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[Mineshaft_Gap]

I'm talking about SaGa Frontier and Legend of Mana. Arguably, not great games. Still I think they're among the most graphically gorgeous games Square has ever released. I remember being put off Legend of Mana when it turned out the game was NOTHING like Secret of Mana. SaGa Frontier seemed way too obtuse to my young self at the time and I just couldn't get into it.

But yeah, the thought occurred to me earlier today that I can't remember ever seeing a thread about these games here on NeoGAF or anywhere else ever.

Are they worth going back to? Does anyone else long for a return to this art style in games? Really, these games are flipping gorgeous. Even modern games that attempt something similar come off looking less organic - more artificial. I can't quite put my finger on it. Oh well, here are some screenshots.

Great shots of these games are somewhat sparse. I might create some myself and return later. Until then... let's talk about these games that nobody ever talks about.

 

[TheChewyWaffles]

FF VII? (at least the hand-drawn backgrounds)

I honestly didn't realize there was a sequel to Secret of Mana.

 

[Salty Hippo]

Chrono Cross hands down.

 

[PixyJunket]

SaGa Frontier is still not on PSN.

Square-Enix is trash-tier company.

 

[Cheesemeister]

In this thread: jaggies.

 

[NinJaSQUARE]

In terms of story: Xenogears.

 

[Lactose_Intolerant]

 

[Trago]

Final Fantasy IX. Those pre rendered backgrounds are the shit!

 

[Like the hat?]

Legend of mana was so gorgeous. I wanted to like it. I couldn't. But man, what a looker.

 

[Fireblend]

Pretty sure that is not how that game looks.

Love me some FFIX though, currently replaying it on Vita.

 

[Mineshaft_Gap]

FF VII? (at least the hand-drawn backgrounds)

I honestly didn't realize there was a sequel to Secret of Mana.

There have been several. Also, every fucking PS1 Squaresoft thread is about FF and/or Chrono Cross. Why not talk about the games nobody talks about for a change? Besides, those games have aged (graphically) pretty poorly compared to the aforementioned titles.

 

[xion4360]

Chrono Cross by far IMO

 

[Lactose_Intolerant]

Pretty sure that is not how that game looks.

Love me some FFIX though, currently replaying it on Vita.

that's on an emulator

 

[Zambatoh]

Yep. FF9 still holds up incredibly well.
Chrono Cross as well.

 

[Balphon]

FF VII? (at least the hand-drawn backgrounds)

I honestly didn't realize there was a sequel to Secret of Mana.

There are quite a few, and Secret of Mana is itself a sequel.

 

[Fireblend]

that's on an emulator

Yeah, I figured. I can't decide whether I like those filters though. Looks "cleaner" but I can't help but feel something is lost. I think I like jaggies better.

 

[legacyzero]

Artistically, FFVIII.

I loved Xenogears too.

 

[Aeana]

In this thread: jaggies.

Worse: emulator filters.

 

[Tybolt]

Came to post Legend of Mana, but it was already here. Kudos.

But yeah, SaGa Frontier, Einhander, and Bushido Blade not being up on PSN yet is pretty much criminal.

 

[NHarmonic.]

Pre rendered backgrounds really were amazing.

Chrono Cross, btw.

 

[legacyzero]

Pre rendered backgrounds really were amazing.

I miss those days...

 

[Aeana]

Pre rendered backgrounds really were amazing.



Chrono Cross, btw.

A lot of Chrono Cross's backgrounds were hand drawn by Yasuyuki Honne, not rendered. He's very talented. He also worked on Baten Kaitos.

 

[Lactose_Intolerant]

I miss those days...

Seriously, 1080p backgrounds would be so awesome.

 

[NipplesAndToes23]

Much love to the brother who repped Final Fantasy IX. I can't speak on all these games, but the PS Final Fantasy's and Threads of Fate are definitely worth going back to.

 

[Dr Amazon MD]

So is anyone gonna answer the op's question?

I've tried several times to get into Legend of Mana, but I just can't. Every time I play it I just think what am I supposed to be doing? Why isn't this like Secret of Mana?

I've never played SaGa frontier unfortunately but I would love to if Square put it up on PSN.

 

[CorvoSol]

Legend of Mana introduced the hideous cat rabbit shit that would mark the start of the series awful, awful character designs.

Still can't look at Wendell in Sword of Mana without being angry

 

[jotun?]

Chrono Cross

I really liked the character sprites and animations in FF:Tactics, as well as some of the spell effects

 

[Trago]

Seriously, 1080p backgrounds would be so awesome.

Do any modern games use pre rendered backgrounds?

 

[Aeana]

Do any modern games use pre rendered backgrounds?

