Mobile JRPG Another Eden just revealed on December 4, 2021, a collab crossover event with Chrono Cross titled Complex Dream; with a trailer retracing the legendary PS1 game's opening. Several staff comments were shared as well on the Japanese version of the stream, we summarized everything below.
Another Eden is a mobile RPG written by Masato Kato, the writer of Chrono Cross. The music is also handled partly by Chrono Cross' composer Yasunori Mitsuda. So this collab makes perfect sense. Now, it's possible it's also a bigger hint toward the fact that Square Enix is working on a Chrono Cross remaster, but nothing was announced yet on that front.
- MORE Chrono Cross remaster / remake rumors so far explained
Chrono Cross x Another Eden collab Complex Dream trailers, release date, key visual and staff comments
The collab with a "Square Enix game" was first teased by Another Eden on November 30. Complex Dream, the collab with Chrono Cross, will be launching with Another Eden Version 2.11.50 on December 9, 2021.
If the Chrono Cross Remaster is happening for real, this is possibly a teaser for it. If Square Enix announces the remaster this year, it will probably be revealed at the Game Awards on December 9.
The Japanese live stream featured:
- Tomoya Kuriyama (Producer)
- Daisuke Takeshima (Director)
- Takahito Exa (Art Director)
- Shinwoo Choi (Character Designer)
A video message from Masato Kato was also shown.
Complex Dream Opening and comments from Shinwoo Choi
Shinwoo Choi handled the storyboard for the opening of Complex Dream. He mentioned he probably watched the Chrono Cross opening over 1000 times by now, so he was incredibly honored to storyboard this OP. This is the first time Another Eden gets a full 3D opening like this, and it was created by Studio Anima. They had a pretty short timeframe to make it and yet still did an incredible job.
Shinwoo Choi also explained it was petty much his first time storyboarding all of an opening like this, and Masato Kato wasn't done writing all of the scenario yet. So all the team discussed a lot regarding what to include, and it took them 4 days to complete it. Shinwoo was pretty amazed at the final result by Studio Anima, especially how cute Kid looks.
Message from Square Enix
A message from Square Enix as a company was shared on stream. Here's the official translation from the English stream.
Chrono Trigger x Another Eden event Complex Dream key visual and comments from Takahito Exa
On the Japanese stream, Takahito Exa explained he handled the key visual for Complex Dream, since Shinwoo handled the OP storyboard and he wanted to do something big too. He felt a lot of pressure while drawing it to be sure not to betray fans' expectations. Focusing on each character's intricate details. He also pointed out how the Visus Embryo in the background was made to look like an hourglass.
It's not like he wasn't focused when drawing Aldo and Feinne, but he was especially meticulous with the Chrono Cross characters. Shinwoo also helped him with the Aldo and Feinne parts. Shnwoo also jokingly mentioned that Feinne's sideboob wasn't as detailed in the rough version that Exa handed him over, and he's the "sinner" who made sure it's done right.
The English stream also included a message from Takahito Exa, you can watch it at the 26:18 timestamp.
Official synopsis & message from Masato Kato, story trailer
An official story synopsis of the Another Eden x Chrono Cross collab was shared as well, written by Masato Kato. The English version of the stream had an officially translated version and the trailer:
In his message, Masato Kato most notably revealed that the Chrono Cross characters appearing in Another Eden will be voiced for the first time ever.
This is possibly a big hint toward the fact that a remaster or a remake is in production at Square Enix. If the characters are finally getting official seiyuu now, it's very likely a Chrono Cross remaster / remake is in production and would be fully voiced.
You can listen to Masato Kato's message at the 34:25 timestamp of the English stream. The English dub version of the story trailer is also right after.
Chrono Cross seiyuu cast
Serge will be voiced by Hiro Shimono. The staff on stream mentioned how Hiro Shimono is incredibly busy these days (he became super popular and in high demand after voicing Zenitsu in Kimetsu). Staff comments also included how he fits Serge's personality perfectly, including how it changes depending on the player's choices. Character designer Shinwoo Choi explained he tried giving the illustration a nostalgic feel.
Kid will be voiced by Megumi Toyoguchi. Takahito Ekusa handled Kid's new illustration. Kid is a cheerful person and someone who gets into fights easily, so he tried reflecting that in her illustration.
Tsukuyomi will be voiced by Yukana. (I forgot how she's called in English). Shinwoo Choi handled this illustration. Both Shinwoo Choi and Takahito Ekusa wanted Tsukuyomi's artwork to really accentuate her form-fitting outfit.
Serge, Kid, and Tsukuyomi will be the three playable Chrono Cross characters in Complex Dream.
The character portraits appearing in dialogue scenes. These were drawn by both Shinwoo Choi and Takahito Ekusa. With Lynx, Glen, and Hoshi besides Serge, Kid, and Tsukuyomi. The characters will have multiple expressions. Masato Kato also asked them to give the characters brand new expressions they wouldn't make in the original game.
Chrono Cross' original character designer Nobuteru Yuki shared some comments as well. He mentioned it's incredible the original staff is reuniting 20 years later on a new game, Another Eden, and is now making a collab with Chrono Cross. He's very happy to see that Masato Kato's storytelling is still as intricate and passionate.
