t1z4l

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China has put out a statement in regards to the death of Akira Toriyama, who was best known for his work on Dragon Ball. Netizens ed a clip of the statement onto TikTok and Twitter. [Thanks, Wanli2051!]

Here is a translation of the minister’s statement:

“We express our deepest sympathies in regards to Akira Toriyama-sensei’s ing, and we would like to give our sincere condolences to his family. Toriyama-sensei was a very famous manga artist, and his work has been very popular in China too. I’ve noticed many Chinese netizens express their grief for his ing as well. We believe, and trust, that there will be more talented artists and writers from Japan whose work will leave a cultural impact on China, leading to further friendship between our countries.”

Dragon Ball is an incredibly influential work, and it originally drew inspiration from the Chinese novel Journey to the West, as well as Hong Kong martial arts films. Son Goku’s name is the Japanese reading of Sun Wukong, a mischievous and proud monkey who is one of the protagonists of the Journey to the West.

Akira Toriyama died on March 1, 2024, but news of his ing first appeared on March 7, 2024. Aside from Dragon Ball, he also worked on Chrono Trigger and Dragon Quest. After his death, his name and “Rest in Peace” trended on Twitter (X), showing the effect he had on people worldwide.

Akira Toriyama died on March 1, 2024, and there will be a commemorative gathering for him some time int he future.

The post China Expressed Sympathies for Akira Toriyama appeared first on Siliconera.

Various character art came up as part of the almost hour-long Chrono Cross interview Square Enix shared. We already knew that Character Designer Nobuteru Yuuki created new art for the remaster. However, during this discussion Producer Koichiro Sakamoto and Project Manager Mariko Sato went over how that came to be because the original art was unfinished. Sato then explained how Yuuki was the one to ask to redraw the characters. As a reminder, both Sakamoto and Sato confirmed every Chrono Cross character’s was redrawn or retouched for the remaster.

First, Sakamoto explained how they broached the idea of revisiting the Chrono Cross character art.

We also asked Mr. Nobuteru Yuuki to refine the character illustrations. Some of the original illustrations were actually unfinished. So we had Mr. Yuuki draw them…

…There are so many great characters. Some people may be emotionally invested in the original illustrations. So we let you switch between the original and the remastered versions…

…Some of the color filling is a bit different. Some people will be able to tell the difference.

Project Manager Sato then brought up how Yuuki agreed, but then also asked to create new designs.

Initially, I went to ask if we could use the illustrations. He had a few regrets about them and he said, “Let me redraw them.” That sounded like a boon for us, so I asked him to do it.

Initially, we were just asking to use them. But there are so many characters in Chrono Cross that I wondered if he could get it done on time. He said, “Let me check my schedule!” And he managed to get it done on time.

Here's the full Chrono Cross and Radical Dreamers interview with Director Masato Kato.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNcJyNaUT3o&t=1301s&ab_channel=%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AF%E3%82%A6%E3%82%A7%E3%82%A2%E3%83%BB%E3%82%A8%E3%83%8B%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is available on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

The post Some Original Chrono Cross Character Art was Unfinished Until the Remaster appeared first on Siliconera.

Among the many topics that came up in Square Enix's hour-long interview with Chrono Cross Director Masato Kato was how the game featured parallel worlds, compared to Chrono Trigger's time travel. When discussing its development, he noted that he was "approached to create something new" and decided to do "something different this time." He then also explained about how the conceptualization stage is one of his favorite parts, though it can mean more frustration later on when trying to actually bring said concepts to life.

Here’s exactly what Kato had to say about the concept of Chrono Cross’ parallel worlds and how they came about to contrast with Chrono Trigger’s time travel.

I was approached to create something new. Chrono Trigger was based on time travel. So when I thought about doing something different this time, I decided to make a game using parallel worlds.

Basically, I hate repeating something I’ve done before. I like trying my hand at something new, something I’ve never attempted before.

In that sense, if I had to play a game or make a game, I wanted to see what I could construct with parallel worlds. I thought about what I wanted to do next. And it made clear sense to me to go with parallel worlds.

Kato also talked about the parts of game design and development he enjoyed most when discussing Chrono Trigger’s time travel and Chrono Cross’s parallel worlds. That also led to his joking about the frustrations that can also come up as a result.

