Editing Chrono Trigger (section)

== Gameplay ==
''Chrono Trigger'' features standard [[role-playing video game]] gameplay. The player controls the protagonist and his companions in the game's [[2D computer graphics|two-dimensional]] world, consisting of various forests, cities, and dungeons. Navigation occurs via an [[overworld]] map, depicting the landscape from a scaled-down overhead view. Areas such as forests, cities, and similar places are depicted as more realistic scaled-down maps, in which players can converse with locals to procure [[item (gaming)|items]] and services, solve puzzles and challenges, or encounter enemies. ''Chrono Trigger''{{'s}} gameplay deviates from that of traditional Japanese RPGs in that, rather than appearing in [[random encounter]]s, many enemies are openly visible on field maps or lie in wait to ambush the party. Contact with enemies on a field map initiates a battle that occurs directly on the map rather than on a separate battle screen.<ref name="npreview2">{{Cite magazine |date=July 1995 |volume=74 |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |title=Epic Center: Chrono Trigger |page=53}}</ref>

[[File:ChronoTriggerInside.PNG|thumb|left|Unlike most other role-playing games at the time, combat in ''Chrono Trigger'' occurs in the same area where general navigation occurs, with all enemies visible on screen.|alt=A wooded area rendered in the Super NES' graphics, two gray status bars (one at the top, one at the bottom of the screen), three "Blue Imp" enemies surrounding the character Crono in the middle of the area, Crono slashing at the topmost imp which has a surprised expression on its face]]

Players and enemies may use physical or magical attacks to wound targets during battle, and players may use items to heal or protect themselves. Each character and enemy has a certain number of [[hit point]]s; successful attacks reduce that character's hit points, which can be restored with potions and spells. When a playable character loses all hit points, they faint; if all the player's characters fall in battle, the game ends and must be restored from a previously [[saved game|saved]] chapter, except in specific storyline-related battles that allow or force the player to lose. Between battles, a player can equip their characters with weapons, armor, helmets, and accessories that provide special effects (such as increased attack power or defense against magic), and various consumable items can be used both in and out of battles. Items and equipment can be purchased in shops or found on field maps, often in [[treasure chest (video games)|treasure chests]]. By exploring new areas and fighting enemies, players progress through ''Chrono Trigger''{{'s}} story.

''Chrono Trigger'' uses an "[[Active Time Battle]]" system—a [[Recurring elements in the Final Fantasy series|recurring element]] of Square's ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' game series designed by [[Hiroyuki Ito]] for ''[[Final Fantasy IV]]''—named "Active Time Battle 2.0".<ref name="Battle 2.0">{{cite video game |title=Chrono Trigger |developer=Square Co. |publisher=Square Soft |date=August 22, 1995 |platform=Super NES |quote='''Menu screen:''' Active Time Battle 2.0}}</ref> Each character can take action in battle once a personal timer dependent on the character's speed [[Attribute (role-playing games)|statistic]] counts to zero. Magic and special physical techniques are handled through a system called "Techs". Techs deplete a character's [[magic point]]s (a numerical meter similar to hit points), and often have special areas of effect; some spells damage huddled monsters, while others can harm enemies spread in a line. Enemies often change positions during battle, creating opportunities for tactical Tech use. A unique feature of ''Chrono Trigger''{{'s}} Tech system is that numerous cooperative techniques exist.<ref name="npreview2" /> Each character receives eight personal Techs which can be used in conjunction with others' to create Double and Triple Techs for greater effect. For instance, Crono's sword-spinning Cyclone Tech can be combined with [[Lucca Ashtear|Lucca]]'s Flame Toss to create Fire Whirl. When characters with compatible Techs have enough magic points available to perform their techniques, the game automatically displays the combo as an option.

''Chrono Trigger'' features several other distinct gameplay traits, including time travel. Players have access to seven eras of the game world's history, and past actions affect future events. Throughout history, players find new allies, complete side quests, and search for keynote villains. Time travel is accomplished via portals and pillars of light called "time gates", as well as a time machine named ''Epoch''. The game contains twelve unique endings (thirteen in DS, iOS, Android and Steam versions); the ending the player receives depends on when and how they reach and complete the game's final battle.<ref name="nppreview">{{Cite magazine |volume=73 |date=June 1995 |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |title=Chrono Trigger: A New Standard for RPGs |page=37}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Lebowitz |first1=Josiah |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7cLcB_LdzegC&q=endings+chrono+trigger+ds&pg=PA158 |title=Interactive Storytelling for Video Games: Proven Writing Techniques for Role Playing Games, Online Games, First Person Shooters, and more |last2=Klug |first2=Chris |date=September 10, 2012 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-136-12733-5 |page=158 |access-date=December 24, 2020|archive-date=March 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322211456/https://books.google.com/books?id=7cLcB_LdzegC&q=endings+chrono+trigger+ds&pg=PA158|url-status=live}}</ref> The DS version of ''Chrono Trigger'' features a new ending that can be accessed from the End of Time upon completion of the final extra dungeon and optional final boss.<ref name="dsultimania">{{cite book |year=2009 |editor=Studio BentStuff |title=Chrono Trigger Ultimania |page=581 |language=ja |publisher=Square Enix |url=http://www.chronocompendium.com/Term/Supporting_Material_Translation.html#Chrono_Trigger_Ultimania |isbn=978-4-7575-2469-9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119231921/http://chronocompendium.com/Term/Supporting_Material_Translation.html |archive-date=November 19, 2010}}</ref> ''Chrono Trigger'' also introduces a [[New Game Plus]] option; after completing the game, the player may begin a new game with the same character [[Experience point|levels]], [[Statistic (role-playing games)|techniques]], and equipment, excluding money, with which they ended the previous playthrough. However, certain items central to the storyline are removed and must be found again, such as the sword Masamune. Square has employed the New Game Plus concept in later games including ''[[Chrono Cross]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy XV]]'' among others.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Birlew |first1=Dan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f7gUe3NAxvQC&q=square+new+game++chrono+cross |title=Chrono Cross Official Strategy Guide |last2=Schmidt |first2=Ken |date=2000 |publisher=Brady Pub. |isbn=978-0-7440-0000-9 |page=73 |access-date=December 24, 2020|archive-date=March 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322211434/https://books.google.com/books?id=f7gUe3NAxvQC&q=square+new+game++chrono+cross|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Galvão |first=Bruno |date=December 21, 2016 |title=Final Fantasy XV recebe o New Game Plus |url=https://www.eurogamer.pt/articles/2016-12-21-final-fantasy-xv-recebe-o-new-game-plus|access-date=December 15, 2020 |website=Eurogamer.pt |language=pt-PT|archive-date=December 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224123423/http://www.eurogamer.pt/articles/2016-12-21-final-fantasy-xv-recebe-o-new-game-plus|url-status=live}}</ref>