Finally a Q&A is up! I can hear sounds of relief from you readers. First on behalf of RPGamer we apologize for the lack of updates. First it was; Ryan's fingers, then Alex's Power outage and html error, all of which happened strangely enough at the last minutes before their update. While the first two were acts of nature/accidents, the html error will not happen again. Speaking of the html error only about 15% of you noticed that neifirst@rpgamer.com is not Alex's email. Are you guys that oblivious, or perhaps taking one too many Jack Daniels?

The big story this week was Chrono Cross, after years of patient waiting fans finally get a sequel to Chrono Trigger. To my surprise I did not get even 1 letter applauding Square's efforts on Chrono Cross. All letters on this topic were purely ones of bashing, ranting or big time disappointment. Perhaps tomorrow different viewpoints will be expressed. We'll see.
The other big story was GrowLanser, famed artist Satoshi Urushihara of the much known Langrisser series, is working on this RPG. If Langrisser is any indication, GrowLanser is going to have some incredible art. Maybe square should have hired Urushihara instead of Nobuteru Yuuki (the character designer of Chrono Cross)?

So let's begin today's Q&A Calm after the storm, for the most part strictly Q&A's today. After my posting of "Concerned Parent" last week, I think we need some time to recuperate, no? heh-heh.

Please tell me those shots of CC were not real. I almost through up in utter shock at how this infernal piece of 3D garbage could have any relation to the masterpiece known as Chrono Trigger. PLEASE someone tell me why square makes all the PSX sequals 3D and crappy looking? Notice all the games on SNES are GOOD?? Lets see....FF6......FF7...FF8 ..am I the only one that notices FF going down hill? I would VERY much favour overhead veiw ( which I favour anyway) with a good story than "cool" graphics and "killer FMV" with a boring, under-developed over-linear drawn out stereotypicle name that is unworthy of its title ( refering to FF7 of course). Someone please explaine why moving to a 32 bit system is necessary when all your 16 bit games are supierior?

-Birdo, loyal Nintendo suporter from day 1

JD:
They are as real as Jay Leno's monstrous chin. It really is too early to jump to conclusions regarding Chrono Cross. I myself am somewhat concerned that CC is presented in a 3D Polygonal especially since I don't believe the PSX system is powerful enough to create beautiful polygons. Rendered settings such as those of FF 8's might have presented the game better. However, overall I like what I've seen so far. I'll wait for more screens to make more of a definite stance. Frankly FF7/8 seems to be a step up in some ways over previous FF games.

NOOOOOOOOOOO! After my long long waiting for the sequel to Chrono Trigger and finding some shots, it... WON'T BE WITH THE SAME CHARACTERS! Okay.. kinda expected that, Square never reuses them. this rival guy looks kida cool... AHHH!!! THE HERO IS NAMED SERGE AND LOOKS LIKE A SUIKODEN-FF7 CROSS WITH HIS MASSIVELY OVERSIZED SWORD!!! Okay.. calm down.. it can't be that bad... no. No. NOOOOOO - OOOOOOO - OOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT'S IN 3D!!!! HAS THE WHOLE WORLD GONE MAD?! NOOOO - OOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Make no mistake, I'll still get it, but I'm registering my complaint now.

I noticed something about Chrono Cross in the World Screenshots.. especially with the #2 screenshot.. there's a bridge between towers that looks suspiciously like the one Chrono et al blew up the Dragon Tank on... and at the bottom left, there was a screenshot that looked mysteriously like the magic cave which Frog had to chop through so you could get to Magus.. could this be the same world? (and just imagine how much that would rule!)

-Nef

JD:
Calm down boy...
The screen shot with the tower looks NICE! Especially the cool background of the planets.

Hey JD,

After looking at the pics in the latest update, I am thoroughly dissapointed. This Serge guy looks like a Suikoden Hero wannabe, and the heroine lacks Marle's poise, she's too skinny, and looks non-threatening. Compared to Marle's pic (the one where she's running with the crossbow). I hope they don't pull an FF7 on this game. Where the characters swear each other out or the male protagonist dresses up as a woman & suchlike. Do you think this Chrono Cross will be any good? Peace,

-Kris

JD:
My main complaint from Chrono Cross is the Characters. Serge looks weird, the Heroine is skinny and what's up with the knife hanging around her waist. Yamaneko is cool, though he's no Magus. So far like all of you who wrote in about CC, the character designs leave much or at least some to be desired. Akira Toriyama forever! Yes I think Chrono Cross will be one of Square's best.

JD:
I think Ryan mentioned something to me, about a restraining order between you two?
1. No such announcement yet. Dreamcast will rule in any event.
2. We'll find out in 4 days. Chrono Cross was just announced.
3. Sony doesn't set the date for FF8, SquareEA does. The date is 9/7/99 and the same with Suikoden. I don't really believe FF8 will effect the release of Dreamcast. Sega's has/will be done/doing a solid piece of marketing for Dreamcast. Those who want the Dreamcast will get it regardless of FF8. Those who don't won't.

JD:
You're certainly one of the most wacky writers to my Q&A, if not too disturbing with your Hotdog themes. ^_^
Pass me some mustard will ya..