Holy Order Sol
Member
savage
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So I am playing Earthbound and it is terrible so far, am I doing it wrong?
- Thread starter zero shift
- Start date
savage
NHarmonic.
Member
I forgot about it when you
i don't know, mother 3 is really better in every front.
fight some moles in the desert
Thanks for the tip. Which guide did you use?
I am yet to play my copy of this game, and I fear that I'm going to have a horrible experience, just as I've thus far had with Super Metroid and LTTP. I should queue up a guide for this game up front.
Professor Beef
Banned
The guide at Starmen.net is really good. It's completely detailed, and also has good advice in each area.
Earthbound was the first JRPG to dig its claws into me, back when I was 7 years old. I also grabbed it from Club Nintendo, despite owning the SNES cartridge, and started a new play through last night. I'm loving it so far, and actually find it quite well paced. Definitely holds up in my eyes.
The writing and music are the things impressing me most, though there are some solid design choices that I'm surprised other RPGs don't copy. Like, buying new equipment is very intuitive. And the instant wins.
The writing and music are the things impressing me most, though there are some solid design choices that I'm surprised other RPGs don't copy. Like, buying new equipment is very intuitive. And the instant wins.
dreamlongdead
Member
I like the fact that Earthbound is different in its setting. I'm kind of surprised to always see these harsh topics on classic games. Even though I think some classics are overrated and flawed in some way, I've never played one that I thought was terrible.
Your complaints about dying and checkpoints are petty, because you admit that there is no real penalty. Your dad puts your money in the ATM, so all you have to do is buy the stuff you need before going off. You shouldn't even be carrying money around in the first place.
The pacing at the beginning is poor. The combat is frustrating, because you only have one person right now. These issues are alleviated somewhat when you get more people in your group. Unfortunately, the inventory system will always be a drag even with all characters. You will need to play a few more hours before you decide whether to drop this game or not.
I think the true draw of this game is the just the charm of the world and the NPCs. The story throws you into very many interesting scenarios, and people are willing to overlook the game's flaws due to that. The gameplay is shallow, but it was decent enough to keep me and most people engaged. I thought the overall experience was unique and memorable.
Earthbound is mechanically inferior to FF IV, FF VI, Chrono Trigger, and a few others of its time, but its atmosphere and setting make it stand out from other RPGs and that makes it special for many.
Your complaints about dying and checkpoints are petty, because you admit that there is no real penalty. Your dad puts your money in the ATM, so all you have to do is buy the stuff you need before going off. You shouldn't even be carrying money around in the first place.
The pacing at the beginning is poor. The combat is frustrating, because you only have one person right now. These issues are alleviated somewhat when you get more people in your group. Unfortunately, the inventory system will always be a drag even with all characters. You will need to play a few more hours before you decide whether to drop this game or not.
I think the true draw of this game is the just the charm of the world and the NPCs. The story throws you into very many interesting scenarios, and people are willing to overlook the game's flaws due to that. The gameplay is shallow, but it was decent enough to keep me and most people engaged. I thought the overall experience was unique and memorable.
Earthbound is mechanically inferior to FF IV, FF VI, Chrono Trigger, and a few others of its time, but its atmosphere and setting make it stand out from other RPGs and that makes it special for many.
Labrynian Rebel
Member
As someone who played them in reverse order... yeah bad idea. Mother 3 is one of my favorite games of all time, so of course Earthbound and Mother 1 were going to suffer in my eyes. In fact the first two games I didn't even play for the gameplay, just the humor and atmosphere at times and the "I need to play the entire series dangnabbit!" reasoning when the going got tough.
TheSadRanger
Banned
At least it's not "factually terrible" like the last thread -_-
Playing it with the official, zany guide is the only right way to play it.
thesurfshop19
Member
I just got the Sword of Kings this morning, so the timing of this post does not compute with my experience!
