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1201
Submissions / Re: Kingdom of Zeal = 802,701 A.D.?
« on: July 08, 2009, 12:20:23 am »
Yay! I'm finally finished with the article. To whom do I send it to? (It would come as an MS-Word attachment)
1202
Chrono / Gameplay Casual Discussion / Re: Trivia and other Tidbits
« on: July 03, 2009, 07:06:58 pm »
"Sylbird" = Epoch? I thought it was "Silvard".
1203
Polling / Re: What would YOU want?
« on: July 03, 2009, 02:41:37 am »
I would like to see a new release if anything else.
And by the way, what's with "Brake"? Could it mean "to stop or slow down" a plot device in the game itself? Why not "Break", which can signify the occurrence of a broken rift in the space-time continuum?
IDK. Either way, a new game would be good for me.
And by the way, what's with "Brake"? Could it mean "to stop or slow down" a plot device in the game itself? Why not "Break", which can signify the occurrence of a broken rift in the space-time continuum?
IDK. Either way, a new game would be good for me.
1204
Chrono / Gameplay Casual Discussion / Re: Trivia and other Tidbits
« on: July 03, 2009, 01:37:54 am »
1) Magus' three generals, Ozzie, Slash, and Flea, are named after famous musicians:
a) Ozzy Osbourne, former lead singer for Black Sabbath
b) Slash, guitarist for Guns n' Roses and Velvet Revolver
c) Flea, bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
2) The Japanese dialog of the game had a much better explanation of the Planet's involvement:
a) The Reptites worshiped the Planet, the "Entity"
b) the characters talk about the Planet
c) the last chapter was not called "The Final Battle", but "At The Edge of our Planet's Dream".
This is why CC had Planet references all over the place that made sense with the original Japanese dialog.
a) Ozzy Osbourne, former lead singer for Black Sabbath
b) Slash, guitarist for Guns n' Roses and Velvet Revolver
c) Flea, bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
2) The Japanese dialog of the game had a much better explanation of the Planet's involvement:
a) The Reptites worshiped the Planet, the "Entity"
b) the characters talk about the Planet
c) the last chapter was not called "The Final Battle", but "At The Edge of our Planet's Dream".
This is why CC had Planet references all over the place that made sense with the original Japanese dialog.
1205
Submissions / Kingdom of Zeal = 802,701 A.D.?
« on: July 02, 2009, 09:25:45 pm »
This is the title of my first CT theory article submission. Its purpose is to draw parallels (that I believe exist) between the two civilizations that exists in H.G. Wells' The Time Machine (The Eloi and the Morlocks) and the Kingdom of Zeal in CT (the Enlightened Ones and the Earthbound). Hope that it's a good enough read to the board to make the Index.
1206
Chrono / Gameplay Casual Discussion / Re: SAGE Review: Top SNES RPG's
« on: June 30, 2009, 05:38:07 pm »The list:
#10 Terranigma (cool little novelty, I didn't know about it for years... wish the font was different)
#9 Illusion of Gaia (Meh... liked the graphics, found the game generic. And didn't like the font)
#8 Breath of Fire (I found it forgettable, apparently. I know that I played it, but have no outstanding affections for the series.)
#7 Secret of Evermore (Not great, but I've got a soft spot for it)
#6 Super Mario RPG (Fantastic. Should've been higher on the list, if anything. A real gem, especially considering how late in the SNES' lifespan it came out.)
#5 Ogre Battle: MotBQ (Definitely top 10 for me; not sure that I'd agree with it having 'the deepest gameplay of any game on the SNES.)
#4 Secret of Mana (Awesome. A favourite of mine. Wish it were on the DS. The mediocre sequels don't cut it.)
#3 Earthbound (Great stuff, probably would've placed it lower)
#2 FFIV (Why not FF VI?! 'The most underrated RPG of all time?' I don't think so...)
#1 Chrono Trigger (at least he got this right!)
What? No Tales of Phantasia, the first RPG to utilize the Linear Motion Battle System as opposed to the dated CTB System? The very game which spawned an anime series and has 9 direct sequels (whichever one you liked best)?
As a disclaimer before I continue, I personally rate RPGs based on their originality, innovation, and the legacy they leave behind.
Secrets of Mana was all right, and it did spawn a manga series.
I'm really glad Earthbound made the list. Earthbound, however, had one of the saddest legacies with a horrible commercial release in America , a scrapped N64 release, and a sequel or GBA in Japan only. The only thing to its name is NESS with his perfect Super Smash Bros. attendance. That doesn't mean the game stunk overall.
