memories of a Previous adult life

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20060316031232/http://www.catharton.net/electronica/index.php?action=profile;u=424

https://web.archive.org/web/20040509101251/http://www.catharton.net/electronica/index.php

Death of a Video Game Console: How Each Generation Said Goodbye

 

Nintendo closes out the end of an era in 2025 with the introduction of the Nintendo Switch 2 and gradual sunsetting of the original Nintendo Switch. This shift in focus to the new console won’t be overnight, of course, and rarely is whenever console publishers transition to a fresh generation. The first Switch generation was an especially prosperous one for Nintendo, with over 150 million units shipped worldwide and counting, making it Nintendo’s best-selling home console of all-time and second only to the PlayStation 2 as the best-selling home console overall.

With a player base that large, Nintendo has to be tactful how it eventually phases out its support for the Switch and maintains continued interest in its overarching brand. That makes us nostalgic too for how previous major home consoles eventually made their respective final bows, wrapping up fondly remembered eras. Here’s a look back on how each major console from the past several decades ended their fan-favorite runs.

Nintendo Entertainment System

The NES not only revived the video game industry in North America after its cataclysmic crash in 1983, but completely dominated it into the early ‘90s. By 1990 the NES—along with its Japanese counterpart, the Famicom—was the best-selling console ever at that time with more American households having the console than PCs. As such, Nintendo’s support for the NES continued long after the launch of the Super Nintendo, with Japan going as far as to continue manufacturing Famicoms for its domestic market until September 2003.

Many of the last games released in the twilight years for the NES were ports of Super Nintendo titles with a significantly less intensive technical presentation. These include NES ports of Mario’s Time Machine, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters, and Wario’s Woods, all released in 1994 and the last of which being the final game released for the console in North America. Over 30 years later, the NES’ tenure remains one of the longest-running and most triumphant generations for any console.

Sega Genesis/Mega Drive

Also known as the Mega Drive outside of the U.S., the Sega Genesis was the console that gave Sega a prominent foothold in the North American market. In trying to gain a technical edge against its competitors, Sega began producing console peripherals for the Genesis, most notably the Sega CD in 1991 and Sega 32X in 1994, each with their own game libraries. Though Sega continued to produce games for the base Genesis, it saw the 32X as a stopgap effort until the Sega Saturn could be launched in 1994 in Japan and ‘95 in the U.S.

Unfortunately for Sega, savvy gamers already knew that the Saturn was coming. So when combined with the high price point for the 32X peripheral, they discreetly avoided it. This meant the library of 32X games released in the Genesis’ final months, which included early 3D Sega games like Virtua Fighter and Star Wars Trilogy Arcade, went largely ignored. The final 32X game was 1996’s The Amazing Spider-Man: Web of Fire while 1997’s NHL 98 closed out the Genesis on a whimper.

Super Nintendo

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System reaffirmed Nintendo’s place atop the worldwide video game industry, even as it faced stiff competition from Sega and Sony. Even as the Nintendo 64’s 1996 launch loomed, Nintendo continued to support the SNES in its final years. Indeed, some of the most beloved SNES games were originally released in 1996 and 1997, giving the console the fond farewell that cemented its vaunted place in gaming history.

Among the memorable games released in the final stretch for the SNES were Super Mario RPG, Donkey Country 3, Harvest Moon, and The Lost Vikings 2. The last licensed game ever released for the SNES was a 1998 port of Frogger, almost as an afterthought for the console. As far as endings go, the Super Nintendo, like the SNES before it, had a great conclusion to its best-selling run.

Sega Saturn

Between the original success of the Genesis and loving reappraisal of the Dreamcast, the Sega Saturn remains something of the overlooked middle child. This is in no small part because of how badly Sega handled the console’s rollout for the North American market, from a surprise announcement that caught developers outside of Japan off-guard, an uncompetitive price point in comparison to the original PlayStation, and Sega of America deciding not to localize hundreds of games created by Japanese developers. With that in mind, the Saturn generation lasted four years, as Sega rushed to replace it with its successor, the Dreamcast.

This fast-tracked decision effectively hobbled the Saturn in its final year when news about the Dreamcast’s development leaked while Sega was still nominally supporting the Saturn in public. Console and game sales in North America cratered with only seven Saturn games released in the territory for the entirety of 1998, the last being a localization of Magic Knight Rayearth. Given the Saturn’s greater success in Japan than overseas markets, Sega continued to support the Saturn after the Dreamcast’s November 1998 launch, primarily through third-party titles and boxed sets, with the last game released for the console in Japan being 2000’s Final Fight Revenge by Capcom.

PlayStation

The PlayStation, later rebranded as the PSX and then PS1, marked Sony’s triumphant entry into the home console industry in 1994. Buoyed by its games published on compact discs, as opposed to expensive cartridges, and strong third-party developer support, PS1 became the bestselling console of its generation and the bestselling overall for its time. The PS1 continued to sell well into the subsequent generation, even well into the lifespan of its 2001 successor, the PlayStation 2.

Given the sheer number of its player base and continued flourishing third-party support, the PS1 saw multiplatform sports and licensed titles published for it through 2006, though the last North American title was published for it in 2004. The last major title for the console was arguably 2002’s Final Fantasy Origins, which was just a compiled remaster of the first two mainline games in the series. Sony officially ended support for the PS1 in 2006, the same year it launched the PlayStation 3.

Nintendo 64

Though the Nintendo 64 launched strongly and revolutionized the gaming industry in shifting to 3D games, it also saw Nintendo lose its global top spot in the console wars. Surpassed commercially by PlayStation, Nintendo spent the final years of the N64 focusing on development of the GameCube while extending the life and power of the N64 through its crimson Expansion Pak peripheral. This upgrade in technical performance led to some of the most impressive N64 or console games in its final years on the market.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, Perfect Dark, and Banjo-Tooie were all released in 2000, each taking advantage of the Expansion Pak boost in their own way. By 2001 Nintendo completely reprioritized its strategy to support the launch of the Game Boy Advance and GameCube, but still put out bonafide bangers like Mario Party 3 and Conker’s Bad Fur Day. By 2002 Nintendo officially pulled the plug on the N64, releasing a handful of sports titles to close out the generation.

Dreamcast

Sega’s final home console came out the gate swinging with a launch window that included Power Stone, Sonic Adventure, Soulcalibur, The House of the Dead 2, and NFL Blitz 2000. However, the Dreamcast faced continued stiff competition from the original PlayStation along with news about development on the upcoming PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, and something Microsoft was calling Xbox. With the incoming generation of home consoles reputedly more powerful than the Dreamcast, support for Sega continued to waver, with a remodeled, cheaper PS1 outselling the Dreamcast during the 2000 holiday season as a final nail in Sega’s console coffin.

