Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross are so different I can hardly connect the two.

Personally, I really didn't care for Chrono Cross outside of aesthetics (because it was a very, very pretty game, both visually and musically). I really didn't enjoy the battle system. It's been a while since I've played it so I can hardly remember what it was exactly -- I remember the magic system being annoying, and then your field changed element, and all that.

Also, the storyline makes little to no sense.