Earthbound is coming to Virtual Console on the WiiU

[E-Man]

To Baegal

What turned me off originally wasn't the battle system and lack of unique enemy animations. I was just saying that's what makes turn-based RPGs much more interesting; every enemy is unique in their own way, even the palette swaps, instead of just being tankier rehashes of previous enemies.

What turned me off originally was, as I stated before, how SLOW this game starts. It takes quite a while for the story/action to get interesting. I'll try to look past it when I get my hands on the rom later...for now, Puyo Puyo Dungeon beckons me.

It does have it's unique twists to turn-based battle, and I welcome it all~ But, I still think the series is highly overrated. It just feels like any other JRPG to me, with it's own twists on mechanics and story. I love many JRPGs, but they all have that general aura about them that defines JRPGs. It's not just this game (and Mother 3) either....Final Fantasy 7 also suffers from overhype and pedestal raising; it just feels like yet another FF game with a downer hero to me. I actually prefer FF6 over FF7, since the characters are much more interesting.

Final Fantasy 7? You mean that game with Cloud in it? I honestly don't get why that one is the most popular of the series. All I ever hear about it Cloud this or Seth that! When I took a look at the graphics, though, I think the game would have looked better if it was made with sprites. The body shapes of some of the characters don't appeal to me and the pre-rendered backgrounds really stick out like a sore thumb to me. If you ask me, I think Grim Fandango pulled it off better.

As for Earthbound, I actually like the art style, story, and characters better than any Final Fantasy game. Even when not in battle view, the sprites look like their promotional artwork and the palette for the overworld looks very mellow to me. Also, the story is easier to follow than most RPGs. On top of that, I can look at Ness and his friends far longer than most of the characters in any Final Fantasy game.

Please forgive me for saying such things about a respected series of RPGs, but this is my opinion. If you want to play any Final Fantasy game, go ahead! As for me, I would rather play Earthbound.

[Baegal]

-snop-

Considering this game's sense of humor, I wouldn't be too surprised if it inspired the humor of the Mario RPGs.

I'll be honest, I haven't tried out SMRPG yet, but It's on my list! I'll be sure to keep an eye out for any potential references.

What turned me off originally wasn't the battle system and lack of unique enemy animations. I was just saying that's what makes turn-based RPGs much more interesting; every enemy is unique in their own way, even the palette swaps, instead of just being tankier rehashes of previous enemies.

this is definitely just personal preference for me, but I like the stronger copies if they're not overdone. It kind of keeps some things familiar, like there are tiers of difficulty? (Now I'm not saying they should be complete recolors--it wouldn't hurt to change the designs a little bit, but I do like the slight variation just to gauge strength. I don't really know how to say this : x)

What turned me off originally was, as I stated before, how SLOW this game starts. It takes quite a while for the story/action to get interesting. I'll try to look past it when I get my hands on the rom later...for now, Puyo Puyo Dungeon beckons me.

I do agree--the game starts off very slowly. It's not perfect, but for me the pros definitely outweigh the cons.

It does have it's unique twists to turn-based battle, and I welcome it all~ But, I still think the series is highly overrated. It just feels like any other JRPG to me, with it's own twists on mechanics and story. I love many JRPGs, but they all have that general aura about them that defines JRPGs. It's not just this game (and Mother 3) either....Final Fantasy 7 also suffers from overhype and pedestal raising; it just feels like yet another FF game with a downer hero to me. I actually prefer FF6 over FF7, since the characters are much more interesting.

While it is hyped a lot, I think the biggest reason is because many fans are distressed that it isn't as popular as they believe it should be. It's a good series--not the best series ever--but many feel it should be only because it's not recognized. Even if Pokemon or Mario games may be amazing, they're generally not over hyped because everyone knows about them. I'm not saying I agree with this idea, this is just my general diagnosis for overhyping games
I don't know too much about Final Fantasy, so I can't really say anything about it, sorry.

I WILL SAY, though, that I genuinely do think that the MOTHER series is different from most RPGs, if only because of the idea and setting.
The general mindset of RPGs is medieval/knight/fantasy/Skyrim-esque level grinding to slay the big bad and save the girl/townspeople/glory etc, which personally doesn't appeal to me. I'm not drawn into those kinds of settings, but I really do like the gameplay of the RPG format.
For me, I really enjoyed and was drawn into the MOTHER series because it wasn't that general environment--with charming, simple graphics that appealed to me, and was built on humor and charisma over detail and cool knights/enemies/weapons etc. AND it has a gameplay format that I enjoy!

The music though is very unique and interesting, and to me, successful. That might be the most appealing thing to me, potentially.

I feel a little hypocritical now, though.
(considering my diagnosis for not liking many RPGs is the environment, while that's a concern for many Earthbound skeptics)
Welp.
Either way, I personally like the atmosphere that the MOTHER series creates--it feels fresh and different. If some think otherwise then that's their opinion. What was I trying to say again?

[AuraLancer]

Careful, don't turn this into a FF7 thread.

I think Earthbound appealed to me so much because the only RPGs I had played were fantasy JRPGs. It was a refreshing change.

[Baegal]

Yeah, I think that was my biggest point. I got a little carried away ^^;

[AuraLancer]

Anyone have a favorite text window flavor? I usually use plain but sometimes I'll go with peanut.

[Ton]

Mint.

[BullockDS]

No love for Banana?

That and Plain are my go-to choices.

[senjen]

Just bought this game as well as Donky Kong for 30 cents i'm going through this game the 1st time on a console, beat it 4 times on emulator ^^

[Darky's Reincarnation]

earthbound is my favorite game ever, it's one of the best games ever
don't have a wii u yet, but once i have it i will download this game, no matter how many times i already played it

oh and i also have starmen tattoo on my leg