Sega ceased releasing new Dreamcast games in North America by February 2002, closing out its support for the market with NHL 2K2 almost as an afterthought. Like the Saturn, the Dreamcast saw longer support in its native Japan, with March 2004’s puzzle party game Puyo Puyo Fever closing out the generation for good. By December 2001, Sega began developing games for its former competitors, signaling a significant shift to focus on software development rather than hardware, releasing both Sonic Advance for the Game Boy Advance and Sonic Adventure 2: Battle for the GameCube that month.

Xbox

Though Microsoft’s first foray into the home console industry was off to a shaky start with a hilariously oversized controller and weak launch library, it eventually outsold the GameCube. That said, the console also stands as the shortest generation to date from Microsoft, with the company rushing out its successor, the Xbox 360, almost exactly four years after the original Xbox’s November 2001 launch. That means games initially intended for the Xbox were reconfigured as 360 titles, sometimes late in development, to bolster the next console’s launch library.

2004 saw the strongest first-party games released for the original Xbox, including Halo 2, Fable, and Ninja Gaiden Black before Microsoft shifted its priorities. The majority of games released for the original Xbox after 2005 were multiplatform sports titles, with only three games released for the console in the entirety of 2007 and only Madden NFL 09 released for it in 2008. The original Xbox was, comparatively, a flash in the pan, with Microsoft quickly looking ahead to the future.

GameCube

The GameCube era was a dark one for Nintendo as the company slid behind Sony and Microsoft in the home console industry in terms of units shipped. This decline, coupled with difficulties in developing games for hardware, meant the console saw dwindling third-party support. As Nintendo readied to launch the motion sensor-oriented Wii in the 2006 holiday season, it repurposed games originally planned for the GameCube for its successor instead.

One highlight in the GameCube’s closing window was Resident Evil 4, released at the beginning of 2005 as a GameCube-exclusive before Capcom decided to port it to the PlayStation 2 by the year’s end. A handful of movie tie-in games, like Ratatouille and TMNT, along with the usual multiplatform sports games, filled the gap. As the Wii quickly gained momentum following its breathtakingly successful launch, Nintendo quietly pulled the plug on the GameCube by 2007. However, one major highlight was The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, a fan favorite developed as GameCube’s swan song in 2006… before being delayed so it could simultaneously release as a launch title on the Wii.

PlayStation 2

Still the best-selling home console of all time, the PlayStation 2 significantly outsold its immediate competition and helped push Sega out of the hardware console industry for good. This success was also in small part due to the console featuring a built-in DVD drive and being priced competitively compared to other DVD players on the market at the time. Like its predecessor, the PS2 had an especially long lifespan, one that endured through the eventual launch of the PlayStation 4.

Leading up to the PS3 launch in late 2006, the PS2 saw the release of some of its most acclaimed games, including its port of Resident Evil 4, Shadow of the Colossus, Gran Turismo 4, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Guitar Hero, Ōkami, Devil May Cry 3, and Final Fantasy XII. The last game ever released for the PS2 was Pro Evolution Soccer 2014, released in 2013. Sony ended post-release support for the PS2 in Japan in 2018, closing out its most successful era to date.

Wii

After losing industry dominance in its previous two generations, Nintendo catapulted itself back on top with the Wii, which replaced the GameCube as its main home console in late 2006. With its intuitive motion controls and a robust library of games, many of the most acclaimed being console exclusives, the Wii became Nintendo’s bestselling console at the time. By 2013, one year after the launch of the Wii U, Nintendo began ceasing production on new Wii consoles and cutting back online services, with the last major services discontinued in 2019.

The Wii’s last real banner year was 2011, which saw the release of Kirby’s Return to Dream Land and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, the latter of which being the last major console exclusive. That said, Nintendo was really focused on launching its last handheld console, the Nintendo 3DS, that year and preparing for the Wii U. Amusingly, the Wii kept receiving third-party support and new installments of Just Dance from Ubisoft until 2019.

Xbox 360

The most successful Xbox console to date is Microsoft’s sophomore effort, the Xbox 360, which launched a full year ahead of its generational counterparts in 2005. Though outsold by the Wii, the 360 closed the gap between Microsoft and Sony—even as it was also ultimately outsold by the PS3. What the 360 revolutionized was a digital marketplace for games, allowing players to purchase and download titles straight to their consoles, a feature that became an industry standard.

In the years and months leading up to the launch of the Xbox One, the 360 saw its firmware updated to match Microsoft’s other user interfaces while the console began incorporating its own motion sensor gameplay. Branded the Kinect, the peripheral was launched in 2010 to lukewarm response for many of its titles. Though Microsoft continued to support the 360’s online capabilities until 2024, the last two major games for the console were 2012’s Halo 4 and 2013’s Gears of War: Judgment.

PlayStation 3

The PlayStation 3 stumbled at its 2006 launch with its significantly higher price point than the competition and complex hardware architecture, making development for the console particularly difficult. Though price cuts and cheaper models of the PS3 improved its standing, it never got close to catching up with Nintendo’s highly successful Wii. As a result, Sony ended its support for the PS3 faster than it had the PS2 or PS1, shifting its focus to the PlayStation 4.

Despite Sony quickly reprioritizing itself for the PS4’s 2013 launch, the PS3 saw some of its most iconic titles released in its final years. The Last of Us, Journey, and multiplatform titles like Mass Effect 3 and Grand Theft Auto V closed out the PS3 era. By 2017 Sony ceased hardware production on the PS3 and, while planning to close the PlayStation Store for the platform in 2021, fan outcry led Sony to reverse this decision, leaving online support running.