I thought FF3 would've made the list seeing how it has the most playable characters out of any in the core series. On the other hand, the official title is FF6. It even got a PlayStation makeover with added cut-scenes.
Super Mario RPG should've been higher on the list with its pre-rendered 3D graphics in the vein of Donkey Kong Country. It got spun off into the highly praised Paper Mario series and the Mario & Luigi series.
And naturally, Chrono Trigger got the #1 spot. No surprise here. Unfortunately, it's legacy is equal to Earthbound. Aside from Chrono Cross and some text-based adventures in Japan, there really is nothing new in the works as of late.
1207
Chrono / Gameplay Casual Discussion / Why the Chrono Cross Hate?
« on: June 29, 2009, 05:27:53 pm »
Recently, I have happened upon a dated website (founded in 2000) that apparently has a beef with Chrono Cross in a variety of areas. Whether the author is well-founded in his arguments of Chrono Cross' shortcomings is entirely up to the readers.
Here is the webpage in question: http://www.yamoslair.com/ccsucks.html
Yes, the url clearly uses the word "sucks" to describe its viewpoint of Chrono Cross. Anyway, somewhere on the page is a numeric list which, according to the author, is just a short list. You be the judge of how short it is.
1. No recurring playable characters.
2. Small game world is bland, cramped, and monotonous.
3. Element system removes almost all character individuality in combat and contributes to a Pokemon-like classification of characters by "color."
4. Character design is far inferior to Akira Toriyama's work in Chrono Trigger.
5. Huge portions of the game consist entirely of empty filler in the form of dull fetch quests and monster hunting exercises.
6. Characters limited to three or less unique tech skills.
7. Virtually no double and triple techs.
8. Development for the majority of character is severely lacking or completely nonexistant.
9. Most characters are silly and pointless.
10. Some plot "revelations" (like Lynx being Serge's father) make little sense and seem like pointless afterthoughts designed to cover for poor scenario writing.
11. Much less varied, interesting, and memorable musical score.
12. Numerous hints that Chrono Trigger characters were killed off in inappropriate, unsatisfying, and difficult to believe fashions.
13. Schala's appearence in Chrono Cross (wrong hair color, clothing, facial structure, etc) is a blatent continuity error.
14. Supposed creation of humans by Lavos is another glaring continuity error.
15. No interesting flying vehicle (like the Epoch) for players to explore the world in.
16. Magus character completely invalidated and insulted through implication the he wasn't the one to find his long-lost sister.
17. No strong villian. Lynx's motives are about as clear as mud and the threat posed by the final bosses is far too vague to be tension-building.
18. Final boss posesses no unique attacks at all, despite the perfect opportunity to make use of the classic Lavos attacks from Chrono Trigger.
19. "Good" ending is pseudo-mystical nonsense followed by a brief movie that makes no sense whatsoever. Schala in modern Japan? What were they thinking?
20. Fewer alternate endings, none of which as as clever or interesting as the Chrono Trigger alternate endings.
21. Character have to physically hit enemies in combat before they can cast spells and use tech skills, which makes little sense and slows combat considerably.
22. Fixed rate level advancement removes all the fun and challenge of "building up" favorite characters.
23. Loading times before and after combats are ridiculously long. Unlike Chrono Trigger, which had none.
24. Characters behave illogically. Those that joined your party when you were Serge will not help you when you are Lynx, even though they often know that you are the same person.
25. Boring "weapon-forging" system largely eliminates fun of hunting down interesting weapons, armor, etc.
Pick a number, any number, and feel free to discuss, aanalyze, refute, whatever with it. From my standpoint, these are nothing more than slight inconveniences that shouldn't detract from the game play experience.
Here is the webpage in question: http://www.yamoslair.com/ccsucks.html
Yes, the url clearly uses the word "sucks" to describe its viewpoint of Chrono Cross. Anyway, somewhere on the page is a numeric list which, according to the author, is just a short list. You be the judge of how short it is.
1. No recurring playable characters.
2. Small game world is bland, cramped, and monotonous.
3. Element system removes almost all character individuality in combat and contributes to a Pokemon-like classification of characters by "color."
4. Character design is far inferior to Akira Toriyama's work in Chrono Trigger.
5. Huge portions of the game consist entirely of empty filler in the form of dull fetch quests and monster hunting exercises.
