You know there was a time you could call Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross underappreciated JRPGs. I remember trying to convince all my grade school friends that Chrono Trigger was the greatest game on the SNES. They all responded with skepticism. Well, times have definitely changed. Despite Square Enix’s reluctance to bring the Chrono franchise back in any proper way. It has still managed to become part of the basic lexicon of the gaming culture. These days pretty much everyone is at least aware of its existence. And even though we will probably never see a new game in the franchise, Square Enix has at least thrown us a bone with its announcement of a new Orchestral Album. Not only that, but they even announced a new concert series to be supervised by the series original composer, Yasunori Mitsuda.
Of course, that is really only useful information if you plan on being in Japan this September. That’s when the concert series will be kicking off in Osaka. Which will also be the same day the album officially goes on sale. Specifically September 7th. So if you’re like me and can’t make the concert you can at least listen to the album and pretend you’re there. Speaking on which, you probably want some details on the album itself. Let’s see. There are separate releases for both Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross. Each has eight tracks. Though there is a collector’s box that includes a disk with four exclusive arrangements. If you want to buy one of the standard versions they will set you back $30.00. While the collector’s box is $74.00.
So far I don’t see any info about a North American release for the album. So you’d have to import it. Which isn’t anything new for soundtrack collectors. I have ordered several from Japan that was never released here. And this one could easily be the newest addition to my collection. I mean, who doesn’t want to hear a new orchestral version of Corridors of Time or Dream of the Shore Near Another World? This is a great purchase for any fan of Chrono Trigger or Chrono Cross.