Yeah Chrono Cross isn't really that great. It does have a really cool story about parallel dimensions and the choices that we make. The OST is indeed fantastic. It's really the perfect music to set the tone of the game.
There are very few ties to Chrono Trigger which is what was/is so disappointing to fans. The DS port of Chrono Trigger had an additional ending that tied them together better.
I enjoy it, but it's definitely not for everyone. I replayed it around this time last year and appreciated its nuance more this time.
Basically this. Chrono Cross wasn't
bad but it was nowhere near capturing the excellence of Chrono Trigger. It was a gorgeous game, had an amazing sound track, and some of the characters were entertaining. But, with over 40 people to recruit that offered nothing to the narrative, very little references to the first game and some really screwy game play features, it was not the experience fans were looking for.
I finished it, got the best ending and never touched it again.