SMRPG: The best Graphics on SNES?

[Betagam7]

Just finished this relatively fun if ultimately flawed title. Anyway, one of my criticisms of the game was the graphics.
I found them to be unclear, grainy and not a lot of fun to look at.
I've read comments before saying they are the best the SNES has to offer (not sure without checking but I'm sure VC-reviews also say something along those lines too).
Am I in the minority here or do other people also think they're little more than average?

[SegaFan]

You're right, there's nothing special about the graphics, nothing interesting or memorable about them. The SNES can do a lot better.

I really don't understand how this game gets any praise at all. Admittedly I didn't finish it so I might have missed something later on but I couldn't bring myself to play anymore after nothing interesting happened after the first several hours and it looked like nothing was going to happen.

From what I read over the years I was expecting the fun of Paper Mario combined with the depth of Final Fantasy and nothing less, I was so disappointed.

[digiki]

That's a silly question, of course the graphics aren't best on the SNES, most enemies have a terrible aesthetic, and the viewpoint is a hindrance to gameplay. I guess technically they're pretty good, but other than that not really.

Originally Posted by SegaFan

I really don't understand how this game gets any praise at all. Admittedly I didn't finish it so I might have missed something later on but I couldn't bring myself to play anymore after nothing interesting happened after the first several hours and it looked like nothing was going to happen.

Don't worry it never does get good, it does get almost tolerable for a short period near the end, so I doubt you will care for that at all.

[darthmix]

I've heard that SMRPG, moreso than other VC games, really suffers on modern TVs - particularly Hi-Def but also standard TVs - because they're so much better than what was available in the 90s that they reveal all the little graphical flaws that (I guess) got picked up in the rotoscoping process. The game might have actually looked more impressive on an older display.

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by darthmix

I've heard that SMRPG, moreso than other VC games, really suffers on modern TVs - particularly Hi-Def but also standard TVs - because they're so much better than what was available in the 90s that they reveal all the little graphical flaws that (I guess) got picked up in the rotoscoping process. The game might have actually looked more impressive on an older display.

That was my thought too. I notice the screenshots I see dotted arond look much sharper and cleaner than the ones I see on my flatscreen LCD TV (No HD) and wondered if that might be the case.

Digiki, It isn't a "silly" question. google "Super Mario RPG graphics" if you need convincing. They are often referred to as the best on the system. Hence the question.

[SegaFan]

Maybe, but it's not so much that there are graphical flaws, it's that there's nothing interesting or original about the graphics to begin with.

[digiki]

Originally Posted by Betagam7

That was my thought too. I notice the screenshots I see dotted arond look much sharper and cleaner than the ones I see on my flatscreen LCD TV (No HD) and wondered if that might be the case.

Digiki, It isn't a "silly" question. google "Super Mario RPG graphics" if you need convincing. They are often referred to as the best on the system. Hence the question.

Technical problems doesn't make unimpressive art direction better.

I just said it was silly question because the answer is obvious, they aren't the best regardless of how many silly people think they are.

[Mr. Cheez]

Best graphics on SNES? Heeeeeeeeeell no! Those internet fanboys are a bunch of loons. Donkey Kong Country looks far better than SMRPG does. It's graphics have an ugly claymation look to them, and some of the enemy designs are really retarded.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

The best graphics on the SNES belong to EA Sports' NHL '94...

[muesli]

^^You misspelled "Yoshi's Island"

SMRPG hasn't aged well due to its combination of two stupid trends from the 90's - isometric gameplay and pre-rendered sprites, and this game has both. I thought it was ugly even then.

[Blue Chu Jelly]

Originally Posted by muesli

^^You misspelled "Yoshi's Island"

You misspelled "Final Fantasy 3 (6)".

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Originally Posted by Blue Chu Jelly

You misspelled "Final Fantasy 3 (6)".

You misspelled "Final Fantasy Mystic Quest".

[muesli]

Originally Posted by Jogurt the Yogurt

You misspelled "Final Fantasy Mystic Quest".

Square misprogrammed "Final Fantasy: The One That Doesn't Suck"

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

I like how SMRPG having the best graphics on the SNES is such a huge joke that this thread has turned into a... joke.

[digiki]

You guys mispelled BoFII, just kidding but it does look quite good, a lot like FFVI, but more colourful and with animation.

