Tag Archives: video games

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 , , , , , ,

December 13, 2011 · 10:19 PM

Top 5 PS2 RPGs

The PlayStation 2 had a massive library of games, which included many fantastic and diverse RPGs. Designers attempted to evolve the genre by improving 3D graphics and making voice acting a staple. These are my top 5 PS2 RPGs:

1. -Final Fantasy X-

When it was first released, Final Fantasy X was unbelievable. It took everything from past SquareSoft RPGs to the next level. The world of Spira was mesmerising; featuring fully 3D locations, the characters spoke for the first time in the series through the well implemented voice acting, the magical soundtrack had three composers and the battle system was intuitive and flexible. Final Fantasy X showed what RPGs could be like with the power of the new technology, while keeping the spirit of classic games intact.

2. -Kingdom Hearts-

SquareSoft had shown in the past that they could have success with mixing different creations together with Super Mario RPG. Kingdom Hearts was an action-RPG combining Disney characters with some original and Final Fantasy characters. The result was an unexpected hit, providing enjoyable combat, fun cameo appearances, great voice acting and a wonderful soundtrack. Kingdom Hearts captured the fun of classic games such as Secret of Mana while invoking nostalgia from classic Disney movies such as Aladdin and Peter Pan.

3. -Final Fantasy XII-

While Final Fantasy X was vintage RPG design brought up to the modern era, Final Fantasy XII tried something completely different. The whole world of Final Fantasy XII was one huge map that players could explore and enemies were fought without random encounters using a real-time, turn based battle system. It featured the customisable “gambit” system which allowed players to give their AI characters directions and the License Board was used to upgrade party members. Final Fantasy XII was a magical RPG with an intriguing political story and unique game play mechanics that have since been replicated in newer RPGs.

4. -Rogue Galaxy-

The first thing you will notice about Rogue Galaxy is its beautiful cel-shaded graphics. Once you have gotten further into the game you will be hooked in by the frantic and enjoyable battle system, imaginative world and characters and the deep customisation systems. Rogue Galaxy provides an entertaining Sci-fi RPG with plenty of content to keep players engaged for hours.

5. -Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King-

Dragon Quest VIII brought the fiercely traditional series into a fully three dimensional world, but retained all the features the fans loved about the older games such as turn-based battles, levelling up systems and the silent hero. The supporting characters are memorable and the dialogue is well written, providing an epic adventure with plenty to do. While other RPGs looked to change their core design Dragon Quest VIII didn’t try anything new, but every part was so well executed that players loved it anyway.

7 Comments

Filed under Dragon Quest Series, Final Fantasy Series, Kingdom Hearts Series, Rogue Galaxy, Top 5 Lists

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

November 29, 2011 · 9:24 PM

What Makes a Memorable Villain?

RPGs often have memorable main characters that the player feels a real connection with, but what about the villains? Sometimes the bad guys take the spotlight, and this is an important ingredient in providing an engaging story. With most RPGs dealing with saving the world from a greater evil, a memorable villain really enhances the experience, as the player has more of urge to defeat them. Some of the most iconic villains in the Final Fantasy series come from the sixth and seventh instalments and they both have several traits that make them memorable.

Kefka was a nihilistic and insane antagonist that not only threatened to destroy the world, but actually achieved it. Kefka’s list of evil includes poisoning the water to create a mass murder, killing his own allies and causing destruction to the world. While most antagonists seem to have a plan that they never quite put into action, Kefka wasn’t about to wait around for you to interfere, he was unpredictable and impulsive and it made him extremely dangerous.

Kefka was so memorable because he was a worthy adversary, you felt like he would stop at nothing to achieve his goal of destruction and you couldn’t reason with him.

Kefka: “Why do people insist on creating things that will inevitably be destroyed? Why do people cling to life, knowing that they must someday die? …Knowing that none of it will have meant anything once they do?”

Kefka was compelling not only because he performed unimaginable evil, but because his way of life and thought processes was intriguing. He was different to us, he was different to the main characters and you needed to stop him.

