These FAQs are also culled from my original guide; I'm only focusing on story elements. The main reason I'm reprinting these is because they directly contradict other FAQs out there, and the more chaos I can sow the better. Enjoy!
And if you give me any crap about spoilers, I will personally slaughter you and use your intestines as a non-feathered boa for my next social engagement.
a. WHAT'S THIS ABOUT A CHRONO TRIGGER REMAKE?
About a month before Chrono Cross was released in Japan, Square reissued Chrono Trigger for Playstation. Like Final Fantasy Anthology, it's largely emulated rather than reprogrammed, but unlike FFA it has barely any slowdown and battle transitions are extremely quick. Additionally, there are several anime scenes added to the beginning, the end and - gasp! - throughout the game. Square finally got around to releasing the remake in the US, a mere year late, to help shore up their summer 2001 release list (which otherwise consisted of the craptacular disasters Driving Emotion Type S and The Bouncer). CT 2000 is the second disc of the Final Fantasy Chronicle set, alongside the excellent retranslation of Final Fantasy IV. The script is almost completely unchanged from the original 1995 Ted Woolsey translation (there are some small differences, but they're trivial enough that only the most obsessive CT junkie would notice them), completing the game and tracking down the alternate endings unlocks multiple secrets, and the new animations add a small bit of interest to the story (sadly, they look a lot like DragonBall and mostly consist of Crono doing a bunch of stuff by himself, which looks a bit silly even if it does help prevent visual discontinuity between the optional party members in the anime and in your active team). This is offset by the negatives: there's significant slowdown during some of the more visually impressive battle events (fighting time-shifting Lavos in particular grinds the poor weak PlayStation to half-speed), there's a two-second pause before battles, and loading menu screens of any sort takes between two and five seconds, making the game seem a lot more sluggish and dull than the original. Still, CT is an excellent RPG which in many ways is aging better than its sequel, and is practically required material for making sense of CC's plot, and FF Chronicles comes highly recommended. Yo.
b. THIS STORY IS KINDA CONVOLUTED... CAN YOU SORT THINGS OUT? MY BRAIN HURTS.
Yeah, that's what the Timeline section is for. Scroll up. Up!
c. IS GLENN THE SAME GLENN FROM CHRONO TRIGGER? YOU KNOW, FROG?
(no) No. NO. Let me stress that now: CC's Glenn and CT's Glenn are NOT one and the same. Yes, they both have the same name, and they both can perform an X-Strike with the hero. They both are knightly swordsmen. But beyond that, they are NOT alike. But if you need more tangible proof, CT's Glenn lived in A.D. 600; CC's Glenn was born 400 years later. CT's Glenn and CC's Glenn are both shown as children speaking to characters from each respective time period, meaning they grew up in the eras in which you meet them, so there's no time-travel involved. Furthermore, CT's Glenn was transformed into a frog during his late teen years (you can tell, 'cause he was a CT generic male teenager sprite when he was changed) and stayed that way for 10 years; CC's Glenn is 20, meaning if he were Frog-Glenn, he'd be amphibian at that age. CT's Glenn had green hair (check the anime clips in the CT remake), CC's does not. CT's Glenn spoke a formal medieval dialect; CC's is a serious and somewhat formal person, but his speech is not archaic - merely polite. And while CT's Glenn wielded the Masamune, CC"s Glenn wields Einlanzer, the nemesis of the Masamune. So NO. They're not the same. Just like FFVII's Cid Highwind is in no way the same character as FFV's Cid Previa. Now stop spreading dumb rumors or I will kill you.
d. IS GUILE ACTUALLY MAGUS?
Probably not. However, according to Andrew Vestal (andrewv@thegia.com), in Radical Dreamers (the text-adventure from which Chrono Cross derives some of its story) the Guile character was named "Gil." He was a masked mage with long white hair and at the end of the game, you discovered he was actually Mahou (Magus) looking for Sara (Schala). Obviously, this was changed for the revised game for a number of reasons; but Guile does indeed resemble Magus - a powerful black mage with long white hair who floats as he moves. Their personalities seem a bit different, though, with Guile seeming much more gregarious than Magus. Additionally, their ages don't seem to match up - Guile is 27, and Magus would probably be older by this point. Good guesswork, though. As a side note, Guile was called "Alf" in the Japanese game - similar to Janus' (Jacky's) cat Alfador. I think it's a mind game by Square. (A NOTE: Radical Dreamer's Gil character is officially named "Magil" in English, based on the text in Chronopolis from the alternate-reality memoirs. Further means by which to debunk the myth)
e. ARE THERE ANY CHRONO TRIGGER CHARACTERS IN CHRONO CROSS?
