Random Game O' the Day: Earthbound

[digitalpress]

The Oft-Sleepy DP Random Game Generator (tm) has awakened to present us with it's completely unexpected choice, Earthbound.

Earthbound is still considered a "sleeper" of sorts, a non-traditional traditional RPG with a rather unusual storyline and characters. Ever play it? What are your thoughts on the game? How does it measure up to other RPG's on the Super NES?

DP Guide sez:

Earthbound (SNES, by Nintendo) $25/R2 +
a.k.a. Mother 2 (Japan)
Comes in oversized box, with strategy guide. The guide comes with scratch and sniff cards, one of which could be mailed away for a free Pizza Air Freshener. The guide is rarer than the game itself, and the air freshener is MUCH rarer than the game. Released 1995. #SNS-MB-USA.

[Jorpho]

(Finally, the Random Game-o-Matic spits out a Nintendo game.)

Ah, such a good game this is! I wish more RPG writers would eschew the overused Tolkienesque paradigms and make games like this. Here's hoping Nintendo is sensible and brings the GBA Mother 3 to North America (if not the Mother 1&2 double pack).

I can see why some people might not like it very much, as it can get a little dull, but the first time I played it I could hardly put it down. It's the only game I know of that occasionally pops up little reminders that you really should stop and take a break. The rolling HP counters are one of the best innovations since SMRPG's timed attacks.

And the music! Sensational! It might not be terribly advanced technically, but it's still darn good. One of the reasons I haven't played the NES version much is because it's so painful to hear those great old tunes dumbed down for the NES sound hardware.
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[NE146]

I was semi excited about this game when it came out.. and when I played it, it seemed great! But then.. I got into my first battle. YUCK! How could they make it those ugly static screens. Sorry but after being spoiled by battle scenes even on an 8-bit game like SMS Phantasy Star.. it got hard to stomach that coming from an SNES. :(

Unique story though :)

[SoulBlazer]

As a big fan of RPG's, I missed this back in the day but played it on a emulator a couple years ago. Could'nt get much into it, though.

Then I tried Mother for the NES (that's a crazy story behind that one!) and found that VERY borring.

If Earthbound is different then Mother later on in the game, then I'll go ahead and try it out again.

[Half Japanese]

As luck would have it, I'm shipping off this game & the guide in about an hour as part of a trade :D. I enjoyed it moreso than typical rpgs, but seeing as I hate those to death, it still isn't saying much.

[ubersaurus]

I loved this game back when it came out. Still one of my favorites, I've played through it a few times. Sword of Kings, baby. It's all you need.

[Kroogah]

EarthBound is one of my personal favorite RPGs, definitely. Granted, the battle system is pretty boring (especially early on in the game) but the great atmosphere, sense of humor, and general eccentricity of the game makes up for it.

[Querjek]

As luck would have it, I'm shipping off this game & the guide in about an hour as part of a trade :D. I enjoyed it moreso than typical rpgs, but seeing as I hate those to death, it still isn't saying much.
Well, I'm going to be the recipeint of it. I've never played it before, so I guess I'm in for a treat. But does it stack up to FF6 and CT (I just finished both of those)?

[Mayhem]

It's an RPG with RPG hangtails and systems, but doesn't take itself seriously. There is a lot of humour, in-jokes and deprecating digs along the way. Definite buy here... if only it didn't go for so much complete!

[Nick Goracke]

[quote=DrJustinRamone]Well, I'm going to be the recipeint of it. I've never played it before, so I guess I'm in for a treat. But does it stack up to FF6 and CT (I just finished both of those)?

They're entirely different beasts. Personally, I'd consider FF6 and CT "great" games, and Earthbound a "fun" game... if you know what I mean. ;)

There's nothing groundbreaking here - the graphics aren't good, the battle system isn't very complex, the characters are hardly developed beyond the most basic introductions, and the story is just kinda... there. What this game does have going for it is very quick pacing (and a great feature that automatically kills weak enemies for you), a catchy soundtrack, a wacky sense of humor, and a nice, relaxed feel that I just can't put my finger on. What can I say - there's some games that you can get into "just because". I loved it.

[RetroYoungen]

I haven't gotten a lot of game time on this little bastard, but I thought it was a cute and amuzing title. A little slow, so much so that I haven't been back to playing it for quite some time, but cute definately. I give it an 7.5/10.

[gamergary]

Earthbound, one of my all time favorite games. If you liked Earthbound try out its Japanese counterpart Mother 2 to see how different the games really are.

[rbudrick]

There is no better RPG except Final Fantasy 2.

EB is the SHIT! For those who can't get into it, get past the forst townor two and you will be HOOKED! Game is funny as hell and the music rocks nads. The game is seriously wacked in the humor deprtment!

-Rob

[Jorpho]

Earthbound, one of my all time favorite games. If you liked Earthbound try out its Japanese counterpart Mother 2 to see how different the games really are.

Not so different... There is a fairly definitive comparison here (http://starmen.net/m2eb/index.shtml).
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[badinsults]

One of the biggest cult classics ever.

www.starmen.net


I have only played it for about 2 hours on an emulator, and I do want it... but I really am unwilling to pay $40+ that it goes for on ebay.

[Classicgamesdepot]

Oh man, I could go on forever about this one, one of my top 5 favorite games of all time, Funny as hell, and very unique, I love the idea of being able to instantly kill enemies if you are strong enough, saves a lot of time, The whole little package was awsome, anyone who has owned or played the game should get a real kick out of the guide, it's bad ass, anyways, If you an Earthbound snes fan and haven't played Earthbound Zero, download a copy and fire that bad boy, it's sure to bring you just as much joy as the snes version, take care all

[Kid Fenris]

Ah, Earthbound. Where else do you have to bribe a certain innkeeper by walking behind the counter and talking to him?

The battles are kind of dull, I admit, but everything else about the game, from its Peanuts-like tone to its accomplished humor, was well done. And I liked the fact that I could see the enemies before fighting them, at a time when a lot of RPGs had yet to embrace that feature.

[vintagegamecrazy]

I have to say I really enjoyed this game. It had dull moments but it was so unique among other games, and I loved the story and the music.