Editorial Index < Chrono Cross Top Ten: Part 2

The following is part 2 of an editorial pertaining to the top 10 favorite characters of the Square classic, Chrono Cross. The list was essentially constructed by voting within the Chrono Shock staff and might not reflect the majority of Chrono Cross’s fans’ opinions. However small the Chrono Shock staff is, it is a microcosm for the Chrono Cross community in general. As such, the following order should be somewhat accurate to the general consensus as to the favorite characters in Chrono Cross. Enjoy the list!

Number 6: Karsh
The retro pants-wearing axe-wielding son of a master smith is none other than Karsh himself. Although at first not exactly an ally, Karsh eventually tags along Serge’s quest to defy Fate. One of the 3 remaining Acacia Dragoons (and the only one to make this list, with the others being Marcy and Zoah), Karsh is powerful and intelligent, yet a constant battle rages within him. He has always lived in the shadow of his best friend Dario, but now that Dario is dead, he seems to be the guy in charge. However, Dario’s mysterious disappearance greatly affects Karsh and is an integral part to his story. Being the son of a blacksmith provided Karsh with the mettle to mess with metal. Karsh wields a huge axe quite potently, and as such is a great asset to the party. However, Karsh does have some rather redeeming characteristics such that he belongs in this elite group of characters. He is rather abrasive and brash. He will pretty much say exactly what is on his mind with no formality whatsoever. Helps to have an axe in hand when being so brazen, but in essence, that’s what most people like about Karsh: his overall demeanor is that of a badass rebel trapped in a servant’s role.

Number 5: Dark Serge
The evil incarnation of the story’s protagonist comes in the form of Dark Serge. Malicious, power hungry and vindictive to the core, Dark Serge is ambitious to attain his evil goals. Obviously, Dark Serge is not the Serge the player knows and loves, seeing as how the motives of the real Serge are not sinister like Dark Serge’s. Also, Dark Serge speaks!!! Big difference maker that speech thing can be. To flesh out Dark Serge’s story is basically retelling the plot, but why is it that Dark Serge is ranked so highly? A lot of the fans just like his look in general. It’s as if Serge were possessed by the spirit of Barbra Streisand with really cool looking attire. Also, Dark Serge is popular pretty much for the same reasons that Lynx is popular among the Chrono Cross fanatics, and to be redundant would be boring.

Number 4: Serge
The “lighter” side of the previous entrant, Serge is the quiet extrovert of a protagonist 4th on the staff’s list of favorite Chrono Cross characters. Surprisingly, this ranking isn’t too shabby for even the hero of the game, seeing as how he doesn’t even talk! However, even though his replies mainly consist of nods and shakes of his head, the character Serge eloquently expresses himself well enough. Even though he doesn’t say anything, Serge somehow inspires others around him, to not only dream, but to pursue their dreams (however ridiculous these aspirations may seem to be). His tale is of great consequence to everyone’s existence, so it sort of does make sense they’d tag along with him…right? Anyway, he is basically alive and well in one world placidly killing Komodo Dragon pups, while in the other world he has been dead for 10 years. His mercurial past(s?) is(are?) gradually explained throughout the course of the game…yet all the way he keeps on collecting more and more ladies in his “stable”. Serge is just a cool guy. He doesn’t need to speak yet dozens follow him on his crusade. He’s just a fisherman yet he is possibly the best overall fighter in the game. What’s there NOT to like about Sergeipoo?