Never at a loss for letters regarding Chrono Cross - October 5th, 1999 - Drew Cosner
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this column are those of the participants and the moderator, and do not neccessarily reflect those of the GIA. There is coarse language and potentially offensive material afoot. Insanity at its finest. Don't say I didn't warn you.
You know, I have to admit that I was a bit skeptic. I didn't really believe that there would ever be a sequel to Chrono Trigger. When Square had intended upon making a sequel to any given game, it had always been their practice to do it within a relatively concise amount of time. It makes sense, really. It's good business to come out with the sequel while the original is still fresh in people's minds, and while they're still craving a bit more of what it was that made the original a success. But well over three years had passed, and Square hadn't released so much as a screenshot or character sketch. My cynicism was further compounded upon by the multitude of unsubstantiated rumors and false claims made regarding a potential sequel. To be certain, I was as surprised by the announcement of Chrono Cross as anybody else.
Of course, now that a sequel is no longer mere wishful thinking, and it's only a matter of time until the actual release, people have begun to question whether or not the wait has and will be worth it in the end. After all, perhaps Chrono Trigger should have been left as a stand-alone game; perhaps Square should have just left well enough alone. Then again, if Chrono Cross shares the same level of quality which its predecessor did, who's to complain? The gaming community could always use another well-crafted RPG.
Whether or not the Chrono glass is half empty or half full is a matter of opinion. Which means that it would make a good topic for deabte, now doesn't it?
So here we have today's column; a gallery of Chrono Cross viewpoints, opinions, and overall rambling. Yes, everything is just as it should be.
| Failing to meet expectations |
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Hey-hey.
Sadly, if Chrono Cross is going to impress the majority of RPG players, it
will not only have to surpass Chrono Trigger in every way possible, but even
FF8. We expect so much more from Square than any other game company. I
mean, they've released some dubious titles, right? Secret of Evermore, SaGa
Frontier, FFV... All good games, but not up to the standards set by CT,
SoM, and everyone's favorite graphics-whore-maker, FFVII. We'll probably
all at least RENT Chrono Cross, just because of the name recognition. And
therein lies the problem. Square has made amazing games, and continues to
do so. For that reason, we as gamers expect them to maintain the same
near-perfection with every title they release. When a title is "merely
great," as is the case with Einhander and Xenogears, nobody is quite as
satisfied. We remember how splendid the old 16-bit games were and can't
help but wish that Square, now a huge presence in the States as well as the
Land of the Rising Sun, was again a tiny little development company when
only the cream of the crop was even considered for release in the US.
Like you're going to print this anyway.
-Steve
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Don't be so incredulous, Steve. Disbelief can make you look a tad foolish when proven to be incorrect. Despite your spiteful words, here your letter stands, right in the column. Don't feel as though you're the only one to learn such a lesson the hard way; I'd passed the very notion off as nothing more than insolent optimism, and then Square had to conceal a thumbtack in my proverbial stocking by going ahead and actually make one.
There's no doubt that people hold Square's games to a higher standard; several gaming publications have fixated upon minor quirks, making them out to be drastic shortcomings, when, were it any other game, these would receive but a brief mention, if so much as that. In fact, many of the areas in which they feel that Final Fantasy VIII has "faltered" are more a matter of opinion than genuine flaws. It would seem that Square's games must feature soundtracks rivaling Beethoven's finest works, graphics which give reality itself a run for the money, and a storyline that makes War and Piece look trite in comparison for everyone to be happy. And even should Square release a game meeting these outrageous standards, somebody would still complain.
There's really not much that can be done about it, other than accepting it as a fact of life and moving on. Of course, I can't really blame people; coming up with witty criticisms and comments is far more enjoyable than sitting back and saying, "Yup, it's a good game." Bitching also makes for a far more enjoyable column, after all. In a way, I'm in the business of bitching. People write to me to bitch, and then I either agree with their bitching, or bitch about how and why they're incorrect. It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it.
| A sterotypical response |
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Hey there, Drew.
Y'know what? Of course you don't, that's why I'm about to tell you.
