[Classic] Manhogan Chrono Trigger: Apparently Shin Hasn't Played Chrono Trigger Either

Sup GFFers. So Rasputin introduced me to a website Insane Difficulty which focuses on repatching games to make them more challenging and balanced. Initially I was thinking about Manhoganing FFVI but I figured Chrono Trigger is more accessible and it's been a while since I've played it.



Released for SNES back in 1995, Chrono Trigger was a masterpiece of a game but hard, it was not. I could go through the list of changes, but I'll just toss them in the spoiler box below. You can also view it >here<

List of Game changes:

-Entire game made substantially more difficult. Usually not so much as to require substantial grind, though by endgame having max of certain defensive stats is necessary, but also reachable long before max level.
-Particular detail has been given to endgame bosses and enemies, often involving extensive changes of their battle scripts.
-Running from battles is no longer possible.
-From Death's Peak onward, enemies give substantially increased XP compared to the original game, in order to speed up the endgame leveling process.
-Dual and Triple tech power generally improved.
-Some rebalancing of endgame skills, especially: Luminaire, Flare, Dark Matter, Shock, and Dark Bomb, but others as well.
-General rebalance of characters, but staying within their given themes.
-Endgame equipment has been partially redesigned with new stats and effects in the interest of balance and providing more complex equipment setups.
-Once you have the winged Epoch, no one-time-fightable enemies from that point forward will have unique charmable items WITH THE EXCEPTION OF OZZIE'S FORT. This frees the player from having to include Ayla in a great many boss fights. Typically, the bosses now drop their charmable item instead, if it was something special.
-Special Uber Boss: Nu Spekkio is now 10x the force he was in the original game. Try him out if you're looking for a battle potentially even more epic than the final battle.
-Easter Egg: Lucca's Pico Magnum can be found somewhere in the game, but it's rather annoying to acquire. It's a good weapon for her when you get it, but mostly it's just a trophy.
-Lapis item now heals for 350 instead of 200
-Megalixirs can now only be used on the field

Also, apparently Shin hasn't played the game so let's rope that fucker into playing. I know some folks haven't finished the FFV Manhogan (you lazy bastards) but I'm ready for another round of Manhoganing. I've never played a patch off of Insane Difficulty so it would be my first time as well. I believe it patches to the SNES rom. I'm pretty excited about revisiting a familiar game but with game rebalances and other tweaks. Who's with me?



Oh what? What about my grad school? Fuck grad school. I'm gonna need to relax.

Download that good ish >here<

Most amazing jew boots

Sousuke, we could definitely do FFVI next. The insane difficulty version of FFVI is pretty crazy - the list of changes. If you can hold off until like late October/November or so which is when I think I would run the Manhogan FFVI.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

OK, while more people get signed up I'll go ahead and start my data. Who knows? Maybe people seeing me play will get others interested. Ok...here goes.


Changing Chrono to Hyde. Word~


Alright, the start of a great adventure!


Gonna need a platonic female companion. Sup Seris. Totally friend-zoned you right there.


Give me my money, mom.

Alright, gonna go on the world map then save. And go into the forest to see how hard this new "Hard mode" is.


Omg...that was my first fight in the game.

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OK. It's 1am. I'm done for the night. ;_______________;

Originally Posted by Hyde

Maybe people seeing me play suffer will get others interested.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Alright, decided to play a bit more tonight. Instead of fighting with just Hyde, let's pick up Marle as well.


Head-on. Apply directly to the forehead.


Who shall we name Marle? Any redheads on the board...

...Alice...

Anyone else? I think Bernard Black dyed her hair red recently. Let's throw her into the mix. Ok, time for Chocodecide.



Let's roll the dice.










Before I go to the past though...

Fucking revenge on these mushrooms.



Sup Seris.



Dammit Alice.



First time time traveling. Aka Deni's shroom trip.



Let's pick up the powerglove!





Oh, I'll be back for you. Just you wait.



Seris joins the team!


And now off to the cathedral. Not before I learn fire whirl.



Who shall I pick as Frog's name? Let's throw OmagnusPrime, Plarom, and Qwakry into chocodecide.




Welcome to the party Qwarky!



Appropriate hand gesture.



