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Chapter 707 Chrono Trigger.
🕑 Added 2025-10-13 00:02:03 +0000 UTCSaturday 27 November 1996 Tokyo Japan.
Today is a special day for many ZAGE fans because this month marks the release of two major titles. One is for their ZEPS 2 console, and the other is for PC. For the ZEPS 2, the game being released is Chrono Trigger, while for the PC, it’s Starcraft. Both titles have generated tremendous excitement, each representing a different genre and platform.
Hironobu Sakaguchi, one of the lead developers at Triangle Soft—a video game company known for producing many high-quality RPGs outside of ZAGE—was especially excited today. It was a holiday, and that meant he finally had the time to enjoy ZAGE’s latest release: Chrono Trigger. As someone who had always admired ZAGE’s approach to JRPGs, Hironobu viewed each game as both entertainment and inspiration, offering new ideas and design techniques he could learn from.
What made Chrono Trigger even more special to him was its distinctive art style, created by none other than Akira Toriyama—his favorite mangaka and the creator of Dragon Ball his favorite manga and The fusion of iZAGE nnovative gameplay and Toriyama’s iconic visuals made the game irresistible.
“Hehehe, I can’t wait to play it,” he said to himself with excitement. Hironobu had already bought the game from the nearest official ZAGE store and wasted no time heading home. Today was a day for gaming and nothing else.
Once he arrived, he quickly changed into something comfortable and set his living room into gaming mode. He dimmed the lights, grabbed a few of his favorite drinks and snacks, and settled into the soft embrace of his couch. Everything was perfectly in place.
Without further delay, he powered on his ZEPS 2 console. He carefully inserted the game cartridge into the slot, and within seconds, the RCT TV lit up with the bold “ZAGE” logo. The familiar chime played, followed immediately by the game’s opening cinematic. A thrill ran through him—this was the moment he had been waiting for.
First, the screen faded in to reveal a serene afternoon sea, calm waves rolling gently under a pale sky, accompanied by the distant call of seagulls and a soft, soothing musical score that immediately set a reflective tone. The peaceful scene lingered for a moment, drawing viewers into its calm beauty, before transitioning smoothly to a quiet room with a sunlit window, its curtains fluttering slightly in the breeze.
The camera then slowly panned toward a framed photo sitting on a desk. The photo contained six characters—each one unique and distinct. The camera zoomed in on them one by one: first, an orange-haired girl with a bright, determined expression; next, a wild-looking girl with fierce eyes and untamed hair; then, a humanoid frog in armor, exuding nobility; a large, bulky robot with a mechanical gleam; a girl wearing a helmet and glasses, clearly the tech genius; and finally, a boy with spiky red hair and a wide grin, the energy of a true hero in his eyes.
As the last face faded, the screen exploded into vibrant motion. The bold title "Chrono Trigger" appeared with a subtle glow, and the music swelled—becoming epic and full of urgency. Clockwork gears and spinning mechanisms filled the screen, each clicking into place as they shifted through multiple timelines in quick succession—prehistoric, medieval, futuristic, apocalyptic.
Then, the cinematic transitioned into a rapid montage of epic battle scenes: monsters clashing, spells being cast, blades drawn mid-air—all animated with fluid motion. The six characters from the photo were now seen in action, fighting alongside each other, each showcasing their abilities in perfect sync.
Finally, the music peaked, the visuals slowed, and the full title "Chrono Trigger" appeared once again, this time glowing with finality as a pendulum swung gently back and forth on the screen. It faded into the main menu, where the ticking of a clock and the rhythmic sway of the pendulum created a feeling that time itself was waiting to be rewritten.
After the opening, Hironobu Sakaguchi smiled in awe. “It’s beautiful... the opening cinematic. I can’t believe they managed to fit something like that into a cartridge.”
The achievement was possible because Zaboru and the team at ZAGE had developed a special cartridge for Chrono Trigger—one that included additional storage capacity to hold all the cinematic data. The video quality wasn’t ultra high-definition by any means, but with clever compression techniques and smart engineering, it was more than enough to leave a powerful impression.
Even from the opening alone, Hironobu could tell—this game was going to be something special. The presentation, the ambition, the atmosphere... everything about it screamed that ZAGE had pushed the hardware to its limit. And he was here for every second of it.
Without further ado, Hironobu eagerly jumped into the game. The first thing he encountered was a name entry screen. The user interface immediately caught his eye—it featured a sleek gray background framed with elegant gold engravings that gave it a regal, almost timeless aesthetic. It was simple, yet beautiful.
"This is really good," Hiro muttered with a smile, impressed by the visual design. The balance of colors and clean layout made the screen both functional and appealing. He was then prompted to name his character. The default was "Chrono," and after a brief moment of consideration, he decided to keep it. It felt right because thats his habit always using character default name so he can enjoy the story fullest. With a few quick button presses, the name was locked in, and his journey began.
