Chrono Trigger: An In-Depth Psychological Analysis

[@RebeccaETripp]

If you enjoyed this video, please consider sharing this video, subscribing to my channel, or supporting me on Subscribestar, where you may potentially influence my upcoming content! www.subscribestar.com/rebeccaetripp Thanks for watching! More links are in the description. :)

[@thehurricane6767]

I really enjoyed this, especially for one of my all-time favorites. Thank you for making this

[@RebeccaETripp]

@Vincent Valentine Much appreciated! :)

[@napoleonfeanor]

This reminded me of some very old videos of Aydin Paladin about other SNES RPGs like Earthbound. I think she is now only doing based social science/psychology videos that are extremely well sourced.

[@TheMightyMcClaw]

I'm amazed at how deep your analyses go - you have such an incredible knack for semiotics, it's really impressive. Did you study psych/philosophy formally in school? Or just self-taught?

[@RebeccaETripp]

@@TheMightyMcClaw Thank you! It's all self taught. Most of these videos are based on my observations, but they branch into established ideas/common archetypal ideas, etc.

[@jeffharrison6059]

Finding a two hour analysis on the Chrono Trigger universe is why I love the Internet, and I'm here for it.

[@RebeccaETripp]

I hope you enjoyed it!

[@maguszeal5818]

I did. 😊​@@RebeccaETripp

[@gloving4hire]

I watched it 3 or 4 times. I hope this channel makes a video on FF6/FF7/CT/and XenoGears one day. They all share the same idea

[@jahllygood]

Found myself truly crying by the end. Not only my most favorite game series but such a deep and validating analysis that gives me hope for life, both my own and for all others.

[@RebeccaETripp]

I'm very pleased that it moved you! Goodness knows, I've shed many of my own, while thinking about all of these things!

[@rafaelrasillo7356]

I've listened to this three times over in the past 3 days. It was beautifully done to match the game that wildly impacted my childhood.

[@RebeccaETripp]

That is very heartwarming and encouraging! Thank you so much!

[@astralbuddha]

That of all things possible in the universe, a timeless passion project game called Chrono Trigger decided to manifest and create a deep ripple across a subsection of our species. It is a video game yet it is so much more. That even 20+ years later, it is still being talked about passionately and deeply is quite fascinating. It very much feels like a part of me that I carry with me, emanating it's value, the memories, the feelings, the thrill, the passion. Crazy how something made of 0's and 1's and circuit boards and crystals contains such an unforgettable story that transcends time. Life continues to move on, new experiences, new advances in technology, everything oh~so transient, the human experience, and yet despite how small and short lived everything in this grand cosmos of physical imagination is, something as culturally niche as this game can yet hold such powerful resonance and inspiring influence over a large collective of souls. It's quite fascinating that out of all the things consciousness could choose to experience and manifest and be touched by, it chose something as strangely specific as this. I am grateful for how it has shaped my character and musical style.

[@RebeccaETripp]

And it gets more amazing when you think about the fact that, for instance, even your comment here is just as precious and unlikely as Chrono Trigger. Chrono Trigger is literally about the unlikely and precious moments in time/life. All of consciousness resulted in you, thinking about this, right now!

[@bemasaberwyn55]

I think this game basically represents an absolutely perfect storm in order to get off the ground. To have the creative minds that dreamt up Final Fantasy Dragon Quest and of course Dragon Ball, meet and decide that they want to make a game together. Then at roughly around the same time have a young sound engineer approach his boss hironobu sakaguchi and tell him if you don't make me a composer I am leaving this company. Together with a team made up of some of the best and brightest working at Square at the time, having said sound engineer give himself stomach ulcers because of how hard he was working especially after his computer crashed and he lost over 60% of the game tracks that he had composed, and bringing in Final Fantasy mainstay nobuo uematsu in order to help finish the game score. Only to have the critical reception of said game basically put it at the top of essentially every RPG list to ever be published in the last damn near thirty years is Quite a feat in and of itself. But like you say then there's the added mark of the audience reception we're pretty much every person that I have ever spoken to with regards to this game those who know about it have it listed as one of their favourite RPGs as well as recommended the game add nauseam to their friends who enjoy RPGs. Something that I myself am guilty of because is definitely something that was shall we say radical for the game industry at the time

[@jmolvin9055]

It's my all time favorite game!

[@gargamellenoir8460]

Please note that the nostalgic time for better simpler days that Rebbecca brilliantly describes has always existed. Long before smartphone or even writing, adults longed for a mystical golden age (that was really just the fond memories of their childhood). In many way Zeal is a representation of that lost half remembered golden age we all long for. And guess what? Even when you somehow find it again, it's not actually better than your current life, if you play your cards right and appreciate what you have.

[@RebeccaETripp]

100%

[@liamnehren1054]

this! I have always appreciated what I have and never understood nostalgia until the death of a close one but even then it wasn't for the past per say.

[@alanpapercuts3717]

@@liamnehren1054 Self-aware people recognize that we are not nostalgic for the past, we are nostalgic for WHO WE WERE in the past. We miss not having their absence inside us. We miss being more innocent. That's what what nostalgia truly is... that's why we you get the thing you're nostalgic for, it's never the same as it was. Because we aren't the same, and who we were, is what we really miss.

[@Sean-dl8ym]

I actually disagree. I've moved to a commune and nostalgia has finally become a moot point to me, because my life now contains a lot of the things I missed both in my past and in humanity's past. I've never felt more alive, more present and more human than I do now. I think nostalgia is very valid.

