Tag Archives: snes

November 19, 2012 · 12:32 AM

The Rise of SquareSoft (Part 2) – The Golden Age

The first article recounted how a small Japanese games company named Square had gone from being on the verge of closing down, to finding a hit with the original Final Fantasy and continuing to grow in popularity. Squaresoft had originally planned to release Final Fantasy II in English, but these plans were cancelled as they looked towards the new generation of game consoles with the international release of the Super Nintendo.

During the early 1990’s, Final Fantasy evolved with new hardware adding better graphics, a more detailed and featured storyline and more complex soundtracks. Final Fantasy IV, V and VI would be created in Japan but only IV and VI would be localised in North America and they were released as Final Fantasy II and III respectively. A major update to the series was the removal of the purely turn-based battle system and the implementation of the Active-Time-Battle system by game designer Hiroyuki Ito. Envisioning Formula One racing cars passing each, Ito designed the combat system where each character had a speed gauge that determined when they could act in the battle. The revolutionary new system stayed mostly unchanged up until the ninth instalment in the series.

Final Fantasy IV offered one of the most dramatic and compelling narratives seen in a video game at the time and Cecil, the main character was one of the first heroes to be shown with redemption as his motive. Final Fantasy V instead put game play back at the forefront updating the job system used in the third game, leading to an incredible amount of character customisation. This would be the last time the story would be put in the background as Final Fantasy VI featured one of the best RPG tales ever, combined with a large cast of deep and memorable characters. Hironobu Sakaguchi had directed all of the instalments in the series up until the sixth game when he moved to the watchful role of Producer and handed over the directorial duties to Yoshinori Kitase and Hiroyuki Ito. Final Fantasy VI is often regarded as one the best games in the series and featured Nobuo Uematsu’s greatest soundtrack at that point in his career.

“They say that technologically, it’s good to keep going, and each time, we give it our all and expend out skills and energy until we can go no further; this is what I consider to be the “final fantasy”. – Hironobu Sakaguchi

Square was not content with creating just one masterpiece on the Super Nintendo and in 1995 they released Chrono Trigger, which was designed by a “Dream Team” of developers. Sakaguchi combined with Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii and Dragon Ball manga artist Akira Toriyama to create one of the greatest RPGs of all time. Bringing together designers at the top of their field seemed to allow the creativity to flow, as Chrono Trigger revolutionised RPGs. It removed random battles, allowed characters to combine their special abilities into team attacks and featured a time travel narrative that showed the outcome of player’s actions in the past and how they affected the future. Most notably though it was one of the earliest games to have multiple endings (13) and have a new game plus mode. Chrono Trigger also saw the rise of other great designers at Square such as writer Masato Kato and the brilliant composer Yasunori Mitsuda.

Other franchises from Square were also hitting their stride on the Super Nintendo, such as the Seiken Densetsu series which produced the magical action- RPG classic that was released in English as Secret of Mana. Showing its versatility, Square also teamed up with Nintendo to make Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars which had some of the best graphics ever made for the console. SquareSoft was now localising a lot of RPGs for the North American market and even translated and released Capcom’s original Breath of Fire game as well as creating Secret of Evermore themselves. Unfortunately a lot of games were not released outside of Japan during this period and the English speaking world missed out on RPGs such as the fantastic sequel to Secret of Mana, Seiken Densetsu 3, as well as the Romancing SaGa games, Live a Life, Bahamut Lagoon and the tactical- RPG Front Mission.

With some of the most creative and best video game designers and composers at their disposal Square were releasing some of the greatest games ever made. Still, RPGs were not the most popular genre at the time and Square’s success outside of Japan was still limited, but with the next generation of video game consoles fast approaching and the arrival of the new Sony PlayStation that was all about to change…

5 Comments

Filed under Chrono Series, Dragon Quest Series, Editorial, Final Fantasy Series, Mana Series, Music, SaGa Series

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

April 25, 2012 · 5:52 PM

Which Console Had The Best RPGs? (Part 3)

After the evolution from 2D sprites on the SNES to the limited 3D models on the PlayStation, RPGs on the PlayStation 2 finally featured fully 3D worlds to explore. The powerful hardware of the PS2 allowed RPGs to utilise more detailed character models and environments, exciting new battle systems and topped it all off with orchestral soundtracks and voice acting.

