* * * * * Chrono Trigger - Week 5 * * * * *

(Plain English: Scroll down to the bottom of the "OP" if you're lagging behind for previous weeks)


TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prologue:
i Okami Club
ii Fire Emblem Club

Epic Center:
01 Ogre Battle
24 Secret of Mana
39 Phantasy Star IV (cont'd)
67 Earthbound (cont'd)
99 Breath of Fire II (cont'd)
110 Paper Mario (cont'd)
123 Golden Sun (cont'd)
136 Chrono Trigger

(ALL VINTAGE EC GAMES ARE CONTINUED IN THEIR OFFICIAL DISCUSSION THREADS!)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Hello, true believers! Welcome to Negative World's newest RPG-centric Club Hub, springing off the heels of the Fire Emblem Club. Way back when, Nintendo Power introduced a monthly walkthrough / in depth Role Play Game section (right around the beefiest SNES RPG era), but since they aren't around anymore to use it, Negative World will bring it out of the ashes, dust it off, and roll with it (two things of note: #1, this is not in reaction to Nintendo Force Magazine at all -- I know that because I thought of it in the shower this morning, so THERE; and #2, I just looked up "Epic Center RPG" on Yahoo, and there is apparently another RPG-based site that has that, ugh. I guess we're looking at a "Ghostbusters" / "Real Ghostbusters" thing now... Whatever..).

For anyone who grew playing SNES RPGs, and were a fan of them, they surely resonated to the point where they still hold office as some of your favorite games of your entire videogame life, systems, generations, and decades later. The NW Epic Center (run primarily by myself, with the aid of some special friends occasionally) will help to expose some of those games that didn't quite get the recognition they deserved, and also to relive some of the greatest games EVER as we play through them again -- together -- and open up a whole new dialogue on these lost treasures.


Next up..



Chrono Trigger is held by many (myself included) as The Greatest RPG of All Time, pun not intended. It is a benchmark title in the genre, and even after 20 years the game is discussed daily and held in high regard, even in the face of juiced-up, HD "masterpieces." Is simpler sometimes better? Sure, but we're not talking "Dragon Warrior" simple here; we're talking 16-bit perfection at its finest. I'm personally a bit worried about pursuing this game once more; it's been a long time since my last jog through it, and I'm afraid I might have the rosiest pair of glasses that any shot of nostalgia could ever produce. We find out later this month, for better or for worse. (C'mon, it's gonna be fine -- we're talking Chrono Trigger here!! THE BEST, JERRY, THE BEST!!)

Sunday, August 30th marks the start of Week 1 (if you prefer to start your own quest AFTER Sunday, like Monday, or Tuesday, or Wednesday, thats fine!). Golden Sun ran 6 Weeks. GameDadGrant will be our DUNGEON MASTER for this one, and we figure the playthrough to run about the same length. Less than two months. I'm told the total quest should last you between 20 and 30 hours.


See ya soon!!


CHRONO TRIGGER

Dungeon Master: GameDadGrant

You Did It! Chrono Trigger Complete:
VofEscaflowne
Scrawnton
Mop it up
Ludist210


Week 4 Complete:
GameDadGrant
mrbiggsly
DapperDave

Week 3 Complete:
Mr_Mustache (and Mrs_Mustache!)

Week 2 Complete:
Smerd
Dark weres
warerare
sirmastersephiroth

Week 1 Complete:
Anand

Triggermen:
HammerLord
Koovaps

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5

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Keep meaning to join one of these sessions but I just played (and loved) this game before Christmas so it's way too fresh. Maybe next time.

The list of players in the OP seems unfinished...

I know Koovaps and Chris just posted after the OP was last edited, but myself and HammerLord, Pokefreak, and perhaps MopItUp are all playing. Also, who is Mean Mr. Mustard?

Despite a few hiccups getting the game working, I was able to put about an hour in already. So far so good! "Nobody say 'gate' around me." HA! And playing on the 64 in my (pig sty) game room really gets me itching to just disappear and retro game for days. If only...