[@ainternetfalhou]

Things are changing very fast and I feel like this game has so much to say about today's world and how technology are affecting our lives. But today I'm very grateful to the algorithm for recommending me this video! I feel very happy seeing someone doing such a great work in showing how meaningful this game can be. Thank you!

[@Mychel_Nox]

This game is an absolute masterpiece-and so is this analysis. Thank you. 👍

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thanks! 🍬 I appreciate that a lot!

[@WoodymC]

I can still remember "the old days" about 20 years back when I booted the game for the first time: It started with a peaceful opening and excellent soothing music, but then things quickly evolved into some fascinating time travel action and, compared to the Final Fantasy series, story unfolding seemed a bit quicker -- but still with a huge number of surprises, turns and twists along the way. When I found out that the game had not just one, but instead more than a dozen of possible endings, I picked it up again to figure out as many of them as possible... However, I never dug into the game as deep as you and many others did, so this analysis just turned this game from 2D into 4D for me! Especially, the dreamstone/sunstone mission, Zeal kingdom and the Black Omen plus all the entanglements with Lavos and their implications were a thing that I could never grasp in detail; yet, this has become much more transparent to me, thanks to your excellent and well-organized explanations. Speaking of time, putting together all of these puzzle pieces for sure must have been a demanding and time-consuming task -- hats off from my side for creating a two-hour timeless (LOL, punintendo ^^) documentary on this! Guess I should tackle Chrono Cross as well, which I still haven't played...yet. Last but not least, *thank you so much* for letting me be a part of your amazing work by contributing some background music. It's been both a pleasure _and_ an honor! 😊

[@RebeccaETripp]

It was my pleasure also, Woody! I hope you liked the way your track was implemented!

[@WoodymC]

@@RebeccaETripp Sure, I did! Also, I had to smile when I recognized cha0s' Schala theme ^^

[@MissInkeNoir]

This is one of the most beautiful and wonderful videos I've ever seen. The depth of insight is matched only by the gentleness and kindness of your presentation. Thank you so much. You're a blessed individual and I wish you only good things. Stay Gold.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you so much! I'm deeply honoured! 🌧️⛅🌈⛅🌧️

[@liamnehren1054]

After his resurrection, I'm not sure if anyone else picked up on how Chrono feels different as a character. Before his death he has a lot of unique interactions while after resurrecting him with the Chrono Trigger he reacts just like everyone else does if they are the party leader at that time. Even his death is very main character of him. Everyone is knocked out and he gets up to take on the final attack which would have killed them all. I thought of two symbolic meanings of this: -He really has lost something. He's a shell brought back to life but the Chrono we actually knew still died when the puppet from the fair was incinerated. The resurrected Chrono is just a coping mechanism for the main party so that they can come to terms with his loss and while alive and with his memories there is something missing which in the short term is overlooked. -His element was also supposed to symbolize a guiding light, lightning/light and after his death the light passes on to the group as a whole. The rest take up the slack and together learn to do what he did so when he is resurrected they are on par with him instead of the companions on his journey.

[@RebeccaETripp]

I'd had some similar thoughts! Gameplay-wise, it's because his presence is no longer crucial to any of the missions, but I feel like it's symbolic in exactly the way you expressed! Crono has experienced something indescribable (even if he could talk haha), and he is no one of several main characters, instead of the leading man.

[@twilightfox014]

I can't believe that one of your videos actually showed up on my feed. So cool! That has not happened in all the time that I have been following your channel until tonight.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Well, I'm glad it showed up! I worked so hard on this one, and it's my birthday, so thanks for watching. I hope you liked it. :3

[@ThomasMHead]

Chrono Trigger... It is no coincidence that it was made by a gathering of gifted creators dubbed "the Dream Team." And it is no coincidence that it transcends time and console generation to stand as not only an all-time great game, but a fantastic story. Whether it was intended or not, this story contains perhaps endless lore and symbolism to explore and ponder. A window into eternity and infinity! And what a masterful examination you have made of this rich material, Rebecca! Most impressive work, from your mind and your heart!

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thanks so much! :)

[@liamnehren1054]

I love the trilogy of the games. they each explore very different concepts of reality, Time, Sense of Self and Dimension. Ever played Radical dreamers? I wonder what a 4th game would even cover an wish the second game got more love and a remake. Serge feels even realer then his persona in Chrono Cross while as far as I remember never even appearing in the few images in the text based game. You feel heart broken at the end when Kid, awoken as Schala and Magus abandon him for his own safety, not respecting his (lack of) strength while caring for him deeply. All of their troubles in fights come from him since in that world he is a bard, having never picked up the Swallow but just like the bard character in a DnD he is integral to the party reaching their objective which sadly leads to them abandoning him. That diary in the intro of Chrono Cross? it's that Serge's diary lamenting never seeing his true love again.

[@MinecraftMartin]

If you want to see another result of a Japanese "dream team", check out Yellow Magic Orchestra. Think early 80s band that married video game music and Japanese - western stereotypical pop style. I don't know how else to explain it, but the three guys were also considered a dream team on the music side. I believe they inspired a lot of the "video game sound" that followed ... to some extent. I'm no expert

[@Makkaru112]

Now please do this for Chrono Cross. Your videos in this style are a refreshing version of some of the other channels out there who made great videos of this nature. ❤

[@RebeccaETripp]

It's already in the works! ^_^ One for CC, and one for TotK are imminent! Thanks!

[@jamesmuir5262]

Genuinely incredible. You're a highly educated, thorough and intellectually authoritive individual and concurrently spiritually connected. You have rare gifts, continue to use them well.