Sony PlayStation 2 (PS2)  

Gone were the days of pre-rendered backgrounds, games were now using fully 3D models with the ability to move the camera around and view the world anyway you wanted. RPGs such as Final Fantasy XII enabled players to roam around its massive world seamlessly, going to places ahead of the story and even finding enemies that were way above their level.

Cut scenes were made more realistic with the use of voice acting and motion capture and games like Kingdom Hearts even had Hollywood actors leading their talents to help bring characters to life. Musical scores where now orchestral and composers could add more depth and instruments to their arrangements.  Even with the advancements in other aspects of the genre, RPGs still had memorable stories to tell such as the wonderful journey through Spira in Final Fantasy X or the 3 part Sci-fi epic of Xenosaga. The improved presentation of PS2 RPGs allowed developers to fully realise their visions on screen and create immersing worlds.

With the popularity of the PS2 and the RPG genre during these years many niche games where able to receive widespread recognition such as Persona 3 and 4, that merged the modern settings of high school classrooms with turn-based dungeon crawls. Not everything became more realistic and the use of cell-shaded graphics in titles such as Rouge Galaxy presented art styles that mesmerised players. Action RPGs became more plentiful and battle systems such as the one found in Star Ocean 3 provided intense action with full control over character movement.

RPGs on the PS2 had a tremendous amount of variety enabling all players to find a game that would satisfy their tastes. The Best RPGs found on the PS2 include: Final Fantasy X and XII, Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2, Xenosaga Episode 1,2 and 3, Dragon Quest VIII, Star Ocean 3, Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria, Rouge Galaxy, Dark Cloud and Dark Chronicle, Persona 3 and 4, Odin Sphere, Suikoden III, IV and V and many more.

So what is your favourite console for RPGs? The SNES, PS1, PS2 or do you think another console has a greater collection of games? Let me know what you think!

10 Comments

Filed under Dragon Quest Series, Editorial, Final Fantasy Series, Kingdom Hearts Series, Persona, Rogue Galaxy, Xenosaga

Tagged as , , , , ,

March 18, 2012 · 9:48 PM

Which Console Had The Best RPGs? (Part 2)

While the Super Nintendo is home to some of the true classics of the genre, the original PlayStation offers a huge variety of RPGs with more mature storylines, deeper mechanics and the introduction of mesmerising FMVs. The PS1 allowed developers more freedom to enhance the way they could present their stories which provided many new features to the genre.

Sony PlayStation (PS1)

With the extra power provided by the PlayStation hardware, RPGs such as the magnificent Final Fantasy VII amazed players with Full Motion Videos (FMVs) that helped depict important moments in the game in a more impressive way. Coming from 2D sprites, to seeing worlds realised in 3D was exciting for players at the time. Watching an emotional scene or intense action in more detail was something to look forward too, rather than a chore as in many modern games.

Stories became more ambitious too, involving more mature and complex plotlines, as well as adding more depth to characters. PS1 RPGs delved into themes unexplored by video games at the time and games such as Xenogears featured memorable characters, dealing with real issues that players could relate to. While Final Fantasy Tactics offered a plot filled with political intrigue, murder and heresy. More detailed character models and environments added to the sense of atmosphere and made the narratives more compelling to the player.

Art design and game mechanics were diverse, resulting in RPGs that provided unique experiences. Valkyrie Profile was willing to innovate on traditional mechanics, while Vagrant Story included a battle system and complexity unlike any other RPG before it. Worlds were bigger and more captivating and with the use of pre-rendered backgrounds they were full of detail and life. Designers explored different settings ranging from futuristic and modern, to medieval and even outer space. Experimentation was at its highest and it rewarded players with some the greatest RPGs ever made.

With the use of CD as storage media, RPG music was of higher quality and even vocal pieces were utilised. With voice acting still not common place, music was imperative to the experience and soundtracks such as Chrono Cross featured some of the best orchestral music ever to grace a video game.

RPGs on the PS1 were philosophical and ambitious, leaving players with stories they would never forget. It has a massive number of titles with the best of the best including: Final Fantasy VII, VII and IX, Chrono Cross, Xenogears, Vagrant Story, Final Fantasy Tactics, Legend of Mana, Parasite Eve, Valkyrie Profile, Grandia, Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete, The Legend of Dragoon, Suikoden 1 and 2, Wild Arms, Star Ocean: The Second Story and many more.

The next article will explore the great RPGs developed on the PlayStation 2.