Wow does this game look like ass on my Samsung HDTV. There's probably something I can do to help that but I can't find my remote right now... (been using my Wii U Tablet). It looks worse than 2D games which is interesting. Still, what a joy to boot up my old cartridge.

I found my original file. Level 23. Play time 29:31. I wonder when exactly that was. I also see a game file from "Princess" and another from "Deanna" which are probably both my old friend Deanna I don't really speak to anymore.

I'm appreciating the references in the beginning of the prologue. When Mario flies out of the castle and we see him, it looks like something from Yoshi's Island. Then the music playing reminds me of the 'falling after a boss' music in Super Mario Bros. 3.

Master Jr. Troopa is adorable.

I always loved the badges system. I hope I can find them all.

For my first level up, I chose Badge Points. What did you guys choose? What's going to be your strategy? I'm thinking of favoring badges over health or flower points.

Just started playing as well. No idea what strategy I will be using. Never played a Paper Mario game, except for the Wii's Super Paper Mario, which really is not the same as the previous Paper Mario games.

@DrFinkelstein

I chose badges as well! I think I'll focus on those for a while. And I'm playing on an old tube tv, so it looks just fine to me.

I'm trying to get to the Koopa town now but those stupid toads (who are clearly the koopas in disguise) are blocking me. Even though I went to talk to Merlon as they said, they wont budge. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong here...

@DrFinkelstein

Figure it out yet? Did you really talk to Merlon?

Okay, I finished week 1. Hooray for me! My play time was at 3:15. I'm enjoying the heck out of this game. On level 4 and I'm still just upgrading badges for now.

@Koovaps

I paid him. I didn't try to talk to him direct though. I'm out of coins right now too. I probably just have to talk to him direct. You can tell me if that's what I'm supposed to do. I'll be trying anyway. Or you can tell me it's not.

Ah, now after doing the right thing, not only am I shown the continuation of the story but I flat out remember this sequence. DUH! Thanks for the nudge though Brandon.

@DrFinkelstein

No prob. I'm guessing that stupid sports game has kept this page relatively quiet today. Bummer. I was enjoying this game through most of it, and having a great time!

@Koovaps

I didn't watch the Super Bowl today. Too busy playing Paper Mario, spending time with my girl, and doing some cleaning. I now have Kooper but I'm going to bed. I almost approached the Koopa Gang but I turned around to save for later. I think I'm close to the checkpoint... maybe not. But I have limited time this week and I have to be done by Tuesday really. Maybe I might have time Wednesday night.

Alright, everythings caught up.

@Koovaps

How long did the week run you?

DrFinkelstein said:

Also, who is Mean Mr. Mustard?

Mean Mr. Mustard sleeps in the park, shaves in the dark, trying to save paper. Sleeps in a hole in the road, saving up to buy some clothes, keeps a ten bob note up his nose. Such a mean old man.

@Mr_Mustache

Have you seen his sister Pam?

ludist210 said:

Have you seen his sister Pam?

His sister Pam works in a shop, she never stops, she's a go-getter. Takes him out to look at the Queen, only place that he's ever been. Always shouts out something obscene; such a dirty old man.

@Mr_Mustache

Oh, you should see Polythene Pam. She's so good looking, but she looks like a man. You should see her in drag dressed in her polythene bag.

Yes, you should see Polythene Pam. Yeah yeah yeah.

@Mr_Mustache

I know the Beatles reference but I thought you were referencing a user.

I've finished week 1. I think my play time was 2:37. I probably have an advantage from playing this chapter over and over again when visiting my cousin's house back when this game was new. For the first time in a Paper Mario game, I've decided not to make HP my number 1 priority when choosing my upgrades. I normally upgrade HP the most because I'm super conservative with items and FP, saving them for boss fights almost exclusively.

Has anyone returned Goombaria's doll to her? Have you checked out the koopa's radio?

Also, if you're up for an extra challenge when fighting the boss at the end of this week, have Goombario use his Tattle ability on every form and part of the boss. It's not super hard, but it does mean that Mario will be your sole fighter for most of the battle.

I may not finish Week 1 this week. Grandfather is sick and don't feel like pulling the 64 out at the moment because of it.