The preparation stage before making the game is the most fun. “We could do this!” “I’d like to try that!” Daydreaming and coming up with ideas are the most enjoyable part. You don’t think about the hard work at that stage. You just impulsively and continuously expand your ideas. Like, “We could do this! Or, “This would be awesome!”

Then actually having to transfer that into data drives you to tears. “Whose idea was this?” “I wish I’d never suggested this!” “Stupid me!” Every single time I drive myself to despair having to actually make it.

There was a huge volume of character speech. There are two worlds, so two versions of each NPC each leading a different life. That’s what we had to create. I didn’t realize that when we were brainstorming. But I wound up driving myself to tears as I typed in all the text.

In the same interview, Kato also discussed how the game had 40 playable characters because he added "whatever [he] wanted on a whim."

Here's the full Chrono Cross and Radical Dreamers interview with Director Masato Kato.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNcJyNaUT3o&t=1301s&ab_channel=%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AF%E3%82%A6%E3%82%A7%E3%82%A2%E3%83%BB%E3%82%A8%E3%83%8B%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is available on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

The post Chrono Cross Director Explained Its Parallel Worlds Happened to ‘Create Something New’ appeared first on Siliconera.

As part of a new Square Enix official Chrono Cross interview video about the remaster, Director Masato Kato discussed the number of playable characters available in the title. Over the course of the adventure, people can eventually recruit 45 different people. However, which decisions you make do limit which characters can . When discussing it, he noted it was about adding characters he wanted to see “on a whim.” He also “apologized” to Funguy for how that party member was handled.

Here’s Kato’s exact statement regarding the number of playable characters in Chrono Cross.

Let me tell you, originally we wanted to make every character in the village playable. Unsurprisingly, this idea was rejected. Looking at it with a cool head, even I could see it was impossible. I gave up on that very rapidly.

Then, it was simply a matter of “I want a character like this and like that!” I kept on adding whatever I wanted on a whim, and we ended up with that greatly diverse cast of characters.

When I look at the character lineup now, if someone was to ask me, “Did you really need Funguy?” Maybe I would say he might not be necessary.

Kato also went on to talk more about Funguy after mentioning him. As a reminder, he’s the playable character who turned into a mushroom after eating an unusual one.

I feel sorry for what I did to Funguy. I should’ve given it more thought. I should’ve fleshed him out more if I wanted to include him. He ended up being called an unwanted character. I feel bad about that.

You can watch the full interview below. It also talked about how Radical Dreamers ended up being part of the remaster.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNcJyNaUT3o&ab_channel=%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AF%E3%82%A6%E3%82%A7%E3%82%A2%E3%83%BB%E3%82%A8%E3%83%8B%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is available on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

The post Chrono Cross Director Explains Why There are Over 40 Playable Characters appeared first on Siliconera.

A new Square Enix Chrono Cross interview with Director Masato Kato and Composer Yasunori Mitsuda touched on multiple elements from the remaster. In particular, the Satellaview visual novel Radical Dreamers came up. Kato noted Square Enix wanted to bring it back for a while, but that initial rereleases didn’t happen due to his being “a bit ashamed of it” and it not being “a fully finished game.” However, once Kato saw the prices it was demanding, he agreed. The Radical Dreamers Edition Producer Koichiro Sakamoto also spoke about talking to Kato to ensure it would be included.

Here’s Kato’s full explanation about the reason why Radical Dreamers showed up as part of the Chrono Cross remaster.

They had approached me multiple times about Radical Dreamers. They wanted to bundle it with other games, such as the Nintendo DS port of Chrono Trigger.

But I told them it was an old title. It breaks off midway. It’s not a fully finished game. So, I was a bit ashamed of it, and I kept saying I didn’t want to re-release it. I didn’t want to see it revived in some new form. So, I kept turning them down.

But then the game started selling at an incredible , which was a strange and unpleasant situation. So I thought, “Why not?” It may be embarrassing to me. But if people want to play the game normally and we’re letting them play it, then that’s fine. I resigned myself to the idea. I realized it was inevitable. So I said, “Okay, as long as we do it properly.” And the matter was settled.

Kato also noted that this visual novel “is not strongly connected” to Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross. That it falls between the two games.

As for Sakamoto, he explained the process of getting it in the remaster.