[@RebeccaETripp]

I appreciate this greatly! I want to make so many more things like this, and I find comments like this very encouraging! ^_^ Thanks!

[@jamesmuir5262]

No worries at all, I sincerely mean it!

[@TimPiatek]

Thank you for the beautiful, calming, and nostalgic video. Glad I stumbled upon it.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thanks a lot! :) And you're welcome!

[@KeroGero89]

I like your explanations of lavos, the dreamstones, and the mystics. They included things that I hadn't known or thought of before. Thanks for the video!

[@RebeccaETripp]

Hey, thanks a lot!

[@David-uc4hc]

This video is incredible and powerful. I didn't know there was much else to really explore with Chrono Trigger and I'm grateful I was wrong. 🙏 I'm very moved.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you so much! ^_^

[@TheDoomKnight]

I would like to say thank you for this video. This is beyond words. Your analysis of my all-time favorite story hit hard, it all made perfect sense, just wonderful. Paired with your beautiful, soothing voice, this made my day of driving all the better. Have you seen Chrono Trigger the Musical by Man on the Internet? If you haven't, I cannot recommend it enough. They did am incredible job with the voice acting, the songs, and expressing the story through its music. One thing I'd like to talk about is Lucca. She truly is the best character in the game. Her arc in the story is my favorite because of how poignant it is. I have some ideas of what is lurking in that head of hers, and while it's not confirmed, there is evidence to back up my claims. I believe Lucca may have been in love with Crono, or at the very least, romantically interested. Perhaps she had planned on telling him at the Millenial Fair, after her show, but instead, he shows up with a girl (Marle). She tried to play it cool, but then the events happen, throwing her plans off. Still, she wants to help him save Marle, so off she gows doing what she does best. But then this girl nearly gets him executed (and really, how did Lucca manage to sneak into Guardia castle not once, but twice???), thrown into a desolate future, and drawn into a dangerous quest to kill a planetary parasite. Even still, she persists, remaining by her side to help Crono along the way. Without her, this quest wouldn't have been possible, but perhaps she doesn't see it that way. Throughout their quest, she sees every companiom go through an arc, to go through events that give their lives meaning, that have HISTORICAL importance. Frog defeating Magus and coming to terms with Cyrus' death to become the Hero of Guardia. Ayla defeating the Reptites and paving the way for humanity. Marle making amends with her father and stopping another invasion by Yakra. Crono falling in love with the princess and becoming a hero in many time periods. Even Magus gets a redemption arc that brings peace between humans and fiends. But Lucca? What historical importance does she have? During the events of Chrono Trigger... she has none. There is nothing for her. So when everyone is asleep in the forest, she sneaks off and forces open a time gate. She knows it is wrong, she knows it is dangerous, but after all she has been through, she feels like she deserves it. After all, it's not historically important. SHE is not historically important. What consequences could it possibly have? And so she goes back to that day and saves her mother from being injured. A small selfish act for someone who had been so selfless and caring throughout the entire game. This is my personal theory. If you bring Marle up Death Peak to save Crono, she will throw herself on him, regardless of who else is in the party. However, if you bring Lucca and leave Marle behind, Lucca is the one who throws herself onto Crono. That kind of embrace is not one mere friends would do. That is the embrace of true love. Ayla does not do this. None of the men do. Only Marle and Lucca do this, and Lucca will only do it if Marle is not present. Lucca is absolutely the best character and no one can change my mind. Again, thank you for this video. I have subscribed and will check out the rest of your videos. God bless.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Well, that was a very emotional ride. :'0 After all these years, I never knew about Lucca throwing herself on Crono! Thanks so much for sharing, and for your support! Edit: Oh, and I have, indeed, heard and enjoyed Chrono Trigger the Musical!

[@grantmerrill8865]

This is so beautifully done. You've really made Chrono Trigger shine, and watching this has made me want to start a new playthrough!

[@RebeccaETripp]

I'm glad this touched you, Grant! :)

[@crono3339]

After playing Chrono trigger for a quarter century, each decade I play it means more than the one before. It hits hard, not only with nostalgia but relevance. It is a deeply philosophical game. You have such a perception on the depth of meaning in games. A very calming voice and I can sense a deep wisdom of experience in your voice friend. Magic!

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you! You obviously have similar thoughts about the series! ^_^ I appreciate the comment!

[@crono3339]

​@@RebeccaETripp I love what you said about the nostalgia that Marle brings. Her music really opens the heart and after not having played it for maybe ten years I had to just close my eyes and absorb the feeling of the past and the friends I miss who also share a love for RPG games.

[@Abyssoft]

I watched this video over three days after I finished editing my own works at night and loved the discussion on magic; it's a recurring theme in fantasy that as humanity tames the world creature and magic escape to more esoteric locales, you see this in The Witcher as not only are the monsters becoming less common and more remote as cities are established but Witchers themselves are becoming a rare commodity as their services are needed less and less. Dragonlance dealt with this topic in such detail that the gods themselves abandoned the world as the races that represent humanity had thought themselves no longer dependent on the boons of gods.

