Chrono Trigger, developed by Square Enix for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), is a timeless classic known for its rich story, innovative battle system, and memorable characters. This walkthrough will guide you through the first half of the game, providing tips on exploration, combat, and secrets to maximize your experience.

1. The Millennial Fair

The game begins with Crono, our protagonist, waking up to his mother’s call. After a brief introduction, you gain control of Crono. Follow these steps:

• Head downstairs, where Crono’s mother mentions the Millennial Fair at Leene Square. She gives you 200G to spend.
• Make your way to the fair, located north of Crono’s house.

Key Activities at the Millennial Fair

Leene Square is bustling with mini-games and side activities. These are optional but provide rewards:

• Norstein Bekkler’s Tent: Play games to earn Silver Points, which can be traded for prizes.
• Gato’s Singing Robot: Defeat Gato in battle to earn Silver Points and practice combat mechanics.
• Ethical Choices: Interact with NPCs carefully. Actions like eating someone else’s food or not helping a dropped item will affect a trial scene later.

Progress the story by bumping into a girl named Marle. Her pendant falls to the ground; return it to her, and she’ll join you. Explore the fair together and head to Lucca’s invention display.

Lucca’s Telepod

At the northern part of the fair, Lucca and her father, Taban, showcase a Telepod machine. After Crono tests it, Marle steps up—but her pendant reacts with the machine, creating a portal. Marle is sucked through, leaving Crono behind. Lucca urges you to follow her to save her.

2. 600 A.D. and the Search for Marle

After entering the portal, Crono finds himself in a forested area. Exit to reach Truce Canyon. Here’s what to do:

• Fight through a few battles to get accustomed to the combat system.
• Head north to the town of Truce. Speak to villagers to learn you are in the year 600 A.D.
• Travel to Guardia Castle, where Marle is mistaken for Queen Leene.

Marle suddenly vanishes, as history is being altered. Lucca arrives to explain that the real Queen Leene has been kidnapped. You must rescue her to restore the timeline and save Marle.

Rescuing Queen Leene

Travel to the Cathedral west of the castle. Investigate the area to find a hidden staircase leading to a dungeon. The enemies here include Nagas and Henchmen. Be prepared for:

• Boss: Yakra: A relatively straightforward boss. Use Crono’s Cyclone ability and Lucca’s fire attacks to defeat him. Yakra counters often, so keep healing items ready.

Rescue Queen Leene and return to the castle. This restores the timeline, and Marle reappears. With the team reunited, use the portal at Truce Canyon to return to 1000 A.D.

3. The Trial and Escape

Back in 1000 A.D., Crono is arrested for allegedly kidnapping Marle. The trial scene begins, and its outcome depends on your earlier actions at the fair:

• Regardless of the trial’s verdict, Crono is sentenced to imprisonment.
• While in the castle dungeon, you can either wait for Lucca to rescue you or break out yourself.

During the escape, you’ll face the Dragon Tank:

Boss: Dragon Tank

• Destroy the tank’s head first, as it heals the main body.
• Focus on physical attacks with Crono and use Lucca’s fire abilities on the main body.
• Keep healing frequently, as the tank deals significant damage with its laser attack.

After defeating the Dragon Tank, escape to the forested area and enter a nearby portal with Lucca and Marle, leading to an unknown time period.

4. The Future (2300 A.D.)

The portal takes you to a desolate future in 2300 A.D. The world is ruined, and humanity is struggling to survive. Key objectives include:

• Explore the Arris Dome to learn about the catastrophe that destroyed the world.
• Retrieve the Seed, a crucial item for surviving humans.

Arris Dome Exploration

• Fight through mutants and robots to reach the storage room.
• Access the computer to witness the Day of Lavos—a catastrophic event in 1999 A.D. that caused the apocalypse.

Learning about Lavos sets the stage for the party’s ultimate quest: to prevent this event from ever occurring.

5. Robo and The Factory Ruins

While exploring the future, you’ll encounter Robo, a friendly robot who joins your team. With Robo’s help, the party ventures into the Factory Ruins to activate a nearby portal.

Factory Ruins Puzzle

The Factory Ruins introduces environmental puzzles, such as activating conveyor belts and disabling security systems. Key tips:

• Split your party to solve switch-based puzzles.
• Use Robo’s high HP and strength to tank damage in battles.

Boss: R-Series

The R-Series robots are Robo’s former counterparts, now hostile. Focus on one at a time, using Robo’s Rocket Punch and Crono’s Cyclone for group damage.

After defeating the R-Series, activate the portal and head to another era.

6. The End of Time

Using the newly activated portal, the party arrives at a mysterious place called The End of Time. Here, you’ll meet Gaspar, the Guru of Time, who explains the mechanics of time travel. Key points:

• Learn Magic: Speak with Spekkio to unlock elemental magic for Crono, Lucca, and Marle. Robo cannot use magic but gains additional tech abilities.
• Save Points: The End of Time acts as a hub for accessing different time periods.

From here, you’re free to explore new eras, including prehistoric times and the medieval war against Magus. The journey deepens as you piece together Lavos’s origins and work to change history.

The first half of Chrono Trigger sets the stage for an epic adventure across time. By this point, you’ve assembled a strong team, uncovered key plot points, and begun your quest to prevent the Day of Lavos. With its compelling story, engaging battles, and innovative mechanics, Chrono Trigger’s early chapters remain some of the most memorable in RPG history.