Within the first hour, after naming his silent red-haired hero Crono, Hironobu spent several minutes wandering through Crono’s modest home. He spoke with Crono’s cheerful mother, who offered tidbits of context and affection, setting the tone for a grounded and lived-in world. He took the time to adjust to the game’s smooth and responsive controls, pleasantly surprised by how fluid movement felt on the ZEPS 2. The interface was clean, without clutter or intrusive menus—it simply let the player enjoy the world.
Soon, a cheerful melody and the ringing of bells guided Crono to the vibrant Millennial Fair. Bright banners fluttered in the breeze, food stalls bustled with activity, and the entire area pulsed with joyful chiptune music. Hironobu couldn’t help but smile. He laughed at the absurdity of the cat races, tested his reflexes at the strength bell with a wooden hammer, and competed in a soda-chugging mini-game that made him chuckle out loud. Each interaction was light-hearted but thoughtfully designed—miniature worlds within the game itself.
As he explored further, a sudden sparkle caught his eye—a shiny pendant lying on the ground. A blond girl, full of energy and curiosity, had just bumped into Crono and dropped it. Her name was Marle, and she thanked Crono warmly for returning it. At the time, it seemed like a simple moment, an innocent meet-cute in a game packed with them. But Hironobu, a veteran storyteller, sensed something more. He didn’t know exactly why—but that pendant felt like the first domino in a very long chain.
Moments later, as Crono walked past a table and casually devoured a stranger’s unattended lunch, Hironobu burst into laughter. "Oops! Hope that doesn’t come back to bite me," he said jokingly. Little did he know, the game would remember. That lunch, that pendant, every decision—Chrono Trigger was already setting the stage for something extraordinary.
Continuing the story, Hironobu had already met Lucca—Crono’s childhood friend who had grown into a brilliant young inventor—and Marle, the spirited blond girl whose pendant had mysteriously reacted to Lucca’s latest creation: a teleportation machine. Hironobu was already hooked, marveling at how the game wove together its characters so naturally. When the demonstration of the machine took a dramatic turn and a strange portal violently tore open the air in the middle of the fairground, Hironobu gasped as Marle was pulled inside without warning.
Crono and Lucca stood stunned. For a few seconds, neither knew what to do. But then, as if driven by instinct, Crono stepped forward with quiet determination. Hironobu admired the protagonist—he didn't speak, but his actions were loud but still its like a Typical JRPG protagonist but Hironobu loves that. Lucca, gathering her courage, promised to follow once she figured out what had gone wrong with the machine.
Hironobu chuckled and leaned forward on the couch, muttering, “Time travel, of course… hehehe.” The screen warped with a swirling, disorienting effect, and suddenly Crono found himself in a dense, unfamiliar forest. The colors had shifted, and the air felt heavier. Before he could get his bearings, three strange, blue-skinned, bald creatures emerged from the trees.
Hironobu sat up straight. “Oh, finally—a real battle,” he said, smiling with excitement.
Hironobu grinned—up until now, he had been so caught up in the story and all the engaging mini-games that he hadn’t even realized he hadn’t encountered a single battle yet and no he didn’t challenge the robot in fair. Then suddenly, the moment arrived. A catchy and adrenaline-pumping battle theme kicked in, and the screen transitioned into a combat scenario. Hironobu’s eyes lit up.
“It’s turn-based... but they’re moving!” he exclaimed, watching as Crono and the enemies shifted positions dynamically instead of standing still like traditional RPGs. The animations were smooth, with sword swings and skills delivered in ways that felt both cinematic and responsive. “Heh, this is quite unique,” he added with a smirk, already appreciating the fresh approach.
As the battle ended, he continued on, venturing deeper until he reached the world map. There, a broader view revealed itself. Hironobu paused, tilting his head slightly. The layout looked oddly familiar. “Ohh? So this is the same town but in a different timeline?” he mused. “Either the future or the past… but judging by the medieval aesthetics, definitely the past.”
Driven by curiosity, he guided Crono toward a nearby inn labeled “Truce Inn.” As he stepped inside, the medieval vibe was even more pronounced. Everything was rustic—the wooden architecture, the stone fireplace, and even the kitchen in the back looked centuries old. He noted the little details: copper pots hanging from iron hooks, unpolished wooden tables, and candle-lit sconces.
Hironobu chuckled when the guards outside called Crono insane for asking modern questions—they clearly had no idea what he was talking about. “Yep,” Hironobu said to himself, “this is definitely the Guardia Kingdom. But in the past. That’s so clever.”
The sense of mystery, the time-bending twists, the evolving environments—it was all pulling him deeper. He could already feel it: Chrono Trigger wasn’t just a game. It was a journey through time, space, and imagination—and he was completely along for the ride.
He continued to play, fully immersed in the experience. It was clear now—Chrono Trigger had completely captivated him. The world, the mechanics, the story, and the sense of time-traveling wonder had pulled him in. There was no turning back; he was hooked.
To be continue
