Well I think SE had the right idea with their DS port, you can't go wrong with the original, and simplicity is best.
Unfortunately their execution just wasn't good. Instead of improving/concluding the story, they just added superfluous content.
So here's my premise and what I bring to the table...
When Lavos was defeated and merged with Schala to become the Time Devourer, it destroyed all timelines leading to its defeat.
Essentially, the Time Devourer created a time-loop that erased Chrono and the gang's efforts in CT.
How can Chrono+friends overcome this time-loop?
Marle was in possession of The Pendant when Lavos was defeated.
Unlike the other characters who, because of the time-loop, have no recollection of the events in CT (they just re-live the same timeline over again) ...
The Pendant caused Marle to be unaffected -- she is the only one to remember everything!
So how does CT Final build on this idea?
The game begins just like old times ... "Good Morning, Chrono!"
Chrono wakes up in his bed in Guardia 1000 AD and heads off to the Millenial Fair, exactly like he did in CT.
Marle waits for him in Leene Square, and the adventure begins.
But wait, isn't that just like playing the same game over again?
Yes, exactly! ... that's the idea, the same game replayed, but with some improvements, some changes, and a more emotionally satisfying ending.
Let me explain.
CT players can be more or less divided into two categories -- those who have played CT before, and those who are playing it for the first time.
1. For those who have played CT before and want to replay it (possibly many years later, like I did) ...
What could be better than replaying mostly the same game, only better, with a more developed ending?
2. For those who never played CT, Final allows them to experience the original story while playing the new game at the same time.
So if you played CT back in the day, you could re-live the original (and loved) story again, like Marle, but also experience it anew, like Chrono?
Yes.
And if you never played CT, you're in the same boat as Chrono, only Marle is there to fill you in on what you need to know?
That's right!
A lot of people love CT, but some who are more tepid towards it complain they don't always know what to do, where to go next.
Can you imagine never being able to find the secret entrance @ Manolia Cathedral, then finally giving up on the game?
Marle is there to help.
Ok ... this sounds interesting, tell me more. What exactly would be new about this game?
First, the technical changes:
1. Dialogue -- some character dialogue would change, since Marle already knows the story. Seems obvious, I hope.
Another small but interesting idea would be ... what if the other characters "feel" like they remember things, as you progress deeper into the story.
This could come out in dialogue a little ... not much of a change, subtle, but could enhance the experience.
2. Difficulty -- CT is the best RPG I've ever played, my favorite, but no game is perfect.
One of the two problems I have with this game is that it is too easy IMO for a game of its magnitude.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't think there is any market appetite for serious grinding games like FF1 in this day and age,
but a little more of a challenge would enhance the "awe" of this game, in my opinion.
Possible solutions? ...
*I really like the idea of not being able to revive fallen characters during battles.
*Make the enemies equivalent of 1 level higher, except the heroes start the game at same levels as CT.
(these are brainstormed ideas, open for discussion, along with others, in an attempt to make the game more challenging, but not ridiculous).
3. Graphics -- personally I'm happy playing CT or a possible CT Final w/ the original SNES graphics,
but I understand that market appetite (and $$'s) would be stronger for an updated game,
and game designers / programmers would be more interested in this approach as well.
Imagine CT Final as the debut game for a new system ... just don't mess with the original music!
You said something about deeper changes ... a more emotionally satisfying ending?
The only other problem I have with CT is the simplicity of its ending.
You progress through the story, and there is a lot of depth and complexity, which reaches its height in 12,000 BC with the Kingdom of Zeal.
But there is a lot left unsaid at the end of the game, and there is no resolution regarding Schala.
The game devolves from an emotionally and thematically complex masterpiece into a simple "kill the bad guy" final battle.
My solution:
Before the final battle with Lavos, Chrono+friends become aware of the time-loop and the existence of the Time Devourer.
They realize they have to save Schala, and not only beat Lavos, but defeat the Time Devourer as well.
The catch is they cannot leave the final battle with Lavos without re-setting the time-loop!
Imagine it this way ... you beat Lavos and want to go back to heal up and save your game but ... "Good Morning, Chrono!" / game over.
No, they must complete a new chapter between the Ocean Palace and the final battle with Lavos,
something that allows them to proceed directly from Lavos Core to the Depths Beyond Time.
This makes the end of the game the most difficult of all ... you would need to complete as many of the side-quests as possible and level up,
in order to beat Lavos and the Time Devourer back-to-back.
What happens when you fight the Time Devourer? Is it the same as CC or the battle with the Dream Devourer at the end of CTDS?
No, the battle would be different, here is a really cool gameplay idea I have, and makes the ending so much deeper.
Once you weaken the Time Devourer to a certain HP, Schala is able to separate herself from Lavos. This happens in battle, no cut shots.
Imagine the words on your screen: "Schala separates from Lavos" and you see her physically do exactly that on screen.
Now ... even cooler ... at this point, you gain the ability to attack Lavos with Schala -- in fact, you must attack Lavos with Schala if you hope to win!
Chrono and the gang are not strong enough to defeat Lavos's final form ... only Schala's spells are strong enough to materially damage him.
.... And then it gets even deeper.
When you use Schala to attack Final Lavos, she not only weakens his HP, but also her own, allowing Lavos to re-absorb her.
You see the words on your screen: "Lavos and Schala become one again". And you see them combine again on screen, no cut shots, it happens in the middle of battle.
How do you finish the battle?
Schala must sacrifice herself in order to defeat Lavos. Every time she attacks him, she weakens his defense, hurts her own HP, and gets re-absorbed.
This repeats x amount of times, until the last time you attack with Schala -- the last of her HP is gone, and she dies.
At this point, she has weakened Final Lavos enough that your party can defeat him once and for all.
And unless you use Schala during the battle and she sacrifices herself, you cannot win the game.
And when you defeat Final Lavos?
There is a scene where Schala dies (technically she lays dying during the rest of the battle).
Thematic elements regarding the fall of Zeal and her people are touched on, etc. and etc.
I would personally like a longer epilogue ... rather than all the characters going home at once,
you can take them back to their time individually, and each have something important to say as you part, goodbye.
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Well, I hope people like some or all of these ideas. There is more to it than this, but this "treatment" gives you an idea.
Now open for discussion.
(DISCLAIMER: CT is the IP of SE, but all additional ideas are my intellectual property, thanks)
