Yuku free message boards

#2: Sonic 2


OMG!

This may come as a surprise, considering I bashed the Sonic series in my Sonic and Knuckles write up. Yeah, these games are all very similar. But I consider Sonic 2 to be the very best of the bunch.

Picking up where Sonic 1 left off, this game introduces a new character named Tails. You can play the game as Sonic, as Tails, or as a combination of the two (either the computer or the second player plays as Tails). Gameplaywise, it is very similar to the original. However, the stages are a lot more cool and detailed. And the bonus rounds are set in a semi 3D "half pipe". In the bonus rounds, you must navigate the half-pipe while collecting rings and avoiding spike blocks. You get enough rings, you collect a Chaos Emerald. Get all the Chaos Emeralds, and you earn the right to %#@$+ into Super Sonic, an indestructible, gold, and faster than usual version of your favorite hedgehog. Get all the Emeralds as Tails, however, and you get nothing. The bonus stages are very difficult. Playing on your own, it is near impossible to collect enough rings. It is easier with Sonic and Tails, but Tails is prone to getting nailed all the time and losing rings. The games are tough. It is a lose lose situation really.

I can't really pinpoint why this game stands out to me. It was the first sequel, so the lack of gameplay changes doesn't really hurt it. The level design is amazing (<3 the Casino Nights Zone). The difficulty level is fairly hard, but not too frustratingly difficult. It's just a really cool change of pace from the original. It was my first ever Genesis game, so that earns it some major points. All in all, this is pretty much a flawless game as far as 16 bit 2D sidescrollers are concerned. A true classic!

#1: Shining Force



Yay! I am so glad to have this Sega Genesis list over and done with so I can move on to something else.

Casual fans will find this title a little bit obscure. But anyone who had a Sega Genesis and is a fan of classic old school RPGs should know and love this game. I know there are a few of you out there. *looks around*

This game plays out like a typical RPG. You are a young guy from a small village thrust into an epic war. You wander villages, collecting many party members, upgrading your character, advancing the storyline, opening treasure chests, and visiting priests. Priests in this game heal your party, raise the dead, and help you save your game.

The combat of the game plays out differently from most RPGs. Battles in this game take place on a large grid. You can move your characters a certain amount of steps each turn. Once you get into range of your enemies, you can attack them with your swords and magic. This plays out a bit like a strategy game. You want to have your powerful knights leading the charge, and your magicians hanging back a bit. There are a ton of characters in this game, and depending on which ones you put in your party, all have different attributes and different ranges. For example, flying characters can hover over water and edges during their turns, where as regular people are stuck on land.

Overall, this is a very charming game in it's classicness. I believe this is the first RPG I ever played in my life, and it completely sucked me in, took away many hours of my childhood, and made me love the genre. For getting me into RPGs, and for being the best RPG the Genesis has to offer, Shining Force tops the list! I have never played the sequel, but I hear it is just as epic. For my next list, I will either move on to my top 20 Super Nintendo games..... or start a completely different ranking in another thread altogether. I have not decided yet.