Retro videogame youtube links part 1

 

Show Notes:

Open Discussion:

Analogue Pocket: https://youtu.be/VvWxnWdgvbU?si=baATeRQjtucE_dIh

Analogue Duo: https://youtu.be/qZi_Y_Eza6k?si=hJqvGdPUBqQ4rBrW

Open BoR: https://github.com/DCurrent/openbor
BoR He-Man: https://youtu.be/GOsYJkdqbOk
BoR: Beats of Rage: https://youtu.be/zvHDP8ZgpYU
BoR Best Games: https://youtu.be/zvHDP8ZgpYU
ChronoCrash: https://youtu.be/cO2hoP3WV24
Wardner Community Game: https://youtu.be/pOo9PzTl8U4
Wardner Compare Mega Drive to Arcade: https://youtu.be/oEoT4jIHdak

Rubber Key Wonder - Documentary: https://youtu.be/OQulLuguKq0
Other : Amiga Games Doc, Vol 2: https://youtu.be/OQulLuguKq0
Death of E3: https://youtu.be/hKjimOkLjbg
SEGA Announcement: https://youtu.be/Z9d9tGZWG70
Streets of Rage Remake: https://youtu.be/V9r5IYrtyEc
Cannonball Outrun: https://archive.org/details/outrun-cannonball
Taito Super Pocket (Evercade):https://youtu.be/9s8MWrY-zJc
Evercade Cartridge: https://youtu.be/odcDfUevb7k

Christmas Gaming Past:

Kingy:
Spectrum and 6-Pack:
Horace Goes Skiing: https://worldofspectrum.net/item/4000038/
Survival: https://worldofspectrum.net/item/0005080/
Chequered Flag: https://worldofspectrum.net/item/0000912/
Chess: https://worldofspectrum.net/item/0000914/
Computer Scrabble: https://worldofspectrum.net/item/0004375/
Make A Chip:https://worldofspectrum.net/item/0008385/

Accordian Funded Games:
Avalon:https://worldofspectrum.net/item/0000348/
Chuckie Egg: https://worldofspectrum.net/item/0000958/
Manic Miner: https://worldofspectrum.net/item/0003012/
Pyjamarama: https://worldofspectrum.net/item/0003012/

Garron:
Argos Catalogue (RetroMash): https://retromash.com/argos/
Astro Wars: https://youtu.be/ELmVBBcucBI
Entex Galaxian 2: https://youtu.be/jaSGyumIVdA

Super Striker: https://youtu.be/CWDyHThgpJQ
Atari ST with Powerpack: https://youtu.be/l-f0W9HJOWg
Super Famicom Imported with Super Mario World:

Ric:
Mega Drive Barcelona Olympics: https://youtu.be/Yecnr-xVu-Y
Sonic the Hedgehog: https://youtu.be/O4nQesRa-vM
Tetris (Gameboy): https://youtu.be/E-ej_8XBwmI
Michael Jackson Dangerous: https://youtu.be/UGT_9ah_YFo?list=PL15ty5GYCv5u0_w7pusvZtUP225slLmRT
Tiger LCD Handhelds: https://youtu.be/u5RDBqmcF_c

Drisky:
Whizzer & Chips Annual: https://archive.org/details/whizzerchipsannu0000unse/page/n5/mode/2up
Cards Rules for Queeny and Chase The Ace:
https://boardgames.stackexchange.com/questions/53722/what-are-the-rules-to-the-card-game-queenie
https://www.classicgamesandpuzzles.com/Chase-the-Ace.html#:~:text=Playing%20Chase%20the%20Ace&text=If%20the%20player%20decides%20to,of%20the%20players%20as%20proof.

Garfield : Big Fat Hairy Deal (Spectrum): https://youtu.be/sgCfmDWcFto
Dr Franken (Gameboy): https://youtu.be/LsCvvO-C-aI
Wheels of Fire (Spectrum):
- Turbo Out Run: https://youtu.be/e5ZOoWA0tV8
- Chase HQ: https://youtu.be/s2aYrkofKHM
- Powerdrift: https://youtu.be/KTIe8hnyqxs
- Hard Drivin': https://youtu.be/JHGkHlmebbo

- Star Wars Toys: https://youtu.be/8R1n8tfDvMU
- Crossbow & Catapults: https://youtu.be/lGu1_7UPncI
- Lost Valley of the Dinosaurs: https://youtu.be/P7GhUY8zQwE
- Escape from Atlantis: https://youtu.be/zH5rYGbsCv8
- Tomy Super Cup Electronic Football: https://youtu.be/vJbV3a7Rpl0
- Tomy Atomic Pinball: https://youtu.be/Nyn6YBRXE3I

- Labryrinth Boardgame: https://youtu.be/Vh_UccGyJrQ
- Hero Quest: https://youtu.be/5vj3DN5tYyc

Present:

Ric: 
Holiday Lemmings '93: https://youtu.be/_m0JATs3JtM
Snow Bros: https://youtu.be/DlVMfC2Bm4M

Garron:
World of Warcraft Christmas: https://youtu.be/w_M5Okf4vC4
Death Smiles 2 (Switch): https://youtu.be/tUp37dk7qYE
Mario Wonder (Switch): https://youtu.be/88JL-WM_kV0
Shooting Books Ordered:
Do-Don Pachi Jou (Switch): https://youtu.be/NLGogMUTEPM

Kingy:
Synth Software (SID):
Vortex Tracker (AY)
Rhino Hero: https://youtu.be/dOfLs88y87I
Simon the Sorceror 1: https://youtu.be/ZOpj3M_HEfI

Drisky:
Chrimbo (Amiga): https://blackjet.itch.io/crimbo
Arctic Atac (Spectrum): https://highriser.itch.io/arctic-atac
Jet Pack Christmas Special: https://www.classicdosgames.com/game/Jetpack_Christmas_Special%21.html
Christmas Monty Mole:
Fire and Ice Christmas Special: https://youtu.be/nrXYZADE0B4
Fire and Ice (CD32): https://youtu.be/zl9wG-RUdLs
Lucy Dreaming (PC): https://youtu.be/dGx7joZPcE8

To Watch:

Garron:
Bluey Christmas Special:
Bings Advent Calendar:
Home Alone 1:
Home Alone 2:
Trading Places:
Click 'n Collect:
Royale Family Christmas Special:
Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special - Tin Foil skit:
Only Fools and Horses:

Ric:
Clash of the Titans:
Jason & The Argonauts:
The Vikings:
Mickeys Christmas Carol:
Black Adder Christmas Carol:
Bottom - Holy Episode:
South Park Christmas Special:
Harry Enfield Christmas Episode:

Kingy:
Christmas Comes To Pac-Land: https://archive.org/details/extremely-rare-christmas-comes-to-pac-land-1982-geor4745nius-not-on-dvd-boomerang
A Christmas Story:

Drisky:
8-Bit Christmas:
National Lampoon Christmas:
Muppet Christmas Carol:
Garfield Christmas Special: https://youtu.be/TbL-uxd4ZVw?si=6q8bRnLBMaSMCFqi
Morcambe & Wise:
Yogi's First Christmas:
Father Ted Christmas Special:
Worst Christmas Week of my Life:
Gremlins:
Die Hard:
Die Hard 2:
Batman Returns:

Future:
Digital Pinball:
Papago Translator:

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My Retail history

 

When I was 10 years old, I went into Mall of America a lot and that was Barnes and Noble, Funcoland, The Gap, Camp Snoopy mainly as elementary school field trips, and trips with David Hartmon, my cousin. So I found some old Windows 95 and MS-DOS disks at Walmart and Target. I used to buy Kings Quest, Simcity 2000, Secret of Monkey's Island. I rented some VHS from Mr. Movies in Hudson, Wisconsin and the local VHS renter in Roberts, Wisconsin. I had Pizza at Carbones pizza in Hudson. I used to go to the Toys R US in Woodbury. I biked around the block to the Holiday gas station (before Circle K) that was my first job. I always cooked food at home from County Market grocery store.

