Chrono Trigger has been updated with new features to bring it up to date with the new PC release

Chrono Trigger has had quite the checkered past on Android. It originally released on the Play Store back in 2012. Later that year Android version 4.3 was released which broke the game. Square Enix left it broken until it was finally updated with a fix sometime in 2014. It has had a few updates since then, but none of them were of substance. The good news is that it appears Square Enix is finally showing some love to this classic JRPG since it was just updated with some new useful features in order to bring it in line with their newly released PC port.

Okay, so you are probably asking yourself "what exactly changed with this update?" Well, the graphics and sound have been improved along with new touchscreen controls, gamepad support, an auto-save feature that includes cloud saving, and a new achievement function. Surprisingly these are all features people have been asking for, and Square Enix has delivered.

Sadly not everything is sunshine and rainbows with this new update. Yesterday many users on Reddit and the Play Store pointed out that there were quite a few compatibility issues with a wide range of devices. The good news is that this issue appears to have been mostly sorted overnight. I did some digging, and the majority of popular Android phones are now listed as compatible, which is good to see, but your mileage may still vary. Sadly there is a lack of any Android TV support despite the new gamepad compatibility that was added in this update. Oddly enough the changelog on the Play Store yesterday listed ATV as supported and users on Reddit have confirmed that it did indeed show up as compatible. This appears to no longer be the case as the ATV feature has since been removed from the changelog and compatibility list.

It's also worth considering that since this new update is supposed to bring parity between the Android and PC release that there are a lot of Steam reviews that havn't been very kind. Most of the complaints bring up the new graphics filter. It apparently makes the original sprites look worse. There are also complaints about blurry fonts (which match up with complaints on the Play Store) and a bad UI. Considering how close these two versions are, these may also be issues worth considering before you purchase the Android version.

Now, for those of you who already own Chrono Trigger on Android, you will receive this update free of charge since it is still the same Play Store listing. All you need to do is update the app to get all of the new features. And hey, at the very least Square Enix did its older customers right by not choosing to release this as an all-new game. So credit where credit is due.

So yeah, it's great to see Square Enix adding in new features to Chrono Trigger that fans have been asking for, though it would appear many people are mixed on some of the new interface and graphical elements. It also didn't help that the game released with a wide range of compatibility issues, but luckily they appear to have been mostly sorted in a quick enough fashion. But what do you the readers think? Is this a good update in your opinion, or is this just more of Square Enix's expected odd behavior when dealing with their mobile games?

Press Release

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Widely hailed as one of the greatest video games of all time, the definitive version of CHRONO TRIGGER® by SQUARE ENIX® is now available for the first time on STEAM®.  This version features:

• Two Extra Dungeons – Includes the mysterious "Dimensional Vortex" dungeon and "Lost Sanctum" dungeon that first appeared in the Nintendo DS® and mobile releases
• CHRONO TRIGGER Limited Edition - Those that purchase the STEAM version until April 2, 2018 will receive the following digital bonuses for free:
  • An enchanting and specially edited digital song file containing a medley of five songs: "Far Off Promise," "Wind Scene," "Battle with Magus," "Corridors of Time," and "Chrono Trigger"
  • Composer Yasunori Mitsuda's digital liner notes
  • A collection of six stunning PC wallpapers in varying sizes
• Updated Graphics and Sound – While keeping the atmosphere of the original, this version features optimized visuals designed for modern PCs and a re-recorded soundtrack under the supervision of original composer Yasunori Mitsuda
• Updated Controls - Optimized PC experience that supports both controller and mouse/keyboard configuration
• New Autosave Feature - Automatically saves while still featuring the original title's Save Point function

In conjunction with the release of the STEAM version, CHRONO TRIGGER for iOS and Android may also receive a major update which brings all of the enhancements in the PC version to mobile devices. Additionally, CHRONO TRIGGER is also now available on the Amazon AppStore beginning today, bringing the title to an even wider array of mobile platforms.

The mobile version of CHRONO TRIGGER not only features the updated graphical and sound enhancements, but also brings retina and cloud save features as well as AppleTV support to this version.

The new CHRONO TRIGGER STEAM launch trailer is available at:

Originally released in 1995, CHRONO TRIGGER was developed by the "Dream Team" of DRAGON QUEST® creator Yuji Horii, DRAGON BALL creator Akira Toriyama and the creators of the FINAL FANTASY® series. Many challenges await players in this epic quest to save the planet's future, as long-lost secrets are revealed through time travel to different eras including the present, middle ages, the future, prehistory and ancient times.

For more information on CHRONO TRIGGER, visit: http://www.chronotriggergame.com

The game is rated E10+. Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings.

Related Links:
STEAM Page: http://store.steampowered.com/app/613830/CHRONO_TRIGGER/
iOS App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chrono-trigger/id479431697?mt=8
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.square_enix.android_googleplay.chrono
Amazon Appstore: http://www.amazon.com/gp/mas/dl/android?p=com.square_enix.android_amazon.chrono_KIN

About Square Enix, Inc.
Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix group of companies. Square Enix, Inc. is affiliated with a global network of leading development studios such as Crystal Dynamics® and Eidos Montréal®. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 135 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 75 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 63 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix, Inc. can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/

©1995, 2018 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. Illustration: © 1995 BIRD STUDIO / SHUEISHA Story and Screenplay: © 1995, 2008 ARMOR PROJECT / SQUARE ENIX
CHRONO TRIGGER, CRYSTAL DYNAMICS, DRAGON QUEST, FINAL FANTASY, EIDOS, EIDOS MONTREAL, SPACE INVADERS, SQUARE ENIX, the SQUARE ENIX logo, TAITO and TOMB RAIDER are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Square Enix group of companies. Steam is a registered trademark of Valve Corporation. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.