Beast - I know exactly what you're referring to. Brings back great memories.
This is how I like to compare FF vs. Chrono:
Final Fantasy is 'mass production.' They produce serveral games per conole. All in all, their games are extremely well done, and the story lines are great. However, (probably because the don't have as long to work on it), they often miss tiny details...the little things which bring a game from excellent to near-perfect. These are the subtle references, the foreshadowing, the artistic 'wholeness' of the game...just the small things which makes you, as the player, start to smile, the things which you can remember years later. Chrono releases one game at the END of every console life...SNES, PSX, I'm waiting eagerly for Chrono Break, which will be released when PS2 finally comes to an end. And that's it. They only have one shot to make it great, but man, do their stories blow you away.
Whoever wrote the script for Chrono is a hell of a writer. In Chrono Cross, for example, there is a love story that runs through the whole game, yet the hero (you), are silent...you never say one word, and the love plot is never once overtly addressed. ALL of it is implied, ALL of it is subtle. And yet, there is no doubt. Beast can attest to this.
Anyhow, Xero, I really highly recommend you play Chrono Cross. I'm sure you won't regret it. (You might also consider investing in a strategy guide...they have LOTS of secrets). Plus, 40 playable characters, and 14 different endings.
Hope that whets your appetite.