After looking at the listing of new characters for Chrono Cross, I had a few
thoughts about Chrono Cross itself. Don't quote me on this if what I say
isn't how the game turns out. First of all, I had the distinct impression
that CC would be pretty heavy on the stereotypes, at least on the heroes
side. I mean, a martial artist? Scantily-clad sorceress? Kid hero, kid
hero's partner Kid? On top of that, I can just see Slash (androgynous
warrior guy) as one of those aloof, cold guys that RPGs just can't get
enough of. And, of course, a cute (gag me) animal sidekick. Pierre, I think,
is the most original of the bunch, though even THAT concept's been done
before, as GIA itself stated he was very similar to Vincent de Boule. This
looks like another batch of typical heroes, though I could be wrong.
On the other hand, the villains seem really interesting to me. Since when
has there been a villain who was a monk? Or a scientist? While I'll admit
that the idea of an evil sorceress, ringleader, and ninja aren't too
original, I think there are more original concepts in the cast of villains
than in the cast of heroes.
That being said, I don't think Chrono Cross will break any new ground,
though it may be a solid game (or even a sleeper hit). I also get the
feeling that the villain's names will be changed for the American release. I
mean no offense to the American public, but while the heroes' names are
relatively simple, some of the villains' are pretty complicated.
-Matt Blackie
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Stereotypes have long been a standard part of the console RPG; a good character has generally been define by what the developer does with the guidelines set in place by the use of a stereotype. After all, a lot more attention can be devoted to the storyline if the characters fall into easily identifiable archetypes right from the outset. Obviously, the few games that have bothered to create more developed and three dimensional characters have been stronger for it, but the fact that a game uses stereotypes doesn't necessarily mean that it's going to fall flat on its face because of it. Certainly, that could very well be the case, but it isn't a sure thing.
Don't get me wrong; I'm all for original and innovative concepts. But I'll still give the cast of Chrono Cross a fair shake before I make my final judgement. And just to agree with you a bit, I share your opinion regarding the villains. The conflict is what makes an RPG, and if the adversaries stink, it bodes rather ill.
| Watch where you squat |
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Drew,
Did you know that Squaresoft has already registered the domain name
ff9.com? Look it up at register.com, you'll see that it's true. Now I know
that it's no surprise that Square is working on ff9 already, but given their
tradition of not dropping any hints about their games to the public until
they're very well ready, I thought it interesting that they would leave
their ownership of the domain right out there for the world to view. I think
that this just about solidifies the fact that there will be an ff9...
eventually.
- RaphZ
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The fact that FFIX is in development isn't exactly a big secret. Square's probably just trying to keep some individual lacking in scruples from registering the domain name and selling it back to them for an exuberant price. Damn those domain squatters.
| Don't mess with the jesters |
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Tukuvomi he's evil, he's important (well we can only hope), and he's a
jester. Sounds like someone else that we know. Who can that be, hmmmm?
Tukuvomi is stealing Kefka's gig damn it! Our favorite maniacal clown needs
to come out of retirement and give Tukuvomi a good smack in the mouth.
He'll try to plead out of it, "Oh Kefka don't hurt me it's just the way I was
drawn."
Then Kefka will look him straight in the eye and say, "You should shut your
mouth and know your role!"
Then Kefka would smack Tukuvomi around a bit more and walk off into the
sunset whistling "Bring Out the Clowns" merrily in the wind.
-Figure Four
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I'm not sure you could call Kefka a jester so much as a psychotic with a taste for outlandish clothing. To qualify as a jester, a person would have to be rather whimsical and humorous. To put it rather mildly, Kefka is neither of the above.
| Hook, line, and sinker |
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If it wasn't for Chrono Trigger, I never would have started playing
RPGs. It was my first, and from the time it started winking at me coyly,
I knew we were meant to be together. Once it was done, I tossed it out
of my life for Final Fantasy. Sure, it hung around my door crying for a
couple of weeks, but eventually it went away. We talk on the phone
sometimes now.
Trigger was the game that hooked me, and it was the combination of
character, location, and outright charm that got me hooked. I really
cared for that spiky-haired mute and I thought Lucca was a hottie, so
that kept me going. Square created one of the most involving, emotional
pieces of entertainment in any medium. So I'd want to see more of that.
It's not just about time travel or travel through dimensions. That was
the "hook" to sell the game. The story was what the fans loved. Chrono
Cross can have any "hook" it wants, but it needs Trigger's charm and
depth to get me to shell out the $$$.
-Pilcrow
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There's not much I can say in the way of refutal. We'll just have to wait and see how the game pans out.
| Even though I'll play it non-stop, Chrono Cross will suck |
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In short Chrono Cross will surely suck. My reasons are completely logical.
