Square Enix announces Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition remaster, launching on April 7
Announced during today’s Nintendo Direct presentation, Square Enix is bringing Chrono Cross back with a remaster on April 7, titled Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition. The latest release of the 1999 RPG comes packaged with the once Japan-exclusive text-based game, Radical Dreamers.
Square Enix confirms that the re-release is coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam). Based on the store pages, the game will be priced at $19.99.
In a press release, shared below, Square Enix details how Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition includes new features, including the ability to turn off encounters, as well as an enhanced soundtrack. It also has improved character models, new character artwork, a new background filter feature, HD Font, and more. Square Enix notes that the HD filters for the 3D models, illustrations, font, and background can be toggled off, though in an all-or-nothing fashion. You can't have the new art with the old font, for example.
Even more additions are detailed in a blog post, such as a speed-up 'turbo' like functionality and 'Battle Boosts', which seem to be in-game cheats like similar to those seen in various Final Fantasy re-releases. It also specifies you can switch between the original and refined soundtracks, too.
Radical Dreamers, a text-based adventure for the Satellaview serving as a side-story to Chrono Trigger, comes bundled with Chrono Cross. After launching in 1996, Radical Dreamers would never release anywhere outside of Japan. However, the story did inspire parts of director and writer Masato Kato’s work in Chrono Cross.
Below you can find the announcement trailers, comparison screenshots, a press release, and all official assets, via Square Enix and Nintendo.
Trailers
Nintendo Direct Announcement
Announce Trailer
New Vs. Old Comparison Screenshots
Square Enix notes that the new versions of the 3D models, illustrations, font, and background filter can be toggled off, but not separately. They will all be switched together. Below is a handful of comparison shots.
Press Release
Square Enix today announced Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition, will be available digitally for the PlayStation4 console, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Steam on April 7, 2022. Players will embark on an epic adventure that transcends time and space, with refined illustrations from original character designer, Nobuteru Yuuki, remastered music from acclaimed composer, Yasunori Mitsuda, and a variety of additional features.
Chrono Cross which was never before released in Europe, returns as a remaster in Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition. Follow the story of Serge, who stumbles into another world and learns of the connection between his existence and the future of his planet. A classic time-bending tale of adventure and friendship, featuring one of the largest and most diverse casts of playable characters of any RPG. With over 40 potential party members, each character brings their own element affinity and unique skills. Additionally, "Radical Dreamers - Le Trésor Interdit -", a text-based adventure video game released for Satellaview in 1996, which forms the bedrock of the story, is also included in this edition.
Players can look forward to some exciting new features, such as:
- 3D models converted to HD*
- Brand new artwork and character redesign by Nobuteru Yuuki*
- Refined background music by Yasunori Mitsuda
- Switch enemy encounters on or off
- Background filter feature*
- Battle enhancement features
- The ability to change the game speed - you can make the game faster or slower (except for cutscenes) right from the beginning
- Battle Boosts - get an edge on the enemy to make battles easier if you just want to progress through the story
- Auto-battle function
- French, Italian, German and Spanish localization now added
- Switch between imitation pixel font and HD font*
- The inclusion of Radical Dreamers, never before released in the West.
- Players can choose between playing with original or updated graphics*
*The 3D models, illustrations, font and background filter cannot be toggled separately. They will all be switched together.
Originally released only in Japan as Chrono Concert series merchandise, fans in the West can now pre-order “Chrono Cross Music Box Chrono Cross -Scars of Time-” for the first time. Shipping in October 2022, this music box features music composed by Yasunori Mitsuda. The item can be purchased exclusively at the SQUARE ENIX Online Store.
Screenshot Galleries
