Earthbound
Reviewed by Mario
Well, If theres one good RPG for Super NES that's worth buying its Earthbound.
Aside from the usual fantasy/medieval RPG's, Earthbound is unique in the sense
that it takes place in a modern day setting, and the characters are young kids.
Earthbound has rather usual plot, an evil entity is trying to destroy you and
the world. You must travel around the world of Earthbound destroying his
minoins that have been causing chaos.
Graphics 45 out of 100
Sadly, the graphics in Earthbound just aren't quite as good as they could have
been. Most of the graphics are single colors without a lot of shading. They
resemble more of something from a later NES game, rather than Super NES,
but the colorful and cartoony graphics can seem very refreshing and different.
I don't feel that the graphics for Earthbound should be completely disregarded,
because of some of the background scenes that appear when you are fighting
enemies. They are all very entrancing patterns, that are very interesting to look at.
Music and Sound 100 out of 100
I really enjoy the music and sound effects in Earthbound. The game has
very good music that can set the mood for whatever area you are in, from
errie music in spooky caves, to happy music while your walking around in
a city. The music of Earthbound is a big element that helps to draw you
into the game.
Game Challenge 85 out of 100
The challenge of Earthbound all depends. Most people that play it say its
just all to easy. The irony of it is that most of these people use the
"Players Guide" that comes with the game from beginning to end. Without
using the players guide the game is decently challenging. Most of the bosses
aren't too easy to beat. and the puzzles are fairly difficult.
Game Play-Fun 100 out of 100
The Game play-fun is one of the strongest points of Earthbound. It's by far
one of the funniest RPG's I've ever played. The world of Earthbound is just
massive and you meet characters who come by here and there throughout
the whole game, like a blues band called the "Runaway Five", or an inventor
name "Apple Kid". Theres even a man who's body is a dungeon.....very creative.
Earthbound is a comical light-hearted RPG, which just adds to the fun value.
And because of this it is enjoyable even to those who don't usually play RPG's.
Frustration
Once again this all relates back to the "Players Guide". I you don't use it
some parts of the game can be very frustrating. An example in an area
called "Saturn Valley", there is a secret base that you must get into. Once
asked the password to enter, you must stay put and not press anything for 3
minutes! If you miss the clue about this in the town this part can be extremely
frustrating! Other than that the are frustrating if you keep trying to fight
them when you're levels are too low.
Replayability 100 out of 100
I'm currently on my 3rd game of Earthbound, and it hasn't gotten one bit less
fun than the first time I played it. It seems like by the time I get to the end
of the game I've forgotten all about the parts in the beginning of the game,
making it just as fun to replay the entire game.
Game Value 100 out of 100
I bought my copy of Earthbound at Best Buy for $20.00, considering that the
game does come with a copy of the Earthbound "Players Guide". I think this
game is very much worth the money.
Overall 100 out of 100
Even If you aren't that interested in the average RPG. You should try out
Earthbound, everyone I know that has played it thinks its a fun game. And
most of them aren't RPG fans. I just recommend that if you buy Earthbound,
you should keep the game fun and try to figure it out for yourself. Try
using the "Players Guide" only when you need to. That's what I did and
the game is still fun after two years of playing.