|| Phlog 199X - Earthbound || || || || Work - Planet Computers Gemini || || || Earthbound for SuperNES (or Switch Lite in my case since the actual cart is eye-wateringly expensive!) I don't remember ever seeing ads or any sort of media for Earthbound back in the 90's save for the occasional overly-large SNES box inSoftware, Etc. Even then, I had zero idea what it was about (or why the box was so huge?) and sadly never picked up a copy. One of my best friends growing up and his brother were (and still are) giant RPG fans and picked up Earthbound as soon as they saw it. I can't recall when I first stopped by their house to check it out but it was such a different, quirky, fun, wacky game that it was very difficult *not* to be smitten by it - everything from the character design, the entertaining dialog, crazy good music as well as the storyline. Once they played through it, they were kind of enough to let me borrow it for a summer and try my hand at it. Back then, having the guide be included right in the game packaging was pretty unique - usually that was another $40 to get a full-length guide for a large RPG. I recall not looking at it at first because up until then, most of the guidebooks were "optional". It's not that Earthbound is exactly cryptic, but there are definitely things that are easy to miss. Plus, it's not just a dry 'go here, then go here' book, it's sort of laid out like a travel guide with hints peppered in throughout. Last thing about the Earthbound strategy guide: scratch-and-sniff stickers(!) I have no idea if they would have lasted this long and still be as potent, but if by any change you geta chance to smell them, it's a wonderful time capsule of the 90's 'gross-out' subculture that was pretty prevalent. Playing Earthbound itself is still a very enjoyable experience! There are some quality of life things that will be very annoying for those that have been playing modern RPGs (Inventory Space!!) but gameplay has honestly aged fairly well. The battle system is still a fun, trippy, musical experience that's such a departure from the overhead character view. The mechanic that allows for 'instant wins' against weaker enemies was such a nice inclusion and really ahead of its time (unless there was another RPG I'm not aware of that was doing that first?). Earthbound's take on the HP & Psychic Point values as rolling, analog counters vs. just a display of numbers and how they can play into receiving mortal damage but if you're able to defeat everyone before it runs out you can still survive is an incredibly unique, 4th wall breaking bit that adds urgency & anxiety when said mortal blow occurs. Thankfully, playthroughs don't seem to require tons of grinding - though, as a kid once I found out about the Criminal Caterpillar enemy in Dusty Dunes desert, it was a fun side-activity to try and track them down for the large amount of XP it grants via instant win. Otherwise, it doesn't seem like it's required to spend extra time in an area before taking the path, bus, bike or Sky Runner to the next stop. It's fun to be able to see what's next & advance the story without worrying about being immediately overmatched the minute you set foot in the next town. One of the big draws is the story and getting to the next milestone; seeing what's next and where you'll end up. The dialog is a large part of the story appeal, whether it's the sweet, caring and emotional or the quirky, funny, non sequitur quips that come out of nowhere. It doesn't feel like a job to interact with the townsfolks or billboards or objects like it does in some RPGs and there are some genuine laugh-out-loud moments, even in 2024. The characature of pre-9/11 American life from a Japanese development perspective is pretty interesting while being enterta ining along the way. It's not flawless, though. Along with the inventory limitations, the rare times you'll need to pick up multiples of an item are a bit tedious; plus, said items don't stack and each takes up a previous inventory slot. Getting money out of the ATM is an extra step in picking up new gear and supplies but it's an interesting risk/reward mechanic where you can keep your hard-earned $ safe should you get wiped out by a tougher enemy or RNG not being cooperative. The quirky humor, story and music made me want to revisit this again. I used to play through it every couple years in school and beyond and like other Earthbound/Mother fans, I was hoping for a whole franchise after the N64 sequel was canned. I have yet to get through the fan-translated Mother 3 on GBA, possibly because it doesn't seem as charming as Earthbound or (more likely) it's because I don't want the Earthbound/Mother universe to be finished for me. It's on the list of games to play through and finish, though, so...someday. I'd like to think Nintendo would see how loyal a following this little series still has (The fandom has its own wikipedia article!) and give out more than the occasional Ness cameo in other properties. Seeing it in the SNES app on the Switch was promising...however, hearing Shigesato Itoi say that he's 'finished' with the series makes it seem like, aside from fan-made games, this might be it. Always leave them wanting more, I guess? We'll always have Saturn Valley, I suppose. Further reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EarthBound_fandom http://www.mother4game.com/ https://earthboundeternal.net/index.php