I think everyone bashes this game all the time, especially when comparing it to the later installments. I feel like if you want to enjoy this game, forget about Earthbound or Mother 3. I enjoyed it a lot, when taking it as just an NES RPG. Once you put yourself in that perspective, it becomes so much more impressive and enjoyable. For an NES game, the setting, dialog, and humor is so unique.
The gameplay is not enjoyable, that's something I think everyone has said. Especially early on, the grinding is unbearable, but it's easy to pass it. Even later on, the battles feel very boring, and the objective really becomes to get through the battle as quick as possible. Which is possible with some of the PSI, like 4th-D slip is a lifesaver, and PK Beam Gamma is such a cheap way to beat enemies. Still, people hate the combat way more than they should, it's still fun even though it feels so stripped back. One thing I can give credit to Earthbound Beginnings is that it's very open, there is no order to most of the story events, so even in my playthrough, I missed plenty of stuff that was possible.
My favorite part of this game is the setting, it's very strange to just go through regular day America. All the NPCs and enemies are just styled in a very funny absurd way. Fighting explosive trees and talking to the forgotten man in Magicant are still some of the most strange and fun moments in the entire Mother trilogy. Even though the dialog is a little dry, it still has so much charm.
The story and message fits so much in line with the other Mother games, but that does not make it the same as Earthbound. This game is very much a different experience than Earthbound. Even though Ninten looks like Ness, and Ana looks like Paula, and Lloyd looks like Jeff. Earthbound Beginnings may seem like a barebones Earthbound, but it is very different in story. Also saying the music in this game lives up to the standards of Earthbound, and Mother 3.
Overall, I could only recommend this game, if you loved Earthbound and Mother 3 to the point where you're willing to go through the slog to find the same charm that Itoi brought to this series.
The gameplay is not enjoyable, that's something I think everyone has said. Especially early on, the grinding is unbearable, but it's easy to pass it. Even later on, the battles feel very boring, and the objective really becomes to get through the battle as quick as possible. Which is possible with some of the PSI, like 4th-D slip is a lifesaver, and PK Beam Gamma is such a cheap way to beat enemies. Still, people hate the combat way more than they should, it's still fun even though it feels so stripped back. One thing I can give credit to Earthbound Beginnings is that it's very open, there is no order to most of the story events, so even in my playthrough, I missed plenty of stuff that was possible.
My favorite part of this game is the setting, it's very strange to just go through regular day America. All the NPCs and enemies are just styled in a very funny absurd way. Fighting explosive trees and talking to the forgotten man in Magicant are still some of the most strange and fun moments in the entire Mother trilogy. Even though the dialog is a little dry, it still has so much charm.
The story and message fits so much in line with the other Mother games, but that does not make it the same as Earthbound. This game is very much a different experience than Earthbound. Even though Ninten looks like Ness, and Ana looks like Paula, and Lloyd looks like Jeff. Earthbound Beginnings may seem like a barebones Earthbound, but it is very different in story. Also saying the music in this game lives up to the standards of Earthbound, and Mother 3.
Overall, I could only recommend this game, if you loved Earthbound and Mother 3 to the point where you're willing to go through the slog to find the same charm that Itoi brought to this series.