Sephiroth was another story, we first hear about him as a hero, the greatest SOLDIER of them all. Until you get further into the game you are not sure why you are against him, until his true past is revealed. Sephiroth is then portrayed to the player as a tragic character, as once he found out about the horrifying experiments that were used to create him, he goes insane. This makes Sephiroth seem more human and relatable, compared to the superhuman he is initially shown to be.

Despite this, the real reason Sephiroth is such a successful villain is his relationship to the main character Cloud. He was Cloud’s childhood hero, but after he went insane he set fire to Cloud’s hometown and murdered many of the people there. Cloud seeks revenge and the personal vendetta is what keeps the motivation high to settle the score. Once Sephiroth’s true plan is revealed and he kills Aeris in cold blood the player is so invested with the characters mindset that there is nothing more important than bringing his reign of terror to an end.

Cloud: “…Shut up. The cycle of nature and your stupid plan don’t mean a thing. Aeris is gone. Aeris will no longer talk, no longer laugh, cry… or get angry…. What about us… what are WE supposed to do?”

Having Sephiroth tied to Cloud’s past and portraying him as a fallen hero made him an intriguing character and a memorable villain.

As the final battle with the main antagonist is usually the last thing for the player to do in most RPGs, its villains such as these that make the victory more rewarding and satisfying.

2 Comments

Filed under Editorial, Final Fantasy Series

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

November 8, 2011 · 5:57 PM

Why I Prefer Turn-Based Battle Systems in RPGs

Back in generations past all the best RPGs utilised turn-based battle mechanics. Usually your party would face off against their opponents and you would choose commands for each of your combatants to execute, depending on their turn order or speed gauge. Recently, most modern RPGs have relied heavily on action battle systems where you can only control one character. Many people think turn-based systems are just relics from the past, because older hardware was not capable of processing all the actions in real time. This may, or may not be the case, but I am still far more engaged by turn-based battles.

The first thing I enjoy more is the increased ability to use strategy against opponents. I still have fond memories of winning epic boss battles by figuring out the enemy’s weakness and casting the corresponding spells. You had time to think, and plan your actions about which character would serve which role in battle and if your plan of attack wasn’t working you could always switch to something else. It created a great sense of suspense as your characters were decimated by the enemy’s attack as you rushed to heal and regroup before launching a counterattack.

I feel that being in control of all of your characters actions helps to be more engaged with their story. As the different characters use their abilities in battle it gives the sense of unity that they are all fighting together against the greater evil. Some characters have unique abilities and techniques and it helps get the player more invested if they are the ones controlling them during battle. RPGs such as Chrono Trigger took this to another level enabling characters to combine their powers into combination attacks, adding to sense of teamwork. Games that let you have full control over your party members instead of just using AI, let you develop your own battle style and techniques.

Customisation in RPGs are always a big part of the experience and there is nothing more satisfying then when you equip one of your characters with a new magic spell and you head into battle to test out it’s devastating effects. By customising your party in different ways it allows you to play the game in a variety of ways and helps to stop combat from being repetitive.

I have played and loved many action RPGs as well, but to me nothing beats a solid turn-based system with menus, commands and a variety of roles for the characters to take, or the ability to customise your fighters however you like.

9 Comments

Filed under Editorial

Tagged as , , , , ,

October 25, 2011 · 7:30 PM

Top 5 RPG Locations

While RPGs are rich with fantastical storylines and memorable characters, these elements are nothing without an interesting world in which to explore. From sprawling vistas, to cities in the sky, each new location that you visit makes the world feel more real and enchanting. These are my top 5 RPG Locations:

1. -Midgar (Final Fantasy VII)-

Definitely not the most enticing location on this list, but certainly the most memorable. The city of Midgar is divided into two layers; the floating city on top of the plate supported by pillars and the slums below. It is separated into seven sectors, but nobody remembers their names anymore. The unsettling atmosphere created a perfect backdrop to begin the events of Final Fantasy VII and for a while you never thought you would leave. It provided the Mako reactors, the eerie Train Graveyard, the slums, Aeris’ Church, the sleazy Wall Market and of course Shinra Headquarters. The city itself had enough character to support some of the most memorable events in the game and made sure it would never be forgotten.

