Game Review
Overview
Earthbound is an RPG developed for the SNES in 1994. The protagonist is a boy called Ness. He teams up with Paula, Jeff and Poo (yes poo) to defeat Giygas. Giygas is an alien entity who is an evil destroyer.
Gameplay & Mechanics
This is easily one of the best games ever. The gameplay is solid and enjoyable, though I found the sheer number of enemies at times a bit overwhelming. An example of this is, when I forgot to take the fly-honey for the fight with Mr.Belch, I had to face a huge number of enemies. I find that to be a chore. The mechanics of the game are really simple, its just a turn-based RPG. I find the fights to be based on luck, not power. You go through hundreds of during your adventure to defeat Giygas.
Atmosphere & Presentation
The visual style of this game offers significant customization, allowing players to modify the appearance of windows, text speed, and other settings from the save screen. A notable element of this game is PSI, which refers to psychic abilities that most characters cannot access. Only the protagonists Ness, Paula, and Jeff have the capability to use PSI. Additionally, the atmosphere transforms into something unsettling during the final boss battle with Giygas. The game begins with Ness embarking on an adventure to investigate a meteor that landed near his home, but it shifts to a much darker tone by the conclusion. In the battle against Giygas, it feels as though the player is contending with the background itself. It's as if all of your adventures in this game culminate to this.
Thoughts & Critique
The strengths of this game is the message it tries to convey the power of friendship and how hope can lead to greatness. Earthbound is a very compelling game, even though it seems very slow paced at times or very fast paced at times. It follows the quest of a hero. A thought I have upon this game is the transition of Porky from a side character who is just Ness's neighbour to fighting alongside Giygas as a secondary antagonist. I find it how negative influences can cause people close to you to become bad, even if you don't know it.
Conclusion
This game is for people who enjoy Turn-Based RPGs and quirky elements with it. This game is not like a traditional RPG and seems I think it seems enticing to people who want to play an old RPG and also want cheesiness.
