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RetroforceGO! recording episode 43 tonight: Squaresoft photo

Ah, Square. Before the Enix merger, before spinoffs, before girly-boys and big, unweildy Roman numerals, there was simply Square. Back when men were men and women were 8-bit, they published many of our favorite games.

That's not to say we won't mention Kingdom Hearts in passing, but we're trying to keep this old school. That is kinda what we do here, right? So let's forget about Enix for a day and rekindle our love affair with Squaresoft. What were your favorites? Hit the comments and tell us all about it, and leave your questions for the show. 


Continue: More Square Enix stories





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141 comments | showing # 1 to 50

Knives's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:33
Knives
"Sqaure", is that how Dyson pronounces Square? :P
ZeroTolo's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:34
ZeroTolo
Did any of you guys play the Final Fantasy Legend games on the Game Boy? Legend III was the first Final Fantasy game that I ever played, but I wasn't sure how to gauge it because technically they were part of the SaGa series and were renamed to push the brand name.
demonelite's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:34
demonelite
My question, who is your favorite character from and Square game. Also, if you could be anyone from a Final Fantasy game who would you be.
Batthink's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:34
Batthink
Show some love for Front Mission!

The first Front Mission I got to play was the third installment on the PS1. I liked the music and the fact you could take parts from other robots, attach them to your own robot, then obtain new special moves from those parts when in battle. Oh, and levelling up.

Question: Which of the Front Missions did you think was the best?
Aerox's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:36
Aerox
CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER CHRONO TRIGGER
Conan-san's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:38
Conan-san
Call FF VII the best at the exclusion of FF VI at your own peril.

I meen, what game had two 15 minute tracks in the Black Mages Discogrophy? FF VI (The Opera and Dancing Mad)

That said, Super Mario RPG was my first foray into Turn Based RPGing so I think a special mention of that should be made.
dclark's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:39
dclark
CHRONO CROSS!!!

Why does ths game get so much hate!? It has the best soundtrack of any game ever made. It wasn't the first to have a non-linear story, but it was the first JRPG to do it as effectively, and the idea of making choices that drastically effected the way you play the game has never since been matched. It had an innovative battle system and some of the best characters. It also has the highest replay value of near any game I've ever seen:mMultiple story path, endings and New Game+ (and NG+ came with a fast-forward button! Amazing!)

However, the word Chrono was in the title. Therefore, it got way too much hate from Fanboys who wouldn't be satisfied with anything after Chrono Trigger. Chrono Cross is arguably the best game ever made (One of Gamespot's 4 10/10 games), but no one likes it.

Discuss.
TravisOnPhonics's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:42
TravisOnPhonics
I think we're all forgetting Square's best game, Square's Tom Sawyer. The best combination of turn-based battling and blackface that the world has ever seen.
DanGale's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:43
DanGale
How much would you kill for a feature film version of Final Fantasy VI? Sure they would destroy it, but it would still be epic.

Discuss?

Do any of you consider FFVI the best in the series?

Also, by Final Fantasy VI I do mean Final Fantasy III, sorry Dyson.
GrayFox's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:43
GrayFox
My 2 favorites square games, which are probably my top 2 games overall, are FF7 and FF Tactics.

And I agree, a brief discussion on Chrono Cross and/or an attempt to explain the inexplicable amount of hate it gets from the gaming community would be cool.
Phoenix Gamma's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:47
Phoenix Gamma
Question: Is this the COOLEST character in a Square Game?

eternalplayer2345's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:48
eternalplayer2345
Why do i like ff8 so much more the 7 i always feel werid................
Animated Trigger's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:48
Animated Trigger
My introduction to the world of Squaresoft back in the Playstation days was through SaGa Frontier, a game that I never got far in because, well, I didn't have a freaking memory card at the time! One of my favorites, however, was Brave Fencer Musashi. Steam Knight is way up there in my list of coolest boss battles ever...
ajay42's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:50
ajay42
When I played Dragon WARRIOR (sorry old habits die hard) 1, 2 and 3 I remember thinking that each iteration was such a huuuuge advancement over the last. I now realize that all three were fairly backwards for their era in terms of technical achievements particularly in the graphics department. But what blew my mind is how the journey was so much grander in each iteration; not only in terms of sheer geography (although realizing that it was actually the whole read world in DWIII really appealed to my elementary school mind) but also in adding a party (DWII) and adding huge amounts of customization and a class system (DWIII.) Strangely, I had already been playing the Ultima games on the PC so I had basically played similar games but just better, but something about the story, style (enemies), music and interface (i know, i know, controller episode has already passed) kept me glued to the Dragon Warrior games for hours and hours at a time. Anyway to get to an actual question, and I know you guys have touched on this in the past, but there are established theories in other media of restriction or limitations on resources being a great motivation for successful art. Do you think this applies to games as well?