Yes, several. Some you'll recognize, some you won't. Here they are:
- Crono, Lucca, Marle: These appear as child-like apparitions with Miguel and Belthasar. - Belthasar (aka Gash): The creator of the Wings of Time is now the "Prophet of Time" at Viper Manor. And here you thought he was dead. - Schala (aka Sara): You'll see her both as Schala and as her other self. - Slash, Flea and Ozzie (aka Soy Sauce, Mayonnaise and Vinegar): They appear as a bonus fight in the Bend of Time once you've finished the game. - Masa and Mune (aka Gran and Leon): They never appear as the sword kids, but they still play a pivotal role. And their sister Doreen shows up. The fused Masamune beast shows up in a Tech skill, too.
f. ARE CRONO, MARLE AND LUCCA REALLY DEAD? :-(
In Another world, yes, it seems so. Oh yeah, and when Fate terminates the Prometheus program? Prometheus was Robo's original name. Massive suckage. Looks like the only characters who didn't get the shaft were Frog, Magus and Ayla. And if Leah is Ayla's daughter, then Kino and Ayla may have been killed as well (apparently Leah's village was destroyed, but the game never elaborates. Thanks, Square). But it's quite possible that when Serge restores time in the "proper" ending, he erases Lynx's meddling. Quite likely, this action undoes those deaths along with many other tragedies caused by Fate and the time split (in addition to restoring Kid's true self, of course).
g. BUT WHAT ABOUT CRONO AND MARLE?
The only clue I saw regarding their fate is that Guardia was referred to as a peaceful kingdom - in the past tense. It's possible that Porre's adventurism caused some sort of war that resulted in the deaths of the heroes and monarchy of Guardia. This too could have been eradicated by the Frozen Flame, seeing as the Flame was a major factor in Porre's actions. I suspect more details will be made known in future installments of the series; they can't just kill off heroes and not explain why. OK, they can, but it sucks.
h. AND LEAH? IS SHE AYLA'S DAUGHTER?
Leah is an enigma. She refers to some sort of disaster that wiped out her village, and she's looking for her parents, but nothing really comes of it. It's possible Leah may somehow be Ayla's mom, which is amazingly stupid, but if you finish the game with her in your party she decides to name her kid "Ayla." Someone deserves a punch in the mouth for this one...
i. WHO WAS THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER FROM THE MAINLAND WHO SAVED KID?
Ah yes, that's an interesting question. When you choose to take the "Glenn" path of the game, you find that despite your inability to find Hydra Humour, a mysterious stranger from the Zenan continent came and gave Doc the necessary medicine to save Kid while you were beating up on Fargo. Apparently the "mysterious stranger" was Norris, who was actually in disguise in Viper Manor the whole time. Why did he have Hydra Humour? How did he know to help Kid? Who knows. But, this is elaborated upon in one of the extra endings - thanks to ManaElf@aol.com for pointing this out.
j. CAN I KEEP HARLE FROM LEAVING THE PARTY?
No, her departure is an important aspect of the story. Ah, poor Harle.
k. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO EACH CHARACTER'S OTHER WORLD SELF?
Here's a chart of who is where in each world, when accounted for. An asterisk indicates recruitablility. Some of these I had to interpolate based on various scraps of dialogue, so if you've found more definitive information, please let me know.
