Teach me about 16-bit RPGs

[JustRob]

Alright, so I was digging through the wife's stack of GBA and DS games and found some I can play. I just have a few questions for them.

She's got all the Final Fantasies for GBA and DS. Is the GBA version of VI ok or should I look to another release for that one?

Also, she's got the phantasy star collection for GBA. Again, is that ok to play or should I pony up and find the sega carts?

[PresidentLeever]

Check out Mother 3 if you're looking for a good story. One of the few JRPG's that really had an emotional impact on me. Also the music is excellent for being on the GBA, the pacing is pretty quick and the challenge is somewhat higher than in the FF games.
It's pretty dark and depressing at times (its looks are deceiving in that way) though so if that's a turn off then go for Mario RPG instead.

[j_factor]

She's got all the Final Fantasies for GBA and DS. Is the GBA version of VI ok or should I look to another release for that one?

The GBA version is okay enough. SNES is preferred, but GBA will do. It doesn't have any crippling problems like IV Advance, but the sound isn't very good.


Also, she's got the phantasy star collection for GBA. Again, is that ok to play or should I pony up and find the sega carts?

They ported over fine, but IIRC the manual is seriously lacking. The Genesis version of Phantasy Star II originally came with a detailed hint book, which says on the cover, "Your adventure would be very difficult without this guide." PS II is definitely on the difficult side for JRPGs and the dungeons can be pretty labyrinthine. But it's a great game if you can work through it. Of course, you can always use the internet for hints.

[Gameguy]

Also, she's got the phantasy star collection for GBA. Again, is that ok to play or should I pony up and find the sega carts?
I've been playing through the first game on it and so far it's fine. I'm pretty sure there's a potential bug that can crash the game if you save while the sound starts to loop over again but it's rare, just save while the sound is playing normally and you'll be fine. Also this collection doesn't include IV so you'll have to find it somewhere else, either on the Genesis or one of the other Genesis compilations.

I really should get back to it, it's been a few months since I've last played it.

[Haoie]

In 16b RPGs, you can circumnavigate the entire planet in under 30 seconds with an airship.

Not bad huh?

[Icarus Moonsight]

That's because it's olden times! Virtual Insanity... The unknown parts of the world whiz by instantaneously like they don't exist. Notice that the worlds are by and large flat and either circular or square at edge. Go off the left side and you come in at the right. Only makes sense. The rest of the world is on the inaccessible back plane.

[j_factor]

Virtual Insanity

Unnecessary Jamiroquai reference.

[mobiusclimber]

I personally don't care for the retranslation of FFVI on the GBA. Say what you want about Ted Woosley but the man had a way with words that really summed up the characters. Its no wonder his "Spoony Bard" comment was left in FFIV's translation, it's just a shame his description of Locke had to meet a sadder fate (as just one example).

[Zebbe]

What was his description of Locke?

[mobiusclimber]

I'm misremembering. It was actually Shadow I was thinking of. Edgar states at one point "he'd slit his own mama's throat for a nickel." This was toned down pretty a bit to being he'd kill a friend for money. You can read about some of the other changes here: http://www.siliconera.com/2007/02/08/final-fantasy-vi-advance-the-censored-directors-cut-edition/

It's not a huge deal to me, and I'm sure a lot of it was changing things back to what they were in the original Japanese text, but I just happen to really like all the weird turns of phrase in Woosley's translation.

I didn't really notice a lot of the changes when I played FF6A, but something just kinda felt off about the dialogue and I couldn't place my finger on it.

[Zebbe]

Perhaps you meant this:


Another example of toning down is when a merchant calls Locke a thief in the original game Locke shouts back, “Hey! Call me a Treasure Hunter, or I’ll rip your lungs out!” In Final Fantasy VI Advance Locke calmly says “Oh now that was just plain rude. I’m a treasure hunter and don’t you forget it.”

A magazine editor once wrote he didn't like lines like "Way to go dudes!" or something like that, which Ted Woolsey wrote.

[mobiusclimber]

Yeah, I wouldn't say I like all of the weird changes Ted Woolsey has made, but there just seems like a lot more personality to his scripts. FF6 on the GBA felt a bit lifeless. But yeah I do like Locke's line there a lot better than the retranslation, tho I think both have their problems. (Locke is meant to be an emotionally deadened character, so outbursts like that are a bit out of character, whereas the retranslated line sounds just plain goofy.)

[djshok]

Heh, Paladin's Quest sticks out like a sore thumb listed next to those greats. What was it about PQ that you liked so much? (without spoiling it for other people). It's often called average at best or even below average. Just curious what you liked so much about it to lump it in there with those classics.


I always really enjoyed that game, I like the story and the game environments a lot. It's one of those RPGs that I always thought of as an overlooked gem. It also reminds me a lot of the Phantasy Star series of which I am also a fan. Though I wouldn't recommend the first 3 to a first time RPG player.