Bam, it's official.


Ok, I'm done for tonight. Oh, also getting to this point I got 7 game over screens. So far the ID patch requires players to level up and use lots of healing potions. You need to enter most battles with full life. Also, I would advise not going into battle alone. Have at least one teammate. Also, dual techs are definitely powered up. Makes sense balance-wise because you are using two characters and giving up an additional move.

Phew, so far a fun reply. Can't wait to hit some of the other changes as the game progresses.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Gato was really tough... My characters had around 100 HP and Gato's attack and counter-attack did around 36~45 damage. I didn't want to eat that dudes turkey lunch because of the trial and going all the way to Chrono's house to sleep was too much of a hassle between battles.

Right now the characters deal far less damage and have substantially less defense. On top of that enemies deal way more damage and attack more frequently. Luckily exp, money, tech points, item drops are reasonable so I haven't had issues leveling up. Leveling up definitely helps but not as much as acquiring new techs. Although HP increase is crucial. I'm forced to use my techs whenever I can so going to Inns is a must. Not frustratingly hard and I'm forced to prep characters before battles. I'm curious how the patch will manage elemental attacks.

Man, the music in CT is great. Can someone confirm that if I leave the treasure boxes in the castle at 600 AD, I can pick them up again in modern tomes and then go back in 600 AD and get duplicate treasure? I know with te Black Omen, you can do that.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Daravon: Thanks for joining the nonsense. No need to feel bad for me as I was due for a replay of Chrono Trigger. I feel worse because you just played the DS version. I figured, if anything, I've wanted to play a mod off of Insane Difficulty and provide GFF entertainment at the same time. That being said, I did expect more interest in Chrono Trigger but you are the second person to bring up FFVI. Kinda wish I went with that game now.

As I'm not too far into the game, I really wouldn't mind switching although I was still planning on playing FFVI insane difficulty afterwards.

Also, there are two mods for FFVI on Insane Difficulty although the one I am more interested is called "Brave New World." Here is the >>link<<.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Advice from folks on the forum is to hang onto all your gear - especially elemental gear. That being said, I tend not to sell stuff when I play RPGs anyways. I'd rather grind for money.

Thanks for the confirmation, Shade.

My understanding about the Black Omen is that you can beat it up to 4 times? Future, present, 600, and ice age. And each time you run through, you can pick up the same loot so if you beat it, do it in reverse chronological order.

FELIPE NO

Lol. Oops. I stand corrected.

How ya doing, buddy?

So, progressing with Chrono Trigger.


First boss of the game: Yakra. 3 game over screens. Not tremendously different than the regular version. Damage output is higher. X-strike is definitely the way to go as single techs and attacks are incredibly underpowered.



Qwarky hogging the glory and women like usual. :3



FORESHADOWING


Leveled up before heading back into the future. Amassed a good amount of cash. Otherwise felt good about my level and everything else.



This is the thanks I get for saving the princess? Kidnapping princesses like Bowser.






Hyde going to jail. Trial was so rigged. I was innocent! Wish I took some images but I ended up getting only one "Guilty." I forgot what I messed up. =\ Also, I would definitely recommend waiting for Lucca (Seris) to save you from jail because going alone is near impossible. I forgot you can pick up the Lode Sword here so don't bother buying it from Melchoir.



Second boss of the game: Dragon Tank. You gotta take out the head first as usual but a lot harder this time around. Wheels deal a shitload of damage as do the missiles. Took 5 tries...but finally got him. Pretty much exhausted all my healing items. Really tough without a healing spell. Tonics doing 50 HP doesn't cut it. Make sure you pick up all the mid-tonics in the jail. Also, the enemies here don't give you much exp (each soldier gives 10) so its imperative that you level up before the trial. So being prepared for this battle really means making sure you are the proper level even before entering the castle.



God, the chancellor is the worst. But he certainly got some serious ups.



Back in the day when my brother first played this game, he would literally walk over the chancellor back and forth a dozen or so times.

I stopped right outside Lab 16. About to get Robo soon.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Leaving a note here. It's been almost a month and grad school has been kicking it up a notch but I want to devote some serious time to this in October. Updates soon I hope!

How ya doing, buddy?