2. -The Kingdom of Zeal (Chrono Trigger)-

Arriving in Zeal for the first time was wondrous. In the dark ages, the magical kingdom floats elegantly above the clouds, comprising of four separate islands connected through sky bridges and teleporters. The architecture of the palace was mesmerising and the music made you feel like you were visiting another world. For video games back in the Super Nintendo era, nothing was more impressive than seeing this floating city in the sky made with the combination of magic and technology.

3. -Lindblum (Final Fantasy IX)-

After narrowly escaping Alexandria by airship, you are introduced to the massive city of Lindblum. It is so big it is divided into four areas that are accessed via Air Cabs. Lindblum Grand Castle is the home of Regent Cid and has it’s own airship dock. The Theather District houses the theatre as well as the hideout of the band of thieves known as Tantalus. The Business District is the largest commercial area in the game providing shops, inns and access to the outside world and finally the Industrial District, where the engineers work and visit the famous pub. The scope of the city is huge and you can easily get lost making your way around trying to find all of its little secrets.

4. -The City of the Ancients (Final Fantasy VII) –

Final Fantasy VII had such memorable locations, that it is not a surprise to see another shown here. The Forgotten Capital is the ruined city once inhabited by the Ancients. Many of the houses above the ground are made from shell-like materials and invoke a vision of the bottom of the sea. A hidden underground section is made up of beautiful crystal castles connected to the surface with a staircase of brilliant light. With the haunting melodies playing in the background and the foreshadowing of events to come, this once glorious civilisation kept you on the edge of your seat as you discovered a place that had not been touched for centuries.

5. -Zanarkand (Final Fantasy X)-

The original Zanarkand was a utopian metropolis full of life, featuring skyscrapers, highways and a gigantic Blitzball stadium. When it lost the Machina War against Bevelle a thousand years ago the inhabitants turned it into a dream state that was ultimately destroyed by Sin. What is now left is the Zanarkand Ruins, known as a holy place and is the final destination for summoners on their Pilgrimage. Zanarkand was such a magnificent location in Final Fantasy X and combined with it’s beautiful musical theme and great importance to the overall plot it remained with the player long after they finished playing.

8 Comments

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

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

September 21, 2011 · 10:03 PM

What Captivates Me About RPGs

We all play RPGs for different reasons. They provide wonderful stories, unforgettable characters, fantastical worlds and enjoyable game play mechanics. I find myself drawn to different aspects, but all my favourite games seem to balance these attributes to provide great experiences.

I am initially drawn to exploring new and exciting worlds and settings. I often daydream of getting lost in deep and magical adventures and the imaginary world in RPGs are an important escape from reality. I still remember the first time I stepped foot in the gritty Midgar, marvelled at the serene Opassa Beach or flew into Lindblum. The best RPGs use detailed art styles and present imaginative locales to appeal to our senses and hook us in to their strange inviting worlds.

Once the scene is set, intriguing and thrilling stories keep me on the edge of my seat, eager to experience the next plot twist or learn more about the world’s history. While I love stories, RPGs take it to another level allowing me to interact and feel more involved in the plot. Books can tell us great stories, but only RPGs can immerse us in them. Whether it’s travelling through time to save the future, or fighting against a corrupt empire, my favourite RPGs let me be a part of many memorable adventures.

The most important part of any story driven experience is ultimately the characters. Finding friends that you hold dear for years to come, or feeling hatred towards villains that perform unforgivable evil, RPGs have a wide variety of personas. Crono could capture our attention without saying a word and Kefka was someone to fear. Interesting characters help draw you into the experience and deep character development makes them seem real and human.

Video games still need to be fun to play and I’m drawn to the building up and customising of my party of characters and then battling against gigantic monsters and epic bosses. The other aspect I find I enjoy about classic RPGs is the variety in game play with the use of set pieces in the story or the implementation of mini-games.

