The bestRPGof all time only existed because of a game developer who originally “hated” video games entirely, but the change in his perception ultimately led to the creation of the title – and, likely, the praise that it has received over the years.The genre has changed significantly over the past few decades, with several new mechanics and improvements that forever altered the shape of games like these. TheATB system inFinal Fantasy, for example, has been incorporated into several other JRPGs and turn-based RPGs.
While the genre has significantly changed, and turn-based systems eventually transformed into action-based combat in several series, includingFinal Fantasyitself, there are several titles that pay homage to the classics. The recent release ofSea of Stars, for example, honors traditionalturn-based games likeChrono Trigger.Despite all the changes, several new RPGs and JRPGs look back to the classics, but many of them may not have even existed if a certain developer didn’t “hate” video games before starting to work in the industry.
Chrono Trigger Writer “Hated” Video Games Before Dragon Quest
Masato Kato Prioritized Reading Books
In an interview withDenfaminicogamer(viaAutomaton),one ofChrono Trigger’s writers, Masato Kato, revealed that he “hated” games beforeDragon Quest. “Not only did I not play games at all, but I actually hated them. There were quite a few people who played games at my university, but I basically just hated doing what everyone else was doing.” Kato explains that “it was also a matter of productivity for me […] if I’m going to spend two hours playing a game, I can’t help but think about how many books I could read in that same amount of time.”
Kato also says that he “was aware that games had their own value,” but that reading was his main priority. As such,he never really considered working with games at all – at least not at that time. As was revealed, his dream was to become a manga artist or sci-fi illustrator. Even so, Kato went on to become a legendary developer, having started his career with theNinja Gaidenseries, and then working withFinal Fantasy,Xenogears, andChrono Trigger, aFinal Fantasy-like RPGthat isn’t part of the series but is considered a spiritual expansion to the franchise.
How Chrono Trigger’s Masato Kato Changed His Views On Games
The Concept Of An RPG “Stunned” The Developer
The shift in Kato’s perception happened because ofDragon Quest, a JRPG series created by Yuji Horii, with whom he would later work onChrono Trigger.After seeing his sister playDragon Quest, he realized that RPGs were“completely different” from other games. “In an RPG, the player becomes the protagonist and can live through the story themselves. Even if it’s technically just a linear path where you trigger events and follow a set route – the player can move around freely, choose to fight, run away, stay at an inn, and experience the story of saving the world.”
According to Kato, “that concept really stunned” him. The game developer has a point: RPGs, unlike other games – especially during the 1980s – were different and didn’t really put players into the role of the protagonist.Players had to control characters, surely, but there was always a straightforward goal without much narrative progression or even freedom in gameplay.Dragon Questoffered a depth that a game likeSpace Invadersdid not. Both of them have their merits, but an RPG helps you live the adventure.
With this renewed vision on what video games could offer, perhaps rivaling what he could get from reading, Kato joined Tecmo, where he worked onNinja Gaiden, and not long after, he moved over to Square. At Square, working alongside writer Yuji Horii, Kato also worked as a writer, being responsible for the majority ofChrono Trigger’s story. As such,he went on to work with the very same person who was in charge of the game that shifted his perception of games. Kato’s contributions toChrono Triggerare immense.
RPGs Today Wouldn’t Be Like They Were If It Weren’t For Dragon Quest
The Series Inspired The Writer To Create What Is Considered The Best RPG Of All Time
Considering how pivotal Kato was to the story ofChrono Trigger, it’s easy to assume that RPGs may not have become what they are today if it weren’t forDragon Quest.If Kato hadn’t come in touch with the series, he likely wouldn’t have worked onChrono Trigger, and RPGs may not have developed in the way they have since its release and because of it. To many,Chrono Triggeris considered the best JRPG of all time (while others considerDragon Questthe best JRPG franchise), and it influences new titles to this very day.
While Kato is credited as the one responsible for the majority of the story for the critically acclaimed RPG, he is also considered an uncredited co-director, having worked closely with Takashi Tokita, Yoshinori Kitase, and Akihiko Matsui, for example, as the directors helped his narrative vision come to fruition. It’s funny to consider that a person who once hated games went on to work with the creator of the series that changed his perception on the medium and, eventually, crafted what is considered one of the bestRPGs of all time,Chrono Trigger.