2 Comments

Filed under Chrono Series, Editorial, Final Fantasy Series, Mana Series, Parasite Eve Series, Vagrant Story, Xenogears

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

February 25, 2012 · 12:52 PM

Which Console Had The Best RPGs? (Part 1)

Throughout the years there have been many video game consoles that were home to some fantastic RPG experiences. All of them told incredible stories featuring memorable characters, had fun game play mechanics and immersed you in their wonderful worlds. Now, while there are still great RPGs found on modern consoles and handhelds, there are three systems from the past that will always be remembered as the best.

The following articles will discuss why the Super Nintendo, PlayStation and PlayStation 2 are home to the greatest collection of RPGs. From the child-like innocence and fun from the SNES era, to the coming of age and philosophical PS1 games, to finally the mature and polished PS2 selection, RPGs have changed over the years but still managed to capture the imagination of players around the world.

The Super Nintendo (SNES)

The greatest attribute of RPGs on the SNES was the fact designers needed to use the full extent of their creativity to get around hardware limitations and as such the players were free to use their own imagination to heighten the experience. Designers were challenged, but never restricted and the result was some of the most simple and ingenious game design, such as Chrono Trigger.

The art style and use of sprites gave the RPGs of this era an endearing personality. They felt like whimsical storybooks, set in enchanting fantasy castles, steam punk cities or desolate futures. Look at the magical world created in Secret of Mana. Without the use of voice acting, characters personalities were shown through their actions, usually with comical exaggerated expressions, adding to the charm.

Without the need to create realistic graphics and presentation, more effort could be focused on making the game play deep and fun. Worlds were enormous and exploration was high, battle systems were intuitive and innovative and playing never felt like a chore. It allowed RPGs to be epic adventures in their purest form, without the need for convoluted extras.

Lastly, the music was built around strong melodies and was imperative to the experience. It was needed to add depth to the characters and enhance important scenes. This meant many soundtracks were full of creative arrangements, catchy melodies and memorable songs. Despite their simplistic nature, soundtracks such as Final Fantasy VI have yet to be surpassed.

RPGs on the SNES featured some of the most impressive and masterful adventures. The best of the best include: Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy IV, V and VI, Secret of Mana, Super Mario RPG, Terranigma, Star Ocean, Breath of Fire II, and many more.

There is more to come as the next articles will present the case for why the original PlayStation or PlayStation 2 was the king of RPGs.

4 Comments

Filed under Chrono Series, Editorial, Final Fantasy Series, Mana Series, Terranigma

Tagged as , , , , , ,

October 7, 2011 · 6:05 PM

Review: Why You Should Play Chrono Trigger

Chrono Trigger is a turn-based RPG released on the Super Nintendo, created by a dream team of designers, which is often regarded as the greatest RPG ever made.

Chrono Trigger is a joy to play. Every part of it’s design is intuitive, well thought out and memorable. The time-travelling plot is captivating, the characters are diverse and interesting and the game play is engaging and fun. The beautiful 2D artwork and legendary musical score are imaginative and coupled with fantastic pacing; Chrono Trigger provides a video game experience unlike any other.

The plot involves travelling through time to settings such as prehistoric times, the Middle Ages, the present, a post-apocalyptic future and even to the end of time. The different time periods provide diverse locales and character types, helping to keep the story fresh and entertaining. The main characters are charming and unique. It is easy for the player to grow attached to them throughout the journey and have a genuine interest in their fate. The characters are given great personality and development, from the righteous cursed knight Frog, to the dark anti-hero Magus.

Chrono Trigger utilises a turn-based battle system similar to the Final Fantasy series, but allows for combination attacks between the party members. Battles are fast paced and special attacks are simple to execute, leading to fights that never drag and are always fun and satisfying. It’s this straightforward sense of design in many aspects of Chrono Trigger that has been lost in the development of modern games.

The soundtrack of Chrono Trigger is among the greatest ever produced. Despite the limited hardware, it features so many outstanding tracks and melodies. It includes tracks such as the heroic “Frog’s Theme” that perfectly defines the character, as well as background music such as “Corridor’s of Time” which is so mysterious and unique that it conveys exactly what it would be like to enter the magical kingdom of Zeal. Yasunori Mitsuda created an audio masterpiece that will likely never be surpassed.

Chrono Trigger is a timeless experience that is as good today as it was 15 years ago. If you wish to understand why RPGs are so loved, then you should play Chrono Trigger.

8 Comments

Filed under Chrono Series, Reviews

Tagged as , , , , ,

September 10, 2011 · 1:02 AM

Review: Why You Should Play Terranigma

Terranigma is an action RPG released on the Super Nintendo only in Japan and European countries. It is an extremely rare and well crafted adventure.