Then I found some Super Nintendo games at Toys R US. I was into Super Nintendo, Sega Saturn, Dreamcast, Sega Genesis, playstation, playstation 2, nintendo entertainment system. I also went to Funcoland and just bought lots of Japanese videogames, because thats what was displayed on the shelves and on posters or advertisements. I bought a lot of used games, because it was cheaper. I remember Nintendo 64 games costing $70 at Walmart. I used to eat at Applebees.

Then Mr. Movies closed in the 2000s. I didn’t go to Blockbuster. Later, it had DVDs, but I used to go there for VHS more. I bought all the DVDs at Best Buy, Walmart and Target. I didn’t ask the customer service. The insane thing is the manager of Best buy wanted to look at my stuff. Marxist-Leninist managers look at our stuff. The managers pick on us people with receipts and bags, not the gangster. Anyhow, Best Buy and Walmart is corrupted as all fuck now. Artificial intelligence scanning faces.

I used to go to the Gamestop and toyriffic and give them JPEG dvds, but nobody gave a damn about me and my hobbies. I had my cousin penny since 2014, but no girlfriends for 30 years. I was going to stores alone for 38 years. No phone numbers.

I used the SEO on websites, because nobody gave a damn about me for 10 years into adult hood, because of course they didn’t. At one time, I had X-Fire messenger before it went bankrupt for online multiplayer and chat. X-Fire messenger went bankrupt, and then there was outrageous fees attached to online multiplayer since 2012. I used it for Diablo 2, Guild Wars, Dungeon Siege, Neverwinter Nights, Unreal Tournament, Return to Castle Wolfenstine, Quake 3 Arena, Far Cry, Unreal Tournament 2004,

So in 2024, there was no girlfriends for 40 years and the stores cameras scan your face and its like communism when you’re trying to meet people (you can’t) This Wisconsin and Minnesota sucks for people disabled. Every store has a security camera with audio. I was at the dork den, and there was no fucking way I could get friends there. No fucking way. The store was a money grab 100% probably for its entire existence. Same with the comic book store, had security camera with audio, money grab, no friends, no snapchat. No instagram. Insane social polices. And the Democratic Party wants to be voted in as a Marxist-Leninist party so I have no fucking life what so ever or what’s left of my life. Motherfucker politicians..

How long do you play a new game before deciding it's not worth your time?

 This happens rarely, that I start a game and really don't like it. What happens more often is either undiagnosed ADD or I eventually give up because I'm not gud and I get stuck halfway through. >>10 hours.

15 of the Best PS2 RPGs Ranked – The Old School Game Vault

 

Putting together a list of “the best PS2 RPGs” is both easy and difficult. It’s easy in the sense that there’s no dearth of role-playing games—the system has more RPG titles than some short-lived consoles, like the TurboGrafx-16, has of any kind at all. The difficult part involves separating the wheat from the chaff.

The good news is that it can be done, and the below entries make up our 15 RPGs for PS2 (ranked from 15 to 1).  These amazing titles are sure to please any role playing enthusiast. Some of these options, dare we say, rise to the level of modern classics.  You can also find lots of PS2 on sale right here on our website!

15. Kingdom Hearts II

The first “Kingdom Hearts” entry initially confused many gamers and reviewers by throwing Disney Characters into a “Final Fantasy” world. Kingdom Hearts II sticks with the same basic premise of the previous game, but improves on almost everything else its predecessor did.

The camera is better, the gameplay mechanics are better, and the gummi-ship sections have been overhauled to deliver high-octane action. But where this game really shines is in the presentation. Even by today’s standards, it’s a great looking game, and the lush coloring and animations in the world all but beg you to enjoy this epic adventure.

14. Star Ocean: Till the End of Time

To say that some people love this most notorious entry in the “Star Ocean” series, while others hate it, is an understatement. TTEOT is the third in the series, and it does depart noticeably from the second. In this entry, the onus is more on the sci-fi aspects of the story, which features a protagonist named Fayt Leingod being kidnapped by aliens and dumped on a remote planet.

Whether you like the game depends on your tastes. Will you find the story to be solid or unsound? Will the plot-twist at the halfway point induce you to throw in the towel, or does it enhance the game? Does the inventory system cause you to lose your mind? These are things you’ll only find out by playing the game.

13. Steambot Chronicles

What’s not to love about this game, it’s a little nugget of gold. It has never been that popular of a title, but that’s okay. For those of use who have played the game, I love the Mech Combat Mechanics mixed with RPG elements.

The majority of the game is spent playing side missions, some many find the story a little boring and basic, but for me this was my last PS2 game I thoroughly enjoyed. 

 12. Suikoden III

One RPG series that enjoys a true cult following is “Suikoden.” Many gamers enjoy the third entry the most because it almost acts as a stand-alone game. What truly broke the mold is that in “Suikoden III,” the story is told through three different protagonists.

That means gamers will play as a mercenary, a knight and the son of a chieftain. So it’s a great game for those with short attention spans.

11. Rogue Galaxy

There isn’t much of a rift when it comes to this title—gamers tend to love it unreservedly. In “Rogue Galaxy” you play as Jaster Rogue, a hunter who finds himself on a space pirate ship going on quests with a few unique sidekicks like a dog-headed warrior and a tribeswoman.

The game is a slow burn, but the plot kicks into gear about the midway point, and the story is off and running. Also, the fighting system does a nice job of managing real-time combat with the more traditionally RPG item menu.

10. Shadow Hearts: Covenant

Best PS2 RPG game ever made for the system? Maybe. Most inviting cover-art for any PS2 game ever? Probably. The game takes place in an alternate WWI-era setting that is rife with fantasy elements, and it has a rich cast of characters including vampires, wolves, military officers and… a puppeteer.

