Mother
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| Mother | |
| |
| Developer(s) | Ape, Inc. |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Release date(s) |  July 27, 1989
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| Genre(s) | Role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Platform(s) | Famicom |
| Media | 3-megabit cartridge |
| Followed by | EarthBound |
Mother (マザー, Mazā) is a game released only in Japan, and is part of the EarthBound series. Even though it was never released in the US or Europe, many Americans and Europeans call it EarthBound Zero, on the account that the sequel, EarthBound, was released in America. The game was released on the Famicom, and featured kid-friendly RPG mechanics that both children and adults could enjoy and really get into. Many things change in the unreleased English version, such as enemy sprites which were too mature for young children (such as smoking crows, a zombie with gunshots through his chest, and a creepy doctor with blood on his shirt.)
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[edit] Gameplay
The game takes many RPG elements made popular in various similar titles and throws them out the window - it features a humorous plot, strange enemies that have never before been present in any video game, let alone an RPG, and various other things that were incorporated into the two sequels. Nevertheless, it is still one of the most traditional video games in the genre, and while the plot was wacky, the gameplay didn't stray too far from other games.
While on the overworld, not only your main character but everyone else in the party will be visible, contrary to other games where only the most prominent character is seen. The other members of the party will still be seen even if they've been killed in battle - but their sprite will simply be replaced by that of a ghostly figure. When in battle, the action will be seen through a first person perspective, similar to that of the Dragon Quest series. You'll take turns fighting, and once you've defeated an enemy you'll get experience points and items. Unlike the two games following it, enemy encounters are random (thus meaning you won't enter a battle by touching an enemy on the overworld, but rather a battle will randomly start just by walking around). The rate at which battles will start is high for an RPG.
[edit] Plot
[edit] Characters
Mother's seemingly average characters are what greatly set it apart from other RPGs and games in general. The main characters include Ninten, a young boy who has psychic powers, Loid, a young boy who is often picked on because he is a weakling and a nerd, Ana, a young girl who is gifted with great PSI abilities, and Teddy, a former gang leader who wants to avenge the death of his parents.
[edit] Story
In the early 1900s, long before the events of the game, a young couple vanishes suddenly. The husband, George, comes back, and never tells of what happened, while the wife, Maria, never does come back. 80 years later a young boy, Ninten, wakes up one morning to find his household being possessed by some mysterious force. His lamp attacks him, as do other normal items. He is then attacked by a doll. After defeating it, it breaks open to reveal a small music box, which plays a short, mysterious melody.
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[edit] In-Game Cameos
- At the TWINKLE Elementary school, one kid asks if you've beaten Dragon Quest 4, and states that he's still stuck on Dragon Quest 3.
- In the unreleased English prototype, the same kid asks if you've ever beaten Super Mario Bros. 7, and states that he's still stuck with Super Mario Bros. 3.