Terranigma is full of mystery. From the initial desolate world, to the haunting music, the game hooks the player in promising an intriguing tale. The game seems simple at first, but quickly opens up to become an epic and addictive experience that keeps evolving the further it goes.

The story of Terranigma puts you in the shoes of a mischievous boy named Ark. After accidently opening Pandora’s Box, Ark must set out to resurrect the world. The plot is well paced and the visual changes to the environments, after their restoration is both beautiful and rewarding. It feels like the world is alive and every quest is bringing you a step closer to accomplishing your goal of rebuilding the world. The story of the game is both engaging and thought provoking and Ark has enough personality to carry the narrative and keep the player constantly interested.

The main game play revolves around controlling Ark as he roams through various towers, dungeons and landscapes. The game utilises an action-based battle system allowing Ark to perform many different techniques with his spear and rods such as spinning or sliding attacks. He can also cast magic spells from one-time use items created from Magirocks. Boss battles are also memorable and wonderfully designed.  The game play of Terranigma keeps the action fast paced and caters to various play styles.

Like the rest of the game, the music of Terranigma is amazing. The atmospheric background themes such as “The Underworld” add a sense of weight to the narrative, while perfectly setting the picture of a world in need of revitalisation. The “Boss Fight” and battle themes also help to portray a sense of urgency and suspense to the game play. The sensational soundtrack really is the extra layer that completes the great presentation found in this game.

Terranigma is a rare treasure that should not be missed. If you wish to play one the best classic action RPGs of all time, then you should play Terranigma.

Leave a comment

Filed under Reviews, Terranigma

Tagged as , , , , ,

July 26, 2011 · 11:35 AM

Top 5 SNES RPGs

The Super Nintendo was home to some magnificent RPGs. Remembered by many as the golden age of video games, SquareSoft dominated the era when RPGs were evolving and created some truly imaginative games. These are my top 5 SNES RPGs:

1. -Chrono Trigger-

Chrono Trigger is a game that begs to be played. While not the most epic RPG on the SNES, it’s design and fantastic pacing make it an engaging experience from start to finish. The characters and time-travelling plot are memorable, the 2D art is beautifully drawn, the music is still some of the best ever produced, but it’s the timeless game play and fun turn-based battle system that could keep players enjoying Chrono Trigger forever. Chrono Trigger is straightforward in it’s design but captivating in it’s execution. It is easily the best RPG on the SNES and one of the best of all time.

2. -Final Fantasy VI-

The scope of Final Fantasy VI is unmatched by any other game on the SNES. The event scenes, well written dialogue and expertly designed musical score come together perfectly to portray a dramatic narrative that provides an adventure the player will never forget. Final Fantasy VI also features a large cast of well developed characters and a battle system that is highly customisable. Final Fantasy VI is an epic RPG that pushed the SNES hardware to it’s limits and is a classic game that all RPG players should experience.

3. -Secret of Mana-

Secret of Mana takes the player on a magical adventure, just like you would dream of as a kid. It combines a real-time battle system, unique ring command menu system, fantastical story, wonderful music and innovative multiplayer function to create an action RPG masterpiece on the SNES. Secret of Mana lures the player in with it’s bright, colourful and imaginative world and keeps them hooked with enjoyable game play and great sense of adventure. Secret of Mana is a great experience individually and also with a couple of friends.

4. -Final Fantasy IV-

Final Fantasy IV was a revolution for it’s time. It was one of the first RPGs to feature an involving and character driven story, while also introducing mechanics that would be staples of the later instalments in the Final Fantasy series, such as the active-time battle system. Following Cecil’s journey of redemption, Final Fantasy IV has a lot of personality that engages players despite its very simple design. Final Fantasy IV is remembered as a timeless classic and an innovator for the RPG genre.

5. -Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars-

Placing the world of the Mario series into an RPG seemed like an odd idea, but SquareSoft managed to mix traditional RPG elements with platforming sections to create an original and extremely fun game. Super Mario RPG featured some of the best visuals on the SNES, using 3D rendered graphics and offering a different take on battles by including timed action commands that could enhance an abilities effect. Super Mario RPG showed the creativity of SquareSoft by combining different genres effectively to make a highly enjoyable game.

10 Comments

Filed under Chrono Series, Final Fantasy Series, Mana Series, Top 5 Lists

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,