We told Mr. Kato, “We want to include it.” Some people were skeptical of whether it was really necessary. But we felt it was definitely what the fans wanted, so we worked hard to get it included.

Mitsuda also weighed in on the decision, which sparked everyone involved in the interview to laugh.

When I heard from Mr. Sato that Radical Dreamers would be included, I guessed that Mr. Kato had finally given up. So I assumed he must have yielded. Which was welcome news to me.

After Mitsuda’s comment, Kato joked,

Maybe it’s because I’ve gotten older. At this age, you don’t really care anymore.

Here's the full interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNcJyNaUT3o&ab_channel=%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AF%E3%82%A6%E3%82%A7%E3%82%A2%E3%83%BB%E3%82%A8%E3%83%8B%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is available on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

The post Chrono Cross Director Approached ‘Multiple Times’ About Radical Dreamers appeared first on Siliconera.

At the end of February 2023, Square Enix announced a Chrono Cross patch. It noted that, once applied, it would do things like fix bugs and adjust Pip’s evolutionary process. However, the game’s performance also came up. Now that the patch is live on February 22, 2023, the company confirmed the Chrono Cross update brings the framerate up to 60FPS.

The official update did note some stipulations for the Chrono Cross framerate, noting it might not always be 60FPS. It noted that depending on the person’s PC, it might not hit that. It also did note that in battle, it will only get up to 30FPS.

Here are the official 1.0.1.0. patch notes for the Chrono Cross update from Steam. It doesn't go into detail regarding the Pip adjustments.
Update Content

• Framerate improvements
• Changes to the growth system for Pip
• Other minor bug fixes

The framerate was a common issue in Chrono Cross, in particular for the PC version, with people doing things like making mods or using the Special K tool to reach 60FPS.

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is available on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, and its new patch is available now. It originally appeared on the PlayStation.

The post Chrono Cross Patch Framerate Changes Brings It Up to 60FPS appeared first on Siliconera.

Evolving Pip and getting access to new forms in Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition will be different following a new patch. Square Enix announced that an update will arrive in February 2023. While bug fixes and frame rate alterations are part of the adjustments, so will be alterations to the character’s evolution system.

As a reminder, Pip is an optional character you can add to your party in Chrono Cross by visiting Luccia’s lab in Viper Manor. Depending on the Elements equipped and used, you can send it down one of two evolutionary paths. One is a “dark” side triggered by Black, Red, and Yellow element usage. This would make Pip more of a physical attacker and show a devilish side. If someone makes Pip use Blue, Green, and White elements, then you get a “holy” character whose magical attacks will be stronger. The announcement didn't explain how Pip's growth system will change.

Here’s the official announcement in full.

Hello, everyone.

This is the Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition development team.

Following the launch of the game last year, we’re planning to release an update this month.

The update includes a wide range of changes, such as framerate improvements, changes to the growth system for Pip, and fixes for other bugs.

Thank you so much for all of your thoughts and on Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition. Have you discovered the secrets that original director Masato Kato added to this remaster?

We hope that you the update, and that you continue to enjoy playing the game into the future.

Thank you for continuing to Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition.

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is available on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, and a patch will appear in February 2023.

The post Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Patch Will Adjust Pip’s Evolutions appeared first on Siliconera.

It's the time of year to reflect. Especially as we start thinking about things we did or experienced. As in the last few years, 2022 definitely featured a game remake or remaster or two (or ten), which could make narrowing down the best a little difficult! So we decided to go over these types of titles as a group and see what everyone in the community had to say too.

Well I know what my answer should have been! While I continue my months-long sigh over here, I've been comforting myself with Tactics Ogre Reborn. There's a lot it could have done better (like patch up that sprite work), the gameplay is refined from its already top-notch PSP revision and well worth hundreds of hours of your life. — Graham

I'm going to go with Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition as the best game remaster of 2022. Square Enix did an amazing job with its remasters this year, and I missed this game! Also, its accessibility features really help when you have less time on your hands. I loved being able to speed through battles. Plus... it meant we ended up seeing a Super Famicom Satellaview localization in 2022. — Jenni

Since Graham already cited Tactics Ogre Reborn for me, I find myself split on my favorite "reheated game" of 2022, rather than remake or remaster. First off, calling The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe a mere "remaster" would be a truly great understatement. And yet, it's also not quite a "remake," straddling the strange territory between a reissue of a game you've seen before and something akin to a true sequel. I shan't say more, lest I spoil the fun, but you should play both the original and Ultra Deluxe when you get the time, in that order.