I know you don't get much more cookie cutter in some ways than the Dragon Warrior (ok Quest) series, but I feel like those early games particularly II and III were just chock full of life and character.
Baldheaded Monk's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:51
Baldheaded Monk
It might not be as retro as most, but damn if I don't love Parasite Eve.

A next gen remake would be most welcome, and would go a long way toward getting me to buy a PS3 if that's where it came out.
Scary Womanizing Pig Mask's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:51
Scary Womanizing Pig Mask
@Phoenix Gamma

Nope, this is



:)
ajay42's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:51
ajay42
(oye, i know, i know... its an Enix game... oh fine, nevermind.)
Cheeburga's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:52
Cheeburga
Hey, Enix was cool too.

Didn't they do bust a groove 2? and star ocean?
Conan-san's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:52
Conan-san
@ dclark
You more or less answered your own question, it had the unfortune luck to be called "Chrono" Cross and hence had the yard stick of Trigger to be beaten to within an inch of it's life with.

Also, With Trigger, you could feel the Dragon Quest X Final Fantasy in it between Art, Music and Story. Not so much with Cross.

Infact, if they had called "something else" Cross and not had "Chrono" in the title, I have the feeling that it would of had a much, MUCH better slap at it.
(Though releaseing it in Europe would also be a good idea, thank you very much Square cita 2000)
Ok, there's the (extremely loose) connections to Trigger but they are about as strong as wet cardbord and only realy serve to piss of people who had an attachment to the Trigger chracters.
JTHomeslice's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:53
JTHomeslice
Actraiser.

That is all.
JTHomeslice's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:54
JTHomeslice
OH SHIT THATS AN ENIX GAME. PLEASE IGNORE.
A New Challenger's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:55
A New Challenger
The only Square games I played back in "the day" were Super Mario RPG and the first Final Fantasy.

The Virtual Console needs less King's Knight and more Chrono Trigger.
Elitechief27's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:55
Elitechief27
Here's a haiku for all of you

Squaresoft has issues.
Where'd they learn their numbering?
Is it III(3) or XI(6)?

(Just kidding Dyson, I know that it should ALWAYS be called Final Fantasy III insted of Final Fantasy XI, just trying to jerk your chain a little)

What were some of your favorite Squaresoft games besides Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy.If you could take one element/charachter from the Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy and incorperate them in each other's games, who/what would it be and why? Since I am a bit of a Kingdom Hearts fanboy and want to hear you guys talk about it on the show, What game did you like better, Kingdom Hearts 1 or 2 If you like them at all? I mean, did you like the changes Squeenix made to it, or feel that they did too much/too little
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:55
Holyetheline
I would like to know the history of the Furry Moogle... where did they come from? why are they so cute? etc.
Topher Cantler's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:56
Topher Cantler
LOL Knives, I didn't even see that. Typing too fast ftw. :D
Go Man's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:57
Go Man
Square SNES Favorites:

Super Mario RPG
The Final Fantasy Series
Front Mission
Secret of Mana
Chrono Trigger


I didn't get to play many Square games on the Playstation, though. Everyone on RFGO! should say their favorite and least favorite on all the systems. (NES, SNES, PS, PS2, etc.) so I can get an idea of what to play next it my retro outings.

@Travis


Oh my god...
Topher Cantler's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:58
Topher Cantler
And Niero, if you're reading this, there's another outbreak of double comment HIVs going around.
Topher Cantler's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:58
Topher Cantler
And Niero, if you're reading this, there's another outbreak of double comment HIVs going around.
Topher Cantler's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:59
Topher Cantler
Yeah, thought so. That's the last you see of me for a week or so.
Topher Cantler's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 14:59
Topher Cantler
Yeah, thought so. That's the last you see of me for a week or so.
LethalHairdo's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:01
LethalHairdo
Quote Aerox ftw.

"Time's Scar" (Chrono Cross) is the best song in a Squaresoft game.

Also Tifa > Aeris.

And finally my question: What do you think Square's "it factor" is? Why have they been able to make over twenty Final Fantasy games and people don't question it? In the seas of RPGs their games always seem to emerge near or at the top of the heap.
The GHost's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:01
The GHost
The opera scene: great videogame moment, or greatest videogame moment?

Of the old-school FFs (let's say from 9 on back) which single in-game moment would you say had the biggest impact on you emotionally?

I know that I just felt crushing despair when Kefka actually succeeded in ruining the planet :(

Anyone have a favorite item or weapon that springs to mind?
maxio098ui's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:02
maxio098ui
which square charachter would you marry? and did you like vagrant story??
Knives's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:03
Knives
Anyway, besides agreeing with Aerox.

Final Fantasy Tactics or Tactics Advance?

Did any of you *looks at Colette* ever played Chocobo Racing?

Considering how many Final Fantasys there are and knowing how different they tend to be in setting and, somewhat, in story from each other, what do you consider makes a "Final Fantasy" game? Is it just the inclusion of Chocobos, Gils, Moogles, Cid, etc., or is there something specific in the design, music or other that would make you identify, lets say FFIII, as a "Final Fantasy" game if I were to present it to you as "Warriors of the Light" instead?