Now I usually don't tell them, but let me pull some out of my ass to make you
happy.
Most importantly, there's _NO_ Akira Toriyama! WTF is that all about?!?!?!!11
I mean, look at his 1337 artwork for DQ7, that's real design right there.
Second, no returning characters. Let our voices be heard, we want Magus and
Frog!!!! Square thoueth sucketh foreth noteth includingeth themeth!!!1
Third, the main bad guy is a cat. A cat!!!! Oooooh.....scary pussycat! Gimme
Lavos!!!
Fourth, Serge is a dumb name.
Those are all the reasons Chrono Cross is sure to fail even though I will be
purchasing it the first day it comes out, play it 24/7 and not eat or go to
the restroom, rest assured, I'll complain about it on the webpage I've
already set up dedicated to it.
-Hawkeye
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Just a couple of brief points on my part: We still don't know whether or not any of the original cast members will make cameos in Chrono Cross. Additionally, while it is known that Yamaneko is one of the main villains, he may not end up being the ultimate form of evil whom your party encounters. In fact, I highly doubt it. Although I'd tend to agree that the anthromorphic and sinister cat thing is a bit on the lame side.
| Flamers' Corner #4 |
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Drew,
That last column was genius. It would take an enormous amount of mental energy to even comprehend a fathomable way to top such a phenomenal performance. Not only was it worth the Pulitzer Prize, I’d venture to say that it was the most gifted writing since the Bible! I’ve been following your outstanding progress in the literary arts for years and I have to say this was your very best. I can foresee a future in which my descendants would read upon your works in their sophomore English class. Truly a classic, a printed copy of yesterday’s column will be on display in an air-tight time capsule, right next to the torn First Amendment and the Dead Sea Scrolls.
I’ll have to stop with that train of thought as I am now drowning in my own sarcasm. Despite the fact that your really a mean-hearted bastard, nobody cares about your mom. Or your problems at all, besides the numerous State Workers and "personal" friends whom you keep locked up in your closet. Sure I laughed....at the extreme lack of anything worth reading in your column. The letters you picked to print were of such low quality that not only did I suddenly develop an acute case of narcolepsy, when I awoke I had to masturbate just to keep my blood moving as my heart refused to keep beating. I would have to say filling out 400+ note-cards about The Scarlet Letter would be a better use of my time then reading your sorry excuse of a "column". The college you have paid so much to go to cannot help your utter lack of any talent. You can’t even lack focus well enough. You are depleting precious resources, in which the only way to return a nominal amount is by burying you without a coffin and letting your rotting carcass feed a feeble daisy.*
Like I mentioned in the title, CC=CT+FF. I don’t need some kind of reason to think that way, apparently, judging by the nature of the other letters printed here. Actually, I just listened to the MP3 of the opening theme and logically assumed CC is going to kick ass. I don’t want to know any more than that as it would spoil the game to me. Besides, I have yet to play a bad Square game.
-redknight1
*P.S. Drew, I was just kidding with the two first paragraphs. I just keeping you on YOUR toes. I actually enjoyed the column, laughing numerous times. But it IS sad that you probably didn’t read all the way to the bottom of this letter, and you think that I’m just some kind of jaded teenage "realist" bastard that’s holding a grudge against you because of the printing of his letter and the immediate disemboweling of it. I’m not like that. If you want, you can just print the third paragraph. Thanks.
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I realize that the writer of this letter was only joking around, but I figure it's been too long since somebody really flamed my sorry ass. I don't want the Flamers' Corner to become defunct because a lack of hatred and anger towards myself, now. So congratulations, redknight, you're now an honorary inductee into the Flamers' Corner. It's a shame that those who truly dislike me can't articulate their burning resentment quite so effectively; it would make insulting their letters a far greater challenge.
At any rate, here's one letter from a person who feels that Chrono Cross will undoubtedly kick ass. I have to print letters supporting all major viewpoints, now.
Closing Comments
Here's a fun topic for you, just to make tomorrow's column interesting: What is the absolute worst RPG you have ever played, and why? Any letter not backing up its statement with some form of logic will be laughed at by the entire staff, and immediately discarded. And stuff. That should keep you guys busy, and make for a few good chuckles come tomorrow. So get to work, already.
-Drew Cosner
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