Meanwhile, The Last of Us Part I is very much more the typical revisit to a game that isn't even that old. The content is largely identical, so much so you'd be hard-pressed to tell the two apart if you aren't looking at them side-by-side. But at the same time, it's a beautiful revisit, and the additional options for accessible play lay a good bottom line for what games should all have. — Josh

Graham, Jenni, and Josh put me to shame. I've spent very little time playing games in 2022, and they've managed to pick up no less than four titles I wanted to indulge in. But you could almost substitute Graham's points on Tactics Ogre with my pick, Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster. I've not fully coalesced my thoughts on the Pixel Remasters, but it has been the perfect opportunity to finally play this seminal JRPG I missed as a child. And yes, it came out this year (and coming to Switch and PS4 in 2023 ), and why yes, it has been a really long year, hasn't it. — Khai

It's a simple pick for me. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion was an amazing remaster of an already great game (and I say this as someone who is pretty lukewarm towards all games in the FFVII extended universe), which may make it seem like a weak pick by comparison for best one of 2022. However, with all the changes made to the controls, giving the game an ease of access compared to it's PSP release along with other quality of life improvements, it's set a standard for Square Enix remasters going forward.

But what really elevated it for me, was revisiting Zack's story, and having that opportunity to do so. Crisis Core may have it's moments where it's really just goofy, but Zack's journey is an important one and lays the foundation for the events of the entire Final Fantasy extended universe. Not only that, but it's handling of propaganda, and watching Zack come to realize what SOLDIER stands for under Shinra (and what Shinra actually is), is done fairly well - the more absurdist elements aside.

So while I'd love to give to Tactics Ogre: Reborn, as it's still one of my favorite SRPGs of all time, Crisis Core really gripped me. — Kazuma

The post What’s the Best Game Remake or Remaster of 2022? appeared first on Siliconera.

Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius is currently running a Chrono Cross crossover event on its Japanese server. Serge, Kid, and Lynx will appear as playable units you can summon. During the event, the game will offer a free summon every day, as well as limited quests. The three will be available in the gacha from June 10 to July 5, 2022. [Thanks, Dengeki Online!]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54o8SKWVDTU

The trailer shows off the three characters’ Limit Bursts. Serge can use Sky Arrow, Kid can use Heat Shot, and Lynx can use Zero Eternal. Both Serge and Lynx are Mage/Buff types, whereas Kid is a Debuff/. Aside from characters, the Chrono Cross crossover in Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius will also have three limited Vision Cards. Each character will have a Vision Card pertaining to them.

[gallery ids="929890,929891,929892" link="file"]

The last crossover event that ran in Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius was with Xenogears. The Celestial Machinery event gave players the chance to summon Grahf and Id, as well as gave Fei as a free unit. While the Chrono Cross event is only on the Japanese server, the global one is holding a crossover with Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai. Players will be able to summon Neo Vision units Baran, Hyunckel, and Hadlar until June 22, 2022.

The Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius and Chrono Cross crossover event is available on the Japanese server and will end on July 5, 2022. Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius is available on mobile devices.

The post Chrono Cross Event is Available in Final Fantasy Brave Exvius appeared first on Siliconera.

There's a new RPG coming out this year, and it has a fair number of industry veterans working on the project. Project TriTri, as it's tentatively named, is an action RPG coming out sometime in Q2 2022. Notably, working on the project are artists, composers, and scenario writers from Xenoblade Chronicles, the Mana series, Octopath Traveler, and more. Further details, including the game's official title, will be announced on May 26, 2022. [Thanks, Gamer!]

The project's official website provides interested fans with a brief rundown. The game, which will be an entirely new IP, will focus on "reviving the golden age of '90s RPGs for the modern age." Releasing for the Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PS5, it will follow a young man who learns that he is the chosen Warrior of Chaos. It will solo play, as well as up to three-person multiplayer.

https://twitter.com/TriTri_info/status/1527484264320708608?s=20&t=nY5VLyhtPzTiG9d52_t--g

The website also goes through some of the people at the helm of the project. Working on world design is Nobuteru Yuki, who worked as a character designer on Chrono Cross and illustrator on Trials of Mana. The game's character designer is Raita Kazama of Xenoblade Chronicles fame. Yura Kubota, the writer for Octopath Traveler, is writing the scenario. The game's composer is Hiroki Kikuta, who worked on the soundtrack for both Trials of Mana and Secret of Mana.

