Unraveling Time: Achieving the Good Ending in Chrono Cross
The “good” ending of Chrono Cross offers a sense of closure, suggesting that Serge ultimately regains a semblance of his former life and that Schala is freed from her torment. To achieve this ending, the player must defeat the Time Devourer using the Chrono Cross element after utilizing all six elemental colors (Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Black, and White) in that specific order. This signals the intended resolution to the game’s overarching narrative, freeing Schala and potentially leading to a future where Serge and Kid are together, as hinted by the photograph in the game’s closing scene. This ending provides a sense of hope and resolution for the complex narrative strands woven throughout the game.
Understanding the Requirements
The good ending in Chrono Cross isn’t just handed to you; it requires a very specific sequence of actions during the final battle. This isn’t just about raw power or grinding levels. It’s about understanding the game’s intricate combat system and elemental interactions.
Elemental Order is Key
The core element of achieving the good ending is using elements of each color in a specific order before using the Chrono Cross element. You need to use Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Black, and White in that order and then follow up with the Chrono Cross.
Why the Chrono Cross Matters
The Chrono Cross element is not just any attack; it’s the key to severing Schala from the Time Devourer. Using it after establishing elemental harmony allows Serge to trigger a resolution that aligns the dimensions and sets Schala on a path to resolving her own destiny. Without the Chrono Cross, the Time Devourer isn’t properly defeated, leading to the bad ending.
Preparation for the Final Battle
Before even reaching the Time Devourer, preparing your party is crucial. Make sure you’ve obtained powerful elements of each color. The game provides multiple opportunities to acquire these throughout the adventure, often through side quests and exploration.
What Happens in the Good Ending?
The good ending provides a sense of closure that’s largely absent in the other endings. Although Serge loses his memories of his adventure, the ending scene suggests a hopeful future.
Schala’s Liberation
The most significant outcome is Schala’s freedom from the Time Devourer. No longer trapped, she is free to seek out her brother Janus (Magus from Chrono Trigger) throughout time, hinted at in the epilogue narration.
Hints of Serge and Kid’s Future
The photograph displayed in the ending sequence, depicting Kid and Serge in wedding attire, strongly implies that they eventually find their way back to each other, even with Serge’s memory loss. This visual cue offers a romantic and reassuring conclusion. This photo can be interpreted in multiple ways, and demonstrates a connection between the characters.
A Circular Narrative
The ending subtly reinforces the game’s themes of time and interconnectedness. Serge’s memory loss brings him full circle, back to a normal life. This underscores the notion that even in the face of extraordinary events, life continues, though forever subtly altered.
Contrasting with Other Endings
The good ending stands apart from the other eleven endings in its sense of resolution. The “bad” ending, achieved by defeating the Time Devourer without using the Chrono Cross, leaves Schala trapped and the future uncertain. The other endings, accessible through New Game+, are often humorous or character-focused vignettes, adding depth to the cast but lacking the narrative weight of the good and bad endings.
Bad Ending: A Pyrrhic Victory
In the bad ending, you defeat the Time Devourer, but without the Chrono Cross element. Schala remains trapped, and the future is left ambiguous and potentially bleak. The victory feels hollow, lacking the sense of liberation present in the good ending.
New Game+ Endings: Exploring Character Arcs
The New Game+ endings offer a lighter tone, often focusing on individual characters or humorous scenarios. These add to the overall experience but don’t address the core narrative of Schala’s plight and Serge’s destiny.
GamesLearningSociety.org and Narrative Understanding
The complex narrative structure of Chrono Cross, with its multiple endings and interconnected themes, provides valuable insights into storytelling and player agency. The Games Learning Society explores how games can be used as tools for education and understanding, including the analysis of narrative complexity and player choice. To learn more, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.
Chrono Cross: Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many endings does Chrono Cross have?
Chrono Cross features twelve endings. Two can be obtained during a regular playthrough, and the other ten are accessible through New Game+.
2. Is it better to save Kid or not in Chrono Cross?
For a first playthrough, it’s recommended not to save Kid initially. This allows you to experience a different path and recruit Glenn, a character you can’t get if you save Kid early on. You can always save her in a subsequent playthrough.
3. What happens to Kid at the end of Chrono Cross?
The ending implies that Kid goes back in time to rescue Serge and eventually marries him, all while Schala seeks out Janus. Her story continues beyond the immediate game events.
4. Who does Serge end up with in Chrono Cross?
The game heavily suggests that Serge ends up with Kid, as evidenced by the photograph of their wedding. However, the game also mentions the possibility that his childhood friend Leena waits for him.
5. Does Chrono Cross have a true ending?
While the good ending is often considered the “true” ending, there is no definitively labeled true ending. The good ending, achieved by using the Chrono Cross, provides the most narrative closure.
6. Can you get Glenn if you save Kid?
No, you cannot get Glenn during that specific playthrough if you choose to save Kid early on. Glenn is only accessible if you let Kid fall ill and follow a different storyline.
7. What is the max level in Chrono Cross?
Characters can reach a maximum Star Level of 99, but it’s impossible to achieve this in a single playthrough due to the limited number of boss battles.
8. How do you get the bad ending in Chrono Cross?
The bad ending is triggered by defeating the Time Devourer without using the Chrono Cross element. This leaves Schala trapped and results in a less satisfying conclusion.
9. Can you get every party member in Chrono Cross?
No, you cannot obtain every party member in a single playthrough. Choices you make during the game will lock you out of certain characters. New Game+ allows you to carry over characters from previous playthroughs.
10. Why is Chrono Cross different from Chrono Trigger?
Chrono Cross differs from Chrono Trigger in several ways, including its combat system, larger cast of characters, and focus on parallel dimensions. Chrono Cross also returned to random battles. While it shares thematic connections with Chrono Trigger, it is a distinct and separate game.
11. Is Chrono Cross a sequel to Chrono Trigger?
While Chrono Cross contains references to Chrono Trigger, it’s more of a spiritual successor than a direct sequel. It shares the same universe and some characters, but the story is largely self-contained.
12. Does Serge end up with Leena?
While Leena deeply cares for Serge, the narrative focuses more on his relationship with Kid. Leena’s fate is left somewhat ambiguous, though it’s implied she continues to live in her village, waiting and hoping for Serge’s return.
13. What does R3 do in Chrono Cross?
In Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition, pressing R3 activates the Battle Boost, which maximizes your element levels and allows you to dodge enemy attacks. This is a feature added to make the game more accessible.
14. Is Chrono Cross grindy?
Chrono Cross is not particularly grindy. Experience points are primarily earned through boss battles, making grinding against common enemies ineffective. The focus is on strategic combat rather than repetitive leveling.
15. Why does Schala look different in Chrono Cross?
The appearance change is often attributed to her merging with Lavos and becoming the Time Devourer. This fusion is believed to have altered her DNA, resulting in changes to her hair and eye color. The Time Devourer altered Schala when she unified with it.