Chrono Trigger Surprise Launches On Steam

Recent years have seen Square Enix release more and more of its classic catalog on PC. The results have in some cases been mixed, with players taking issue with the visual overhauls that some games have seen. Out of nowhere, the company has surprise-launched one of its most acclaimed games of all-time, Chrono Trigger, which is now available on Steam.

Square Enix describes this as the "definitive version" of the RPG. "[N]ot only have the controls been updated, the graphics and sound have also been revamped to make your adventure even more fun and enjoyable to play," the Steam description states. And before you worry about the visual makeovers that have plagued some other RPG re-releases, this one mostly maintains the original look. Alongside higher-resolution graphics, composer Yasunori Mitsuda has supervised updates to "all songs" to make for an "even more immersive gameplay experience."

Also included are the Dimension Vortex and Lost Sanctum dungeons from the DS release, which is widely considered to be the best version of the game available. This Steam edition also features support for keyboard or gamepad controls, as well as an autosave function that activates as you roam the map. Despite all of this, it appears this version is based on the mobile release, much to the chagrin of fans.

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As you'd expect for a game originally released on SNES in 1995, the system requirements are quite modest. It's Windows-only, at least for now, and requires only an Intel Core i3, 4 GB of RAM, an Intel HD Graphics 530, and 2 GB of space. Resolutions range from 800x600 up to 1080p.

This version is available on Steam now for $15/£12. A limited edition is available from now until April 2. Those who purchase it will be entitled to some bonus content, including downloadable music, Mitsuda's digital liner notes, and six PC wallpapers.

Chrono Trigger is still heralded as one of the great RPGs of all time, thanks to its excellent combat system, time-travel mechanics, and great soundtrack, among other things. Its development was led by Dragon Quest's Yuji Horii and Final Fantasy's Hironobu Sakaguchi, who at the time worked for the competing RPG developers Square and Enix (before the two companies joined to form Square Enix). The game has now been enhanced and re-released on a number of platforms, though it's still never received a full remake.