Today I will be reviewing Earthbound. We will find out if the game is a SMAAAASH or just a miss. If you've read the title, you already know the answer. Let's find out why I like it so much.

Graphics: 8
Remember, this is still a SNES game. That being said, the graphics were really good for the time. The enemy designs were really well done.

Sound: 8
The sound design is really good. The soundtrack is full of jams (my particular favorite being the Sanctuary Guardian theme), and that "SMAAAASH" sound effect is like candy to my ears (unless I'm on the receiving end of it.) There are actually quite a few references to famous songs in the game. Here are some examples:

West of Onett, you find a man playing a trumpet. The song he plays after you talk to him is actually Dvorak's "Symphony No. 9 Movement 2".

The music that plays when fighting a weak opponent sounds like "Tequila" by The Champs.

The beginning of the song that plays when fighting Frank or a hippie sounds like "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry.

The music in Moonside is a distorted version of "The Star Spangled Banner".

The Dungeon Man theme uses a drum beat that sounds like the drums in "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by The Beatles.


Addictive: 10
Though the gameplay is pretty linear, it is so much fun to keep playing over and over.

Story: 8
I think the story for the game is really good. Basically, Ness and 3 other kids have to work together to destroy Giygas.

Depth: 5
The game is pretty linear, you have to go from place to place fighting monsters (typical RPG stuff). The game doesn't really have a lot of things to do on the side.

Difficulty: 6
Like most RPGs the difficulty really depends on how much stronger you are. If you grind a lot and level up a lot, the game will be a cake walk. If you hardly grind, the game is going to be a nightmare.

The hardest part about the game is not the enemies, it's roaming around not knowing where you are going. This was such a huge issue that the game came with the strategy guide.

Overall: 9.4
The game is REALLY good and I enjoy playing through it multiple times.