[SegaFan]

I'm glad some of you agree with me about Mario RPG. If only someone could have warned me years ago so I didn't get so excited about it in the first place. It's a good job I didn't import it before the VC release.

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by muesli

^^You misspelled "Yoshi's Island"

SMRPG hasn't aged well due to its combination of two stupid trends from the 90's - isometric gameplay and pre-rendered sprites, and this game has both. I thought it was ugly even then.

I'd hardly call it a "stupid trend of the 90's" the 80's is where isometric gameplay originated en masse with the likes of Head over Heels, Batman et al on the Spectrum.
There were some great 90's isometric SNES games like Equinox and Shadowrun.
Isometric gameplay doesn't have anything to do with graphics and has produced many classics over the years. My point is just that to me these graphics looked bland and grainy yet everywhere on the web they are hyped as earth shatteringly great and the best on SNES.
I agree with the other poster that they arn't even as good as the graphical style they try to ape (no pun intended) of DKC

[Refa]

Originally Posted by SegaFan

You're right, there's nothing special about the graphics, nothing interesting or memorable about them. The SNES can do a lot better.

I really don't understand how this game gets any praise at all. Admittedly I didn't finish it so I might have missed something later on but I couldn't bring myself to play anymore after nothing interesting happened after the first several hours and it looked like nothing was going to happen.

From what I read over the years I was expecting the fun of Paper Mario combined with the depth of Final Fantasy and nothing less, I was so disappointed.

Your hopes were a little... high there.

@ Jogurt- I thought the best graphics on the SNES were one of the Interplay titles, like Boogerman,Earthworm Jim 2, and Clay Fighters. Of course, when I consider graphics, I tend to consider the animation as well, but that's just me.

[digiki]

Originally Posted by Refa

Your hopes were a little... high there.

Not really since its usually considered better than Paper Mario, and better than every Final Fantasy that isn't 4 or 6.

[Refa]

Originally Posted by digiki

Not really since its usually considered better than Paper Mario, and better than every Final Fantasy that isn't 4 or 6.

But that doesn't mean that it will have the depth of a Final Fantasy game and the fun of Paper Mario. If it did, everyone would be calling it one of the greatest games of all time.

[digiki]

Originally Posted by Refa

But that doesn't mean that it will have the depth of a Final Fantasy game and the fun of Paper Mario. If it did, everyone would be calling it one of the greatest games of all time.

But Final Fantasy games aren't that deep, and if it was better than PM it'd likely be due to being more fun, and many people do consider it one of the best games ever.

[evildevil97]

I was surprised how badly SMRPG aged. At the time - and I admit I was young then. Maybe 14 - I thought the graphics were lovely, especially given the limitations. However, as I grow older, I always have to stop at SMRPG for one thing, and I stand by this opinion today: Of all games I've played, it has the best original soundtrack. (I say "original", so I can exclude Brawl's compilation-filled soundtrack)

[Refa]

Originally Posted by evildevil97

I was surprised how badly SMRPG aged. At the time - and I admit I was young then. Maybe 14 - I thought the graphics were lovely, especially given the limitations. However, as I grow older, I always have to stop at SMRPG for one thing, and I stand by this opinion today: Of all games I've played, it has the best original soundtrack. (I say "original", so I can exclude Brawl's compilation-filled soundtrack)

What about Donkey Kong Country? Almost ALL of the songs in that game are amazing, but then again, the same could be said of SMRPG.

[SegaFan]

Originally Posted by Refa

But that doesn't mean that it will have the depth of a Final Fantasy game and the fun of Paper Mario. If it did, everyone would be calling it one of the greatest games of all time.

They are, that's the problem! It's only since I bought it that I started hearing otherwise.

But Final Fantasy games aren't that deep,

At least they have a story.

and if it was better than PM it'd likely be due to being more fun, and many people do consider it one of the best games ever.

I'd forgive the lack of a good story completely if it was as fun as Paper Mario. PM is one of my all time favourite games which makes Mario RPG more disappointing after being told that it's at least as good as PM by almost everyone.

