Let's start with the juggernaut of Squaresoft's dreamlike project, I am sure you have heard the development stories by now that the gathering team was sort of like an all-stars one back in the 90's, with drawings from Dragon Ball manga artist and both creators of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest working together, respectively.
Chrono Trigger is a pseudo JRPG with the unique battle system of often being able to avoid fights, yet also instantly starting battles the moments enemies and you clash, so there ain't transportation towards a new screen. And there is also the fun option of not letting enemies wait for their turn.
The setting is that basically you will have to time travel through the same world in several era's so that ultimately you and your otherworldly or timely friends can defeat Lavos, a huge alien parasite from outer space which has come to consume the energy of their dear planet.
With a voiceless hero, a semi damsel in distress yet modern heroine, an engineering enthousiast, a talking yet noble frog knight, a moral and free will exploring robot, a very strong warrior woman and the fan's favorite iconic villain turned friend from a magical lost era, the cast has always been diverse.
To speak news about the original soundtrack is impossible because enough has been said, everyone from my generation recognizes Corridors of Time, a magical moment in a magical sky land, but there are so many other satisfying tunes such as the battle theme, 2300 A.D.'s overworld and the Black Omen.
Chrono Trigger has a tech system implemented where characters can learn techniques either by themselves or through partnership with one or even two others, allowing for devastating and effective attacks to shape up.
The pacing and diversity during of the progression in this unique storyline are both very strong, for there is almost no grinding involved in a 16-bit period where that seems to be so popular, and that same world changes dramatically in every time era.
It also was one of if not the first video game where multiple endings are available, allowing for interesting outcomes to happen depending on the conditions which are met. It's also filled with curious secret events, engaging side stories and just the right amount of challenge for newcomers and veterans alike.
Chrono Trigger is a masterpiece found on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, next towards other juggernauts like Secret of Mana, Final Fantasy III/VI and Super Metroid. It has aged like a fine wine so to speak, and will continue to impress even when transcending towards the future.
The other feature of this dual blog is a lesser known JRPG, and almost entirely different, but curiously both share the option of being able to avoid many kinds of combat encounters, however, even then, you too will eventually succumb into the familiar fun mechanics with some few unique extra features.
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals is first and foremost a prequel to Lufia & the Fortress of Doom, but the first title suffers from an imbalance between difficult battles and tiresome grinding festivals which both did not add up, nor is it as memorable.
The sequel improves in every way. Factors such as presentation, the emotional storyline, smoothened combat and a bigger world make it a greater time to return towards this. The Sinistrals are primarily remembered the most for featuring one of the best boss battle songs in any video game.
Aside from being a lengthy journey, Lufia II is also filled with other content, such as a somewhat hidden casino town, an awesome randomizing particular dungeon and the very unique ability(1 year before Pokémon) of raising monsters who will assist you in your struggles.
What arguably made Rise of the Sinistrals the most outstanding is most likely how it's puzzles are designed that are each scattered throughout the dungeons, temples and towers. The developers of Neverland really got creative with them and could easily rival any The Legend of Zelda puzzle and sometimes even surpass them, another unique treat amongst SNES RPG's.
Although I don't have as much to say about Lufia II than about Chrono Trigger, it's very hard to pick a favorite, and to be honest it just fluctuates. It just so happens that I grew up with both of them through an exchange with a good friend, and ironically, nothing else out there really comes close towards these two unique and very critical acclaimed video games.
They are just two more little pieces of my childhood, and I consider myself very lucky to have experienced both in their prime times so to speak.
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