Wow uh, mother 3's soundtrack is probably my favourite soundtrack in a game ever. The volume is ridiculous and I have no idea what kind of voodoo magic they used to make the GBA sound so clean.
On top of that, both the new songs and reverse old remixes were great and really accentuate set pieces and places, giving it some charming personality.
Monkey delivery service is probably my favourite.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KZQdrKGETyc
I was happy that Monkey Delivery Service retained the motif from the original N64 Tazmily village theme. It got scrubbed from most other songs in the game.
tbh though Dry Guys
Zuhzuhzombie!!
Member
Mother 3 is fantastic.
Earthbound is better.
Earthbound is better.
The beginning is the worst (and hardest) part. I'm playing through it for the first time now and I'm in love. The game gets way better after you get Paula.
I'm up to the point where Poo joins the squad and I beat
This game is magical...I wish I played it when I was younger, it probably would have been my favorite game. I loved Super Mario RPG growing up because of all the quirky stuff in it, and this game is quirk on crack haha
I'm up to the point where Poo joins the squad and I beat
the Kraken.
BumblebeeCody
Member
Why do people use the point about FFXIII "the game playing itself with auto-battle" when Earthbound did it 20 years prior and praise it?
Oh man. What did I do!?
Had no idea about it being based on N64 Tazmily. What other stuff was salvaged? As big as a fan of mother 3 that I am, I know little about the N64 version, just the major gist of it being a 64DD game that was too ambitious. I've seen the trailer which has the DCMC theme (or rather the other way around) and read how it was supposed to be much darker due to Itoi living through a rather difficult moment in his life.
What other stuff was like that was reworked into mother 3?
I'm excited to finally get onto Earthbound, fooled around with it on emulators 15 years ago, but only got to Twoson. Was waiting for an official release because I know it's special and a kind gaffer gave me his CN code for it. Really excited to beat it!
You can see in this video that at least some stuff from the early chapters of Mother 3 were retained from the N64 version, I know there was an article with a more through comparison, but no idea of where I read that.
Spoilers for Mother 3:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pvom4bc1Y8
I loved Earthbound for many reasons as did everyone else obviously, but the biggest one was that it made me feel like a little child again. I'm pretty sure this is something the game was trying to do on purpose, although I can't find my source for that, but I remember reading it in an interview somewhere.
Mother 3 did not make me feel like a kid again, it's still a great game, one of the best even, but it's clearly trying to do different things than Earthbound, as people have said.
I would say this is a case where two things outwardly appear similar, but are ultimately completely different. So I can totally relate to the people who prefer one over the other, but they are both great games regardless of your preference, and to think that one is garbage while putting the other on a pedestal is insanity to me. So you finish that dang game!
Mother 3 did not make me feel like a kid again, it's still a great game, one of the best even, but it's clearly trying to do different things than Earthbound, as people have said.
I would say this is a case where two things outwardly appear similar, but are ultimately completely different. So I can totally relate to the people who prefer one over the other, but they are both great games regardless of your preference, and to think that one is garbage while putting the other on a pedestal is insanity to me. So you finish that dang game!
akidnamededdy
Banned
I don't think you remember that scene quite as well as you think you do.
Anyway, you're still super early. Keep playing. I would also say Earthbound isn't as good as Mother 3. But you should keep in mind that it also came out roughly a decade before Mother 3, too.
You proved that your tag fits.
NipplesAndToes23
Member
Damn, some people with some questionable taste in here. I wonder if people have really seen some bad games, because I know I've played a couple. I started this game recently too and the shit is all that and a bag of chips with the dip! It's a little early, but I'm calling it. This game is a contender for my top ten of all time.
Megalosaro
Banned
I like both A LOT, but for different reasons. (I also enjoy Mother 1 for different reasons as well)
I enjoyed it more after you get your first party member (after Ness). The conflict around that time is pretty good, and a bit after that you have chapter after chapter of great locations, enemies, and music. (Threed is okay, the desert is kind of annoying.) If you don't like Fourside, that's a warning sign. If you still aren't on board even after seeing the next few cities, the game just isn't for you.
