30°

The Story Behind the Only Square RPG Developed in North America

Kotaku:
"Secret of Evermore is one of the most underrated RPGs in gaming. Released in 1995 on the SNES, it's a love letter to what is best about JRPGs, with influences from Secret of Mana and even cameos by Final Fantasy characters like Cecil from FFIV. But it also weaves its own identity with a quirky narrative encompassing fictional B-movie references and a boy and his dog tale that is as classic as it gets. In fact, Secret of Evermore has the distinction of being the only Square RPG developed entirely in North America and is in many ways the quintessential American tale with tons of customization, multiple worlds, and a humorous plot."

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230°

Square Enix is ​​reliving its golden age

For those unfamiliar with Square Enix's golden age, formerly Squaresoft, it took place between 1997 and 2002 and brought a slew of titles that were a complete hit with fans and critics and Square Enix wants that era back.

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H9762d ago

That's a bold statement, especially when the author mentions Chocobo GP and Babylon's fall after saying "here's the great titles that the company has planned", to each their own I guess

celohill762d ago

it's about personal taste. You don't need to consume what you don't like, you don't need to despise it too. We all desire the most basic thing: respect. Start there. We talk later.

H9761d ago

First I said "to each their own" which means I am acknowledging the fact that it's not wrong to like these games!
Second I said bold statement not crappy statement, meaning it's uncommon and surprising!
You can start by reading the comment, we talk later

760d ago
Godmars290760d ago

That's all well and good, but for Square, its more about "Makin' Ze Monezies!" which they're not. At least from the like of BF and CGP. Cause of the stank.

PapaBop760d ago

The big difference here is that in Square's golden age, their games demanded attention, now, not so much. This article is based almost entirely on assumptions on unreleased games, so far this year, they've released Babylon's Fall and Stranger of Paradise. The former potentially sinking Platinum Game's independence aside, releasing either so close to Elden Ring was for Q1 financials imho and certainly a really really stupid move, They are certainly finding their groove in recent years but comparing now to back when they were trend setters is a bit much.

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760d ago Replies(1)
annoyedgamer762d ago

Babylon's Fall, Forewoken, and Shelved Deus Ex is the "Golden Era"?

celohill762d ago

Deus Ex was not Commented... The Story says "Now we have to wait for these next releases and hope for that era to return". Are you sure you really read?

porkChop760d ago

You're telling people to read. Bro how about *you* read the headline that *you* put on your own article. The headline that you chose says that Square Enix is currently reliving its golden age. Maybe you should have picked one that isn't the opposite of what you're trying to say.

Army_of_Darkness760d ago

If Babylon's Fall and Stranger of Paradise is considered the return of square enix's golden era, then we are in trouble cause those 2 games alone are getting shitted on like a pubic toilet.... Let's just hope forspoken changes that.

chadwarden760d ago (Edited 760d ago )

"forewoken"....reall y dude?

pietro1212759d ago

Forwoken because it has a Black lead? I’m sorry Black people exist you racist dipsh@t

Knightofelemia762d ago

The golden age for SquareEnix was when they were called Squaresoft the moment Enix got added to the name the golden age died out. Squaresoft was producing great games and memorable JRPG's left right and center NES, SNES, PS1, and parts of the PS2 libraries show the golden age of Squaresoft.

celohill761d ago

That’s the point of the article, but with new projects coming, including the new Final Fantasies, I believe that Square Enix has the power to change it. If it’s gonna happen, it belongs to the future to answer.

Knightofelemia761d ago

They won't change and go back to the golden age most of that talent has left, working on other projects, or simply want to go down a different path. I want Bioware to change but that will never happen most of their talent left, EA interferes, the founding members just up and walked out, I wouldn't be surprised if Bioware is dangling by a thread before EA shuts them down. All you can do is cherish those memories of Square's golden age by remembering or playing the games that gave you those memories.

PapaBop760d ago

That's the problem with the article, it focuses on games nobody has even played. I'd love nothing more than a return to form from them but this article is stretching at best.

shinoff2183760d ago

Id like to see them return tonthe golden age as well. My playstation needs some suped up graphical turn based jrpgs. Enough of action rpg action rpg being shoved down are throats. I know you dont like it dont buy it. Ive honored that for the most part. Ff13 eh ff15 eh. I did dip into ff7 remake but i had to.

I dont know if im alone or not but id like to think most of us that played the original wanted something more like the original gameplay wise in ff7 remake then the action rpg we got. I will add im on chapter 17 at the end of that chapter i believe but i cant help but think what couldve been

shinoff2183760d ago

If your gonna negative me atleast tell me why.

henbayward760d ago

I'll take some more turn-based tactical, too. What I wouldn't do for a legit new entry in the Front Mission franchise (and an official FM 5 port).

Stanjara760d ago

The title is wrong. People want that golden age to come back. Today's Square is in low budget spitting age living off of ff14 whales.