The battle system is unique in that it features a “judgment ring,” which acts as a timer to deliver crucial hits. Overall, a game that will leave a lasting legacy.

 9. Radiata Stories

Radiata Stores had a huge anticipation with Japanese gamers, unfortunately that same enthusiasm didn’t carry over to the states. Radiata Stories went on to win game of the month after release and was nominated as one of the top PS2 RPGS video game back in 2005.

The game is classified as an action role-playing game, and has all the dragon slaying and dungeon exploring one can handle.

8. Baldur’s Gate Dark Alliance

This maybe one of the best RPS’s ever made! I’m a huge fan of the hack and slash/ role playing elements in the game. Dark Alliance was awarded Role Playing Game of the Year back in 2001.

And has been released on just about every major consoles since its release. The gameplay is really what set this game apart 20+ years ago. Not to mention the dungeon & dragons elements the game includes, and the slew of famous voice actors.

  7. Final Fantasy X

Blitzball, Spyra, Wakka—mention these names to any hardcore RPG fan, and they’ll know exactly what you’re talking about. “Final Fantasy X” is beloved for its solid story, richly layered with some of gamings favorite characters, and ahead-of-its time animation. Those who don’t know it need to know it about this classic style RPG.

6. Grandia II

Grandia II, which was originally released in the Sega DreamCast library, which became an instant turn based RPG classic. So much so that Ubisoft got the rights to release a port of the game to the PlayStation 2 back in 2000.

The game is a solid RPG in the grandia series, even if the depth and story isn’t as deep as the original.

5. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4

The “Shin Megami Tensei” series earned rave reviews for its willingness to break with RPG convention. This was especially true of the third installment, which features a dark plot and overt sexuality. “Persona 4” improves on the previous entries by delivering better animation and mechanics.

The plot centers on another high-school protagonist who must overcome spirits, murders and killer fog. Persona-3’s “one more” fighting system is back, and gamers who haven’t, yet it, experienced the group brawling would do well to give it a go. And by all means read why we think persona games are so damn good.

4. Final Fantasy XII

Despite the occasional departure, Square always maintained the high standards of for any Final Fantasy Game. Final Fantasy XII was the first entry in a few years, but it lived up to expectations.

This story takes place in the familiar world of Ivalice, and it does a good job of melding a “Star Wars” spirit with an Anime execution. The game has it all, political intrigue and rebellion, aerial dogfighting, sleek spacecraft, and an eclectic cast of characters.

 3. Wild Arms 3

Wild arms 3, which is a sequel to the two earlier games Wild Arms & Wild Arms 2 Second Ignition. The game was a vast improvement over the first two titles in the series, as it was really created to use the fully technological power of the PlayStation 2 Console.

Wild Arms 3 is a classic turn base RPG game, which was hugely creative.  Especially with the ways you would interact with the in game character traits. Which make this a must-play title in the series

2. Dark Cloud 2

You really got a love when a company looks at a successful first game, in the series. Then they ask themselves, how can we make a sequel better than the first game. Boy did Sony deliver, with a remarkable masterpiece with eye-popping graphics.

Then Sony mixes in some “Zelda ish” mechanics into the gameplay. The gameplay is just as polished as the visual presentation, with super enjoyable characters and environments to experience, which make dark cloud 2 one of the best PlayStation 2 RPGs.

1. Dragon Quest VIII Journey of the Cursed King

There’s something to be said for packaging. While substance of storytelling and good mechanics are a must for any game, how it looks also plays a crucial role. This is the first “Dragon Quest” iteration that utilizes 3D graphics, which is a great presentation method for Akira Toriyama’s artwork.

As for the gameplay, this story of evil wizards and heroes is a throwback to the days of simpler RPGs—classic battle scenes, solid boss fights, traditional menu screens, etc.

These are the best RPGs on PS2, you need to play now. So find that old PlayStation 2 console and fire it up.  Head over to our shop, and browse through hundreds of PS2 for sale at great prices.  I promise you, you’ll be glad you did.

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Console Wars – SNES vs PlayStation RPGs – Which is Better?

 

Classic RPG fans, prepare your arguments. We’re about to settle one of the longest-standing console war showdowns of all time: SNES vs PS1 RPGs.

It’s quite a bold claim, we know. Both consoles produced numerous titles that are still considered the best RPGs ever made.

SNES gave us Earthbound, Final Fantasy II and III (IV and VI in Japan), and Chrono Trigger. PS1 gave us Final Fantasy VII-IX, Final Fantasy Tactics, Legend of Dragoon, Parasite Eve, and more.

At this moment, you may find yourself involuntarily screaming at your screen, audibly (and angrily) naming the obvious winner of this showdown. We understand.

Some will tell us that Final Fantasy VII is the game that changed the world of RPG gaming forever. If that’s you, you’re right.

Alternatively, you may argue that Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy III changed RPG gaming first. You’re right, too.

But which console truly reigns supreme in the RPG genre? Find out below.

What’s So Great About SNES RPGs?

Before we talk about SNES RPGs, let’s back up and talk about the NES. The NES was a huge success in every genre (except for video games based on movies). Plus, at that time, RPGs were already one of the most popular game genres in Japan.

So, naturally, there were several great RPGs for the 8-bit system, like Zelda II and the original Final Fantasy. Unfortunately, aside from these two titles, the genre never really caught on with American audiences during the 8-bit era.

RPGs Become Truly Amazing For the First Time

Thus, SNES RPGs caused a radical change in the landscape of American gaming. For starters, these games were enormous compared to 8-bit titles, with beautifully detailed sound and graphics. The lush worlds and sleek visuals grabbed the attention of American gamers and didn’t let go.

Gamers who had never even heard of RPGs were instantly enamored with titles like Chrono Trigger and Earthbound. These games were so entertaining, so enjoyable, and so addicting that we couldn’t get enough. They started our desperate hunger for RPGs that we still experience to this day.

SNES RPGs Push the Known Boundaries of Console Gaming

If anyone in the 8-bit era thought about RPGs, they’d envision plain graphics and very basic settings. Think blue sky, some green trees, and castles made out of that same 8-bit brick pattern you see in every NES game. Based on screenshots, you couldn’t really tell one NES RPG from another.

But, thanks to a more powerful processor, SNES RPGs have far more distinction, detail, and depth. Suddenly, game creators could give each series and each game a unique art style and sound profile. And the cinematic drama/action scenes of games like Final Fantasy II and III were the best we’d ever seen in console games.

