Exact Answer: 45 hours
Widely viewed as one of the greatest games of all time, Chrono Trigger was first released by Square in March of 1995. Known widely for its revolutionary active battle system, lack of random encounters, and multiple endings; Chrono Trigger is one of the most popular RPGs of all time.
It tells the story of young Chrono as he travels across time to save the world. After an accident at the local fair, Chrono and his friends are sucked through a time vortex and find themselves on an adventure to save the world from the evil Lavos. Like most RPGs, Chrono Trigger has an expansive story over many hours of gameplay and a cast of eight characters. It is a masterful example of the time travel genre and one of the greatest role-playings ever created. Today let’s look at exactly how long it will take you to complete the story of Chrono.
How Long does it take to beat Chrono Trigger?
Depending on your gameplay style, Chrono Trigger’s length can vary considerably. If you are the mind of person who likes the main story with very little exploration, then you can expect this classic SNES game to take you around twenty three hours to finish.
For the rest of us, Square included hours of extra side quests and multiple endings. If you enjoy side quests you can expect to spend nearly thirty hours from beginning to end.
Also, there are over ten endings to Chrono Trigger, depending on how and when you defeat Lagos, the main villain of the story. To finish the game with a 100% completion rate, you will sink nearly 45 hours into this glorious game.
Chrono Triggers gives us the new game plus feature which allows you to replay the game without losing any of your previous progress. You can breeze through the storywhile trying to unlock each of the ten unique endings to the game.
I won’t give any spoilers to what those endings are though. I hope you discover them for yourself!
| Main Story | Plus sidequests | 100% |
| 23 Hours | 27 hours | 45 hours |
Why does it take so long to beat Chrono Trigger?
Much of the time sunk into this game will be grinding in between boss fights. In most RPG’s this can be hinder the experience, but with Chrono Trigger’s active battle system and lack of random encounter, you will enjoy each and every encounter.
The 32-bit characters and the various skills make each battle unique and exhilarating. While there are hours of content, the story for Chrono Trigger never seems to slow down.
You will be sucked in by the well-written characters and the exhilarating story as you travel throughout time to defeat Lavos. The art of Akira Toriyama gives us some of the beautiful and interesting character models from this console.
You will never forget your journey with these characters.
References
https://web.stanford.edu/group/htgg/cgi-bin/drupal/sites/default/files2/wshen_2001_1.pdf
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The multiple endings and the mystery surrounding them provide an incentive for players to keep exploring every possibility. It’s a brilliant approach by the game designers.
I completely agree, Nathan Rogers. It’s a game that encourages players to unravel its secrets, which is truly fascinating.
Absolutely, Nathan Rogers. The multiple endings add an alluring layer of mystery and discovery to the game.
I’m thrilled about the New Game Plus feature, it makes the game even more exciting.
Indeed, Ken92. It adds a layer of unpredictability to the gameplay, which is fantastic.
Absolutely, Ken92. The New Game Plus feature allows for more exploration and different choices.
The lack of random encounters and the active battle system are two of the best features of Chrono Trigger. It makes the gameplay much more enjoyable.
I totally agree, Qevans. The battle system and lack of random encounters are game-changers for this genre.
Absolutely, Qevans. It sets Chrono Trigger apart from many other RPGs.
As much as I love RPGs, having to grind for hours between boss fights is not appealing to me at all.
I get what you mean, Callum28. The grinding aspect is not everyone’s cup of tea.
Chrono Trigger is a timeless classic with its amazing art, story, and well-developed characters.
I couldn’t agree more, Allen Kyle. It’s a game that leaves a lasting impression.
I enjoyed playing the game but 45 hours for 100% completion seems excessive. I don’t have that much time to dedicate to a single game.
You’re right, Fpatel, it is indeed a long time, but it’s worth it for those who enjoy completing every aspect of a game.
I also agree with Fpatel. Not everyone has that much free time to dedicate to a game, as much as I would love to have that time.
I love Chrono Trigger, and the fact that it is a time travel game really adds a lot of complexity to it.
Completely agree with you Abell! It’s one of the reasons why this game is so amazing.
The characters and their unique skills add so much depth to each battle in the game. It’s truly a remarkable experience.
I completely agree, Vpalmer. The game’s battle system and character skills make it stand out among other RPGs.
Exactly, Vpalmer. The characters and their abilities make each battle an engaging experience.
The different endings provide great replay value, which makes the game even more enjoyable. It’s definitely worth the time investment.
I couldn’t agree more, Samuel. It’s one of the reasons why Chrono Trigger remains a classic RPG.
Absolutely, Samuel. The game’s replay value due to the multiple endings is what makes it so unique.
The time travel theme and the intriguing story of Chrono Trigger are what make it a masterpiece among RPGs.
Absolutely, Rob95. The time travel narrative and the well-crafted story are what set this game apart.
I couldn’t agree more, Rob95. It’s a game that remains timeless due to its engaging story and innovative theme of time travel.