2D games with excellent writing

[nbamaniac]

In the gaming generation we are currently in, we all know that good writing will also usually mean good presentation, and cutscenes that will enrichen character development.

But what about the 2D games of old, where cutscenes are but mere 2D sprites with text below them? Were there games were you have been emotionally attached to those sprites because they were well written and developed?

My answer would be yes and those games were Chrono Trigger, the Golden Sun series and ofc Final Fantasy 6.

 

[Danceofmasks]

There was an amazing game by the name of Seiken Densetsu 3.
Never released in english, though there is a fan translation of it.

Game that plays very differently (as in story-wise) depending on which characters you pick.

 

[Cridhe]

Final Fantasy 6... both the pinnacle of the series, and the end of Square putting effort into a game that wasn't just "let's wow them with crazy graphics".

 

[nbamaniac]

Final Fantasy 6... both the pinnacle of the series, and the end of Square putting effort into a game that wasn't just "let's wow them with crazy graphics".

Yeah the good ole times when Square Enix was still Squaresoft.

 

[SoranMBane]

It's not an old game, but the freeware game Iji is a 2d shooter with some really excellent writing and one of the best moral choice systems I've ever seen in a game. The choice is actually a dedicated decision on how you're going to play the game rather than an arbitrary "good or evil" decision you make every now and then, and the "good" option, not fighting and avoiding the enemies as much as possible, is actually harder than playing it like a normal action game. Plus, fighting the enemies like you would in any other game doesn't make you a cross between Hitler and Skeletor like most other games with moral choice systems, it just nets you a very very bittersweet ending, which was damn near enough to make me cry.

 

[Hekateras]

The adventure games, generally. Monkey Island, Quest for Glory, King's Quest. Also, anyone remember Torin's Passage? Amazing and unique game, that.

 

[repeating integers]

Metroid Fusion, much?

 

[Defense]

The World Ends With You was really good. The dialogue made the characters seem really human.

 

[Limecake]

Earthbound, definitely the most unique RPG I've ever played.

The whole game was clever and over the top. What other game can you play a kid with a yo-yo battling everything from street signs to hippies to aliens.

Too bad Nintendo will never release mother 3 in North America.

 

[distortedreality]

Any of that generation of great SNES RPGs - Chrono Trigger, Secret of Mana etc.

Kings Quest, Monkey Island, Flight of the Amazon Queen, Legend Of Kyrandia etc.

 

[Anachronism]

The Baldur's Gate series stands out in my mind.

That being said, you could probably put all of the old, great Black Isle RPGs on this list.

 

[Gsmoove]

You can't go wrong with the ultima series, fantastic social and political incite.

 

[nbamaniac]

The Baldur's Gate series stands out in my mind.

That being said, you could probably put all of the old, great Black Isle RPGs on this list.

Hmmm yes, they are still technically 2D (yeah the isometric part kinda duped me).. never though of that xD

 

[TrevHead]

Since most retro games werent big on story (and didnt need to be) theres really only RPGs and Point'n Click and newer 2D games like IJI. (but the games IJI copies from are worth checking out like the 2 oddworld games, flashback and the 2 another worlds)

grim fandango and the broken sword games are my fave point & clickers, very good writting.

As for the 2D game I had the most emotional investment in (as a kid) ill say Phantasy Star 2, everyone always mentions FF7 as how Aeiriths death was so groundbreaking. PS2 did it first.

Also Lunar: Silver Star Story (although the battles are a tad slow for me)

And check out Hideo Kojima back catalog like Snatcher and Policenaughts (I should play these myself)

EDIT I 2nd Bualders gate, although ppl tend to go mad for Planetscape Torment which ive yet to play (pick them up at GOG)

This is a good but lengthy article for folk wanting to get into CRPGs http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/1571/the_history_of_computer_.php

 

[nippynips]

Star Control II, the dialoge and the deep complexity of the background story are mindcombusting

 

[thenamelessloser]

How the hell did this topic go so long with no mentioning of Planescape: Torment? (edit just saw someone list this lol)

Anyway here a few 2D games that have good or great writing (note this doesn't mean a good story or good character development, it just means that the text is written well that the characters say or how the areas or described)-
Planescape: Torment
Gabriel Knight
Quest for Glory series
Arcanum
Monkey Island 1 and 2
Discworld

 

[nbamaniac]

EDIT I 2nd Bualders gate, although ppl tend to go mad for Planetscape Torment which ive yet to play (pick them up at GOG)

Yes both were excellent RPGs. But what PS:Torment famous was its very unique story.

It's not an old game, but the freeware game Iji is a 2d shooter with some really excellent writing and one of the best moral choice systems I've ever seen in a game. The choice is actually a dedicated decision on how you're going to play the game rather than an arbitrary "good or evil" decision you make every now and then, and the "good" option, not fighting and avoiding the enemies as much as possible, is actually harder than playing it like a normal action game. Plus, fighting the enemies like you would in any other game doesn't make you a cross between Hitler and Skeletor like most other games with moral choice systems, it just nets you a very very bittersweet ending, which was damn near enough to make me cry.

I am definitely checking out this game then.

EDIT: Oh yeah, i might as well ninja Suikoden 1 and 2. xD

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

Odin Sphere. It is on the PS2, but it is 2D with good writing. And Disgaea had clever writing.

 

[BuGGaTon]

Final Fantasy 6... both the pinnacle of the series, and the end of Square putting effort into a game that wasn't just "let's wow them with crazy graphics".

I don't think that happened until the PS2 era. The three PS1 titles all had great Sakaguchi narrative and depth, especially IX.

 

[Kahunaburger]

Planescape Torment, Devil Survivor, and The Spirit Engine 2 jump to mind. And really, anything 2D by Tim Schafer haha.