Complex Dream gameplay screenshots and details
Exploration and dungeons
The Royal Beast City, the Underground Fortress, and the Dreamslip Tower of Time from Chrono Cross will be appearing in Complex Dream. Another Eden also has a Tower of Time, but this one is from Chrono Cross. We don't know from which era is it exactly though and we'll have to play the game to find out.
New Game + , Sub Events and dialogue choices
Just like in Chrono Cross (and Chrono Trigger), the Complex Dream event will have a "New Game +" function that lets you replay it. It'll have multiple choices like in the original game, most notably a point where you need to speak to either Tsukuyomi or Kid. Playing the event multiple times will let you experience everything.
Complex Dream will add Sub Events. In Fields, Dungeons, or in towns, you'll be able to speak with some of the characters for bonus short dialogues.
Battle system with Elements
An Elements system will be included in Complex Dream, like in Chrono Cross. This way, you'll be able to change the Skills used by Serge, Kid, and Tsukuyomi.
The Field Effect battle system from Chrono Cross is also included. Be it friends or foes, each time an Element is used, the Field Effect changes as well.
The Another Force special trio attacks from Another Eden are there too. There's one with Aldo + Serge + Kid, and one with Aldo + Serge + Tsukuyomi. This is one of the announcements that surprised Japanese fans on the stream's comments the most. With some saying they're pretty much making a Chrono Cross spinoff inside Another Eden.
Difficulty settings. Since there's a new game plus, you might want to start with easier difficulties and keep going higher and higher.
And more....
Complex Dream soundtrack explained by Procyon Studio composers Tsuchiya Shunsuke and Mariam Abounnasr
The next part of the stream focused on the 5 new BGM getting added with the Another Eden x Chrono Cross collab, made by Tsuchiya Shunsuke and Mariam Abounnasr, who both joined the stream to share their impressions.
The new soundtracks are Perfidious Cross-border, Miglance's Underground Fortress, Dreamslip Tower of Time -Stairs of Creaking Dream- by Shunsuke Tsuchiya, and Royal Beast City: Unigalna, Complex Dreamers - Weavers of the Complex Dream- by Mariam Abounnasr. Samples of all 5 BGMs were played on stream.
Procyon Studio is the studio Yasunori Mitsuda made, and both Tsuchiya Shunsuke and Mariam Abounnasr from the studio have been working on Another Eden. In particular, Tsuchiya Shunsuke explained he really loved Chrono Cross' music and that is why he wanted to work with Yasunori Mitsuda and joined his studio years ago.
Perfidious Cross-border
Sample starts at the 1:15:00 timestamp. Tsuchiya Shunsuke explained that if you listen carefully, there's actually chanting in the BGM. One of his favorite BGMs from Chrono Cross is the boss battle theme and its chanting, so he definitely wanted to do it too.
The voices were actually recorded by himself, Mariam Abounnasr, and Takeshi Yamagami, who's an in-house composer for Wright Flyer Studios. There are 2 more people from Wright Flyer Studios doing the chanting, but their identity is a secret.
Royal Beast City: Unigalna
Sample starts at the 1:19:30 timestamp. This was composed by Mariam Abounnasr, who explained on stream she wished to represent Unigalna's atmosphere and translate it into a melody. It has a military march feeling with the trumpet solo.
Miglance's Underground Fortress
Sample starts at the 1:21:53 timestamp. Tsuchiya Shunsuke explained it's underground so rather than a song that gets more and more heated up, it's a gently flowing melody. He also explained he tries not to think too much about how to loop his BGMs or else it'll feel unnatural when playing the game and listening to it.
Dreamslip Tower of Time -Stairs of Creaking Dream-
Sample starts at the 1:24:42 timestamp. This BGM's title was picked by Masato Kato. Tsuchiya Shunsuke explained he included some of the motifs from the Another Eden's Tower of Time's BGM. He couldn't explain the soundtrack too much though or it'll end up spoiling the Complex Dream story.
Tsuchiya explained the flute solo part was handled by "Nogu-san and Kiyo-chan who regularly work on Another Eden", which should refer to Akio Noguchi and Mikiyo Kikuchi.
Complex Dreamers - Weavers of the Complex Dream-
Sample starts at the 1:27:58 timestamp. Mariam Abounnasr explained this is a very important soundtrack. It's reusing the motif from Paradoxical Dreamers, which is another track she did for Another Eden. And then it mixes it with the motif of a certain Chrono Cross BGM, she didn't say which on purpose to avoid spoilers. So it has both a nostalgic and new feel to it.
Message from Yasunori Mitsuda
A message from Yasunori Mitsuda was also published. Here's the official translation from the English stream:
PC version of Another Eden announced with a release date
The last parts of the stream focused on the next Another Eden major update, Version 2.11.50. You can get the details by checking out the official English stream. Most notably, a PC version was announced and will be released on December 6, 2021.
Those willing to get into Another Eden for the Chrono Cross collab Complex Dream will be able to do so on PC.
The usual end of stream shot with everyone: