RetroGaming

The best shit happens after you've been to every time period at least once and end up at The End of Time. That's when you get magic, and things really get good in the amount of choice you have.

My favorite parts are the Prehistoric Era when you actually fight Azala and her Black Dino, and the entirety of the Land of Zeal/Ice Age part where we see the Mammon Machine come online.

For me? As soon as I power on the SNES. For most folks I know? After you complete the intro (festival).

I remember being hooked the moment Marle disappears for the first time. That was 20 years ago. I'm not sure the game would have the same impact on me today.

For me it's a few points. When you discover the day of Lavos, when you take the fight to Magus' keep, when you first visit Zeal, and when you get the wings of time are all some of my favourite moments.

The trial?

For me it got good as soon as I went through the first time portal.
It got great at the second visit to the past.
It became immortal at the first visit to the dark ages.

I find the first visit to the future to be a slog for the most part, although it has one of the strongest scenes in the game. Power through that segment and it gets better in a hurry.

Also, don't play Chrono Trigger with the sound off until you can play the soundtrack in your head. The soundtrack doesn't gently suggest atmosphere like a modern game. It sets the tone for the scene.