I started a cross playthrough myself, though it's on hold for destiny.
Also the 'guided humanity' bit is... interesting. It always felt more like his presence was guiding their evolution more so then any intent to guide it this way. Remember, he simply reaped the DNA of the worlds, and grew based off that. I always presumed it was later on in the world he began to gain sentience of some kind, and created himself some safeguards in case chrono and company managed to win.
I can't say I like that little alteration in Cross though. In context of Cross it's sensible enough, but I feel Lavos worked best as this force of nature rather then a thinking being.