[@RebeccaETripp]

There is some significance there in terms of evolutionary psychology as well! Our real world is the same - industrialization is in lockstep with "reason", and, therefore, the abandonment of ancient notions of danger (ie monsters). However, new "monsters" appear in strange and unlikely places! Thanks for stopping by! ^^

[@matttyree1002]

An interesting thing to note about Marle is that on the game's box art, it shows her casting Fire onto Crono's sword as he and Frog are rushing toward Heckran (they are performing the Arc Impulse triple tech). It seems clear that Marle was originally going to use the Fire element instead of Ice. The symbolism is there if you look at her real name, Nadia, which is also Aidan, spelled backwards. Aidan is a Gaelic name that means "Little Fire" - obviously they changed her element at some point in development. Maybe the fact that its backward implies the opposite? "Big Ice" ? And there's also the contrast of Little Fire (Aidan) vs Fire Big (La Vos)... just some food for thought :)

[@RebeccaETripp]

Good catch, whether or not that was intended! :D I always assumed the box art was made earlier in the process, but never considered that fire was meant to be connected to Marle in a deep way at any point!

[@magvs_mæstro216]

That food for thought, was sehr gut/very good. Incredibly interesting indeed.

[@Guts_Brando]

Actually, it might just be representing the triple tech of her, frog and crono

[@skippyzk]

This lucca analysis is pure gold

[@dudeskeela]

wow this was so well written and really woke me up to why i love chrono trigger so much. its so interesting how we can know something unconsciously like that! happy i found your channel!

[@RebeccaETripp]

I'm very glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@phoenyck]

I really enjoyed this deep dive! Something I never thought about is the symbolic idea behind Robo being the one to replant the forest, as in human's technological and logical extreme coming back to terms with nature.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Yeah! They even gave him green eyes, and caused him to have "primal" feelings of guilt and friendship!

[@Theweirdtophat]

I had wondered if maybe Lavos was one of many species that follow it's nature and does it what it does, which is drain the planet and create spawn to repeat the process. I wondered if maybe it was created like all creatures naturally or perhaps was it an artificial creature. Maybe made by an advanced being or beings, trying to create the perfect life form and it went out of control. Lavos doesn't just drain everything, but he has the dna of every creature that has ever lived on Earth. In a sense, he's like Cell from Dragon Ball Z. Aside from looking like Cell's imperfect form when you go inside the Lavos Shell, he also has the dna of others, like Cell consists of DNA of the best fighters around and can use their abilities, much like how Lavos can use the abilities of other beings you fought. And Cell can also create spawn of his own, like Lavos does. Lavos seems animal like, but there seems to be a lot of intelligence behind it. It's smart enough to corrupt Zeal's mind and keep her around as an asset. It could be that it is so intelligent, we as humans can't fully grasp it, much like how we cannot comprehend the great old ones from Lovecraft, which is interesting, since Lavos has some Lovecraftian traits.

[@imnobodywhoareyouu]

What a beautiful video. I completed this videogame for the first time when I was a teenager and it’s a masterpiece that imprinted my soul. Now at 32 I got it from Steam and started a new game. Last time I played it was in my early 20s and I’ve grown so much since then. Let’s see how the experience is this time.

[@Mia-Solastasia]

Good lord, you really got me with that speech about how humanity craves that which it is most denied. That has been my entire existence and only intensifies as I age. I yearn for the presence and simplicity of this nebulous idea of the past, but fear its true reality, the return to a physical hardship that I am not equipped to handle. After all, I have no way of truly knowing how difficult my ancestors' lives were, and have no desire to romanticize it. It has been something I've been thinking about recently for a while, and your words really helped me to understand it. It is in lockstep with realizations I had from playing Endwalker/Final Fantasy XIV, which could be boiled down to having similar themes as Chrono Trigger in some ways. When a society progresses far too much in one direction, to the detriment of everything else. This is exemplified in your discussion of pursuing the purely physical or spiritual to the detriment of all living things. Progress must be mindful, otherwise, it risks becoming like Lavos - a mindless all-consuming being that devours all in its wake for the perpetuation of its own existence and nothing else. The deep hunger within the guts of mankind that you described. I feel humanity's correct way forward is to be the balance of the past and future ideals, much as you say Crono is. It's simple to say we should all just return to the old ways, but we stand to lose much in doing so. The medical technology that can save lives, the increased understanding of how we shouldn't just shun those who are different from us - our present and future bring many benefits. At the same time though, we musn't leave the past behind completely. We must strive to leave some room for simplicity and bonding with nature in our progress, to merge it in a peaceful balance whilst avoiding the ills of both. This is profound and a masterpiece that I feel transcends the original vision of the game. Thank you for creating such brilliance. I really needed it - especially now during a time of turmoil in my life.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thanks for your comment! :D I feel that your level of understanding of all these subjects is very well established! I completely agree about humanity's "way forward". There's no other way to do it - whether we're talking about lifestyle, ecology, social dynamics, economics, or politics, there are incredibly positive and destructive things both behind and ahead of us. PS, I'm really glad this video came at a meaningful moment in your life!

[@TheZeroDestroyer]

Chrono Trigger is ART.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Yes sir!

[@MagnumWhisper]

As a diehard fan, collector and #1 Speedrunner of Chrono Trigger, I approve of this video!

[@RebeccaETripp]

Wow, thanks! ^_^

[@tsukai1]

I just discovered your channel. Nearly halfway through and I have to say really well done. Its amazing how your analysis of the game mirrors a deep reflection of our world. With so many quotable sentences. Especially this: sic Zeals disdain towards the earthbound citizens symbolizes a deep scorn towards the more humble animalistic parts of the human psyche which specifically exposes the fear of it's own limitations. It's so called treatment of those so called unenlightened folk is not simply a depiction of prejudice. It is a reflection of human fragility. Change enlightened to privileged and this almost perfectly describes the nature of our world. Well said!!!

[@SurprisedPika666]

Your voice is soooo nice. So soothing and relaxing.

