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Earthbound

SCORE: 62

Reviewing a game like Earthbound on the Super NES/Wii U can be dangerous. It is a sacred cow to some gamers. They have one narrative they allow to be said about it. They attack any diversity with insane zeal. Family Friendly Gaming has never shied away from telling the truth in love - even when some want to silence our voice.

The first thing that sticks out about Earthbound is how odd the storyline is. It is all about a meteorite and UFOs. The latter has turned into almost a new age religion. Which is funny because Earthbound goes on the attack against those of religion. Yet there would be less hospitals and freedom without people of faith.

Earthbound is set in the modern day too. Which helps this game be unique, since it comes from an age of medieval or science fiction role playing games. Magic is handled thanks to psychic powers. Players ride bikes, stay in hotels, fight animals and more.

There are some strange things in Earthbound. Like fighting off vomit, mushrooms messing up the players controls, and psychedelic backdrops. The oddest thing is Earthbound comes from Nintendo. This has little look, sound or feel to their normal kinds of games.

The story in Earthbound is long. Save every time you find a black telephone. If you have the money then also save on the pay phones in those areas. Calling your father will increase the money in your bank account. Money is used for almost everything in Earthbound. Do not carry any on you into battle if you can avoid it. Dying will make you lose money that you have on your party. All experience is kept though.

Earthbound contains multiple areas of confusion. It also shows how far the genre has come. Your party picks up an item in Earthbound. Say a key for a door. Go to that door, and then you have to use that item to unlock it. The door does not unlock automatically like newer games do.

Thankfully there are multiple game play guides out there. Families will most likely need that because not everything in Earthbound makes sense. Certain things have to be done in a certain order to progress. In one spot a player has to sit there for three full real world minutes doing nothing with the controller.

Characters in Earthbound have odd things to say. At times they may be offensive to you and your family. The ESRB listed the majority of the issues. There are a few additional issues this review brings up. Expect to grind for numerous hours in Earthbound. If you get stuck on the end boss then why don't you try to pray?
- RPG Master

Graphics: 61%
Sound: 58%
Replay/Extras: 75%
Gameplay: 60%
Family Friendly Factor: 55%

System: SNES/Wii U(tested)
Publisher: Nintendo
Rating: 'T' - Teen
{Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes, Crude Humor}
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