This page explains how New Game Plus works in Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition.

New Game Plus is a feature that you may take for granted in modern RPGs, but the popularized version of it debuted in Chrono Trigger–this game’s predecessor. After completing the game, you can begin a new game with various perks, hence the name.

How to Begin New Game Plus¶

Upon defeating the final boss and obtaining any ending, you’ll be asked to save your game. This creates a cleared save file.

When you load this cleared save file, you will be given two options:

• New Game +
• Continue +

For the purpose of this page, choose the first one. You will now start the game from the very beginning, but with the features of New Game Plus.

Features of New Game Plus¶

Carry Over Growth Stars¶

The first thing you’ll probably notice is that all your characters will be far stronger than normal.

This is because you’ll carry over all the Growth stars obtained in your previous playthrough. This should be 48 (assuming this is your first New Game Plus or Continue Plus). Needless to say, you’ll probably steamroll all the enemies.

Carry Over Equipment/Items¶

With the exception of certain items, which we’ll list in a moment, all equipment and items will carry over! Key items do not carry over.

The items that don’t carry over are all event-related:

Mastermune, Einlanzer, Hero’s Blade, Hero’s Shield, Hero’s Medal, Dragoon’s Honor, Star Fragment, Master Hammer and Blue Brooch.

Carry Over Elements¶

Similarly, barring certain Elements, all Elements will carry over!

The following Elements do not carry over:

• Chrono Cross
• All Summon Elements
• All Level 7 Techs obtained via events

Carry Over Gold¶

We doubt you’ll ever have financial problems in this game, but all your Gold will carry over too.

New Key Items¶

You cannot carry over any Key Items, but you’ll have a few new ones.

• Time Egg: OK, we lied, you do carry over the Time Egg. This lets you fight the Time Devourer (awakened) at Opassa Beach at any point in the game. This is essential for the game’s multiple endings.
• Time Shifter: If you’re playing the Remastered version, this is redundant because you always have it. But in the original game, you only obtain this during New Game Plus (or Continue Plus). It lets you speed up or slow down the game.
• Relief Charm: With this, you can remove Serge from your party. Granted, he’s the strongest character in the game. But maybe you want some variety after using him for an entire playthrough!

Recruit Characters from Previous Playthrough¶

Recruited characters are carried over, although you cannot access them from the start.

Once you re-obtain the Chrono Cross Element, you can use the Chrono Cross to re-obtain all the characters you’ve recruited in the cleared save file. Sadly this means you can only use your gathered characters for the last dungeon.

To do so, return to Hydra Marshes (Home World) and go north one screen, back towards the dimensional hole where you escaped from the Temporal Vortex. Use the Astral Amulet to return to the vortex.

You’ll emerge in Sprigg’s home, where the Chrono Cross will suddenly react. Use the Chrono Cross via the key items menu and you’ll regain all of your past characters!

Open the Locked Door at the Bend of Time¶

If you’ve never visited, the Bend of Time is a small, unnamed island located a short distance west from the Dead Sea Ruins. Inside, there are portals that lead to encounters with enemies from missable locations. Besides that, there’s a door at the back that is normally closed, unless you’re playing on New Game Plus (or Continue Plus).

For the full scoop, please refer to the dedicated page.