Crono Trigger
 

Can someone explain to me, in an intelligent manner, why Crono Trigger is revered to be one of the best games of all time?

And please no personal attacks. I want this to be an intelligent discussion.

I dunno, unique combat, extensive side quests, decent story, tons of mini games and stuff to find.

And it had a bunch of maps that were related, how many RPGs do you get a time machine in? So cool.

The storyline was pretty good. Time machines and characters with various powers. The love story of Chrono, the sob story of Frog, the quest and turning of Magus... There was a whole lot of backing to the game and it's heroes.
The game wasn't absurdly hard, it wasn't easy. There was comedy, but not too much real stupidity.
The combat style was unique and worked very well. It was exciting. Also, the combo moves were unique to CT, and they were very cool.
A whole lot of stuff made the game interestering, from items, to sidequests, to different scenery and places to explore... There also were no loose ends (That I can think of)
It also had tons of endings and ways to beat the game. With the treasure chests that gave different items at different times, and the option of beating the game without Chrono...
It was just a really good game. A great game. EVERYBODY loves it. It's gotta be at or near the top of the list.

Tell me Atma, do you dislike Crono Trigger? Because if you don't dislike it, then we have no problem. Even if you think it isn't the best, but it is still decent, it's enough to maintain CT as a good game for all audiences, and a great one for most. If you believe that it is a poorly made RPG, then you may be a unique case. It's called great because the majority decides.

I've played it, and I think it's a good game. However, I don't think I can call it great. If I were to rate it out of 10, then I'd give it a 7. But a high 7. Maybe like a 7.9. But I just don't think I can give it that 8. The main point being, the story was weak. The only point in the game the story interested me was Zeal. During the rest of the game, I found it to be boring and superflous because at any given time, I could go beat up Lavos right now if I wanted to. Of course, first time through, I wouldn't last very long against him. But that's not the point. The point is, a majority of the game felt empty because of that. The only features of the game that drew me in were the graphics and music, and as we all know, that doesn't make the game. It helps, but it doesn't make it. I'd just like to hear why people like it so much straight from the source.

I think Martyr summed up the arguments nicely. the only thing I have to add is a comment about CT's soundtrack. Although it is 16bit midi music, it's still wonderfully composed and pleasing to listen to.

-edit-
so what, in your opinion, is a game with a well written story in it from that era of games? also, when did you first play CT? (like, back in the day, or sometime recently?)

I liked the nice story idea. However, I can go into depths and depths of paragraphs on why it doesn't fully makes sense, and that would involve me going into theories of time travel, so I won't speak up about that (for now). Plus the fact that the theories of Chrono Cross's time travel made the Chrono world make less sense, but CC is not the topic.

But aside from the logic, the game had a great story. I like the main villain because it was so full of mystery. Why did it want to destroy the world? Is it male/female/A-Sexual? Maybe it wanted to wipe off the top of the food chain, and inhabit the world with its own kind (which would explain the Lavos Spawns in 2300). Plus, you got to see the world completely destroyed, with the villain having successfuly accomplished his mission. Even in FF6 you don't see that, you only see half of the mission accomplished. I think the apocalyptical world in 2300 really added effect to the feel of the game.

Even though you can fight Lavos whenever you want, you would be toast after you do. Even when you're SUPPOSED to fight him, he would probably kill you still, until you've explored the world(s) more. So basically, just ignore the fact that you can fight him, and go through the game normally. Also enjoy Frog's history, and the whole twist between Magus and Janus. And going between primitive caves, and high tech factories makes the game have a nice variety.

Also experimenting with so many different parties makes the game so fun. Especially going between the missions after Crono's revival. Try to equip everyone with the optimum you can give them, so you don't have to switch items whenever you switch parties. That way, you can just switch a member with ease, without worrying about anything.

Exploring the different endings doesn't hurt too. Well, with all those aspects I listed, I think the game seems great. One of the best Squaresoft pieces in my opinion (not the best though...). I give it 9.5.

Because not enough people have played Lufia 2.

I actually preferred Lufia 1 to Lufia 2... and the Lunar games beat both Lufias and CT together.

Anyway: On the story point: Yes, you can fight Lavos at any time, but why shouldn't you be able to? Would it somehow make more sense, story wise, for the path to lavos to just magically open after you've done all the side quests, etc? The fact that you CAN go to him whenever you want makes a bit more sense, if you ask me...

Plus it allows for the great ending when you go straight to Lavos, kick his ass, and the programmers pop up and admit that they haven't had enough time to make an ending.

Lunar is still the best RPG series though. Nall is teh master.

Mildly off topic, but Chrono Cross is not a sequal to Chrono Trigger, it is a remake of Radical Dreamers with a weak/mild Trigger connection.

But I think Martyr and Bizzaro outlined all the reasons I can think of for what made Chrono Trigger such a great game.