Stories That Rival the Best Hollywood Action Fantasy Epics

Aside from the look and sound of these games, they differed in tone as well. Final Fantasy II (IV) is a dramatic, medieval epic that feels like a tale from the legends of King Arthur. In contrast, Final Fantasy III (VI) is a futuristic, post-apocalyptic, operatic love story that blends sci-fi and fantasy in a beautiful steampunk fairy tale.

Furthermore, not all SNES RPGs took themselves so seriously. For instance, Super Mario RPG is no more serious than you’d expect from this familiar franchise.

Earthbound is relentlessly quirky and hilarious from start to finish. Chrono Trigger gives us a mix of lighthearted humor and apocalypse-level tragedy, plus time travel!

These stories were deeper than any that gamers had experienced before. And they still rival some of today’s Hollywood epics like Avatar, Mortal Engines, and other boring crap.

Many SNES RPGs Are Still Considered the All-Time Best

Don’t take our word for it. Go ahead and look it up for yourself.

If you research “best RPGs of all time” you will always see Chrono Trigger, Super Mario RPG, and Earthbound. Seriously, these are on every list, every time.

What’s So Great About PS1 RPGs?

That said, there are several PS1 games that always make the “best of” lists, too. In fact, it can definitely be argued that PS1 RPGs are inherently better than those of the SNES.

After all, this was the console that continued the successful Final Fantasy series, among other SNES RPG franchises. And this time, the games are 32-bit with FMV (Full Motion Video) cutscenes and 3D graphics.

3D RPGs Are Born

That’s right. For the first time in console gaming history, RPGs came to life in glorious 3D on the PlayStation. Those that weren’t 3D still had amazing, sprite-based graphics that blew our minds.

Bigger, Longer, More Detailed Epics

Aside from graphics and sound, PS1 games had an even bigger advantage over SNES games. And we mean that literally.

To illustrate, think about how much data you can cram into an SNES game cartridge. The answer is, “some.”

But, since the PS1 uses discs instead of cartridges, there are virtually no limits on how big or long a game can be. Each disc has more than enough space to contain a huge, playable game world with lots of characters and events.

And if that one disc still isn’t enough, game creators can continue the game on additional discs. Thus, games like Final Fantasy VIII and IX span 4 discs.

The lack of space limitations also allows for video files. Thus, cutscenes can include live action, hand-drawn anime, top-of-the-line CG, or any other recorded video. Unfortunately, though, the video resolution is often quite poor.

PS1: The True Successor to SNES?

One must also consider the matter of succession. For example, when the NES was succeeded by the SNES, a new and massively better era of RPGs began.

However, when the SNES was succeeded by the N64, the era of Nintendo-sponsored RPGs entirely ceased to exist. There are approximately 5 N64 titles that potentially count as RPG games.

Apparently, Nintendo’s choice to use cartridges instead of discs didn’t go over well with third-party game developers. Consequently, most of the companies that made awesome RPGs for the SNES abandoned Nintendo in favor of Sony’s PS1.

Thus, the PlayStation is (unofficially) the true successor of the SNES as far as RPGs are concerned. In fact, some of the most popular SNES RPGs (namely Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy IV-VI) were re-released on PS1 with FMV cutscenes and other bonus content.

So, one could argue that Playstation RPGs are superior to SNES RPGs just as the SNES is superior to its predecessor. Really, though, this is a matter of opinion, which we’ll get too momentarily.

Many PS1 RPGs Are Still Considered the All-Time Best

Ultimately, this point is where the real showdown between PS1 and SNES RPGs is determined. As with SNES, there are several PS1 RPGs on every RPG “best of” list. These include Suikoden II, Legend of Dragoon, and Final Fantasy VII-IX.

More Games

More importantly, the PS1 has literally 4 times as many RPGs as the SNES. So, if you think Final Fantasy VII is way overrated, no problem. Try Parasite Eve, Xenogears, Mega Man Legends, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Breath of Fire III, Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete, etc.

SNES vs PS1 RPGs: Which Are Best?

It’s a tie—sort of. Just kidding (kind of).

Okay, yes, we did say that we’d settle this dispute once and for all. So here’s the thing.

The PS1 is unarguably superior to the SNES in all respects, period. So yes, PS1 RPGs are better in terms of graphics, sound, game length, and sheer number of titles. If you love RPGs, you will definitely find some of your favorite games ever on the PS1.

But that’s the other thing. You will also definitely find some of your favorite RPGs on the SNES.

SNES hits like Chrono Trigger and Earthbound are unique, unequaled RPG adventures. In fact, these two titles might be the best video games ever made.

Is Final Fantasy VII better than Earthbound? Of course, it isn’t. Nor is Earthbound necessarily better than Final Fantasy VII.

Furthermore, Nintendo’s Earthbound and Super Mario RPG will never be legitimately available on any PlayStation console until Hell freezes over. Nintendo will likely hold onto these bragging rights until the end of the world.

Here’s the bottom line. PS1 is better for those who want to explore literally hundreds of great RPG titles, including some of the best ever made. But the SNES still has many exclusive RPG hits, some of which are arguably better than any PS1 game ever released.

PS1 vs SNES RPGs: Get What You Need Right Here

Obviously, we can’t tell you which games you’ll like better. You’ll have to decide that for yourself. But we can definitely help you with that.

Lastly, we’d love to see your opinions about SNES vs PS1 RPGs. Express your thoughts in the Comments section below.

Red Faction: Guerrilla review

 The demolition of things every boy is in the blood, especially if someone being young, but nowadays it quickly identified as vandalism and the consequences are usually quite unpleasant. Yet you want your skills as a real man being a little intimated and what would it be if it could without any problems? How fantastic! Physical things demolition because they ventured in recent times much less, more virtual, and that is precisely one of the strengths on the next possession game. Wrecking in Red Faction: Guerrilla is like it is very common, but there is more than demolition and that we explain to you its fine.

To begin at the beginning, we look first to the story is about and where this part comes first name Alec Mason then upstairs. This is a rough guy who decides to go to Mars and to go there as a miner to earn his living. He is there waiting for his brother, who for years does, but entirely unfortunate, his brother killed, and Alec unwillingly involved in some kind of battle between the Red Faction and the EDF (Earth Defense Force). Yes, you read that right. Unintentionally. His brother was already a member of the Red Faction Alec before his death and tries to persuade, but Alec is on Mars just do his job properly and not interfere with what the rest are off playing.

