After four years with no updates in between, a 27-year-old Square Enix JRPG is getting a surprise new update out of the blue. For Square Enix, it is particularly unusual that Chrono Trigger on PC received an update, despite the game seemingly ending any major updates in August of 2018. Initially, Square Enix worked on several updates for the Steam version of Chrono Trigger after multiple fans complained to the publisher regarding the state of the PC port. After the fifth and previously "final major update" patch for Chrono Trigger released, many figured that over three years later, another patch wasn't coming. However, this new update brings a host of new features and compatibility.

What's interesting about the Steam version of Chrono Trigger is that, in many ways, it's indirectly led to Square Enix offering greater support to the PC platform. Games like the "Windows Edition" of Final Fantasy 15 helped get the ball rolling, but the critical and fan reception of Chrono Trigger's PC port enhanced the 1995 game beyond its SNES beginnings. A similar thing is happening now with the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster, which wouldn't have happened without the reception to Chrono Trigger's Steam release. Square Enix should use its retroactive support of Chrono Trigger's PC release as a benchmark for supporting the PC platform in the future.

Chrono Trigger's History On PC

Chrono Trigger's initial release on Steam was marred by "mostly negative" reviews on the platform. Players were citing issues like limited resolution/graphics options, the inability to remap controls or keybinds, as well as a filter or veneer over the original art style that made things like blurry and unoriginal. For a surprise port that was not announced or given any fanfare beforehand, Chrono Trigger got plenty of traction among fans, but not for the right reasons. In an opportunity where the Steam port could become the definitive version of the game (which hardcore fans previously thought the 3DS re-release was), Square Enix had released a controversial port instead.

Post-release, rather than leave the game's status alone like the original Final Fantasy PC ports (which saw similar criticism), Square Enix supported and updated Chrono Trigger multiple times. With five updates between March and August of 2018, reviews steadily rose from previously negative sentiment to the current "Very Positive" average. Nowadays, plenty of fans are satisfied with the status of the Chrono Trigger PC release on Steam, especially in comparison to the game's surprise release in February of 2018. Given fan satisfaction, and several years without an additionally substantial update until this year, many likely didn't expect anything further updates.

Now, Chrono Trigger on PC (and mobile) is receiving a new update that brings several new features to the enhanced port. The game can now be run on ultrawide aspect ratios of up to 21:9, the mobile version of the game has received "improved operability" (greater precision with touch controls), sped up auto-combat to 1.5x speed to help hasten battles, as well as increased the amount of save slots to 20. It's an unexpected and welcome update from Square Enix that's proactive, rather than reactive, which is an encouraging sign given Square Enix's previous experience with supporting the PC platform.

Square Enix's PC Support is Mixed, But Improving

FF6 Pixel Remaster

Square Enix's track record with the PC platform and its IP is mixed, even in the wake of this surprising Chrono Trigger update. Ports of several classic Final Fantasy games to Steam were adapted from mobile ports on Android/iOS, which led to similar criticisms weighed against the Chrono Trigger port just a few years prior. Even more recent ports, like the Final Fantasy 7 Remake port on Epic Games Store suffered from similar criticisms of lackluster graphics features, as well as performance issues. Nier Automata's Steam port in particular was the subject of severe criticism as well, with performance issues necessitating fan mods to fix compatibility issues.

However, there has been some improvement with Square Enix's support of the PC platform in recent time, Final Fantasy 7 Remake aside. The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster in particular seems to be a direct and preemptive answer to fan criticisms of the Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy PC ports in the years prior. These versions offer faithful graphics in higher resolution, greater keybind customization, as well as additional fanfare like re-orchestrated music, and even expansive overhauls of gameplay. The opera scene in Final Fantasy 6 is the prime example, as it's entirely overhauled to feature 3D environments and perspective changes, along with fully voice-acted lyrics and performance alongside re-orchestrated music. These enhanced re-releases have all released to a "Very Positive" reception on Steam.

Many of the games, as part of the Pixel Remaster, also retain many of the enhancements in Chrono Trigger's PC port, indicating that fan's concerns were heard and recognized by Square Enix. Even Automata, which had to be ported to PC again by a completely separate development team, was able to solve many of the issues with the Steam release of Nier Automata through a free update for players who owned the game, especially after players voiced their criticisms. While Final Fantasy 7 Remake hasn't received the same treatment just yet, Square Enix is clearly listening to fan concerns.

Square Enix should look at the success of Chrono Trigger's updates, as well as the success of games from the Pixel Remaster, as a jumping off point for better support on the PC platform. Even to this day, it isn't fair for Final Fantasy fans having to complain to Square Enix again over a lackluster port of Final Fantasy 7 Remake on PC, especially after the success of legacy titles.

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