92 Metacritic JRPG with the best plot twist in 16-bit history (and it's not Final Fantasy 6)

The 16-bit era of gaming produced some of the most influential and memorable titles of all time, especially in one field. Often considered the golden age of JRPGs, the genre flourished during this period. In the library of innovative titles released during the 90s, Final Fantasy 6 comes up time and time again when discussing the best of the best. And though FF6 undoubtedly deserves the credit it gets, another Square-developed game released just a year later managed to top FF6famous turn.

Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 6 are undisputed classics, and both have 92 ratings on Metacritic. One of the most important factors that contribute to Chrono Triggers lasting legacy is the fact that it was a collaborative dream project between established and prominent figures. Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii was joined by Final Fantasy designer/creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, along with Dragon Ball artist Akira Toriyama, to serve as co-leads. Yasunori Mitsuda and Nobuo Uematsu were brought on board to compose the score. With such talent behind him, Chrono Trigger had high expectations to live up to, especially as it would inevitably be compared to FF6. Chrono Trigger more than delivered what they promised by including an incredible twist that rivals and even surpasses Final Fantasy 6pp.

Spoilers for Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 6.

Chrono Trigger's shocking plot twist is one for the ages

Chrono Triggers gut-wrenching plot twist occurs about halfway through the adventure. After traveling back and forth across different time periods, recruiting party members and uncovering revelations about the past and future, the party confronts one of the major villains, Queen Zeal, as she attempts to execute her grand plan. By harnessing and absorbing the power of Lavos, the powerful parasitic alien (and true antagonist of Chrono Trigger), Zeal means to become immortal.

It has all the hallmarks of a classic showdown, with the heroes arriving in the nick of time to thwart the villain's evil plan and ostensibly set things right in history. But as the struggle unfolds, it becomes clear that the party cannot actually overcome its enemies. As Zeal rejoices in his victory and prepares a final attack, Chrono TriggerThe beloved protagonist sacrifices himself to save his friends, and the survivors are thrown back through time in the wake of the ensuing magical explosion.

Throw magic into battle in Chrono Trigger

This act leaves the remaining characters stunned, showing the same level of shock and disbelief that most fans probably felt. It completely changes the dynamic and trajectory of the rest of the plot, as both players and characters find themselves adrift, wondering what to do and where to go next. Crono's death creates obstacles and opportunities for player agency and the story, giving fans to grapple with:

The loss of the main character and his skills
Rebalance the remaining party members and rethink strategies
Choosing from a range of substantial, but technically optional, side adventures to pursue

One of the side quests is to save Crono, and it's likely that many will follow up. But it is also optional, and Chrono Trigger can be completed without doing so. This too was highly unorthodox and is also a large part of its impact and influence.

The lasting legacy of Chrono Trigger's timeless twist

Chrono Trigger presents an unexpected beat by killing its main character during a battle with the climate, which is why it became the defining moment of the game. It raised the standards and expectations for JRPGs of the time in a way that hadn't really been done before. Chrono Trigger is 30 years old, and its twist is still one of the most effective and heartbreaking in the gaming world. It was a bold design decision to say the least, and one that would become indelibly attached to it, resonating with fans and developers in the years since. In a single moment, Chrono Trigger set the stage for devastating mat moves in JRPGs, leading to the equally shocking moment in, for example Final Fantasy 7.

Final Fantasy 6 vs. Chrono Trigger

In addition to their most famous, Final Fantasy 6 and Chrono Trigger have several other reveals and memorable moments in their stories that contain some parallels.

*Chrono Trigger*	Final Fantasy 6
Crono dies at the hands of Lavos and Queen Zeal	Kefka unleashes the power of the warring triad and creates the World of Ruin
Marle is Princess Nadia	Terra is half-Esper
The frog is Glenn	Celeste is a former agent of the Empire
Janus is the Magus/Prophet	Kefka poisons Doma's water supply

And while both are arguably among the best classic JRPGs, Chrono Trigger wins over FF6 because it goes further than its competitors.

Why Chrono Trigger's Plot Twist Is Better Than Final Fantasy 6's

Final Fantasy 6The most infamous twist occurs when the Kefka Palace betrays Emperor Gestahl and causes an apocalypse. FF6 seeing the villain essentially win, certainly something that was unexpected and surprising. The big difference is that none of the main characters actually perished during this event and its aftermath. The actors were scattered to the far corners when the World of Balance became the World of Ruin, but they still lived somewhere in it.

There is an exception in that Shadow will be permanently gone if fans aren't waiting for him on the floating continent.

Chrono TriggerBut to directly remove the main character at a crucial moment and then hide the fact that it's possible to bring him back is a master class in subverting expectations. It is both emotional and hugely impactful Chrono Triggers story and gameplay. While that and Final Fantasy 6 stand toe to toe in many ways, Chrono Trigger Taking this risk and pulling it off so well gives it that edge, cementing its status as the JRPG with the best twist in 16-bit history.