When JRPGs exited the fourth era of consoles and entered the thrilling new world of 3D gaming, one thing rapidly turned very clear. These video games felt enormous, bold, and full of countless creativeness for his or her environments.
Within the Nineties, loads was potential with new 3D {hardware}, however it nonetheless could not sustain with the scope of those video games. Intelligent builders have been capable of finding a workaround within the type of 2D pre-rendered backgrounds.
A 3D polygon character is superimposed on high of a easy 2D picture. It is a pretty low-tech answer, however it’s created numerous recollections for a whole era of avid gamers.
Sadly, pre-rendered backgrounds aren’t as fashionable as they was once. It is true that trendy {hardware} far exceeds these limits, however as an aesthetic alternative it is nonetheless very lovely and price a visit down reminiscence lane.
7
shadow hearts
beautiful darkness
Though the PS2’s improved {hardware} made it solely potential for builders to create seamless 3D worlds, many groups remained caught with pre-rendered backgrounds for some time. Even Ultimate Fantasy 10 used a mixture of 3D environments and 2D pre-rendered backgrounds.
One other JRPG that determined to stay with what labored within the earlier era is Shadow Hearts, the sequel to the PS1 traditional Koudelka. Like Koudela, Shadow Hearts is a gothic horror JRPG with all of the darkish and sinister attraction to show it.
The vary of backgrounds in Shadow Coronary heart is actually spectacular. Typically, you may really feel like an insignificant speck in comparison with the big fortress you are exploring. It makes nice use of angles and shot composition in a approach that many different JRPGs of this period do not.
6
ultimate fantasy 7
Pre-rendered magnificence mosey
The normal fantasy parts that outlined Sq.’s iconic JRPG collection throughout console generations weren’t simply slowly phased out. In Ultimate Fantasy 7, Sq. fully scorched the Earth, creating an unlimited world that feels extra like William Gibson’s cyberpunk dystopia than a Tolkien novel.
The environments in FF7 are extraordinarily detailed and lovingly painted in each element. Highlights embrace the city of Nibelheim and the haunting sense of doom emanating from the forgotten capital.
When most individuals consider 2D pre-rendered backgrounds, the very first thing that instantly involves thoughts is the backgrounds featured in Ultimate Fantasy 7. This is not the primary, and lots of video games have since changed it, however what you see on this timeless traditional is breathtakingly lovely.
5
chrono cross
Journey by dimensions with these nice pre-rendered backgrounds
Sadly, Chrono Cross stays the final official entry within the beloved JRPG collection. Regardless of how lengthy it has been since a brand new recreation got here out, Chrono Cross arrived on the good time for JRPGs.
The style was experiencing an enormous increase, and Chrono Cross was joyful to observe the traits of the day. Luckily for Chrono Cross, by the point of its launch in 2000, Sq.’s artists had develop into licensed professionals creating these backgrounds.
Chrono Cross felt much like the traditional JRPGs of Sq.’s previous works. The intense colours, intricate particulars, and conventional fantasy aesthetic are nonetheless very heat and pleasing to the attention, even in any case these years.
4
ultimate fantasy 8
something
After ditching knights and wizards in Ultimate Fantasy 7 for tremendous troopers and weapons, Sq. was eager to proceed that development with the eighth recreation. By this level, they’d develop into fairly adept on the idea of making impressively detailed pre-rendered backgrounds.
Whereas the primary PS1 installment centered extra on a cyberpunk imaginative and prescient, Ultimate Fantasy 8 centered on a extra pure sci-fi setting. It has the texture of an previous Syd Mead portray, steeped in an 80’s sci-fi aesthetic.
And the deeper you get into the sport, the weirder and outlandish Ultimate Fantasy 8’s backgrounds develop into. When you attain areas like Esther and the moon base, the sport actually begins to unfold its wings in some lovely methods.
3
parasite eve
Cinematic RPG
Survival horror JRPGs aren’t all that outstanding lately. It is nonetheless an ideal mashup of two completely different genres, perfected eerily by the 1998 traditional Parasite Eve.
What actually stands out to me concerning the background of Parasite Eve is the element. There are numerous small particulars in lots of of those backgrounds, however the best way Parasite Eve makes use of them to construct its world in each large and small methods may be very spectacular.
Additionally they make the most of some unimaginable angles. This haunted masterpiece is not referred to as a “cinematic RPG” for nothing, as a result of it appears like the proper marriage of movie and video video games in a approach no recreation has since.
2
legend of dragoon
Sony can be getting in on the enjoyable.
Ultimate Fantasy and Resident Evil weren’t the one video games to make use of pre-rendered backgrounds on the time. Desirous to be part of the motion, Sony commissioned JAPAN Studio to develop their very own epic JRPG with pre-rendered backgrounds.
The top end result was Legend of Dragoon, which is a completely unbelievable JRPG. I not too long ago had an opportunity to play it once more. Along with the beautiful fight options, there are a few of the most detailed and delightful pre-rendered backgrounds you’ve got ever seen.
What actually stands out about Legend of Dragoon’s background is its range. Navigating the world map is enjoyable, and every space gives one thing new.
Go from enormous capital cities to dragon-infested caverns and even underground caverns. It has probably the most various atmosphere design of any JRPG I’ve ever seen.
1
valkyrie profile
These backgrounds will transport you to Valhalla
To today, no JRPG I’ve performed sounds fairly like Valkyrie Profile. There are not any JRPGs which have the identical stage of lovely, splendidly detailed pre-rendered backgrounds both.
The entire recreation actually appears like an historical portray dropped at life. Strolling by the atmosphere may be very fascinating, as each time you go to a brand new space, wonderful views await you.
It additionally makes use of background visible results and looping parts to make the atmosphere much more alive. Gently falling snow, animated clouds, and flickering hearth sprites all look so lovely in movement.
Valkyrie Profile stays among the finest and greatest wanting JRPGs on the market. A re-release on trendy {hardware} is desperately wanted, as everybody must expertise the unparalleled magnificence that this recreation’s environments effortlessly create.