Earthbound
One of the greatest RPGs on a system known for great RPGs.
You play as a pyschic boy named Ness who is destined to save the world from a great evil by the name of Giygas. During your journey, you are joined by those predestined to join you. Paula, another pyschic; Jeff, technological wiz; And Poo, the Prince of Dalaam who has mastered the way of Mu.
If that's where the game stopped being unique, it would be just your run-of-the-mill RPG but Earthbound is nothing if not unique in every way. From the inventive enemies (Cavemen, Killer Trees, Mushrooms, Starmen, Scalding Cups of Coffee, Crazy Ducks, et al.), memorable characters (Like the Runaway Five, a traveling blues band who help you out every once in awhile and the rotund Pokey, your arch-nemesis), and interesting locales (including Ness' mind) add up to make this game as good as it is.
The only area in which it suffers is visually. Battles take place with the enemy in the center of the screen and all of your character data in little boxes. You never actually see any of your characters attack or defend or use their sometimes visually impressive PSI attacks. This is easily overlooked however, by the lack of random battles. You can see all of your opponent's before they attack you and it's up to you whether or not you want to attack them. A far cry from Final Fantasy's "walk two steps and fight another battle" method of fighting.
Overall, this game is fantastic. If you haven't played it and RPGs are your thing, I suggest you pick it up. Be patient though. Prices can go from anywhere between $30 to $300.
Scores out of 10:
Graphics: 6
Sound: 8
(Some of the best video game music ever)
Story: 9
Enemies: 8
Settings: 10
Battles: 6
(Because of the lack of onscreen sprites for your characters during battle)
DarthSupero's Overall Score (out of 100) for Earthbound for the SNES: 82
Written: April 16th 2005
Reviewer: Musa Mack
Back to Reviews
|