6. Characters limited to three or less unique tech skills.
7. Virtually no double and triple techs.
8. Development for the majority of character is severely lacking or completely nonexistant.
9. Most characters are silly and pointless.
10. Some plot "revelations" (like Lynx being Serge's father) make little sense and seem like pointless afterthoughts designed to cover for poor scenario writing.
11. Much less varied, interesting, and memorable musical score.
12. Numerous hints that Chrono Trigger characters were killed off in inappropriate, unsatisfying, and difficult to believe fashions.
13. Schala's appearence in Chrono Cross (wrong hair color, clothing, facial structure, etc) is a blatent continuity error.
14. Supposed creation of humans by Lavos is another glaring continuity error.
15. No interesting flying vehicle (like the Epoch) for players to explore the world in.
16. Magus character completely invalidated and insulted through implication the he wasn't the one to find his long-lost sister.
17. No strong villian. Lynx's motives are about as clear as mud and the threat posed by the final bosses is far too vague to be tension-building.
18. Final boss posesses no unique attacks at all, despite the perfect opportunity to make use of the classic Lavos attacks from Chrono Trigger.
19. "Good" ending is pseudo-mystical nonsense followed by a brief movie that makes no sense whatsoever. Schala in modern Japan? What were they thinking?
20. Fewer alternate endings, none of which as as clever or interesting as the Chrono Trigger alternate endings.
21. Character have to physically hit enemies in combat before they can cast spells and use tech skills, which makes little sense and slows combat considerably.
22. Fixed rate level advancement removes all the fun and challenge of "building up" favorite characters.
23. Loading times before and after combats are ridiculously long. Unlike Chrono Trigger, which had none.
24. Characters behave illogically. Those that joined your party when you were Serge will not help you when you are Lynx, even though they often know that you are the same person.
25. Boring "weapon-forging" system largely eliminates fun of hunting down interesting weapons, armor, etc.
Pick a number, any number, and feel free to discuss, aanalyze, refute, whatever with it. From my standpoint, these are nothing more than slight inconveniences that shouldn't detract from the game play experience.
1208
Polling / Re: Worst Sequel Ever!
« on: June 29, 2009, 04:15:25 pm »
I chose "other". It's not so much a sequel idea, but a disgrace altogether for CT entertainment overdose. Get ready to hate me for this.
Coming soon to Broadway...
Chrono Trigger: The Musical!
Featuring Norbert Leo Butz as Crono, Megan Hilty as Marle, and Jenna Leigh Green as Lucca.
Hit numbers include:
"The Boy Without A Father"
"I am Frog"
"Is this our Future?"
"Spekkio, God of War"
and so much more. Clocked at over four hours with no intermission, this musical plans to hold the world record for the longest Broadway musical. Tickets go on sale this Fall. Don't miss the time-traveling, swash-buckling musical sensation of the century!
Coming soon to Broadway...
Chrono Trigger: The Musical!
Featuring Norbert Leo Butz as Crono, Megan Hilty as Marle, and Jenna Leigh Green as Lucca.
Hit numbers include:
"The Boy Without A Father"
"I am Frog"
"Is this our Future?"
"Spekkio, God of War"
and so much more. Clocked at over four hours with no intermission, this musical plans to hold the world record for the longest Broadway musical. Tickets go on sale this Fall. Don't miss the time-traveling, swash-buckling musical sensation of the century!
1209
Polling / Re: Who would you cast in a Chrono movie?
« on: June 28, 2009, 04:20:45 am »
Imagine it as a Satoshi Kon anime.
I have seen Satoshi's work (especially Tokyo Godfathers). Regardless, anime, like any other film medium, still serves to fill its niche.
That's why I thought it would adventurous to try CT in a different medium (in this case, a live-action movie trilogy). It just goes back to what I said before: anime in this part of the world nowadays seems passe and serendipitous.
Okay, mav. Maybe Jeremy Irons is a little old for the part, but did you read about Spielberg rethinking Harrison Ford when he did his fourth and final "Indie" movie? Of course not. Elderly people can sometimes be surprisingly nimble and charismatic. Case in point? Christopher Lloyd.
1210
Chrono / Gameplay Casual Discussion / Re: NOT Mute Crono
« on: June 27, 2009, 08:01:21 pm »
The late director Stanley Kubrick (2001:A Space Odyssey) used to say that if you can turn off the sound and still follow the story, you've made a film, but if you can still follow the story with only the sound, you haven't.
Instead of film, however, let's insert video game.