Soon he comes into a given situation, then he has little choice but to join the Red Faction and that's a good thing. Alec Mason, so you will be an important role in the fight against the EDF! At that time you get acquainted with the enormous surface of Mars. The developer, Volition, has created a decent open game world and game world is divided into a number of different areas. Each area has its own atmosphere and infrastructure, and these areas are all in the hands of the EDF, but since they are such a little dictator to hang his main goal was quite simple. Taking over the areas on Mars in order to drive the EDF.

The EDF is aware of the opposition group and therefore trying on all fronts to the Red Faction to suppress. However, raw and passionate you are, you will do everything to take to Mars in order to create an area where it may be just a decent living without the panting of the EDF in your neck. In these areas a lot to do and that's a good thing. In total the game has only 20 main missions, which will render the areas that you can win. For these main missions, you'll occasionally do some of your stuff need to do to your moral values on screwing. This stuff are present in large numbers, and unlike other such games are very cool to do.

This is because they consist of different things, one that is common is the demolition of important buildings EDF. Everywhere on Mars to find many buildings, which belong to the EDF and this varies from small to large buildings and building simple it is to you to the ground. Here there is a but and that is building a bigger, more security will be present. The demolition of these buildings are many ways: ram it with your hammer to loosen or C4 position. You can use many variations to a building to the ground to make and you bet this fat. Here is your tendency to destroy up and move quickly to demolish one building after another.

The demolition of buildings is not the only stuff what to do, far from it. It's common for one of your fellow Red Faction members abducted and under high surveillance is questioned. People who belong to your organization, who are you not that easy to abandon, no, you go free while this will certainly have something useful to violence. The EDF is now silent and will not attack you at times that they seem clever, but if you quickly spot you could help repel the attack. Only a few of the possibilities that the game will feature missions. The game features plenty of things to do and therefore you will also pretty much time in the single market by.

Stuff these games are a lot of fun in addition to very effective, as this provides the necessary increase in on the morality meter and also Salvage. This is some stuff that you take the necessary upgrades and new weapons you can buy more and better rendering. Especially the new weapons you will probably laugh at the destruction of the sadistic you take damage. What are these weapons that we will change for a time not tell, that you discover yourself, the game is really just pick it up. Are you nevertheless still not convinced, then you just read.

Demolition of buildings and objects can of course means one of your weapons, but much more fun it is to full speed with a vehicle to drive somewhere inside. Additionally, this can also come in handy again during the missions, but that aside. It is remarkable to see how faithfully the damage looks when something demolished. Fairly early in the game at some point you will have the opportunity to drive a mech, you know, from the demo. Try with a mech to walk through a building. Beautiful, you look after the left and right wall and perhaps is still on the roof. Give then saw a tap on one of the main relay and voila the building collapsed like a pack of cards.

What is also a useful aspect of the demolition is that Mars is a pretty uneven area and that certain places during a mission sometimes higher than other areas. In order to maintain security, the majority being surrounded by a wall and the lower building to reach you at all breaks or drive, or just demolish the wall. Perfect right? The game places the player absolutely no restrictions on what the demolition of the area concerned and you're in love. Black and titles like Battlefield: Bad Company are dwarfed by this game. Red Faction Guerrilla shows how to do it and that is one of the strongest points of this game.

A somewhat less strong point is that Mars looks pretty bare. Now it is always difficult for a planet of that caliber a nice look, there's nothing there. While traveling in the areas on the red planet is everywhere buildings ranging from small to big and go anywhere you see what roads are well paved and unpaved. On these roads you'll encounter necessary for vehicles and hikers, but really much more like that you will not find them. Of course you can also see the large open plains on Mars, but the only thing it used to quickly get from A to B ride. But it gives all a bit of a lifeless feeling, maybe something with a sequel yet to tinker.

What also does not really put together superior compared to the great action, not everything here is graphically stunning happens. Thus the collapse of a building is very cool to watch, but really a huge mess up with nothing on, even in huge buildings. Also the dust after the collapse, but short-lived. Not really something to lie awake, but it is something ... This may be because the game constantly is calculating what the collapse of, any collapse and demolition action is different and it will become much power from the console questions. If we listen to the audio, we are very positive, now the in-game audio pretty standard called, but the music pulled me personally in any way really.

Enough about the single player, if you still do not know, but then you download the demo now! Time to look at other possibilities of the game to watch. Besides an extensive single-player where you get the necessary fun out there's a multiplayer. There are two multiplayer modes, which one of the "Wrecking Crew" hot. Here you get a limited time and this time you enough damage and the other must be trying to outdo. The other mode is a multiplayer ordinary. Here you can play various traditional games such as Capture the Flag. This in itself is not special, but what gives the big difference is that you can use the environment.

You may like an idiot nice to pop anything that moves, but it's much nicer to look at a nice opponent to bet on when the environment through you for his death makes. You bet you will enjoy lots of fun in multiplayer by the destructive environment inherits an extra dimension and slightly more unique than other multi-players within the same genre. And this brings us to the end of this relatively long review. It is clear that both single and multiplayer enough to give you the next time with entertainment. Before we assign a grade, and the plus and minus points are just listing the conclusion you are first reading.

Red Faction: Guerrilla, a resurgence of a franchise that in part two hopelessly adrift. The first part was very ambitious, and the second part was, as already indicated in the preceding sentence, a hopeless game. Red Faction: Guerrilla allows you to see what this franchise really is and the many possibilities for demolition provide a great experience. Graphically, the game is nicely although some areas had been in a bit more. The music is very nice to call and the gameplay, well, the game is bursting with good gameplay. Both in single and multiplayer. Red Faction: Guerrilla after you purchase a good game richer. I'm going to demolish!

Grandia review

 Grandia is a great game all around. If not one of the best, it is definitely one of the most fun RPG's I've ever played.

The first thing which strikes my memory, like so many other games, is the characters. They are good, fun characters. If nothing else, Grandia does make you care about them and what happens to them. Unlike almost every other RPG ever made, there really aren't any dark, brooding characters, or even evil ones (even the bad guys weren't very evil seeming), and I know that will put a lot of people off. Justin, the main character, is a total jerk. He's a nice guy at heart, but just a little clueless. There is some voice acting, which is entertaining, and some of it is okay. I like it well enough to keep it. It set the characters well. There is a little love story, too, which is corny, but it fits well with the rest of the game. Nothing in this game is very serious.