EarthBound is one of the only non-Pokemon JRPGs I've ever finished. Not even Mother 3 holds that honor (yet). Confession: I didn't like the section immediately before the section you get the last melody. Overall, I think I like the
of the game the best. However,
.
I used the Starmen.net walkthrough. http://walkthrough.starmen.net/earthbound/
EarthBound is one of the only non-Pokemon JRPGs I've ever finished. Not even Mother 3 holds that honor (yet). Confession: I didn't like the section immediately before the section you get the last melody. Overall, I think I like the
middle
the ending after you beat the last boss is amazing
I used the Starmen.net walkthrough. http://walkthrough.starmen.net/earthbound/
TheNamesPlissken
Neo Member
Earthbound is kinda like the movie The Big Lebowski. Not in that they are in any way similar, but that can use them as a barometer to determine if someone has good taste or not.
I'm sorry to report you may have failed the test...
I'm sorry to report you may have failed the test...
WrenchNinja
Member
Is Smiles and Tears from Earthbound or Mother 3?
Arkage
Banned
I've beaten all three games. Earthbound really doesn't have much going for it. It has some scattered adventure-y parts, but nothing that lasts very long or goes anywhere.
But yea, Mother 3 is pretty great.
Finale Fireworker
Member
Earthbound is one of those games you can get away without playing because the content is so permeated throughout gamer culture. Everyone knows what Earthbound is, the basic plot, and almost everyone has spoiled the ending for themselves on way or another. You don't have to play Earthbound to be part of Earthbound.
And I think this was especially the case before it was available on the Wii U VC. It was extremely hard to play outside PC emulation and most people would just read all about the Mother series after being introduced to the content through Smash Bros and the Mother 3 localization movement.
I bought Earthbound on the VC and played it in big, long sittings up until the section where it is possible to get the Sword of Kings. But I am a 100% completionist and wouldn't progress until I got the sword. I never got the sword.
Needless to say, I sort of ruined my Earthbound run through and took a break. I decided to play Mother 3 instead, which I loved and still love and wish to expose as many people to as possible, and in retrospect I realized I didn't really enjoy my time with Earthbound. After all these years of assuming I would love it and being sold on it as the classic it is, I just didn't have fun finally playing it.
I'm in a weird situation because I know virtually every detail of what happens in the game. I won't really gain anything from playing it over. But I get what people mean when they finally play Earthbound and sort of scratch their heads.
I'm not making any judgment on the game itself.
And I think this was especially the case before it was available on the Wii U VC. It was extremely hard to play outside PC emulation and most people would just read all about the Mother series after being introduced to the content through Smash Bros and the Mother 3 localization movement.
I bought Earthbound on the VC and played it in big, long sittings up until the section where it is possible to get the Sword of Kings. But I am a 100% completionist and wouldn't progress until I got the sword. I never got the sword.
Needless to say, I sort of ruined my Earthbound run through and took a break. I decided to play Mother 3 instead, which I loved and still love and wish to expose as many people to as possible, and in retrospect I realized I didn't really enjoy my time with Earthbound. After all these years of assuming I would love it and being sold on it as the classic it is, I just didn't have fun finally playing it.
I'm in a weird situation because I know virtually every detail of what happens in the game. I won't really gain anything from playing it over. But I get what people mean when they finally play Earthbound and sort of scratch their heads.
I'm not making any judgment on the game itself.
Earthbound.
I really didn't like what the did with the world building and story in M3, and I felt it was lacking the most important parts of M0 and EB thematically that made those games so captivating and interesting to me.
M3 was conceptually a more well rounded and well put together experience, but yeah, the story and setting being a complete 180 was just such a bummer. The ending is also really predictable and nowhere near how crazy the last two were.
I will admit that EB has more slog parts, and the battles at points get pretty annoying. None of the games in the series are perfect or even amazing, but EB was more memorable to me.