CHARACTER HOME ANOTHER
--------------- ----------------------------- -----------------------------
Serge *Main character Died 10 years prior
Kid A member of Radical Dreamers *Lone wanderer
(according to M. Kato)
Poshul *Arni *Arni
Leena Arni *Arni
Radius *Arni Chief Hermit's Hideaway
Marge Lives with Serge Moved after Serge's death
Peppor Entertainer on S.S. Zelbess Acacian Dragoon
Solt Entertainer on S.S. Zelbess Acacian Dragoon
Mojo Unknown *Arni
Guile Unknown *Termina
Pierre Unknown - probably dead! *Termina
Nikki Indebted to Fargo *Traveling musician
Zappa *Blacksmith in Termina Blacksmith in Termina
Zippa Married to Zappa Married to Zappa
Greco Unknown *Priest
Van *Cynical artist Mopey artist
Gogh Impoverished artist Wealthy trader
Miki *Tours with Nikki Tours with Nikki
Lisa Shoptender in Termina Shoptender in Termina
Funguy *Camping in Shadow Woods Living in Termina
Skelly Unknown *Deceased, more or less
Glenn Died in Dead Sea expedition *Acacian private
Riddel Died in Dead Sea expedition *Lady of Viper Manor
Lord Viper Died in Dead Sea expedition *Lord of Viper Manor
Marcy Died in Dead Sea expedition *Acacian Deva
Karsh Died in Dead Sea expedition *Acacian Deva
Zoah Died in Dead Sea expedition *Acacian Deva
Lynx Died in Dead Sea expedition Humanoid conduit for FATE
Luccia Whereabouts unknown *Viper Manor's scientist
Guardian of Nikki & Marcy Guardian of Nikki & Marcy
Harle Does not exist *Enigmatic Jester
Orcha Barkeep, Guldove *Chef, Viper Manor
Macha Guldove *Guldove
Korcha Guldove *Guldove
Mel Guldove *Guldove
Doc Guldove *Guldove
Steena *Shaman in Guldove Assistant shaman in Guldove
Deria Deceased Shaman in Guldove
Orlha Unknown *Barkeep in Guldove
NeoFio Does not exist *Luccia's experiment
Pip Does not exist *Luccia's experiment
Razzly *Lost faerie Unknown, presumed dead
Fargo Embittered extortionist *Fiesty pirate
Sprigg [Exists as a creature of the Dimension Vortex]
Wazuki Became Lynx Became Lynx
Miguel [Bonded to the Dead Sea at Nadia Square - transcends worlds]
Norris *Leader of 'Black Wind' Porre spy in Viper Manor
Starky *Lost alien Unaccounted for
Draggy Unaccounted for *Nothin' but orphans!
Janice *Grand Slam champion Presumed dead or enslaved
Dario Living on Forbidden Isle Died on Isle of Damned
Sage of Marbule Indebted to Fargo Marbule Chief
Irenes *Seeking to restore Marbule Unknown
Sneff *Indebted to Fargo Unknown
Grobyc Unknown *Hired by Porre
Leah *Lives in Gaea's Navel Dead for millions of years?
Turnip Sleeping solider in V. Manor *Worthless vegetable
l. WHAT ARE RADICAL DREAMERS?
A dangerous band of thieves operating on the Zenan mainland, for one thing. But the game Radical Dreamers - referred to throughout this document - is a Japanese only interactive novel that served to some degree as the followup to Chrono Trigger. Because it was released for the Satellaview - a downloadable game service for the Super Famicom (SNES) which was essentially the same as the US's Sega Channel - there was never a "real" release of the game. The revelant plot points of which I'm aware are listed throughout this guide. Currently there are translation efforts in the works to bring Radical Dreamers to English; see http://demiforce.parodius.com for more information.
m. HOW COME SO MANY CHARACTERS SUCK? I HATE THAT!
Chrono Cross offers console RPG players something they're not used to: immense freedom to create a diverse, varied party. You might notice that the seriously wacky or useless characters like Mojo, Turnip and Poshul are all optional. There's a reason for this: the game gives you 19 compulsory characters (only about 14 of which can be acquired in a single playthrough, and of whom several spend most of the game comatose or as enemies). Which leaves you with a "real" party no larger than that in Final Fantasy VI. You know, the game that a lot of people think was the best thing ever created. Additionally, almost all of these forced characters receive a solid amount of character development, making all but a few (Macha for one...) legitimate and worthwhile extensions to the party.