@dclark
I agree that the OST is awesome and that I loved the fast forward/slowmo options, but it's in no way better than CT, and that's why it gets hate i think.



@Scary Womanizing Pig Mask

That's the cutest, it's different :P.

@Topher
Noooo, you can't get AIDS before Cancun, that's not how it's supposed to work :(.

@EliteChief27
XI=11
The GHost's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:03
The GHost
Ooh, favorite villain!

I mean.

Which villain do you most love to hate? :D
milkham's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:03
milkham
Here's my question, do you guys think that DRM and digital downloads will kill retro gaming? 10 years from now how will we play pac-man ce or alien hominid or super stardust hd?
Conan-san's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:06
Conan-san
Actauly, whist we're on the subjet, am I the only one who started playing FF7 aroudn 2k3 only to not finish it because I already knew what was going to happen in regards to the whore?
Face's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:09
Face
You guys have to do "eff", Marry, Kill for some Square characters.
tkyy's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:09
tkyy
@go man
I didn't knew they made Mario RPG... a very nice game!
Wedge's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:11
Wedge
SEIKEN DENSETSU.

Also yes, Super Mario RPG is epic.
Chos's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:15
Chos
I miss the old day when plots of a boy and his dog were considered awesome. Did anyone besides me like Secret of Evermore? And I don't want to hear "It was just a rip-off of Secret of Mana." They were both awesome in their own ways. Of course Chrono Trigger, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Final Fantasy IV/VI, and Chrono Cross still hold the top spots.
Nad Crusher's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:16
Nad Crusher
Which two squaresoft character's would you like to see fight each other the most, and who do you think would win?
Alanar's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:16
Alanar
What is your opinion of the Musashi series? Sadly, I only got to play the second game, Musashi: Samurai Legend on the PS2 (which I would not consider retro since the system is still alive). It was a quite enjoyable game even though the voice acting was just awful. Have you ever played Brave Fencer Musashi and is it worth playing?

Also, what is your favorite Square game that is NOT an RPG?
Necros's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:17
Necros
That RFGO logo is awesome!
Spitfire's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:17
Spitfire
One of my favs from Square (god they have so many amazing games) is Brave Fencer Musashi. That game was pretty damn fun. Best part, the HORRIBLE english dubs for that game, it was so bad it made it good. Kinda like Showgirls! Besides it has Vambees; half zombie, half vampire.

I know you want to forget about Enix for the day, but I always wondered: Do you think the quality of Square's games has gone downhill since their merger with Enix?

Here's a listing of games before and after their merger.
Tug Your God Out's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:22
Tug Your God Out
Secret of Evermore -- thoughts of this Square USA made game?

This also gives Topher a chance to mention Einhander again, which is great.

Parasite Eve also deserves mention. This just might be LONGEST EPISODE EVAR!!!

Does Nomura deserve (or not) the criticism he gets for his designs?

Am I the only one NOT looking forward to XIII? Every time I see the trailers I just get less and less interested.
zeph's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:22
zeph
With all the success of various non-final fantasy series such as Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana, why haven't we seen many high quality, deserving sequels released in the U.S. for many of these series? For instance, Seiken Densetsu 3 is an awesome sequel with the return of multi-player gaming, non-linear stores and unique leveling systems, but there has never been an official release in the U.S.. Also, the sequels that have been released have been always felt that they were missing something or not to the same caliber as the original(i.e. Chrono Cross, Children of Mana, Sword of Mana...). Why do you think it seems that Square is at times scared of working on these series, which gamers have been asking for, but rather stay true to the Final Fantasy series? Furthermore, have you seen any effects on the quality of Square based games due to the lack of diversify their non-final fantasy based series?
Edco's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:23
Edco
Where would I even begin? I mean, couldn't you guys do whole episodes on individual Square games?? Well if I pick some of my tops...

Secret of Mana (all time fave), Mario RPG, all Final Fantasy-- but VIII might be my fave (yes, I said 8!!), Einhander. Saga Frontier was a very cool, very good looking, very complicated game. Much of the Saga games don't get alot of love, tho, they are kinda black sheep.

And oh yea, BREATH OF FREAKIN' FIRE.
nilcam's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:26
nilcam
The first Square game I played was Breath of Fire. Capcom created it but Square published it in the US. BoF had the best Easter Egg ever - Chun Li showed up in the thieves' town.

Anyway, FFIII blew me away, Chrono Trigger changed my life, but Secret of Mana is the Square game that charmed me completely.

Also, Tobal. Why did that series have to die?
topcow's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/30/2008 15:29
topcow
The first (and last) Square game that I've ever played completely through was FF3 for the SNES. It was the only one that ever heled my attention.

Many of my friends feel the same way regarding that game, what was it about FF3 that struck a cord with gamers that hasn't since hit again?
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