Additionally, according to the game's design documents, the RPG will reportedly feature summonable familiars. Deg these unnamed familiars will be famous Pokemon designers Atsuko Nishida, Tomohiro Kitakaze, and Megumi Mizutani. Developing the game is Three Rings Design, the studio that helped develop Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town.

You can check out some of the design documents and art for Project TriTri in the screenshots below:

[gallery columns="4" link="file" ids="927575,927580,927573,927572"]

Finally, for those interested in solving riddles, the Twitter is hosting a competition where fans can guess the title of the game. Three winners will receive Amazon gift cards worth 10,000 yen (about $77). If you want a hint, you should take a look a second look at the project's website.

Further details surrounding Project TriTri and its official title will appear sometime on May 26, 2022. The game is expected to release sometime in Q2 2022 for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.

The post Xenoblade and Mana Series Veterans Are Teasing a New RPG appeared first on Siliconera.

Square Enix announced that it will be holding a Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition collaboration event. The event will be held at its Tokyo location. However, what sets this particular collaboration apart from others is that it will feature two mini-lives with composer Yasunori Mitsuda. The collaboration will be held from May 7 to June 10, 2022. Consumers can make reservations starting on April 22, 2022. The Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition Yasunori Mitsuda mini-lives at the Square Enix Cafe will be held on June 4 and June 5, 2022. Tickets for the mini-lives will cost 5,000 yen ($38), and reservations will begin on April 28, 2022. [Thanks, Gamer!]

Only 30 people will be able to purchase tickets for each mini-live. Additionally, attendees will not be able to record videos or take photos. The Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition Yasunori Mitsuda mini-live performances at the Square Enix Cafe will last roughly 45 minutes. Ticket purchases will include a coaster and placemat set. More information about the menu will be available in the future.

Square Enix Cafe collaborations include the distribution of unique, collectible merchandise. In the past, Square Enix has held collaborations with Final Fantasy XIV and Kingdom Hearts. During them, consumers could eat game-inspired menu items and obtain coasters, placemats, and other merchandise.

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is available for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

The post Chrono Cross Square Enix Cafe to Have Performance by Yasunori Mitsuda appeared first on Siliconera.

The release of Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition brings the long-held hopes of its fans to fruition. So... what do you want to see next? Here are the Siliconera team’s picks for most-wanted game remaster. Share yours, too!

Nintendo needs to bring Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn back. Yes, I own both and could easily go play them. But I would like both in a tidy Switch collection. Make them look all fresh and pretty!

Besides, this doesn't just benefit someone lazy like me. These two games can be incredibly expensive. Given Fire Emblem's increased reach over the last few years, I'm sure a lot of people didn't see them when they debuted. Releasing remasters of these two games would be a public service. — Jenni

Tales of Legendia is an amazing RPG with a wonderful story, memorable characters, and breathtaking music. It also suffers immensely for its extremely outdated (even at the time) and distinctly un-Tales-like battle system, awful dungeon designs, and poor graphics. It was, in my opinion, not a very pretty game to look at even at the time. But because of how terrible the packaging is, so many people skip what I consider to be the most powerful entry in the Tales franchise.

Something else about Legendia is that the game is actually incomplete. There was apparently supposed to be a third chapter after the Character Quests that they had to cut due to the sheer volume of the game. The English version didn't even voice the Character Quests, making an actual second act of the game feel more like a tacked-on bonus. A remaster would mean that we get to see the game's complete vision with modern engines to make it more palatable. As it stands today, the game is perhaps one that is better experienced as a Let's Play. — Stephanie

You say "Remaster?", I say "Sakura Wars!," and I'll continue to do so until it happens! The original Sakura Wars was fully remade for PS2, but I think the best option for a remaster would actually be to grab the original, Saturn-era Sakura Wars 1 and 2 and localize them for release on the Switch and other modern platforms. It wouldn't be too hard, given that they received the PSP treatment some years back. Make it happen, Sega! — Josh

