Why aren't there more clones of Chrono Trigger? If any game seems like it deserves a slew of clones, it would be one of the Top 10 role-playing games of all time, one that is so synonymous with quality that its Nintendo DS remake tops most of the user-rated lists around the Internet.
Unfortunately, the answer was constantly running through my head as I was playing Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled for the aforementioned DS. Chrono Trigger set the bar so high that no other game really tried to emulate it. Even Chrono Cross, the PSX "sequel" of sorts, scrapped the combat system and takes place in an alternate, fractured timeline.
Gamertell has posted its DS game recommendations for the 2009 holiday shopping season.
The list is divided by ESRB ratings.
TRB writes: "Old school role playing games seem to be the sure hit on the Nintendo DS. The simple gameplay is easy for portable gaming and the time to complete these games is either double or triple the length of modern games. Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled offers the style of gameplay that fans of the most praised game on the SNES will jump right into and find plenty to love."
GameShark writes: "Late last year, Chrono Trigger DS came along and reminded players how great 2D RPGs used to be. Unfortunately, it also had another unintended effect: making Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled look like a unimaginative carbon copy. Even though it's a delightfully detailed and colorful RPG, Black Sigil lifts the entirety of its graphical style, character movements, and overall aestetic directly from Crono's adventure. While imitation is the highest form of flattery, this modern day retro revival is reserved for hardcore enthusiasts only".
