Final Fantasy Chronicles
Compilation of Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger ports.
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Final Fantasy Chronicles bundles two classic Square role-playing games—Final Fantasy IV (originally from 1991) and Chrono Trigger (from 1995)—onto a single North American PlayStation disc, released on July 2, 2001. Both titles were ported from the Super Nintendo by TOSE, following earlier separate Japanese PlayStation releases in 1997 and 1999. The compilation was directed by Kazuhiko Aoki, supervised by Fumiaki Fukaya, and produced by Akihiro Imai, coming as a follow-up to the earlier Final Fantasy Anthology.
Players and critics gave the package a warm reception, praising the extra features and the chance for a new audience to experience these RPG classics. However, reviewers strongly criticized the "long and frequent loading" between areas and battles, blamed on poor emulation. Sales were strong enough to earn Chronicles a re-release under Sony's Greatest Hits line in June 2003.
In both games, the player controls a party of characters in typical role-playing fashion. The view and control system uses three screens: an overworld for traveling between locations, a field map for exploring towns and dungeons, and a battle screen for fighting monsters.
Final Fantasy IV introduced the Active Time Battle system, designed by Hiroyuki Ito, where players issue commands in real time during combat. Each character has balanced strengths and weaknesses—for example, a powerful magic user may have low defense, while a physical fighter might lack agility.
Chrono Trigger breaks from tradition by replacing random encounters with enemies visible on field maps, some lying in wait to ambush the party. Battles happen directly on the field map rather than a separate screen. It uses an updated Active Time Battle system, adding "Techs" that depend on enemy positioning and character abilities. Other features include time travel and a "New Game Plus" option.
The ports in Chronicles had been released separately in Japan, with Final Fantasy IV also appearing in the compilation Final Fantasy Collection. The original North American release of Final Fantasy IV (as Final Fantasy II in 1991) used "Easytype" modifications, which were removed in this version, and the game received a new localization closer to Takashi Tokita's original script. Chrono Trigger, already localized by Ted Woolsey in 1995, got additional modifications for this release.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Final Fantasy Chronicles
- Developer
- Square / Tose
- Publisher
- Square Electronic Arts / Square Enix (Greatest Hits re-release)
- Series
- Final Fantasy / Chrono
- Platforms
- PlayStation
- Released
- NA · July 2, 2001
- Genre
- Role-playing
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Final Fantasy Chronicles features two previously released ports by TOSE; Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger were released separately, and IV was re-released as a part of Final Fantasy Collection, all published in Japan. The original Final Fantasy IV was released in North America as Final Fantasy II in 1991, with various 'Easytype' modifications. These were removed in the Final Fantasy Chronicles version, and the game was re-localized, achieving a script closer to Takashi Tokita's original scenario. Chrono Trigger, released in 1995, was already localized by Ted Woolsey, but the Final Fantasy Chronicles version has additional modifications. A primary addition to both games is full-motion video. Final Fantasy IV features computer animated cutscene sequences by Visual Works, while Chrono Trigger features anime-style sequences designed by Akira Toriyama and animated by Toei Animation.
Reader's Guide
Final Fantasy Chronicles was received well by players and critics, who praised the peripheral features and the fact that Square was offering RPG classics to a new generation of gamers. Conversely, reviewers sharply criticized 'long and frequent loading' between areas and battles due to poor emulation. Enough copies of Chronicles were sold to warrant a second release as part of Sony's Greatest Hits in June 2003. The compilation became the top selling PlayStation title for two weeks. Gaming website IGN rated it 9.4/10 and awarded an 'Editor's Choice Award', calling the game a 'must buy' for RPG fans. It was a runner-up for GameSpot's annual 'Best PlayStation Game' award. GameSpot reviewer Brad Shoemaker cited 'muffled sound effects' in Final Fantasy IV and was displeased with frequent loading in Chrono Trigger. Marcus Lai of Gaming Age was disappointed with a lack of additions, calling the ports 'barebone games' and claiming that the full motion videos are 'nice touches to both games but don't add much'. The compilation introduced the Active Time Battle system from Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger's visible enemies and time travel mechanics to a new audience.
Did You Know?
- Final Fantasy Chronicles was created as a follow-up to Final Fantasy Anthology, a compilation of Final Fantasy V and VI.
- The compilation includes a 'New Game Plus' option from Chrono Trigger.
- Final Fantasy IV in Chronicles features a two-player mode, a 'Sprint Feature', and a 'Memo File' system.
- Chrono Trigger in Chronicles includes an 'Extras Mode' with a bestiary and a gallery of artwork created in development.
Elsewhere in Chrono Trigger
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