How to Level Up in Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is considered among the finest traditional Japanese role-playing games ever released, but the game is actually far from being a traditional JRPG in regards to many of its features, ranging from its non-linear progression approach, huge character roster, and more.

Among the game’s most unique mechanics is the Level Up system which is different from that seen in the original Chrono Trigger and most Japanese role-playing games on the market. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

How to Level Up in Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition’s Level Up system is rather unique, taking a page from the SaGa series rather than traditional Japanese role-playing games like the Final Fantasy series or the original Chrono Trigger.

In Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition, characters do not earn experience points in any way, as their stats increase naturally by defeating monsters depending on the current Growth Level, which is indicated by the currently obtained Stars. Every time you obtain a Star, all characters, even those not in the current battle party, get an HP and stat boost, and for the next 7 to 10 battles, they will receive minor HP boosts as well as other stat boosts. Once you get a stat boost in a regular battle, and not just an HP boost, you will have the threshold for the current Growth Level, and characters will no longer improve their stats. As such, you can skip battle without having to worry about your characters being underpowered unless you are attempting to farm items to forge weapons, armors, and accessories.

So, to Level Up in Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition, you will have to proceed through the story to defeat bosses, which will make you earn Stars that raise your Growth Level and fight a few regular enemies to maximize your stat increases. This system makes it impossible to grind experience points and over level, true, but it also makes the game extremely balanced, allowing you to use all characters without having to spend too much time leveling them up to bring them on par with your very best.