Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger

New Game+ Explained — Chrono Trigger Guide

Understand Chrono Trigger's New Game+. Learn how it works, what carries over, and why it's essential for unlocking all endings and experiencing the full game.

New Game+ Explained — Chrono Trigger Guide

New Game+ (NG+) is a beloved feature in Chrono Trigger that allows players to restart the game with their accumulated progress from a previous playthrough. This mode is crucial for experiencing the game's multiple endings and discovering its hidden secrets.

How New Game+ Works:

  • Carry Over Progress: When you start a New Game+ after completing the game once, you retain your character levels, HP, MP, learned techs, and most importantly, your inventory (including equipment and key items, with a few exceptions).
  • Starting Point: You begin the game again from the very beginning, typically at Crono's house in 1000 AD, just before the Millennial Fair.
  • Altered Encounters: The primary benefit of NG+ is the ability to confront Lavos much earlier in the game. You can travel to the Ocean Palace or the Day of Lavos at almost any point, allowing you to trigger different endings without having to play the entire game from scratch each time.
  • New Dialogue and Events: Certain dialogue and events are unique to New Game+. Characters might acknowledge your previous journey, and some humorous or meta-references are only accessible in this mode.
  • Challenge and Reward: While you start with high levels, the game's difficulty scales to some extent, and the true challenge lies in exploring the different narrative paths and achieving all the endings.

Benefits of New Game+:

  • Access to All Endings: NG+ is essential for seeing all 13 of Chrono Trigger's endings. By quickly reaching the endgame and confronting Lavos at various stages, you can unlock the full spectrum of conclusions.
  • Experimentation: It allows you to experiment with different party compositions, strategies, and choices without the penalty of starting from level 1.
  • Completionism: For players aiming for 100% completion, NG+ is invaluable for collecting all items, mastering all techs, and uncovering every secret.
  • Replayability: It significantly enhances the game's replay value, offering fresh perspectives and challenges on subsequent playthroughs.

To unlock New Game+, you must first complete the game by defeating Lavos. After the credits roll, you will be given the option to save your clear data, which then enables the New Game+ option on the title screen.