Why is Earthbound so Greeeat?

[renardqueenston]

i'm not exactly an RPG guy. i prefer games that i can pick up, play, and let go at the drop of a hat. action arcade business. RPGs are just too long and uninteresting for me.

that being said, Earthbound always struck a chord with me. the wit and style come together to make it feel really fresh, and it still holds that freshness today. the gameplay is fairly standard, but the pacing and storytelling are both excellent. it's simple, it's smart, and it's not afraid to let itself get carried away.