[@jaynine6380]

I can't possibly describe in words how deeply touching this video was to me... Thank you so so so sooooo much for all the hard work you put into this, from the bottom of my heart

[@RebeccaETripp]

You're very welcome! Thank you as well! I'm glad it touched you!

[@MarkProdger13]

Very intelligent and well spoken. Thanks for this great video

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you as well! ^_^

[@blakerackley8874]

So happy to see others moved by Chrono Trigger, like I was throughout my young life. I can say that I gained an immense amount of creative encouragement from CT and the early Final Fantasy games, thanks for making this video!

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you as well! Countless creative souls were nourished by these games!

[@stevenolsen1260]

I love how the game sorta hides the more complex themes behind a veneer of lighthearted adventure.

[@FrenchBasicsStream]

You have noticeable gifts in metaphysics and psychology, I estimate this video at... maximum calibration as probably all your philosophy and psychology videos. Also, always this feeling of nostalgia sensible in all your productions.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you for saying that! And happy when I can reach someone, and open something up inside them!

[@FrenchBasicsStream]

@@RebeccaETripp It is obvious you were born to touch people's heart.

[@cyanlos01]

This was the best essay on Chrono Trigger I've ever seen.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it that much! :D

[@swordofkings128]

Thanks for making this video, I've played through CT a million times, read all the popular theories, kept praying for the mythical Chrono Break announcement that we'll never hear about at this point and know pretty much all there is to know about CT (CC to a lesser extent though). So I'm not dying to watch youtube videos about CT. But I saw "psychological analysis" and thought "this might be interesting" and this video didn't disappoint! Love the vibe and the perspective on the game.

[@RebeccaETripp]

I'm glad you enjoyed this, and that it added something new for you! I think we can glean entire universes from art, especially when it has a sandbox of meaning like a lot of square games do!

[@drainbamage2]

Oh, I randomly clicked this video for a relaxing backdrop while doing chores and stumbled upon a prolific look at one of my favorite games. Thank you for this. I enjoyed it immensely and then checked the rest of the challenge. To my delight, my eyes beheld VGM remixes in abundance! Seems I've found a rabbit hole Alice might want to check out. Keep up the great work.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you so much! I hope you will enjoy the music as well! :')

[@jpdv]

Thank you for a lovely and, timeless, afternoon :)

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you, too! :D

[@inteligentidiot7233]

20 some years after playing this game, one of my favorite things is finding think pieces about it, and this one is definitely near the top. Very thoughtful perspectives on many things I never even considered. Beautifully done. Side note: while I did not expect an ASMR session at 45:36, I'm not going to complain one bit. Between your voice, words, and sounds of nature, that was straight up hypnotic.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Hey, thank you! ^_^ Hot chocolate: ☕

[@tleevz1]

This is fantastic. Thank you for your thoughtful analysis.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thanks for watching!

[@AnalyticalReckoner]

I've played CT a lot and have heard a lot of people discuss it on youtube. I find your take on the game very well put together and insightful in ways others aren't.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you so much! ^_^

[@jroden06]

Now that I’ve finished it I think this may be the best Chrono Trigger analysis I’ve ever watched. Cannot wait for more of your content!!

[@RebeccaETripp]

I really appreciate that! I have some similar content on my channel already if you're interested. I did a whole series about the Zelda franchise!

[@MinecraftMartin]

Never really gave it much though until now, but I think Magus is also the only character in the game to use assertive hand gestures for spell casting. I think all the other characters perform more of a chant or prayer with their hands clasped or their arms raised. Magus looks more like he's not requesting or praying for anything, but rather giving an order with instructions. In other words, Magus seems to own magic. The others seem to have a working relationship with it. Probably just the devs making Magus look more intimidating, but it's fun to think about.

[@RebeccaETripp]

"In other words, Magus seems to own magic" Indeed, that is the very essence of a "magus" from an archetypal standpoint! That's a great observation! He commands it in an almost "mechanical" way, alike to a scientist or mathematician.

[@ThomasMHead]

I like this interpretation! Even Spekkio was impressed: saying Magus could probably teach him a thing or two.

[@WandersNowherre]

Oh man yeah I remember how distinctive Magus' spellcasting animations were. That really stuck in my mind all these years.

[@somewords5495]

This video made a lot of sense to me... I am somewhat educated in philosophy, but my path took me more down the realm of visual arts and writing. Chrono Trigger always has this timeless experience to it, a feeling of being brought not only to the past within the game, but also to our own past, when we first experienced the game as children. There's a lot of hidden emotional depth to the story that a lot of people can come in tune with, yet others overlook it. The connections to dreams, the unconscious, and nostalgia parallel my own experiences with these aspects of human experience, and it was wonderful to watch someone discuss these aspects in detail.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you have those kinds of experiences with art/games! It's something I strive to inspire, personally!

[@PabbyPabbles]

There's diminishing returns to be sure, but every replay of Chrono shakes loose at least a few fresh ideas, and your take on the origin of the Mystics was new to me. Genius game.

[@SuperLumianaire]

At 52:52, what you said about the dependency upon magic in the monarchy is just absolutely based. You've made my morning.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Pretty close to real life!

[@RPGFort]

This is one of the best Chrono Trigger videos on all of KZbin, well done Rebecca!

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you so much!

[@memetica2844]

the paintings and it's art concept, your breakdown of this subject and the explanation in general it's amazing. Congratulations for giving your time and effort to such a complex topic like CT is, from the deepest of my heart, I THANK YOU. Maybe best that there is on CT reviews up to this day, Sep 2023.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you very much! :'D

[@justingarcia9792]

I absolutely loved this. My favorite Chrono Trigger analysis that I've come across. Thank you so much.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you so much!

