What makes Earthbound so good?

FatCobra · Post by **FatCobra** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 1:08 am

Seeing as we are on a classic game discussion binge, I was thinking about the Earthbound cart that I bought off of Ebay for $50. The game pretty much held it's value in the span of ten years.

I'm wondering why I love this game so much, even though I don't like traditional-style RPGs. Well, I think I figured it out....

The general wackiness, the modern day setting, the fact that your characters aren't the stereotypical RPG heros, but average everyday kids (with psyhic power of course), the trippy backgrounds. I swear this game is the RPG equalivent of an LSD trip; my favorite enemy has to be the New Age Retro Hippie.

For the Earthbound lovers out there, why do you think this game is so great?

Bar81 · Post by **Bar81** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 1:46 am

As part of the official Earthbound is an overhyped RPG club, I have to say I have no idea why you guys like the game. I played it and was bored to tears. I'd be interested in hearing what you guys like so much about this game.

roushimsx · Post by **roushimsx** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 1:56 am

I adored the settings and general style of the game. There's really not a whole lot of games like it, with the closest probably being the ever so shittacular Secret of Evermore. It had some awesome tounge in cheek humor and did a nice job of parodying cheesy 50s sci fi flics.

The largest downfalls to the game were the battle system (I loved being able to see the enemies before fighting them and having some choice in how the battle started out, but the dragon warrior-esque battle system doesn't do much for me anymore) and the way the new characters started off at level 1 (never a fun thing).

But yea man, the overall artistic design of the game ruled. I remember saving all of the preview pages from Nintendo Power and reading them over and over while waiting for the game to come out.

The n00b · Post by **The n00b** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 2:04 am

The 80's setting and great presentation. That's about it. Doesn't sound like much but to me those things made the game great.

captain ahar · Post by **captain ahar** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 2:19 am

i never played very far in the game sadly. i need to find that strategy guide though. i loved all the character models.

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 4:15 am

I haven't played the thing in a long time, but to the best of my knowledge, when you get right down to it, the core RPG gameplay is Traditional with a capital "T"...most all that's left to set it apart is the presentation, which replaces swords and sorcery with baseball bats and psychic powers...with a decidedly quirky touch. Not to mention that this is one of the few RPGs that was hyped to heck even back in the 16-bit era.

Andi · Post by **Andi** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 4:16 am

Killing the old women and drunks with a baseball bat - that was cool.

DEL · Post by **DEL** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 4:30 pm

Its the only RPG I've played from beginning to end TWICE over, because I liked it so much.
It had an ambiance, a mood, perhaps mostly created by the trippy music/sound effects.
Come to think of it...I'll probably play it through a third time.

SheSaidDutch · Post by **SheSaidDutch** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 4:55 pm

The n00b wrote:The 80's setting and great presentation. That's about it. Doesn't sound like much but to me those things made the game great.

I'd say the same for Shenmue I&II

Super Laydock · Post by **Super Laydock** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 7:14 pm

SheSaidDutch wrote:
The n00b wrote:The 80's setting and great presentation. That's about it. Doesn't sound like much but to me those things made the game great.
I'd say the same for Shenmue I&II

Shenmue isn't funny...Earthbound is!

Why was it great? Sometimes it's hard to put your finger on the right spot (just ask any woman...

) but the game just oozes a special atmosphere with over the top enemies/attacks and settings... and dialogue and characters can be hilarious. Defenitely one of the top 15 games I have ever played!

Now if only the would translate and bring out Mother 3 in the west!
It could be greater than the next Halo or GTA...hell they can cancel the new Zelda as far as I am concerned if they release an English version of this game

Bar81 · Post by **Bar81** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 8:30 pm

Well, that explains why I thought it was so boring. I didn't find it funny nor did I dig the "style". I guess I'm the kind of RPG player who actually likes epic, coherent stories in their RPGs and characters that you genuinely feel connected to.

Super Laydock · Post by **Super Laydock** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 10:23 pm

This thread single handedly made me shell out the cash for a complete and
"like new" copy of the game ($120.00) on ebay tonight... but then again I KNOW the game is worth it!

Moogs · Post by **Moogs** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 12:02 am

roushimsx wrote:I adored the settings and general style of the game. There's really not a whole lot of games like it, with the closest probably being the ever so shittacular Secret of Evermore. It had some awesome tounge in cheek humor and did a nice job of parodying cheesy 50s sci fi flics.

