Earthbound
Reviewed by Mr. Pink
Wow, this is definitely a very different RPG from the ones I'm used
to playing. I just found out about this game long after N64 came out
and bought it on a whim since it was only $15. And after I read on
the back of the box, "All you're armed with is a cracked baseball bat,
a cookie, and an ATM card," I had to see what it was all about. The
main storyline is pretty simple, but full of really weird people. It's
about a kid, Ness, who has to go find 3 other 'chosen ones' and go beat
up some evil entity named Giygas. Your weapons are baseball bats,
frying pans, and laser guns, and you restore your health with actual
FOOD. No potions, ethers, or elixirs. You get real food, like pizza,
yogurt, coffee, bananas, noodles, and the list goes on and on, and they
even have condiments to put on your food like ketchup or parsley. Very
funny how they combine something realistic like that into a game as
crazy as Earthbound is. They do this multiple times throughout the game.
Oh yeah, and along the way, the people you meet bombard you with tons
of lowbrow and/or sarcastic jokes that are downright hilarious. This is
definitely the kind of comedy that should be present in a lot more games today.
Graphics: 60 out of 100
Graphics aren't a big thing I'm looking for when I'm playing an Super NES
game and Earthbound's isn't that spectacular. But the goofy, cartoonish
way the enemies are portrayed are very laughable. My only complaint
about the enemies is that there is no motion from them in battle. Even
a simple weary and rundown look when they're low on hit points would
have satisfied me, or better looking spells, except for Ness' PSI magic
spells, those are a bit better than the rest. But I have to give credit to
the Grateful Dead type of background in battles. Very cool. The swirling
colors really works for the game.
Music and Sound: 100 out of 100
Great tunes! The music in the game can range from very soft and
soothing such as when you find your sanctuaries, to sheer insanity
like when you fight against Giygas which is filled with scratching and
static. There are many other worthy tracks as well: the simple upbeat
music in the Drugstores, the eerie and mysterious music when you're
in the graveyard in Threed, the bright and screwball way the music is
playing in Saturn Valley, the distorted but recognizable music when
you enter familiar buildings in Moonside, the very catchy tune in
Scaraba, and much more. This soundtrack has it all.
Game Challenge: 75 out of 100
The game was an alright challenge, but the game comes with a strategy
guide. So odds are you aren't going to get stuck in a some place wondering
what to do. And plus, you can always shell out some of your cash and buy
a hint from the Hint guy. But overall, the enemies were average. Some
were a bit harder than others in the same area, but nothing extraordinary.
Game Play-Fun: 100 out of 100
I had a blast playing this game. But if I had to choose the big highlights
they'd be: naming your guys, food, pet, etc..; watching music concerts
and seeing the Runaway Five weasel out of tough situations with your
assistance; the ship captain's comments while on his boat; using odd
items in battle (the Toothbrush cracked me up); the music; and of course
those teleporting monkeys. This game deserved a lot more publicity.
Frustration
I get frustrated when I die while I'm making my way through a long
maze filled with tough enemies, or when I'm fighting a boss. But you
just come back to the last place you saved with all the experience you
gained along the way. So frustration isn't a big factor in this game.
Replayability: 25 out of 100
Unfortunately, once I beat the game, I really had no desire to go start
up a new game. Once you beat the game, you've pretty much heard most
of the funny comments and found practically all there is to find. I mean,
the game comes with a friggin' strategy guide. One reason you might
start a new game is to try to win some rare items you get from enemies,
like the Gutsy Bat or some Star Pendants, but it's usually not worth it.
Game Value: 100 out of 100
I got it for $15 so yeah, definitely, it was worth every penny. Easily has
become my favorite RPG, and one of my favorite video games altogether.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who still owns an Super NES.
Player's Guide: 100 out of 100
I had to talk about this. This guide has absolutely everything! I haven't
found one useful thing about this game off the internet that I couldn't
find in the guide. Very cleverly done with the way it makes some of the
pages to imitate brochures and front page newspapers, and the detailed
info on every single enemy was nicely done as well. It may make the game
too easy, but the staff who made the book should be praised for making
such an outstanding and thorough strategy guide.
Overall: 95 out of 100
Overall this is a great game. Filled with a solid soundtrack, witty dialogue,
a more than sufficient amount of friends and enemies, and the occasional
bathroom humor; a game this interesting and funny is very rare to find with
today's games focusing mainly on graphics instead of storyline or comedy.
If you're sick of all the boring video games out on the market today, give
Earthbound a shot, that is if you can still find it anywhere.