[@SJ-co6nk]

This reminds me of an author who wrote a novel length book analyzing spec ops: the line. Lots of insights in this work that are unique and novel, I really enjoyed it

[@sitsat789]

Wow this is an amazing watch! It's always nice to be reminded that there are people out there that care about a game from 1995 as much as me 😂

[@Luffz]

Amazing work Rebecca! I've consumed alot of Chrono related content, and this is easily the most cohesive analysis I've seen regarding the more symbolic/philosophical aspects of it. I learned (and felt) a lot watching this video.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you very much!

[@arne0107]

That was an absolutely beautiful video. I have felt a lot of the things you discussed for decades, but could never describe them like you did.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thanks so much! That means a lot!

[@0lAllan]

One of the best of it's kind. It was also one of the first games in which I recall thinking video games could have quality stories. It was one of a few games which I was into from it's release. I'd like to pay it again someday. 14-15 are pretty important years in a person's life and through those years Chrono Trigger was one of the games I played the most. Point being it stuck with me. It's simply one of my all-time favorite games. Thank you for this video.

[@Dank_Engine]

This has always been my favorite game. My mom didn’t have a lot of money. But she spent bought me two games that changed my life. Chrono Trigger and FFVI. When I was in middle school, I beat this game so many times and got all the endings.

[@Frank-bn9us]

Just wanted to say Thank You for continuing to upload to this day!

[@RebeccaETripp]

Well, thank you for watching/listening! It encourages me to keep going! :D

[@EnjoySackLunch]

Experiencing [note: not watching] this was as close to a zen like clarity I’ve ever had the fortune to absorb. Thank you very much.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Well, I'm deeply honoured that it brought you to that level! ^_^ Thanks so much!

[@NievePersistente]

I really enjoyed every second of this analysis, thank you so much!

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you as well! ^_^

[@shawnl1155]

I've been following you for 10 years now and I'm just so happy that you do what you do. Thank you for this, it was wonderful. :)

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you as well! I'm deeply honoured that you've stuck around this long! ☕🥧

[@jasonberezowski2869]

I've watched a ton of these analysis videos on CT, because it's one of my favorite games of all time, and I think you did a really good job on this one. It's clear from the way you talk about it, that you truly appreciate the small details of the game and really did a good job with this video. Thanks for doing this!

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thanks! ^_^

[@darianagnew6524]

So a few minutes into this video, I was hooked! I have yet to complete my first watch, but your intentions, attention to details, and story telling abilities are noteworthy! ❤

[@RebeccaETripp]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks! :D

[@willrobert4197]

Greatly appreciate you taking the time to delve into something that could help shine a light on different viewpoints. And even help others discover more about the game, and themselves.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thanks a lot! That's really, honestly what I wanted to do! 💚

[@willrobert4197]

@@RebeccaETripp Keep up the good work! You're doing great!!

[@QuestionAllTheThings]

I love this game. It was the first piece of media that really made me think about the vastness of time and how precious our few fleeting moments really are. When I completed the game for the first time and heard that music, I cried. I cried because it was over, but also because I realized how small I was, and how unimportant I was in the grand scheme. But I also found comfort in that same notion. I didn't exist before, I may not exist for much longer, but I'm here now. And no matter how good or bad my existence is, it will end, and time marches on. I also loved your video. I feel like I learned a lot, so thank you for creating and sharing.

[@RebeccaETripp]

You're very welcome! It sounds like you have been thinking about the same ideas! ^_^ Thanks for watching!

[@SerpentineDeity]

Okay she just sitting there menacingly drinking tea while talking about catastrophe. I am now subscribed.

[@RebeccaETripp]

☕

[@loganlogon3720]

You truly are beautiful Rebecca, you're mastery of words and deep philosophical understanding/comprehension is utterly magical. Thank you for the laughter and tears you share with us, they mean a lot.❤

[@RebeccaETripp]

I really appreciate that! Thank you so much! 🌹

[@flantos23]

this is the best video essay ive yet watched, and ive seen at least a dozen

[@RebeccaETripp]

Wow! That really means a lot to me! ^_^ Thanks a lot.

[@flantos23]

@@RebeccaETripp thank you for the extremely pleasant two hours

[@christopherwoodjr235]

This was an absolute pleasure to enjoy. My friend shared this and I am so glad he did. I am honestly speechless

[@RebeccaETripp]

I really appreciate you checking it out! I'm very passionate about this series. I might do one for Chrono Cross later. ^_^

[@yarnpenguin]

I am an Old(tm) which means I played Chrono Trigger as a young teen when it first came out, and to this day it remains both one of the best games I've ever played and one of my favourites (which, for me, don't always have a 1:1 correlation if I was to rank games). Anyway, this video is absolutely fantastic, and you should be incredibly proud of the work you've done here. I have zero complaints. :)

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you! It means a lot to be able to do it justice!

[@ModdingNewbie]

I was 21 when this game came out... to this day I believe it represents the height of 2-D graphical art on the Super Nintendo. The story, mechanics and use of color are still amazing to me... didn't see a better game for the next 8 years. This one got me through a very dark time in my life back then. Your essay is intriguing. Nice piece of work! :)

[@redpointt]

I absolutely loved this video, I don’t think I’ve ever seen something quite like it, and I am a die hard Chrono Trigger fan since it came out. Thank you for the insight, and the very articulate philosophy and spirituality too!

