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Honestly, I attribute at least 45% of the Xbox's early success to the popularity of this 2003 JRPG. One of the few series to jump ship from PlayStation, it paved the way for both the genre, and more importantly- LORE, to come to the best console of a generation. Though many games have emulated or tried to copy it since (Final Fantasy 12, Sea of Thieves, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag) - none have been able to come close in terms of the immaculately fashioned experience of TideWater. The Pirate class was a strong step forward in not just the design of JRPGs, or even RPGs- but gaming as a whole. You can see the impact that it had on the scene with the release of "Sid Meier's Pirates!" the very next year- western developers were eager to try to ride on the coattails of this massive success, but forgot the most important aspect that tied all of Pacts together - the LORE. It's much more than just a game - it's a revelation.
Feb 15, 2024

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šŸŽ®
Absolutely, without a single doubt in every ventricle of my beating heart, the best JRPG on the GameCube; imho the Clair Obscur of the system. Super interesting card-based battle system, and a real-time inventory system (apples will go from ripe to rotten if not used, and bamboo shoots will mature into full stalks, etc.). Great story, cool world, amazing soundtrack. Also now remastered on Steam with the sequel/prequel! Also an honorary mention of Lost Odyssey -- phenomenal game trapped on the 360 still.
May 10, 2025
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šŸŽµ
2002-2004 was a JRPG golden era for the PS2. Dark Cloud 2, Unlimited Saga, Final Fantasy XI (online), .hack vol. 1-4, and Xenosaga Episode 1 all released in that timeline. All these games have fantastic art style, Star Ocean: Till the End of Time is no different. Gameplay is dated by having to explore maps without a waypoint, and having to mash the X button through dialogue scenes can be annoying, but the characters are well-written and designed. The battle system also holds up as something unique.. but dying from losing all your MP is frustrating (yet all JRPGs kind of are). Looks great upscaled on PCSX2. One day I’m hoping some of those games listed above are remade/remastered bc they started a wave.
Feb 15, 2024
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šŸ—ŗ
I wasn't allowed to play video games for a lot of growing up, but i got this game for free when my childhood church cleared out the video game cabinet in the youth group area. ended up playing it on the big clunky TV in my attic for hours at a time, consulting the map and the wiki the whole time since the game does very little hand holding and directing and relies on in-game dialogue and the interaction journal to guide the player along the story progression. this game is probably the single reason why i enjoy mostly RPGs now, especially stuff like Elden Ring. I'd say Morrowind in its own way was the Elden Ring of its time. first, the environment and lore are so rich and unique. while a lot of fantasy games feel like medieval europe but with magic (later Elder Scrolls games especially), the Morrowind world feels totally alien. it feels closer to the goofier parts of early DnD and tabletop games, totally unrestrained by later fantasy genre tropes and conventions. honestly i would just explore the map and follow my curiosity most of the time, letting my gameplay happen naturally rather than following a set progression that most games have now. the map is filled with neat things to do if you just stay curious. the music is also amazing, I could spend hours just vibin in the open world to the dinky MIDI orchestra dungeon bardcore type beats this all being said, this game is over 20 years old now. is the gameplay dated and clunky? absolutely. are the graphics ass? yeah but in an endearing way. are a lot of elements in the game broken and buggy as hell? frustratingly so. is finding ways to work around this and being rewarded for your stubbornness and cleverness still a rewarding gameplay experience? you bet. i'd recommend everyone with a still working OG Xbox or 360 to find a copy of the GOTY edition and go wild with it (or just get it on steam, but don't use mods, play it as is)
Oct 14, 2024

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