellent intel, I wish I knew all of this before I played CC for the first time. I missed out on so many characters and wasted a lot of time “grinding” for nothing 😂

[@JohnsonJJohnson33]

Hi David! That's all, just wanted to say Hi

[@maddux1188]

Great job on this!!

[@Rob_Thorsman]

I remember when Chrono Cross originally released I was getting ready for another year at college. I bought Wild Arms 2 that day. I never regretted my choice.

[@tdblackboxx6866]

I wish I knew what was going on in the story. Like, I understand where it wants me to go in order to progress, but what is even the plot? I've played the game on many occasions and it never makes sense to me. As soon as I put the game down, I forget everything. Still had fun, despite the games flaws and convoluted narrative.

[@jeremydavidson1420]

excellent video david and i admit those are some good pointers to playing this game but fun fact i actully do try to save kid because i want to challenge myself but regardless a excellent video

[@datratchet9245]

I am extremely tempted to get this on the switch! This wasn’t the first RPG I played, but it was the first one I played through very seriously and enjoyed as a kid! I’m just afraid of getting stuck on it 😬

[@yoso378]

If I remember right, I think there's only one boss in the game that's both difficult and in a place where you can't leave. Every other tough boss you can leave and regroup, get better gear/ elements, etc, so the game is pretty manageable for the most part

[@PastingKing]

@@yoso378 I believe you are talking about the Miguel boss fight