[@krysc96]

Am eternally grateful for this 💚 I was looking for more content on Chrono trigger all year and was disappointed how little coverage it has. I actually have an abandoned yt search for "Chrono Trigger Psycho analysis." This couldn't be any more perfect

[@RebeccaETripp]

Glad you enjoyed it! I've seen a lot of analysis videos for Square games, but if feels like they rarely cover the material in the ways I want!

[@SamyaprasaDasa]

Thank you for applying your mind and your heart to this video! I experienced it as well-reasoned, refreshing, life-affirming and courageous. The most intriguing section for me begins at 1:36:06, where you discuss 3 types of developed consciousness. I was immediately reminded of the conclusions of devotional Vedanta, India's philosophical school of transcendent personalism, as summarized in the Bhagavata Purana. Amazingly, the three types of consciousness you describe align closely to the paths of karma (reason applied to empirical phenomena, discrimination of the auspicious and inauspicious), which naturally leads to jnana (realization of the impermanence and illusory nature of all categories, leading to the beginnings of self-awareness as non-material units of consciousness) and ultimately bhakti (full-fledged understanding of our intrinsic and unique personal nature, applied in loving service in relationship to the Transcendent Whole). Sorry for the heady and wordy reply, but the symmetries were just too perfect and I had to share! Also your point is well-taken about the popular unwillingness to view ourselves as persons, in the ultimate sense. It's as if, having been let down so often, we recoil from the possibility of essential personhood. "Better to merge into the formless!", we conclude out of fear. Well, thank you for shining a light. May you keep learning, growing and sharing, Yours with gratitude and encouragement, Shamyaprasa Dasa

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! ^_^ I do also wonder if those wisemen were inspired by various dharmic teachings! I feel like we are kindred souls! If you like Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom, in a couple days, I'm about to upload a video like this one, but for those games. :3

[@erkhardtify]

Oh wow, you are unabashedly beautiful. I followed for your FF arrangements but am now staying for your other skills >.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you so much, for your comment, and for taking the time to check everything out! ^^

[@Jimmyisabot]

every time you say "for the time being" or any similar phrase I chuckle a bit :) this game deserves all the content in the world!

[@old_manclearwater3438]

Chrono Trigger's soundtrack is such an excellent example of atmospheric storytelling.

[@GoldenYoshi1]

I'm so, so glad I found this video and your channel. This game...this game has literally shaped so much of who I am growing up, starting from when I watched my sister play it as a small child, to later playing it myself and learning a lot from it during tougher times in my life. I just wanna say, thank you for creating this. Here we go!

[@RebeccaETripp]

Well, thank you too! That means a lot!

[@mesektet5776]

Belthasar: “Congratulations kids, you messed around with time so much you created a time distortion, and his name is ‘Serge’! Don’t worry, I got this!”

[@liamnehren1054]

Porre getting strong enough to destroy Guardia and kill our boy might have been part of his plan but I think it was suggested that the fused timeline has no Porre military... so maybe he was a little mad but gave them the out of his plan succeeding.

[@thetraveler184]

WAIT WHAT What's this? I played the entire game and don't record of that

[@mesektet5776]

@@thetraveler184 Yup. Remember when Dalton falls off the Epoch while trying to hijack it in Chrono Trigger? Canonically he falls off in Porre in the not too distant future and gives them the tech, tactics and knowledge to become a major military power and the first place he militarizes them against is Crono and Marle just after their wedding. Why do you think they are an expansionist military threat in Chrono Cross? They’ve already conquered the mainland.

[@thetraveler184]

@@mesektet5776 Oh, actually peak fiction

[@gloving4hire]

@@thetraveler184not really, how is Chrono and his team able to be defeated? That’s like saying an advanced army of normies that outnumbers 7 demi gods and an army…with a time machine. Like even a surprise attack makes zero sense. It sounds like the 1billion lions vs the legendary pokemon meme

[@Nefarious_Nacht]

Rebecca, you are a brilliant review artist! Truly well done on a very sophisticated level. One of my absolute favorite games. Thank you.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Well, thank you as well! ^_^

[@Limneable]

