Is It Possible to Get Every Character in Chrono Cross?
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The short answer is no, you cannot obtain every single one of Chrono Cross’s 45 playable characters in a single playthrough. The game is cleverly designed to require multiple runs through the story to see all its content, and character recruitment is a significant part of this. Due to choices you make during the game, you’ll be forced to choose between certain characters, meaning completing the character roster is only achievable across multiple playthroughs. However, there are systems in place to streamline this process and make it easier with each subsequent game.
Why You Can’t Get All Characters in One Playthrough
The core reason why you can’t get all 45 characters on a single save file boils down to the branching narrative and mutually exclusive recruitments. Several times throughout the story, the game presents you with a choice that directly impacts who joins your party. For instance, a crucial early game example is choosing between recruiting Kid or saving her. While this choice can have a lot of impact on your story playthrough, it also decides the availability of a handful of characters dependent on this choice. This is a repeated mechanic throughout the game. Even if a character isn’t directly tied to this choice, a few are only available in a single dimension between the two parallel worlds you can travel to – meaning they won’t be available in the other. In such a case, you need to experience both worlds to see everything the game has to offer.
The game also contains instances where you can miss characters entirely, further complicating your quest for a full roster. For example, the character Mel has a timeframe in which you can recruit her. Missing that opportunity initially means you’ll need to grab her in a later part of the story if you missed the initial chance in your first playthrough. This adds another layer of complexity and makes it crucial to stay mindful of the characters available during every story beat.
How to Get Most Characters Through Multiple Playthroughs
While you can’t get everyone in one go, the good news is that Chrono Cross’s New Game Plus (NG+) is designed with this in mind. After completing the game once, you can start a new game with many of the items and character stats you earned in the first playthrough. More importantly, you will have access to your entire character roster (with the exception of those who cannot be transferred to the next playthrough). This mechanic is particularly essential for collecting all characters.
Here’s a breakdown of what you need to do:
- First Playthrough: This run is primarily for experiencing the story and making your initial choices, knowing that you can’t collect everyone this time around. You’ll encounter pivotal moments where your choices will lock you out of specific characters. Pay attention to areas and available party members, so you have that information when restarting.
- Second and Third (and more) Playthroughs: In NG+, you can make the opposite choices you made in your first playthrough, unlocking characters you couldn’t get before. You’ll essentially be completing the alternate branches of the narrative and recruiting previously missed characters.
- The Dimensional Rift: Once you have the Chrono Cross element and quest item, you can use a dimensional rift within Sprigg’s house. This will allow you to recall all party members who you had in prior saves on that file and allow them to be usable once again. This is incredibly valuable for completing your roster over multiple saves.
- Returning to the Hydra Marshes: In the fourth playthrough of the game after going through Sprigg’s Dimensional Rift for characters, you will be able to go back into the Hydra Marshes, and collect your characters. This allows you to grab a good number of characters, who may have been missed during the initial play.
Important Tips for Character Recruitment:
- Pay Attention to Dialogue and Story Events: Characters often have specific recruitment windows, and missing them can lead to having to start new playthroughs or miss a few.
- Explore Both Worlds Thoroughly: Several characters are exclusive to either Another World or Home World.
- Keep Multiple Save Files: Having backup saves can prevent you from getting stuck in an undesirable recruitment path.
Maximizing Your Character Recruitment
While getting all 45 characters is a multi-playthrough endeavor, you can make the process more enjoyable and rewarding. Focus on different playstyles for each playthrough. The game is meant to be replayed and enjoyed multiple times, with different characters and team comps. Use each new run to explore and push what you can get away with in battle.
While characters don’t gain experience in battles, your “Star Level” is determined by boss fights, and thus you will slowly gain power as you progress in the game. Your characters will get stronger in future playthroughs, and it’s important to remember they will all hit Level 99 in their Star Level if given enough playthroughs, allowing you to experiment more on these future runs.
Conclusion
In summary, while it’s not feasible to collect every single character in Chrono Cross during a single playthrough, the game’s New Game Plus system and the dimensional rift mechanic provide a way for players to eventually recruit all 45 characters. The multiple play-through mechanic was created as an integral part of the game, and players should see it as something that enhances the overall experience and provides you with more of what you enjoy. Plan out your playthroughs, pay attention to the choices you make, and enjoy discovering all the secrets and characters that Chrono Cross has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many characters are there in Chrono Cross?
There are a total of 45 playable characters in Chrono Cross.
2. Can I recruit all characters in a single playthrough?
No, you cannot recruit all characters in a single playthrough. Due to choices and other specific requirements, you will need multiple runs.
3. What is the best way to collect all characters?
Utilize the New Game Plus feature to replay the game making different choices, and using the dimensional rift to recover past characters.
4. What characters can be missed?
Characters like Mel have specific timeframes where you need to recruit them, or they might be missed. Pay close attention to dialogue during the story for any new recruitable character.
5. Is there an easy way to get all characters back once lost?
Yes, once you get the Chrono Cross element and quest item, you can use the dimensional rift in Sprigg’s house to recover all characters from prior saves.
6. Can you refuse Kid in Chrono Cross?
Yes, you can refuse Kid initially, but she will eventually join your party one way or another. However, her recruitment in different scenarios changes how other characters might become available, so be mindful of this choice in your run.
7. How many endings does Chrono Cross have?
Chrono Cross has 12 endings, with two achievable on a normal playthrough, and the rest accessible through New Game Plus.
8. Who is a good character to start with in Chrono Cross?
Poshul is a good starting character due to her high HP and usefulness against early green enemies.
9. What is the hardest boss in Chrono Cross?
Criosphinx is often regarded as the hardest boss in the game, and is an optional boss.
10. What is the max level in Chrono Cross?
Characters can achieve a maximum Star Level of 99, but you will need multiple playthroughs to get even close to this number. Most likely, you will end at level 47 or 48 after completing the game a single time.
11. Is Chrono Cross grindy?
No, Chrono Cross is not grindy, as players can’t earn experience outside of winning boss battles.
12. How do elements and weaknesses work?
Characters are resistant to elements of their innate color, and highly susceptible to elements opposite to their innate colors.
13. Is Chrono Cross a bad sequel to Chrono Trigger?
While different in many ways, Chrono Cross is generally considered a great game and a good sequel, even if it differs significantly from Chrono Trigger.
14. Who are the best healers in Chrono Cross?
Leena, Riddel, and Irenes are among the best healers due to their magic stats, innates, and healing abilities.
15. How do you get the true ending in Chrono Cross?
To receive the true ending, players must use all element types and the Chrono Cross element against the Time Devourer in a specific order.