M3 was conceptually a more well rounded and well put together experience, but yeah, the story and setting being a complete 180 was just such a bummer. The ending is also really predictable and nowhere near how crazy the last two were.
I will admit that EB has more slog parts, and the battles at points get pretty annoying. None of the games in the series are perfect or even amazing, but EB was more memorable to me.
zero shift
Banned
So I got down with Happy Happy Village and the game has improved a little bit. I'll keep on playing for an hour or two longer to see where it goes.
It is pretty much the game's opening scene. But I can see why some could get upset. I've edited it.
I mean
Sorry.
It is pretty much the game's opening scene. But I can see why some could get upset. I've edited it.
I mean
his wife.
BumblebeeCody
Member
Yeah I'm trying to get a new one like "Street Fighter 6 for Vita" or "Loves Nintendo".
But seriously...
That's the vibe I got from it too. Well sorta. It kinda plays on the tropes of traditional JRPGs and does it well.
Barrylocke
Member
Keep it up. Happy Happy Village is definitely one of the more notable parts of the game for me.
I personally played the game when I was 7 as my first JRPG, so it's a little difficult to examine it negatively. Though I will say that even I prefer Mother 3 to it. Use savestates if you feel you have to.
For people who are worried about not knowing what to do, it is worth noting that there's an ingame hint system where you pay a guy a few bucks and get a hint at what your next objective is. If you're the type that doesn't like to use guides unless they have to, but are still worried about getting stuck, that's something to explore.
flatearthpandas
Member
Maybe I'm old, but measurement of appreciation for The Big Lebowski has always been best to determine if someone was in a fraternity or not. If you can steer that conversation into Fargo and Raising Arizona maybe you have someone who knows what they're talking about.
Davey Cakes
Member
Yeah. To be honest I've always loved the beginning of the game.
Makes me feel alien even among Earthbound fans.
Weird. I also thought the beginning of the game is excellent. Sneaking out at night, fighting aliens. The mischievous neighborhood boy, police blocking the way. It also features a dramatic loss of someone who looked out for you, similar to Mother 3 but softened by the humor.
This is of course due to better graphics of the SNES but although Mother 1 had the better story, Mother 2 presented it better.
D
Deleted member 231381
Unconfirmed Member
I think Earthbound's story gets off with a bang, but even though I really like Earthbound, I'd be lying if I didn't say that Onett is immensely tedious to actually play through. You have no special abilities and enemies do a lot of damage, making the game effectively "mash A button, hope you get lucky and don't take much too damage, else go back to heal and start all over again. Repeat x50". The game doesn't really start being 'fun' to actually play until you pick up Paula, and that's actually a fairly significant amount of time into the game. Of course, once you've teamed up with Paula, the game is great from there on it, but yeah, Earthbound's worst parts are definitely heavily front-loaded.
It is immensely satisfying though that after you reach the first sanctuary you're so strong by then that the same enemies that gave you so much trouble before now run from you (that was an incredible gameplay addition, as well as back attacks and instant wins).
Also, RPG strategy is much about logistics. Am I prepared well enough or will I run out of MP/heal potions mid dungeon. I don't mind battles being simple as long as they're also quick. And the dungeon as a whole is challenging.
Also, RPG strategy is much about logistics. Am I prepared well enough or will I run out of MP/heal potions mid dungeon. I don't mind battles being simple as long as they're also quick. And the dungeon as a whole is challenging.
Wow! That's really good to know, as there's a good chance I would have dropped this.
There are a lot of 'best ever snes games' with pretty loathsome introduction sections that rest on the assumption the player will definitely push through these early sections.
It's good that we can have older games that are tricky to penetrate, but I wish ardent fans wouldn't gloss over these flaws so keenly.
I disagree.
Earthbound strength lie in the little things like NPC dialogues.
You won't understand the appeal unless you play the game at your own pace.
The overall plot is far less important than the journey.