The other characters - the ones you can CHOOSE to recruit, but don't HAVE to recruit - are simply available for you to use at your whim. Some of them have interesting subplots or can make available useful items. Others are useful additions to any combat party (Leena and Orlha are a powerful mage and fighter, respectively, with well-fleshed personalities and would be worthy characters in any RPG). And some are just interesting oddball additions to add to the party for the sake of perversity. But none are necessary to complete the game; people disdain for the game's huge cast stems from their habit of thinking they have to power-up every character, or that a character must have a novel-length subplot devoted to him or her. This isn't the case, just like you don't have to complete every single subquest in Final Fantasy adventures to beat those games. Of course, just try explaining that to RPG freaks, the most conservative and closed-minded collection of people ever to sit quietly through a PlayStation BIOS screen; just accept that not every game has to be a carbon copy of Dragon Warrior IV, Final Fantasy VI or Chrono Trigger and you'll be OK.
n. OK, THEN HOW COME THE CHARACTER DESIGNS ARE WORSE THAN THE FIRST GAME'S?
Because you smoke too much crack? Or maybe because it's all subjective? Personally, I don't think Chrono Trigger's Akira Toriyama holds a wet candle to Chrono Cross' Nobuteru Yuuki, but if you disagree, hey, have fun with your little mongoloid-looking midget steroid addicts. But keep in mind that every time you talk about how much cooler Magus looks than Yamaneko you're simply wallowing in irony, since Magus looks exactly like the dark elves from Record of Lodoss War - who, incidentally, were designed 15 years ago by Yuuki.
o. WELL, IN ANY CASE, YOU CAN'T DENY THAT CHRONO CROSS MADE AN UNHOLY MESS OF THE FIRST GAME'S SENSE OF CLOSURE.
That's true, but as I said above: is it permanent? I doubt it. People get angry about the manner in which so many characters and events from the original game get mucked up in the course of the sequel, but the goal of Chrono Cross is to heal that damage by repairing time and rescuing Schala. Crono and co. are dead in one reality, but their fate in the other is unaccounted for, and it's entirely likely that everything wrong is right again once Serge reawakens on Opassa Beach with the rift in reality healed. The details remain to be seen, but that's what part three is for, eh? Of course, the game never discloses how anyone except for Robo was killed, so a great deal remains uncertain. But this whole series is about rewriting history... death is less permanent here than in the freaking X-Men.
p. IS IT REALLY POSSIBLE TO GO THE ENTIRE GAME WITHOUT RECRUITING KID?
One of the small oddities about Chrono Cross which few people realize is that you can complete the game without ever recruiting Kid, one of the game's central characters. Most people, myself included, assume that she eventually has to become part of your party no matter what and recruit her at some point, but the fact is that it's possible to complete the quest in its entirety without ever allowing her to join up. Here are the points at which it's possible to ignore the girl:
1. At Cape Howl - Say no three times and Leena will join the party instead.
2. In Termina - Refuse to allow her to join when she accosts your party.
Rather than invading Viper Manor with you, she'll sneak in behind you
and even free you from the trap there. Kid will still take Lynx's
poisoned dagger to the gut, though.
3. In Guldove - choose not to help her (take the Glenn story path) and go
ahead to Fort Dragonia without returning to Guldove. She will be healed
by a mysterious stranger from the mainland (see above) and sneak into
the fort behind you.
4. Once Serge is back to his old self, ignore the wounded Kid at Hermit's
Hideaway. Complete the game by taking Steena to Dragon Falls and
acquiring the Chrono Cross.
What's the point, you ask? Don't ask me, I didn't make the game. I guess the significance of all of this is that no matter what happens, Serge's fate is tied inexorably to Kid's. Even if you take his vision at the beginning of the game as a warning and try to avoid the girl for her own good (to spare her the pain of a stab to the gut), her path is inevitably crossed with Serge's. Of course, you understand her character better if you seek out all the various extra dialogues and scenes with her (the campfire on Water Dragon Isle, the burning orphanage, etc.), but so important is Kid to the game that even if you avoid her she's still pivotal to the plot - a reinforcement of the true nature of the game as a Chrono Trigger sidequest, and of Kid's true nature as the princess of a long-vanished kingdom. OK, I'm making all of this up off the top of my head, but you have to admit it's a good bluff.