Logic dictates that if there is more than one solution, then the problem is not conclusive.
Just because Crono never talks doesn't mean he's a mute. Case in point? Penn & Teller.
Hopefully, this will put an end to the the Straw Man Arguments out there.
Instead of film, however, let's insert video game.
Logic dictates that if there is more than one solution, then the problem is not conclusive.
Just because Crono never talks doesn't mean he's a mute. Case in point? Penn & Teller.
Hopefully, this will put an end to the the Straw Man Arguments out there.
1211
Polling / Re: Masamune or Grandleon?
« on: June 27, 2009, 03:32:23 am »I picked Grandleon for a couple of reasons:
1) I always liked original Japanese translations (I still prefer "sub" over "dub")
2) Masamune is refers to a katana, not a broadsword (Which this particular sword was)
3) Gorō Nyūdō Masamune was actual person, not just a legend.
Trivia: The Japanese translation for "Grand Dream" is subarashii yume.
Kudos to whoever can legitimately give a sword that name.
1212
Polling / Re: Who would you cast in a Chrono movie?
« on: June 27, 2009, 03:07:22 am »
I like your idea, Mr. Bekkler. By the way, sorry about getting off to a rough start. I'm just the kind of person who searches for clarity even in the most obvious situations. It won't happen again.
Anyway, my first script would actually continue into 2300 A.D., back to 1000 A.D., and follow the story up until the quest for the restoration of the Masamune begins. The second script would cover the Zeal chapter up until Crono's death (and their search for the Time Egg). The last would be just like you put it.
As an amateur screenwriter, I find it very difficult to cut out what fans might deem to be "important" to the story, be it events or supporting characters. Ultimately, when it comes to adaptations, it's always the nagging question:
What is absolutely necessary to a) move the story forward, or b) reveal something new about your characters?
Johnny Deep was good as Jack Sparrow and Edward Scissor Hands. I simply can't see him as a Jack-of-all-Trades actor.
I could picture Magus being played by Jeremy Irons. When I saw him in "The Time Machine", I could almost hear my muse whisper into my ear, "That could be Magus."
Anyway, my first script would actually continue into 2300 A.D., back to 1000 A.D., and follow the story up until the quest for the restoration of the Masamune begins. The second script would cover the Zeal chapter up until Crono's death (and their search for the Time Egg). The last would be just like you put it.
As an amateur screenwriter, I find it very difficult to cut out what fans might deem to be "important" to the story, be it events or supporting characters. Ultimately, when it comes to adaptations, it's always the nagging question:
What is absolutely necessary to a) move the story forward, or b) reveal something new about your characters?
Johnny Deep was good as Jack Sparrow and Edward Scissor Hands. I simply can't see him as a Jack-of-all-Trades actor.
I could picture Magus being played by Jeremy Irons. When I saw him in "The Time Machine", I could almost hear my muse whisper into my ear, "That could be Magus."
1213
Polling / Re: Who would you cast in a Chrono movie?
« on: June 26, 2009, 11:02:04 pm »
If that's the best rebuttal you have, I hate to see your argument.
This could have been avoided if the title included the word "speculative" or "hypothetical".
Besides, it's neither of our calls whether this will be made into a live-action movie or not (although I am currently working on a screenplay version of the story).
Regardless, new anime movies in this part of the world seem passe and serendipitous.
1214
Polling / Re: Who would you cast in a Chrono movie?
« on: June 26, 2009, 09:46:28 pm »
This topic is the perfect demonstration of how you people can give every reason not to be a casting director.
1) Don't take legendary actors and actresses for granted.
2) Not every casting decision is correct.
3) You have to look for:
a. Individual screen presence
b. Actor/Actress chemistry
c. Original approach to the dialogue
...all of these must be approached with impartiality, not because it tickles your fancy.
Regardless, I can easily picture Chrono Trigger as a live-action trilogy (yes, trilogy; you can't expect to fit it all into one movie, now can you?). Anime, in this part of the world, sounds a little passe and serendipitous. What says you?
1) Don't take legendary actors and actresses for granted.
2) Not every casting decision is correct.
3) You have to look for:
a. Individual screen presence
b. Actor/Actress chemistry
c. Original approach to the dialogue
...all of these must be approached with impartiality, not because it tickles your fancy.
Regardless, I can easily picture Chrono Trigger as a live-action trilogy (yes, trilogy; you can't expect to fit it all into one movie, now can you?). Anime, in this part of the world, sounds a little passe and serendipitous. What says you?