I'm still a bit miffed that I'm not playing Advance Wars right now (I get the delay, but still... gimme?), but I'll take a break from that for a second and back up Josh on this one. The super-late timing of the Western So Long, My Love release and the ill-advised genre shift of the new game haven't given the franchise the chance it deserves outside Japan. Let's see the Saturn remasters! — Graham

The Legend of Dragoon is the first game that immediately comes to mind when I think of potential remasters. It's not the best RPG out there by any means! But with its rhythm-based QTEs and interesting blend of sci-fi and high fantasy, The Legend of Dragoon feels like a classic that's been due for a remaster for years. It'll probably never happen, but one can dream! — Kazuma

What is your most-wanted game remaster? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter! And read our other handy roundtables for more thoughts from the Siliconera team.

The post What Is Your Most-Wanted Game Remaster? appeared first on Siliconera.

There are a lot of characters in Chrono Cross that require a certain item before you can add them to your party. One of the more involved ones is Skelly. This is because you need to get his Angry Scapula, Good Backbone, Heavy Skull, Mixed Bones, Pelvic Bone, and Sturdy Ribs first. All of this can be done fairly early on in the game, but you need to visit a lot of different places first. So, to help you out, here’s how to recruit Skelly in Chrono Cross.

Editor’s Note: To help provide a sense of context, there will be some Chrono Cross spoilers regarding early events so people know when they can get some of Skelly’s bones in Another World. However, there are no spoilers about his past. 5h1c3r

The first part of Skelly can be gotten right after you’ve come to Another World. Serge will need to head to Termina, either with Kid or Leena. This means ing through Fossil Valley. That’s where you’ll find the Heavy Skull and start the Skelly sidequest in Chrono Cross.

First, go to the upper path and ladder in Fossil Valley. Lie and tell the guard blocking it that you are an exorcist. Once you are in the new area, you’ll hear about a strange sound. Go to the head of the fossil to get Skelly’s skull.

As a quick aside, in this same area and at this same time, you can get Draggy’s egg. Just descend the ladder on the left. If a guard tries to warn you, you’re climbing down the right one. In this area, you’ll see an egg in the nest. That’s Draggy! Bear in mind that if you do take it, you will need to fight a Dodo. That opponent is pretty strong, so you may want to come back to grab the egg later when you’re stronger.

When you get the next piece of Skelly depends on which character you sneak into Viper Manor with during the story. if you choose to go to Viper Mansion with Nikki, you will pretty much immediately get a chance to get his Angry Scapula. When Nikki goes into the waterfall, you’ll find the bone if you choose to read a very visible letter on the ground. If you decided to head to the mansion with Guile or Pierre, you will need to wait until after you have Korcha/Macha’s boat and can return to the mainland. If you head into the Shadow Forest to the right of the manor, then head left until you reach the waterfalls, you can go into the cave under the bottom left waterfall to get this part.

If you didn’t add Nikki to Serge’s party in Chrono Cross, your next piece of Skelly will appear in Guldove after your escape from Viper Manor. First, talk to the Element Trader outside of Doc’s house. This person will give you Skelly’s Pelvic Bone.

Before you leave Guldove, you need to visit Orlha’s bar. There is a dwarf in a helmet with a key item. If you talk with them a few times, they will give you a Green Tinkler. This is an item you need to explore the Hydra Marshes. Once you leave Guldove, you can either go get the Angry Scapula, if you missed it, or head off to grab a Good Backbone. The Shadow Forest’s enemies are a little less challenging, so I’d recommend getting that bone first.

After that, you can go to the Hydra Marshes in Another World. Those are east of Arni. First, take the left path to get the Safety Gear. You don’t need to equip it. However, just having it means you won’t take any damage while exploring the area. (The water is toxic.) Backtrack to the beginning area, and head up to the north path. Use the Green Tinkler on the plant you see as you continue upward. It will then allow Serge to access the area where Skelly’s Good Backbone is. Just head east, then go south. Head into a small cave to the far bottom right that is along the bottom-most path. It is right behind a treasure chest. If you investigate with the action button inside there, you will get Skelly’s backbone.