[digiki]

Originally Posted by evildevil97

I was surprised how badly SMRPG aged. At the time - and I admit I was young then. Maybe 14 - I thought the graphics were lovely, especially given the limitations. However, as I grow older, I always have to stop at SMRPG for one thing, and I stand by this opinion today: Of all games I've played, it has the best original soundtrack. (I say "original", so I can exclude Brawl's compilation-filled soundtrack)

I disliked this games soundtrack a lot, it was too fruity and often didn''t fit what was happening, Beware the Forest Mushrooms was kinda nice, the rest was blearghhh.

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by digiki

I disliked this games soundtrack a lot, it was too fruity and often didn''t fit what was happening, Beware the Forest Mushrooms was kinda nice, the rest was blearghhh.

"fruity"?

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by Refa

What about Donkey Kong Country? Almost ALL of the songs in that game are amazing, but then again, the same could be said of SMRPG.

DKC had some great tunes in particular the ambient underwater and bleak winter theme that captured those levels settings perfectly, however for sheer unadulterated greatness you can't beat this games sountrack:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsEm34XroCQ

[Blue Chu Jelly]

I'm not really getting all the SMRPG hate. Certainly it didn't have the best graphics in the world, but it is a decent RPG with a decent storyline. I consider it one of the better games in my rather meager SNES collection.

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by Blue Chu Jelly

I'm not really getting all the SMRPG hate. Certainly it didn't have the best graphics in the world, but it is a decent RPG with a decent storyline. I consider it one of the better games in my rather meager SNES collection.

I think its because its so overhyped. Just look at the rose tinted spectacles review thats on VC-reviews. You'd think it was one of the most brilliant games of all time reading that instead of what it is, an average entry level RPG that's only really important for its role in defining personalities for the mario universe.

There are also far to many weird square designed characters that don't fit in at all with mario's universe. Its as if they had there own RPG characters designed in that engine then picked up the Mario license. it reminds me of Starfox Adventures where you can plainly see it just starfox characters dumped in another game.

[Blue Chu Jelly]

Originally Posted by Betagam7

I think its because its so overhyped. Just look at the rose tinted spectacles review thats on VC-reviews. You'd think it was one of the most brilliant games of all time reading that instead of what it is, an average entry level RPG that's only really important for its role in defining personalities for the mario universe.

Oh, yeah, this game does have that problem. I admin over on the Super MarioWiki and even we tend to praise the game a bit. Not really for it's game-qualities, but more for it being the first real step in fleshing out the 'Marioverse'.

I downloaded the game for VC late last year. After playing the game to death and back when I was a kid, I naturally knew the game inside and out. I got to Boosters Tower, went to the top and thought o myself "Hehe, I remember this area having more floors."

[Iggy]

The graphics to this game were okay but i dont think they are the best. SMRPG was a good game for a few hours but then i got bored and just wanted to beat it.

[Tijuana]

I'm all for actraiser!

[LinkFanatic]

SMRPG was fun little game for its time...it is still one of the best games for the SNES IMO, but I wouldn't say it had the best graphics...would have to go for Rare titles for that distinction

[Refa]

Originally Posted by LinkFanatic

SMRPG was fun little game for its time...it is still one of the best games for the SNES IMO, but I wouldn't say it had the best graphics...would have to go for Rare titles for that distinction

Or Star Fox (on a technical level).

[Refa]

http://www.screwattack.com/node/17426

Look at this. I immediatly thought of you guys when I saw this.

[hansolo350]

Originally Posted by Refa

http://www.screwattack.com/node/17426

Look at this. I immediatly thought of you guys when I saw this.

That list is terrible. The only things on that list that slightly redeemed him was the inclusion of Donkey Kong for the GameBoy and Day of the Tenticle.

[Refa]

Originally Posted by hansolo350

That list is terrible. The only things on that list that slightly redeemed him was the inclusion of Donkey Kong for the GameBoy and Day of the Tenticle.

That's why I thought of you guys when I saw this; I knew you would absolutely tear it apart fot teh suckiness that it is.

[digiki]

Originally Posted by Refa

http://www.screwattack.com/node/17426

Look at this. I immediatly thought of you guys when I saw this.

I got access denied

[Refa]

Originally Posted by digiki

I got access denied

He apparently deleted it and put his entire list onto one post; have a look.

http://www.screwattack.com/node/17495

Mostly at the top #5, actually just look at #1.

[Betagam7]

I've only just glanced at it and already I like him for his inclusion of Mr. Mosquito and DK 94 but....not for his number 1