There are so many other aspects of RPGs I love, such as whimsical music and hidden secrets that I am always on the look out for my next journey to unknown lands.

2 Comments

Filed under Editorial

Tagged as , , ,

August 24, 2011 · 5:09 PM

Review: Why You Should Play Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VII is a turn-based RPG released for the PlayStation which is often regarded as one of the best video games of all time.

Final Fantasy VII was a revolution in video games. It introduced RPGs to the mainstream, brought cinematic FMV sequences to the storytelling and took millions of people on an unforgettable adventure. The world of Final Fantasy VII is engaging and the various locations feel like people actually live there. Never before had interesting characters, a deep narrative, cinematic presentation and intuitive game play come together so well. Nor has it since.

The story begins as ex-SOLDIER Cloud Strife joins an underground resistance group attacking the corporation he once worked for. What starts out as a simple mercenary job, leads to a story of revenge, love, identity and ultimately a journey to save the planet’s life. The story includes some of the most iconic characters in RPGs, which are all well fleshed out and really make you care for them. There are so many memorable scenes; from the death of Aeris, to Sephiroth burning down Nibelheim, that are accompanied by thought provoking and emotional dialogue. Final Fantasy VII’s narrative will keep you thinking about it long after you have stopped playing.

Battles are fought using the Active Time Battle (ATB) system used in most games in the Final Fantasy series. Materia can be collected and equipped onto character’s weapons and armour, providing them with the ability to use various forms of magic and call Summon Monsters into battle. As Materia itself is levelled up, all magic can be equipped on any character to increase customisation and can be linked together to create unique combination attacks. Game play is reminiscent of many RPG’s but one area that Final Fantasy shines is in its extravagant mini-games. From snowboarding, to a motorcycle chase and even a theme park, many of the mini-games in Final Fantasy VII could be expanded into their own games.

The world of Final Fantasy VII truly comes alive when combined with its stellar soundtrack. The music is dark and emotional and adds as much to the atmosphere as the fantastic graphical design. “Aeris’ Theme” provides the most emotional and memorable song in any RPG, while “One Winged Angel” will put you on the edge of your seat in anticipation. The music is magnificent and escalates the game into the top of its genre.

Final Fantasy VII is most meaningful experience I have ever had with a video game. If you wish to play an RPG that has it all, then you should play Final Fantasy VII.

3 Comments

Filed under Final Fantasy Series, Reviews

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

August 17, 2011 · 9:36 PM

Top 5 Songs From Final Fantasy VI

The soundtrack of Final Fantasy VI is monumental. Created at a time when music added as much depth to the game as the graphics, each track is unforgettable. Not only does the music perfectly convey the emotion of the story, but even includes an opera. These are my top 5 songs from Final Fantasy VI:

1. -Terra’s Theme-

The first thing that enters your head is the vision of marching. This theme fills you with a sense of courage and strength. It perfectly portrays Terra’s insecurities as well as her resolve. This may be the greatest ever musical track found in a video game.

2. -Aria di Mezzo Carattere-

The absolute highlight of the famous opera scene. Blending the beautiful melody found in Celes’ Theme and adding synthesised voice, it is striking and grandiose. It is songs like this that elevate Final Fantasy VI’s soundtrack above many other of it’s era.

3. -Dancing Mad-

If one track is more epic that the opera theme, then it is Dancing Mad. Played during the different stages of the final battle with Kefka, the arrangements are handled brilliantly. With the use of an organ played during certain parts, the track is both full of energy and suspense.

4. -The Decisive Battle-

The main battle theme of the game and once again highlights Uematsu’s ability to create such intense battle music. It starts out frantically and instantly conveys a sense of urgency. It is a great upbeat track that gets you ready to face anything.

5. -Magitek Research Facility-

This one of the many great songs in Final Fantasy VI that are used as background music for locations the heroes visit. This track is experimental, but the quirky melody compliments the mechanical setting perfectly.

6 Comments

Filed under Final Fantasy Series, Music, Top 5 Lists

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 , , , , , , , , ,