As another aside, you can get an essential item to recruit another character while you’re here. On the path to the Good Backbone, you’ll see an option to head to the east. If you go there, you’ll see two enemies near a treasure chest. Beat them and open the chest to get NeoFio’s Life Sparkle. You can take that to Viper Manor’s roof immediately after leaving the marshes to recruit that character.

The last two parts of Skelly are both on islands you can reach with Korcha’s/Macha’s boat immediately after leaving Guldove for the first time. If you go as far north as possible and head to the east, you can dock at the Isle of the Damned. Go north in this first area and head to the upper left. There’s a small cave like the one in the Hydra’s Marsh. Head inside and press the action button to get Mixed Bones.

After that, go south until you reach the Water Dragon Isle. If you head north up the rocks to the person standing up ahead, you can talk to them to get Sturdy Ribs.

Once you have all of the bones, immediately return to Termina. Head to the second level of the main area, and stop by the house to the right of the statue. Speak to the person sitting beside the window. Watch the climax of the sidequest, then give Skelly a moment. After you walk back inside, you can talk to Skelly and finally recruit him.

Skelly’s innate element in Chrono Cross is Black. He also can equip gloves, much like Mojo, NeoFio, and Poshul, three other characters who will likely be in your party by the time you acquire him.

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is available on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

The post How to Recruit Skelly in Chrono Cross appeared first on Siliconera.

It turns out the Chrono Cross remaster is also a restoration, as Producer Koichiro Sakamoto went over how the team needed to replace missing data and manually rebuild locations’ backgrounds. This was due to an incomplete version of the game and its 3D data. This meant the team needed to replay the game during development in order to properly prepare the modern ports.

Sakamoto first explained PlayStation limitations meant Chrono Cross locations involved creating a 3D place and using a capture of it as an actual background in game. However, part of the lost data involved the 3D designs. This meant the team had to take the renders they had, and then have AI and people fix them.

Here’s his full statement from the PlayStation Blog.

As a result, what we did back then was to create a 3D image, and then take a still capture of it. By using a still image for the background and moving the polygon characters around, we were able to depict depth and make it feel like a 3D space. It was a compromise between the realism that people wanted, and what we could realistically achieve with the hardware.

This is an approach the developers of Chrono Cross also took, but unfortunately, like many games of that era, the original 3D data before the prerender is no longer available – and that’s a problem.

What we had to do when working on this Chrono Cross remaster was to take each existing pre-rendered image to as high a resolution as possible. We then upscaled that and manually built on some of them at an even higher resolution.

It’s a very difficult task. We used AI to help to sharpen the images, but that’s not perfect – everything still comes down to having manual processes or the “human touch” to make sure it all looked appropriate.

The backgrounds you see in the final release is the result of a lot of effort from the team – something I’m very grateful to them for.

As for the Chrono Cross Battle Boost, the goal was to keep things from being too easy. Enemies are very likely to miss. Sakamoto noted, “That way, combat is made easier, but still requires involvement from players.”

The Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition remaster is now available on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.

The post Chrono Cross Locations and Other Data Had to Be Restored for the Remaster appeared first on Siliconera.

Square Enix shared yet another video promoting its next release. The Chrono Cross opening movie is now online ahead of the remaster’s debut. This is a slightly adjusted version of the cutscene that plays when someone starts the game, and it consists of segments from various FMVs that appear during its story. However, due to the disted nature and lack of context, it means there aren't major spoilers.

Here's the full Chrono Cross opening movie. Major characters like Serge, Kid, Lynx, and Harle feature prominently in it. Its dragons also appear. So do some major locations, like Oa Beach. When you start the game, this FMV plays.

To prepare you for tomorrow's launch of Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition, please enjoy the opening sequence from the game.

We hope you're as excited as we are! There's still time to pre-order: https://t.co/ybc2vd78sj pic.twitter.com/ySKOhsKd2q

— Chrono Cross (@chronogame) April 6, 2022

This Chrono Cross opening is one of many promotional shared ahead of the remaster's debut. For example, two music videos appeared. One features Aisling McGlynn singing "Dreams of the Past, Memories of My Soul." That's the new song included in the game. The other involves Dreamers' Circus performing "Sailing (Another World)."

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition will come to the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on April 7, 2022. There are no plans for a Chrono Cross sequel or new game, according to Square Enix.

The post Chrono Cross Opening Shared Ahead of Remaster’s Release appeared first on Siliconera.