Don't feel bad, I didn't care for it either. I actually didn't like the combat system all that much either. I would have to put that game on my list of most overhyped games of all time. I have played many RPG's that are much better than this one. I sometimes don't get it when people give you trouble just because you don't like a game that everyone who plays games seems to think is a great game.

I made a site long ago that was frequented by a number of RPG fans, and a few of them didn't like Chrono Trigger, so there are definitely plenty of others that agree with you.

Oh man, this is gonna stir up something fierce. We'll put extra security detail around your home, 24/7.

You probably also hate puppy dogs, a child's laughter and Freedom. I Hope you're happy with yourself, Satan.

I love Chrono Trigger, but I can admit that if Pokemon had never existed, CT would be the lightest runaway success RPG ever.

I'll play along with you Jason because I may have a reason to be hated even more than you. Fact is, I haven't played more than 5 or so hours of Chrono Trigger. For whatever reason, like you, it just didn't grab on to me, but has always been one of those games I meant to get back to. Now, I have a reason.

Wait, what about Back to the Future? How do you feel about that film?

@ Jason - Yeah, it's kinda cheesy.

I never finished Chrono Trigger, maybe I'll pick it up and play along with you.

Damn it, Jason. I was literally in the middle of typing up an article about how I just played Chrono Trigger for the first time and didn't like it. You beat me to the punch.

good luck with that... i couldnt finish it. just didnt care about any of the characters.

Only once has somebody ever said to me face-to-face "I played chrono trigger... Didn't care for it."

... may he rest in peace.

I will play along with you. I shall use my PSX version and develop a hatred for the load times and by extension the game... and I shall blame you for it.

We should get Greg Sewart to play it with you in parallel.

I just beat this game for the first time last week and loved it. Perhaps we just have different tastes, but I have no idea why I didn't play through sooner.
In any case, I'm totally in for playing along again. I still need to get all of the endings.

If you don't like it you don't like it. Don't force it. I'd play along but I just played it recently and I feel like I probably won't need to play it again for a few years.

But yeah, if you don't like it don't beat yourself up. I personally didn't like and couldn't get into Fallout 3 and I tried many times too. Eventually I just accepted that it wasn't for me and was actually grateful of the hours of my life that were spared.

The “I generally think too many writers turn to time travel as an easy way to add "excitement" to their stories“ argument doesn't really work in this case. Not any more than “Mobsters, again!” works with The Godfather. One of the reasons time travel is used so heavily in modern video games is because it was done so well in Chrono Trigger.

What do you detest about the combat? I'm just trying to understand your perspective on this, since compared to every other JRPG I've played the combat is excellent. Then again, JRPG combat tends to be boring and repetitive.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to hearing more about your opinion of the game in the future, though I'd like to echo some other posters here and say that if you don't like it you probably shouldn't keep playing it. If something about it, perhaps its hype, has already turned you off than you'll spend all your time nitpicking the tiniest flaws and trying to come up with a reasonable justification for your opinion. I'd be glad to hear that justification, but I think you'd have more fun doing something else, and in the end playing games is all about fun.

Meh. It's pretty much one of my favorite all time games but I would never expect everyone to agree with me. I do hope you enjoy it more this time though. I know I did when I played the DS version. Just keep in mind, even though you are playing the new version, that it is a 15 year old game!

Good idea! I'll play along as well. I bought it for the SNES, and played it through two or three times. But you're right, it's over-hyped. It's a Good Game(c), probably one of the better RPGs on the SNES for sure, but I wouldn't say it's the best.

I'm looking forward to the shared experience!

Jason, do you plan on doing this semi-game club style and assigning points to play up to each week? Or do we just go crazy on it?

I beat it for the first time last spring on the DS and it was OK but I think it benefits from nostalgia. After having played Dragon Quest V I think it is a superior game.

Hey I'm already playing this game. I started it last month sometime, maybe even September, and I'm still trying to make my way through it. It's not that I don't like it but I'm also playing other games and reading books at the same time. You'll probably beat the game before I do actually.

Just last night I was playing me some Chrono Trigger and suddenly the game froze up. When I restarted it I found that all my save data had disappeared. I can't help but believe that this is your fault. I blame you, Jason Wilson, and will curse your name forever!

To be honest with you Jason, I'm not sure that another shot at this game is gonna change your mind. From what you said it would seem that Chrono Trigger just isn't your bag. That's the thing about opinions, you're always right from your point of view.

It should make for an interesting article either way though.

I love Chrono Trigger. The freeflowing RPG combat, the choice to go real-time RPG or turn-based, the awesome soundtrack that complimented epic boss fights and story sequences, the humor, oh, there was so much to love about this game! I don't see how anyone can dislike it.

Well, nonetheless, it's great that you're jumping into it to give it another chance. Hope your thoughts have a change of heart and realize how amazing this game is.

Meh, don't force yourself. There are a number of popular games from a variety of genre's that I personally can't stand. No game is going to please everyone who tries it, it's just the nature of things.

Ok, so I went out and picked up Chrono Trigger on DS today. At least now my DS will get some use.

@Cosmo I enjoyed it as a kid, but now, I can't stand it. Even when the manure cascades on Biff.

Christopher Lloyd is immaculate in those films.

YOU'RE DEAD TO ME, JASON.

I'd also like to point out the awesome reaction from everyone at the Mobcast when you said Chrono Trigger was boring. "Awww what the hell? Let's all mass hang-up on him. Get off this channel right now!"

lol

@Jason:

Frankly, Chrono Trigger bored me. The story never grabbed me. I detested the combat and hated the time travel (I generally think too many writers turn to time travel as an easy way to add "excitement" to their stories).

To give us an idea of why you seem to dislike Chrono Trigger, how about you give some examples to illustrate what you do like, in terms of:
1) game (especially rpg) story
2) game (especially rpg) combat
3) use of time travel in any game and story

Some quick questions to start:
1) What do you think of the time manipulation in Braid?
2) What do you think of JRPGs in general?
3) What do you think of "casual" or more action-y JRPGs like Secret of Mana?

I think a few examples to make a sample set might help give people a better idea of why you don't like Chrono Trigger, to see if there's a way to reconcile your initial dislike with potential future appreciation.

Your gamer card has been revoked!! .....Just kidding, but Chrono Trigger was my gateway drug into the world of RPG's, so it has nostalgic benefit to me. Objectively, it's very simplistic and the story is rather anime-esque in scope, which itself is stereotypical. It does have a load of charm, however, and it was a pure experience for me. I hope you have an opportunity to enjoy it this time around, but if for some reason you still remain unconvinced, I don't think you'll ever be able to enjoy it. Have a great play through!