Except the combat. The fighting system in Grandia is awesome. It is still turn-based, but instead of just standing in a row, you're characters actually move around, which is important against many bosses and special attacks. It uses a timing system with an action bar to determine who goes when. When you hit enemies, or are hit yourself, you move back on the bar. This is important for strategic reasons. Basically, you can do more damage with a combo than a critical attack, but a critical moves them further back on the bar. The special moves and magic system is very well done. You level up specific moves and spells by using them. This makes some of your early moves devastating even into the later parts of the game.

On a similar note, the experience system is one of the best in the industry (whether or not it is innovative or original). There are standard level ups, running on the normal experience system. Then Grandia goes the extra mile and adds in the specific weapon and magic class levels. When you use a specific type of weapon, you level up in that specific weapon, getting a small stat boost and allowing you access to new skills. This makes it necessary to switch up what kind of weapons each character uses. Magic also levels up in this same way, and to get access to new spells, especially the ones which are mixes of elements, you will have to mix-up what kinds of magic you use. It is a fun system to work with.

Grandia has a fairly simplistic, happy plot. It is not unique by any right. I guess it kind of is by its lightness. It really is cheery, and a total departure from dark, depressing insight into the human soul type stories (did someone just mention Xenogears?). You spend a large portion of your time on side-quests and adventures which have nothing to do with the overall plot, but that was okay, because you are a young, aspiring adventurer, after all. That, and the combat system is great, so fighting lots of monsters is fun. The main story is nothing special, but it is interesting. I did find myself wanting to know what happens. Despite the general and generic plot, individual events and occurrences are still exciting now and then.

The graphics aren't anything special, like most Playstation games that are three years old. The characters themselves are well observed, done with a high level of detail, and the character dialogue portraits are neat. Every character has two or three, expressing different emotions. Again, nothing outstanding or brilliant, but a nice touch. In general, the dungeons themselves and the enemy monsters don't look so great. But then again, I've never really cared much about graphics in RPGs. Your call.

There are a couple things which really makes Grandia stand out above the rest of the crowd. For one thing, there are no random encounters. Nobody likes those. There are still wandering monsters, but you can see them on screen before you have to fight them, and they are avoidable. I thought that was absolutely awesome. The music in Grandia was excellent. I think it is the absolute best soundtrack on a RPG so far. I absolutely loved it. People who weren't watching would occasionally glance in to see if I was just listening to classical music. That is a bit of an overstatement, but still.

All in all, Grandia is great. It is an epic. It only took me 40 hours to beat. Nowhere near this 90 hour stuff the other reviewers were talking about. I did almost everything too, including talking to everybody in town three times in a row (one of Grandia's more annoying points). The dungeons are well designed, if short, and easy. I had a more difficult time fighting wandering monsters than some bosses (mainly because you can hit them so many times they never get to move). Anyway, Grandia is definitely one of the most fun RPGs ever, even if it isn't one of the technical best. And it has Puffy. All RPG fans should pick it up. And beat it. It is great.

Lunar: Eternal Blue review

 The story of Eternal Blue is pure classic. It's the simple story of a brash adventurer who falls for an enigmatic girl with a mission. Quite simple, but monolithic nonetheless. Unlike many current RPGs, the simple charm of the love story is not buried under reams of dross. Yes, an epic adventure unfolds, but Eternal Blue never loses sight of its greatest strengths: its characters, simple romance, and a sense of lighthearted adventure. Working Designs knows what they are doing: their script is witty and proficient, underscoring unique personalities and heightening the emotional impact of any given scene. The villains are more interesting this time around, the plot hardly ever runs off track, and there's a few plot twists you'll never expect.

For those who didn't experience this wonderful story in the Sega CD days, you owe it to yourself to play it through. It ranks among the greatest stories ever, and in many ways is surpasses the original telling (which had too much humor for its own good).

The graphics are very 16-bit, so the game lacks graphical titillation. (The Gonzo-made (Last Exile, Full Metal Panic fame) FMV is gorgeous, though.) The gameplay, likewise, is archaic, and actually a step down from the Sega CD original. The magic system, which was one of the greatest merits of the original, has been simplified to the point of mindlessness, which is ridiculous and dumb. Actually, the gameplay seems more tiring than I remembered, the dungeons being particularly exhausting. The game is a little tougher though, which creates a sense of urgency not often associated with many RPGs these days.

While the gameplay hasn't aged well, the story is as timeless as they come, and that makes the game worth playing.

All the extras are a nice treat as well. I personally found the "Making Of Lunar 2" CD very interesting, and while I have no use for the amulet or the character standees, they are nice bonuses. The map is a nifty keepsake, and the full soundtrack is great. I don't listen to the soundtrack, because I don't really enjoy the Lunar music outside the context of the game, but I appreciate the gesture, and there are still several good tunes included (Lemina's theme is fookin' catchy). Hopefully other publishers will include soundtracks with their games in the future.

No doubt, Game Arts is porting it to PSP

I must say Working Designs has done it again! Lunar 2 is definitely a classic game that no household should do without. I've played Lunar SSS Complete and that game was a definite masterpiece. The storyline was excellent, the characters were well drawn, the music soundtrack of the game was brilliant, and most importantly the game play itself was top notch. . The packaging of the game was a great idea and the artwork of the casing was really cool. I must say Lunar 2 is a must have type game. For those who played Lunar SSS...your gonna love this game just as much as you loved the previous title. For those that hasn't played Lunar SSS...you're in for a good treat. I personally recommend this game to everyone. I feel this game will blow away the minds of those who don't even like RPGs.

Alundra review 9.0

 I bought and finished this game about 4 years ago. It still stands out in my mind as one of the best Playstation one RPG's ever. I only give it 4 strz because i'm strict. You might have read this game is tough, because of the puzzles. I didn't find it hard at all. Because i cheated. I had the hint book. I used it every time i got stuck with a tough puzzle. The boss battles are easy, not too easy. Theyre long but fun. If you stink at games, like me, get the hintbook and only use it when you are stuck. That way you can just relax and enjoy the great story and gameplay. Don't worry about being a cheater(Smelly videogame geeks always say that it's wrong to cheat and play the game how it was meant to be played). The Story and the way the game handles it is great. The game places you shipwrecked on a strange island-town. And you feel apart of this little village, like your really living there. You become very familiar with the towns-people and shops, it's great.
it is an overhead view game with many, many, infinite many puzzles and very tough bosses, but its reward is just the joy you get out of playing. (more joy if you manage to win it.)
It has an intricate and complex plot which will keep you wondering whats gonna happen next. It is also a pretty sad game because many townsfolk die, thanks to an evil demon that lives right under the town. It is based in just one small area, but is one huge game. 5 stars! Bravo, working designs!!!