The current state of videogames in 2026 is undeniably very divisive.
Sure, there are still good videogames being released, but if you’re looking at the state of AAA experiences, there is a lot to frown about. Anti-consumer monetization practices, half baked DLCs being released, and finished game content by the time of release being repackaged into DLC a few months later, it’s no wonder why many are becoming ever more cynical of the games industry. I myself find myself looking down on many of these practices and, in some sense, playing some of these games can feel like more of a chore as a result of them.
That’s where Earthbound comes in.
This year, I had made the fortunate and somewhat arbitrary decision to play Earthbound for the very first time, and I’m enthralled. Earthbound is one of the greatest games I’ve played this year thus far. I have not completed it yet as it’s a work in progress, but I did want to take this time to give my preliminary thoughts on my experiences with it.
Earthbound is a JRPG for the SNES that was released in 1994. The gameplay is basic, and very much the scaffolding for the Pokémon series. Tsuneku Ishihara was the producer of both Earthbound and Pokémon Red and Green. At the same time, he was the CEO for Ape Inc., the developer of Earthbound, which eventually ended up becoming Creatures Inc., so the similarities are no coincidence. The setting of the game is Eagleland, an Americanesque country where the protagonist himself develops and uses psychic abilities along with his other friends. Rather than being relegated to a medieval European-inspired setting, Earthbound’s setting is refreshingly modern, and reminiscent of 1960’s-1980’s America. Coming out of a replay of Final Fantasy XVI and my ongoing playthrough of Metaphor ReFantazio, both being your typical medieval European inspired RPG, this game brings an early 2000s kid like myself a wave of nostalgia for times that no longer exist. In that sense, Earthbound is very much a product of its time, and a time capsule.
It isn’t a caricature of of medieval European fantasy, something that none of us have lived through, but rather a familiar setting that many who grew up in the 1970’s-2000’s suburban North America may relate to and appreciate.
First and foremost, the pacing of this game positively stands out to me. Unlike many modern games today, Earthbound never pads your playtime with content that isn’t worth your time. Moving on to the next story beat feels seamless and natural and that’s something I’ve been appreciating so much as I progress.
Concurrently, I’ve been playing through another RPG: Metaphor ReFantazio. Although I started this one on Christmas of 2024. I love Metaphor, and it’s a game I’m still working through, though I find that the reason I haven’t yet finished it is because the breaks in between main story beats to do your side quests and other optional content breaks my immersion and flow within the game a little bit.
For anyone that has played Metaphor, I’m currently at the break right before Louis’ soiree, and while I’ve been enjoying the side quests, they still feel disconnected enough from the main story that I’ve gotten tired of these segments. Yes, I’ll go to the stereotypically named “Forsaken Tower” to slay the “Goblin King,” probably spend about an hour doing that too, and once I’m done, I’ll probably break for awhile until I feel the motivation to pick it back up again. I’m a university student with a job. I’m a brother, a boyfriend, and son. I have many responsibilities and relationships to take care of, and at this point in my life, even if a game is rife with optional side content, I want it to be high quality and meaningful; it needs to be worth my time spent experiencing it.
That means something different to everyone, but the point I’m trying to make is that Earthbound, with its satire of American culture, never feels like it’s wasting my time. Its humor, absurdity, and the detours you take during your adventure all feel intentional and cohesive. It’s not a checklist of content.
The seemingly arbitrary, uncanny and supernatural elements of Earthbound contrast with the regular department stores, cafe’s, pizza places, and other staples reminiscent of regular contemporary American life you’ll find on your journey.
The uncanny elements in Earthbound are also very striking. You exist in a world with many strange and oppressive creatures, monsters, people, and scenarios. The city of Threed is overrun with zombies and ghosts wandering the streets while Twoson is secretly overrun by a cult. The protagonist is constantly met with challenges and situations that are unfair, yet his overcoming of them inspires grit in the player.
Based on my current intuitions about the message Earthbound imparts, I’d say it’s about overcoming the corrupting force and allure of power and influence. All the major antagonists I’ve faced thus far have had some delusions of grandeur, or have been influenced by a corrupting idol called the ManiMani statue, which creates illusions and has a corrupting effect on all the individuals it’s been in contact with. Ness and his friends, on the other hand, test their mettle in the sanctuaries, and in my interpretation, induce a transformative experience conducive to the growth of their character; A direct antithesis to the corruption they’ve had to face.
All of this is based off of my thoughts so far since I have not completed the game yet, I recently just got Poo (yes, that’s his name) as a fourth party member, but I’m looking forwards to the rest of the experience. Earthbound has been one of the most refreshing gaming experiences I’ve had in recent memory, and it offers a simple yet inspiring message that would uplift anyone, especially in this modern new world.
Have you played Earthbound, and if so, what do you think of it? Have you had any gaming experiences that feel refreshing to you this year? Let us know down in the comments below!
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