The largest downfalls to the game were the battle system (I loved being able to see the enemies before fighting them and having some choice in how the battle started out, but the dragon warrior-esque battle system doesn't do much for me anymore) and the way the new characters started off at level 1 (never a fun thing).

But yea man, the overall artistic design of the game ruled. I remember saving all of the preview pages from Nintendo Power and reading them over and over while waiting for the game to come out.

This isn't really an issue considering they shoot up tons of levels just one fight into joining your party.

FatCobra · Post by **FatCobra** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 4:20 am

I can understand why some people wouldn't like Earthbound because of the battle system, it is basically a parody of Dragon Warrior. Hell, it's even pretty easy. But, it's the atmosphere that sucks me in. Epic stories? Yawn, I've destroyed evil empires and stopped insane gods so many times with the stereo-typical medival knights and wizards, that traditional style RPGs have bored me. But I keep coming back to Earthbound, even though it follows the Dragon Warrior formula in terms of battle system. I guess it is the trippiness of it all. What other game lets you beat up hippies with a baseball bat?

$120 for a new sealed copy? Wow, that's pretty expensive, a bit too much for a game like Earthbound, but I shelled out $50 for my cart. So.....

Earthbound just screams fun.

Dartagnan1083 · Post by **Dartagnan1083** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 10:31 pm

Earthbound gets lots of attention for its wacky feel, obscure status, market scarcity, and focus on fun-factor as opposed to being a drawn out Philosophic angst fest.

But there are wackier RPGs out there.

Far East of Eden: The Apocalypse IV for the saturn comes to mind real quick.

http://www.classicgaming.com/reviews/tengai/tengai2.htm (scroll down a bit)

Set in Post Civil War North America.
According to classic gaming, it's:
"not the America we're used to reading about in history textbooks, a drastically skewed version of this beloved country, full of ridiculous misinterpretations, wacky anachronisms and more political incorrectness than you could even possibly imagine."

AND HERE'S A MAP

FatCobra · Post by **FatCobra** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 3:08 pm

^Now that sounds like a fun game. Even though I have an import Saturn, I can't read Japanese.

Bar81 · Post by **Bar81** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 3:47 pm

FatCobra wrote:I can understand why some people wouldn't like Earthbound because of the battle system, it is basically a parody of Dragon Warrior. Hell, it's even pretty easy. But, it's the atmosphere that sucks me in. Epic stories? Yawn, I've destroyed evil empires and stopped insane gods so many times with the stereo-typical medival knights and wizards, that traditional style RPGs have bored me. But I keep coming back to Earthbound, even though it follows the Dragon Warrior formula in terms of battle system. I guess it is the trippiness of it all. What other game lets you beat up hippies with a baseball bat?

$120 for a new sealed copy? Wow, that's pretty expensive, a bit too much for a game like Earthbound, but I shelled out $50 for my cart. So.....

Earthbound just screams fun.

Well, you completely ignored the important part of my post which was that it wasn't just the epic storyline that was key but that it was the connection to the characters; actually caring what happens to them. This just doesn't happen in Earthbound. If someone finds its premise silly and not amusing then there's no reason to play it as the characters are completely unworthy of caring about.

llabnip · Post by **llabnip** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 8:54 pm

FatCobra wrote:^Now that sounds like a fun game. Even though I have an import Saturn, I can't read Japanese.

Tangai Makyou: The Apocalypse IV (i.e. Far East of Eden: The Apocalypse IV) is a great RPG for the Saturn! It's got everything... and may be some of the best 2D animation on the Saturn. I also prefer the older overhead 2D gameplay to the more modern RPGs. The language issues isn't so bad since gamefaqs has a great FAQ with virtually everything you need to understand the story (in quite a bit of depth) and get through the game with a high level of enjoyment. It also can be had for under US$15.

I heard it was getting a PSP re-release in Japan... but I'm not sure that's official. Anyway, if you love off-the-wall RPGs, beautiful hand-drawn 2D animation and 2D gameplay, a solid musical score and/or just love your Saturn, this is a good title to pick up (assuming you don't mind using a FAQ to fill in the dialog and story details as you play).