92 Metacritic JRPG with the best plot in 16-bit history (and it's not Final Fantasy 6)

The 16-bit era of gaming produced some of the most influential and memorable titles of all time, in one area in particular. Often considered the golden age of JRPGs, the genre flourished during this period. In the entire library of innovative titles released during the 1990s Final Fantasy 6 it comes up again and again when discussing the best of the best. And even though FF6 certainly deserves the recognition it's getting, another game developed by Square that came out just a year later managed to reach the top FF6famous turn.

Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 6 are undeniable classics and both have a Metacritic rating of 92. One of the main contributing factors to Chrono TriggerThe company's lasting legacy is the fact that it was a joint dream project between established and prominent figures. Dragon Quest Creator Yuji Horii joined Final Fantasy designer/creator Hironobu Sakaguchi along with Dragon Ball artist Akira Toriyama to serve as co-director. Yasunori Mitsuda and Nobuo Uematsu were brought in to compose the score. With such talent behind it, Chrono Trigger it had high expectations to live up to, especially what it would inevitably be compared to FF6. Chrono Trigger more than delivered on its promise by featuring an incredible twist that rivals and even surpasses Final Fantasy 6'with.

Spoilers for Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 6.

Chrono Trigger's Shocking Plot Twist is one for the ages

Chrono TriggerAn exciting plot twist occurs about halfway through the adventure. After traveling back and forth through different time periods, recruiting party members, and uncovering revelations about the past and future, the group confronts one of the main villains, Queen Zeal, in an attempt to realize their grand plan. By harnessing and absorbing the power of Lavos, a powerful parasitic alien entity (and true antagonist Chrono Trigger), Zeal is to become immortal.

It has all the hallmarks of a classic showdown where the heroes arrive just in time to thwart the villain's plan and seemingly set things right in history. However, as the fight unfolds, it becomes clear that the party cannot really overcome their enemies. As Zeal rejoices in his victory and prepares a final attack, Chrono TriggerA beloved hero makes a heroic sacrifice to save his friends, and the survivors are thrown back through time in the ensuing magical explosion.

Casting magic in battle in Chrono Trigger

The act leaves the remaining characters stunned, showing the same level of shock and disbelief that most fans probably felt. It completely changes the dynamic and trajectory of the rest of the plot as both players and characters find themselves in a state of flux wondering what to do and where to go next. Cron's death creates obstacles and opportunities for player agency and narrative, so fans can grapple with:

Losing the main character and his abilities
Rebalancing remaining party members and rethinking strategies
A selection from a series of substantial, if technically optional, side adventures for you to embark on

One of the side quests is to save Cron, and it's likely that many of them will continue. However, it is also optional and Chrono Trigger can be completed without it. This too was very unorthodox and is also a large part of his impact and influence.

The lasting legacy of Chrono Trigger's Timeless Twist

Chrono Trigger it presents an unexpected story beat by killing off the main character during the climactic battle, thus becoming a defining moment of the game. It changed the standards and expectations of JRPGs at the time in a way that hadn't really been done before. Chrono Trigger is 30 years old, and his twist remains one of the most effective and heartbreaking in the gaming world. It was a bold design decision, to say the least, that stuck indelibly with it and resonated with fans and developers for years to come. In a single moment, Chrono Trigger set the stage for devastating carpet moves in JRPGs, leading to a similarly shocking moment in, for example Final Fantasy VII.

Final Fantasy 6 vs. Chrono Trigger

In addition to the most famous, Final Fantasy 6 and Chrono Trigger they have several other revelations and memorable moments in their stories that contain some parallels.

*Chrono Trigger*	Final Fantasy 6
Crono dies at the hands of Lavos and Queen Zeal	Kefka unleashes the power of the Warring Three to create the World of Ruin
Marle is Princess Nadia	Terra is half Esper
The frog is Glenn	Celeste is a former agent of the Empire
Janus is a magician/prophet	The brush poisons the water supply at home

And while both are undoubtedly among the best classic JRPGs, Chrono Trigger wins over FF6 because it goes further than its competition.

Why Chrono Trigger's Plot Twist is better than Final Fantasy 6

Final Fantasy 6The most infamous twist comes when Kefka Palazzo betrays Emperor Gestahl and causes the apocalypse. FF6 he sees the villain basically win, which was certainly unexpected and surprising. The big difference is that even during this event and its aftermath, none of the main characters actually died. The cast were scattered to far corners when the World of Balance became the World of Ruin, but they still lived somewhere in it.

There is an exception in that Shadow will be permanently gone unless fans wait for him on the Floating Continent.

Chrono TriggeCompletely removing the main protagonist at a key moment and then obfuscating the fact that it's possible to get him back is a master class in subverting expectations. It is both emotionally impactful and has a huge impact on them Chrono Triggerstory and gameplay. While it a Final Fantasy 6 stand from tip to toe in many ways, Chrono Trigger taking that risk and pulling it off so well gives it an edge, cementing its status as the best-turned JRPG in 16-bit history.