Written by Kayla R. Wirtz
Chrono Trigger, 1999, Courtesy of http://www.capsulecomputers.com.au/2011/04/chrono-trigger-gets-rated-for-the-ps3-and-psp/chrono-trigger-character-artwork/
Chrono Trigger[1] follows the adventure of a teenage boy and a band of friends. His first two companions burst with expressive personalities. Lucca is an extremely intelligent daughter of an inventor, whose ability to create and repair technology surpasses her father’s, another. Marle is a stubborn and athletic princess with overflowing curiosity and a penchant for adventure. Crono, the “spikey-haired” main hero, is unique in the scheme of most heroes because he is mostly a blank slate. He never speaks and players are compelled to apply their own analysis of Crono’s character. The lack of lines also allows players to apply their own responses to other characters. The game allows the player to envision his or her own dialogue within Crono’s world[2]. However, his lack of words does not equate a lack of character[3]. Crono, like other modern heroes, constantly enjoys the company of an entourage of friends.
Check out the video game website: http://goodmorningcrono.com/
Why Crono is an Ordinary Hero
No unforeseen destiny imbues Crono with greatness, and he begins his story as just an average boy living with his mother and cat in a quiet town. He ventures to a Millennial Fair, in which he bumps into a girl. The girl drops her necklace and he gives it back to her (reluctantly depending on the player’s decision). She decides to follow him around the fair. Unbeknown to him, she sends him reeling on a journey through time. Lucca’s transportation device malfunctions and launches Marle back in time. Crono selflessly jumps in the portal, and follows Marle to an undetermined time or place.
Why Crono is a Wandering Hero
Chrono Trigger, Home Map, Courtesy of http://www.rpgplanet.com/chrono/ct_maps.shtml
After jumping into the portal, Crono whirls into a world about 300 years before his own, and the hero must explore to discover his mission. This dynamic sets the tenor for the rest of the game; the player, using Crono as an avatar, must explore the world, space, and time to discover their in-game objectives. Through these in-game objectives, Crono discovers the world and experiences the diversity present in the world[4].
His personal character journey remains mostly ambiguous, but as in all Wandering heroes, he experiences some significant change. He begins as an ordinary character, dependent on his mother and friends to complete tasks. A hasty player may make decisions early in the game that incriminate him in a lawsuit later. He also makes a mistake that ends up destroying an entire prehistoric village. He nearly fumbles on many occasions nearly leading to significant time distortions. However, once he finds out about the end of the world he will do anything to prevent is and
Why Crono is a Monster Fighter Hero
Lavos, Chrono Trigger, Courtesy of http://chrono.wikia.com/wiki/Lavos
As in many role-playing games (rpgs), Crono faces a broad range of monsters. His first monster fight occurs in the middle of a forest, but the true initiation monster occurs much later. He meets Lavos’ spawn and then a youthful version of Lavos, a dark monstrous force capable of destroying the world. The initiation monster often teaches the hero how difficult their trials will be, and the first full encounter with Lavos kills Crono. Before Crono faces Lavos, he watches with his friends a video of Lavos destroying the world. Even after seeing the mass devastation Lavos causes, Crono and his friends resolve to prevent a world of suffering.
Why Crono is a Savior-Martyr Hero
Finally, Crono exemplifies the Savior-Martyr hero.
In a split decision moment, Crono jumps in front of Lavos in order to save his friends. His sacrifice to Lavos is not the first time he endangers his life. He demonstrates continuous selflessness, especially when he steps on the time portal after a girl he just met; he endangers himself greatly to keep her alive.
Unfortunately, his death does not kill Lavos; with Crono gone, his friends must discover how to save the world from impending doom without him. Instead of allowing Crono to stay dead, his friend quickly attempt to bring him back with the “Time-Egg” or the “Chrono Trigger.” Like many other modern Savior-Martyr heroes, Crono lives on in a physical sense. Other characters feel extensively beloved by Crono, and their love for him rewards him with a second chance at life. Once revived, Crono still dedicates himself to defeating the beast Lavos.
[1] Chrono Trigger (NDS Version), Square (Square Enix, 2008).
[2] Souki discusses and expresses the experience of personal development while playing Chrono Trigger: Souki, Francisco. “Chrono Trigger – Francisco Souki | ETC Press.” Entertainment Technology Center – Carnegie Mellon University. http://www.etc.cmu.edu/etcpress/content/chrono-trigger-francisco-souki (accessed July 10, 2013).
[3] The following article discusses the evolution of character in Square, Squaresoft, and Square Enix video games: Intihar, Bryan. “Fantasy MAN.” Electronic Gaming Monthly no. 216 (June 2007): 48-50. Computer Source, EBSCOhost (accessed July 10, 2013)
[4] The following source discusses racial aspects and diversity as represented by specific aspects of Chrono Trigger: Li, Gong. “The boundary of racial prejudice: Comparing preferences for computer-synthesized White, Black, and robot characters.” Computers In Human Behavior 24, no. Including the Special Issue: Internet Empowerment (n.d.): 2074-2093. ScienceDirect, EBSCOhost (accessed July 10, 2013).
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