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jznrpg838d ago (Edited 838d ago )

I really enjoyed Commando as a kid and it’s not listed . I bet it’s cheap maybe? Beat all 99 levels just to find out you start all over again .

djl3485837d ago

You must be talking about Captain Commando and no it's not cheap...going for about $130.

Jiub837d ago

I'm surprised Illusion of Gaia doesn't cost more

Knightofelemia837d ago (Edited 837d ago )

Any retro console is still worth buying in 2022 whether a Genesis, NES, SMS, TG16. Some systems command a higher price then others but a SNES is still reasonably priced and worth grabbing you can mod the NA SNES to play Japanese games throw in an Everdrive and you're set. I feel sorry for some of the consoles I see on Ebay that have holes in them, yellowed to death, modified with shitty mods that barely work. The SNES might need a little work great way to learn if yellowed just use peroxide and UV light and it will turn white again. If you have a hobby of repairing older consoles that are listed as untested broken for parts some of the repairs are basic you can save money that way when buying a retro console. I just bought a $20 NES listed as broken on Ebay disable the lock out chip and new 72pin connector and it works.

Jiub836d ago

I imagine restoration work on retro consoles is going to become much more important as the years wear on. Sure, hundreds of thousands of certain consoles were made, but fewer exist every year.

Knightofelemia836d ago (Edited 836d ago )

Depends on the console a SNES for sure needs retrobrite the plastic grows brittle and literally falls apart same with the NES. A White Dreamcast also needs retrobrite if I remember right the TG16 needs new capacitors it suffers the same issue as the Game Gear. Most of the old handhelds need new screens since they fail with age my Game Gear had new capacitors put in and a McWill mod done to it. The NES needs the lock out chip disabled when the power light turns on and off maybe throw in a new 72pin as well. Sega Master System has an issue blowing out the 7805 voltage regulator. OG Xbox depending on the board revision needs a clock capacitor removed or it leaks and fries the board. N64 controller needs a new thumbstick Sega Genesis model 2 suffers from the solder around the power supply is prone to cracking hence the system will not power up. Sega CD model 1 the laser dies fast model 2 the rubber feet supporting the drive fail and the model is know to throw the pico fuse so it dies fast as well.

It also depends how you treat the system also I baby my shit. I don't throw it around like a football the systems I see that might need the most help going through the years are the ones that use lasers and discs. I know some systems have problems due to how they were built as well like again certain board revisions of an OG Xbox and the Game Gear. I have bought broken systems and picked them for parts. I actually enjoy fixing older systems it's relaxing and a great way to teach yourself new skills.

Retroman837d ago

Turning 64 this year.....my days playing video games are Now over.... time to move on to Jesus Christ .....I wish all of you Happy New Year . Game on Dudes!!!
It was fun while it lasted.

130°

Seriously Underrated SNES RPGs

The SNES was an absolute unit when it came to releasing great RPGs. But not all the SNES RPGs got the same attention as Final Fantasy titles or Chrono Trigger, though. Here are a few unsung RPGs for the Super NES.

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Jiub868d ago

I feel like Lufia games are always underrated. 7th Saga can go kick rocks, though

TFJWM868d ago

I was always a fan of 7th Saga but I can see the dislike of it. Lufia games are usually a good time but can drag on.

Jiub868d ago

The graphics rocked for 7th saga but I got beat down in the early game and it kinda killed the experience for me.

TFJWM868d ago

Ya 7th Saga is very unforgiving if you don't choose the right class and/or get bad luck with who you run into during the early game but that added to it on multiple playthroughs.

SegaSaturn669867d ago

7th Saga is one of my faves. But it will eat you if you don't know what you're doing. Always make sure your speed stat raises by at least 4 every time you level up. That way you'll dodge ~70% of all attacks coming at you. You almost never die in one hit.

Scissorman82868d ago

loved loved loved Secret of Evermore. still remember the tv spot from when i was a kid - creeps me out till this day.

Jiub868d ago

If it's the same one I'm thinking of, they made the game look a LOT more intense than they needed to lol

electroblood868d ago

Secret of Evermore actually did well. Yoshi's Island was released around then as well and stole most of the headlines though.

Babadook7868d ago

Kudos to this article for not being an ad marathon.

NecrumOddBoy867d ago

Let me throw in a game that goes far under the radar for JRPGs on SNES:

E.V.O. Search for Eden

This epic game from Enix is like taking Feeding Frenzy and adding in evolution! You start as a prehistoric tadpole and use XP to evolve or devolve as needed to tackle this crazy unique RPG. It’s really hard to explain. Highly recommended and I would love to see a remake.

specialguest867d ago

That game brings back great childhood memories of gaming and how life was during that era

Sirk7x867d ago

Terranigma is one of my favorite games of all time. Damn near a crime that it never got a Western release. Amazing game.

specialguest867d ago (Edited 867d ago )

I recently discovered the next edition to Soul Blazer/Illusion of Gaia series existed. That game looked amazing for the SNES and it was a damn shame it didn't make it here in the west. I have to play it through emulation now, but I wish I had a chance to play it back then

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