Well, in the context that they're being used (still backgrounds prepared before-hand), Bravely Default is designed to evoke that memory. The backgrounds were hand drawn.

 

[Krujo]

I was playing Breath of Fire 4 recently and that game looks amazing for Playstation 1.

Forget to mention that Vagrant story is great looking game from square.

I could never get into the saga games.

 

[MadSexual]

Do any modern games use pre rendered backgrounds?

Evoland does in parts, but they're about the same quality as a PS2 game, so not sure it counts.

 

[Voliko]

Playing Chrono Cross is like walking on a painting, it's so good.

I was pretty disappointed that Xenogears used polygonal environments.

I think the best part about these games with the 2D backgrounds is that they achieve a level of artistry that matches the concept material.

 

[Lactose_Intolerant]

Do any modern games use pre rendered backgrounds?

I think Project Eternity is using them

 

[ss_lemonade]

FF VII? (at least the hand-drawn backgrounds)

I honestly didn't realize there was a sequel to Secret of Mana.

I believe Seiken Densetsu 3 on the SNES is the real sequel (not really a direct sequel though).

 

[Calamari41]

Not only does Legend of Mana feature perhaps the best graphics of the pre-HD era, it has one of the greatest soundtracks of all time. Truly a masterpiece. I would pay full price for an HD remaster of that art.

 

[Trago]

Well, in the context that they're being used (still backgrounds prepared before-hand), Bravely Default is designed to evoke that memory. The backgrounds were hand drawn.

Ah that's right. I think Child of Light did something similar.

I think Project Eternity is using them

 

[PoweredByHentai]

Much love to the brother who repped Final Fantasy IX. I can't speak on all these games, but the PS Final Fantasy's and Threads of Fate are definitely worth going back to.

Yessssssss! Someone who also loves DewPrism (a.k.a. Threads of Fate)!

 

[LiquidMetal14]

I think Project Eternity is using them

Golf ham.

I like Saga Frontier 2, Crono Cross, and Jade Caccoon. Can't remember if Jade had pre renders or not but I loved the first game on PS1.

 

[J-Skee]

BRAVE FENCER MUSHASHI!!!!!!

No, not the most beautiful PSone game by any means, but I gotta show it some love.

 

[drtomoe123]

Much love to the brother who repped Final Fantasy IX. I can't speak on all these games, but the PS Final Fantasy's and Threads of Fate are definitely worth going back to.

Threads of Fate is one of the most stunning games on the platform. That special resolution!

 

[sublimit]

Yes OP i love the hand painted background art style of those games and i'd gladly play games with similar art styles today.Btw i've never played either games (since they never came out in Europe) therefore i'm not having "nostalgia glasses" (God i hate this term.)

RPGFan has a great screenshot gallery (but not a very good one of the first SF),so here's a few of LoM:

Really beautiful game.

 

[Tidus_Great]

Valkyrie Profile holds up pretty well

Outside of FF8,FF9 and VP most of the games are really ugly though

 

[sixteen-bit]

Nice pics. Looks like a soothing game.

 

[Lactose_Intolerant]

Nice pics. Looks like a soothing game.

lol if you are talking about VP. I guess you aren't though since your post was at the same time as Tidus_Great's

 

[Pimpwerx]

I was certain this thread would be about Vagrant Story. Thanks for the blue balls, op. PEACE.

 

[MaverickHunterAsh]

Chrono Cross: The Thread?

Seriously though, Chrono Cross was just stunning graphically. It still is. I can't believe they were able to push those kinds of visuals out of the PS1. I don't think it's a coincidence that my first PS1 overheated and died during my initial playthrough of Chrono Cross.

Spoiler

It probably is a coincidence, but still.

 

[Freedom = $1.05]

I just wished that legend of mana and chrono cross weren't a complete bore to play through because they're great looking games.

 

[Makoto Yuki]

PS1 era Square was my favorite Square. Also glad to see people talking about sheer beauty Chrono Cross.

 

[Sojiro]

Came into the thread hoping to see SaGa Frontier and Legend of Mana, won't leave disappointed. Two very excellent picks. I also will give some love to the FF 7-9 games, the pre-rendered backgrounds look pretty damn good, and I also agree that I would love to see pre-rendered being used now with HD visuals. For as good as Legend of Mana looked, unfortunately it didn't come even close to being as good as Seiken Densetsu 2 or especially 3. SaGa Frontier 2 though, is such an awesome game, even outside of the visuals. Man I don't remember Chrono Cross looking that good, another really awesome pick.

 

[Plinko]

PS1 era Square was my favorite Square. Also glad to see people talking about sheer beauty Chrono Cross.

Gorgeous game made even better with that soundtrack.