What a unique and oddly wonderful document. I began by wondering, "Just what is this even?" It had the strangely nostalgic feeling of one of those breathy-voiced documentaries on social and cultural themes they used to show us in Canadian schools in the 90's, only on exactly the sort of subject I wish those movies had been about back then, only, your video ended up being much more varied and imaginative in the kinds of materials it brought together. Since I'm seeing this positioned as a serious work of criticism, if an unusual one, I will do my utmost to reply to it as such. As long form video, there are a few overall features that lead me to characterize this video as strange, but beautiful. For one, it lacks the clear thesis and organization in support of conveying that main idea through themes and sub-themes we are now accustomed to on KZbin. Rather, your organization more follows a stream of consciousness, where the flow from one idea to the next is always appropriate, relevant, and compelling, but where we never really get a wide-shot of your intellectual bigger picture. Normally, I'd consider a discussion of particular themes, likes the game's characters, places, and periods less interesting in the absence of some grand narrative about how we should read these into some particular interpretation of them game as a complete work, but actually, I think you maintain remarkable flexibility and integrity throughout by non-dogmatically reminding us of the validity of the game's many readings. In academic and editorial writing, there is often a pressure to arbitrarily decide on a single pet theory about a work and to doggedly promote it against any contrary viewpoint. Even after Post-Modern discourses have made any notion of a single truth unpalatable, the tendency has been to double down on conceptual abstractions as even worse than if they were dogmas. Perhaps your approach to criticism here shows us a way forward from this morass. What really makes your work engaging for me, however, is the very particular sensibility you bring to your work. There's much, much less of the usual meme-zaniness and jazz-hands wackiness I associate with KZbin. I appreciate that. You freely evoke poetic, literary, and scholarly registers, but your on screen persona is very much a posture of seriousness and serenity. Were this still the 90's perhaps this performance would be accused of "pretension," but now that the entire regrettable cultural wave of irony-culture has past, I actually find your delivery oddly earnest and sincere. I actually admire that that you'd go online and wax so poetically about this wonderful pillar of my childhood with all the gravitas one might of a publicly funded documentary of 19th Century poet laureate. So much of my childhood feels like it's treated as disposable. Certainly, your approach, your impassioned delving, leads to some strange or eye-brow raising passages, but it was also by such earnestness that you managed, in places, to really move me emotionally in ways online media seldom moves me. Other aspects of your presentation bare comment - the choice to collage together materials like Arthur Rackham paintings, and works by other Golden Age Illustrators, adapt them to Chrono Trigger, and run them through an AI Stylizer is defiantly a strange one, and a noticeable artifact of your production. Some might call it corny... but I kind of like it, in the way that the kinds of experimental video effects they attempted in the 90's, by most standards, may not have aged well, but are fondly remembered by those of a nostalgic bent because we appreciate the spirit of exploration, good taste, and creativity from which they sprang. As for the content of your work - there's far too much to respond to. You hit all the basics, but you also cover a lot of exciting new ground, at least to me, that helps to build out the possibilities for how we think about the meaning of this game as a story, a universe, and a work of thematic meaning and significance. Anyway, I will have to think more on this. Maybe I will watch it again, and more of your work in the future.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Getting replies like yours reminds me of one of the reasons I create these kinds of presentations! I would like very much to, not only share my authentic self with the world (albeit through the curated lens of a millennial youtuber), but also to encourage others to expand their thoughts and wander in imagination, curiosity, and childlike wonder. I'm very glad that you enjoyed taking that journey with me! ^_^ Hopefully you will enjoy a similar delve into Chrono Cross, and other subjects in the future!

[@cleonanderson1722]

I've seen a couple other Chrono Trigger analysis videos and this one is my favorite. Thanks for sharing.

[@RebeccaETripp]

That means a lot to me! Thank you! 🍪

[@glennxserge]

Really interesting look at the games characters and themes. I'm really glad you made this, in addition to all the amazing music arrangements you do.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@andrewklang809]

I just want to put this out there: I am delighted to hear you speak of this game, especially the deeper humanist natures of it. I'm not currently prepared to watch the whole two hours. But I will. Once I find the time. I shall thumbs up until then, and hope it stays up until I feel ready for it.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you very much! Nice to hear from you again, Andrew! :)

[@Atticus_Moore]

Wow this video is amazing! Loved the mushroom trip in the middle too it was an unexpected touch

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thanks! ^^ I'm glad you had a good trip!

[@PazuRPG]

This is an outstanding video. It's an excellent illustration of how meaning in media is arguably more emergent than it is deliberate. Even relatively simple stories like Chrono Trigger can harbor such rich detail beneath the surface. Now I'm really in the mood to play more JRPGs again. Thanks for this cozy and enlightening analysis.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Absolutely, the very best fantasy stories or sandboxes of interpretation! Thanks for your comment!

[@tubztalkz9275]

Honestly I thought I could never hear a more calm and soothing voice. I'll be sure to check out your music too.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thanks for watching! ☕🍪

[@didounindidounin9434]

congratulations for this in depth analysis

[@wedding2710]

I listen to a lot of video essays, and this one is really exceptional. I mean it. good job

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you! I appreciate that! ^_^

[@DyxoXinoro]

I only followed you for the music remixes, and didn't know you did video essays. I'm very excited to start the deep dive into the Final Fantasy and Zelda analyses while going about my day.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Well, that makes my day! Thank you so much for your interest! :'D

[@james-michaelrobson287]

I love how you broke down their magic styles and personalities. Great video!

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you so much!

[@soso101]

Nothing like a strong psychological analysis to ground an all too familiar IP to the point of an conceptual rebirth. Thank you, and kudos.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thank you so much! That is what I wanted to do! :'D

[@ochaco31]

You're as talented with your analysis as you are with your music. This is one of the best videos I have ever seen on KZbin!

[@RebeccaETripp]

Hey, thank you! ^_^ I'm honoured!

[@wpelfeta]

Your chrono trigger/chrono cross arrangements were how I found your channel in the first place. :D I love this game.

[@Sacrengard]

the most plausible way for the dreamstone to exist before Lavos arrival is that it came from the future or another timeline, since time travelling is an actual thing in the game. What if that dreamstone was placed there by someone from the future? A future where the Reptites ruled the world and evolved instead of humans? And someone wanted to change history (coff* Balthasar coff*)

[@RebeccaETripp]

It's definitely a possibility!

[@Hotsaucedeluxe]

2 hour Chrono Trigger video? I'm in.

[@AlejandroGonzalez-no3ht]

Lots of potential and lots of room for improvement. Keep it up, Rebecca. You got it in you.

[@dailencaudron2051]

Well i'm going to be thinking about chrono trigger for the next little while now. Always interesting to hear your analysis on my favorite games.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you liked it! :D

[@Tylodon]

Amazing work. You have a wonderful way with words that actually does this masterpiece of a game justice in a way that no other CT video does. This is the video that made me subscribe to you, and I've appreciated your deep and careful ways since.

[@RebeccaETripp]

Well, your presence is very appreciated in that case! Thanks for joining! ^_^ I'm glad it touched you.