I Need More Time

I'm in love with Chrono Trigger. I'm nearing the end of the game. I'm not sure if I'm flying through it because it's actually that good and holds up so many years later or if it's because the nostalgia is that powerful. Honestly the combat is a little frustrating. These old RPGs always feel so tiresome and drawn out. I'm not all that attached to the characters. I love them for who they are, but they're pretty stereotypical as far as video game characters.

So what is it about this game that I love so much. What is it that stood up so well over time? Exactly that. Time. I've never played a game that has used the concept of time so well. Your actions in the past effect events in the future. Not only do you have to worry about what you're currently doing, but you also have to consider you actions on a different plane. The thing is, in Chrono Trigger, it's a scharade. You're not actually messing with things and having them change the future. It only looks that way. It's just a mission based RPG. Complete this mission to open up this next one. The fact that they uses different time periods instead of just different locals. That's what makes it fresh and interesting. When you really strip it down, it's just a standard RPG.

Now what do I want. I want a game that actually has time travel. Whether or not this will actually work out, I don't know. It's a very hard mechanic to design seeing as how there are so many unknowns and game breaking opportunities. I'm very surprised that someone hasn't tried to just use the Chrono Trigger formula since then. Maybe it's such a unique difference that any attempt to recreate it would be considered copying.

Now how would you make an actual Time Travel game?
David