But then again, I am some sort of heathen monster that doesn't think that highly of Chrono Trigger. Don't get me wrong, I like it well enough! But I think it's just good, not astounding, or perfect, or the epitome of the rpg experience or any of the other things it is usually regarded as.

That aside, I like Chrono Cross because it has really good music. I also like the characters (the important ones anyway, I agree that there are far too many of them overall, and most of them are trivial at best).

The graphics don't bother me. And if you're capable of enjoying Chrono Trigger, with its graphics, then I really can't imagine how you can find these offensive. They aren't up to FFX levels, but they're not bad, and certainly better than Chrono Trigger.

I somewhat agree with you about the scale, because I would have liked to see more of the things that were mentioned in the game. However, I think it's better to have a properly detailed small area, than to have a full yet barren world. I sorta get what you're saying about some of the dungeons feeling like they have no real purpose for existing... But then again, some of the things you listed were optional areas that you didn't have to go to, so that may be the reason.

I seem to remember being a touch annoyed, or maybe bored with the game, at least after a while. I don't remember why since it was so long ago, but perhaps that is the same discontentment you feel with it. I didn't finish it either, though I know I came very close to the end. But then again, that isn't necessarily the game's fault, because I have a habit of dropping games when I reach the last dungeon, lol. Still, overall I think it's a good and enjoyable game, and one that I will undoubtedly eventually come back to. And maybe even finish...