PS1 The fabulous SquareSoft + PS1 years

[Kremiso]

it's probably the period i miss the most. gaming talking

every title was an experiment and also a milestone at the same time;
2D and 3D combined in many different ways

SquareSoft was imo Mida in those years
FF Tactics, Xenogears, Vagrant Story, Parasite Eve...

months well spent for each one, late hours granted everyday

 

[DunkeyKong]

Oh definitely, so many magnum opus. And btw, you can ask @Strategist for the whole history of it because he made a lot of it

Like the first part here https://retrogametalk.com/threads/growing-up-as-a-squaresoft-fanboy-part-1.659/

 

[Ethernoh]

Awesome games on that era, the only gripe I have is that the 3d models (gameplay main characters) were kinda ugly

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

From what I can tell, the massive success of Final Fantasy VII is to thank for making this era what it was. Square had built up an empire and name for itself as a serious competitor in the RPG space on the SFC/SNES, and their breakout title on PS1 was the moment it all came to a head.


With all the extra cash to splash from that one success, they did what we all wish EVERY COMPANY would do: they invested that money back into making even more great games. Lots of cool weird stuff, experimental takes on nearly every genre, all using Final Fantasy as a backbone to help sell units in a pinch! Good examples would be Brave Fencer Musashi with its Final Fantasy VIII demo and Ehrgiez with playable Cloud and Tifa!

FFVII even got a special release in Japan that allowed you to see high quality versions of the CG assets for the game.

Square was very lucky that Dragon Quest took so long to come to PS1. They were able to steal the hearts and minds of a whole generation as a result, leveraging the worldwide success of the PS1, and building the Final Fantasy brand in the process. By the end of the generation, Final Fantasy’s 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 all made it to the console! Not to mention Tactics and spin offs by the dozens. It was a time to be alive, and possibly the best place and time to be an RPG fan.

 

[FTLOTG]

It's scary how many of their teams were firing on all cylinders after 97. Seemingly non-stop releases and almost all of them must plays. My personal favorite is Threads of fate, a simple PS1 3D action game from 2000. Great visuals, music and an endearing story. If you like Mega Man Legends you'll probably find lots to enjoy with Threads of Fate.

 

[Dyne]

Not sure what I can add to this, but yeah that period is probably my favorite in gaming as well! SO many great games were pumped out from Squaresoft in the 90s that its still known as the golden age of JRPGS!

 

[Foxbat]

Square realeased at least one banger in every year from 1991-2003.
in 1991 - Final Fantasy IV
in 1992 - Final Fantasy V and Romancing SaGa
in 1993 - Secret of Mana and Romancing SaGa 2
in 1994 - Final Fantasy VI, Live a Live and Breath of Fire
in 1995 - Front Mission and Chrono Trigger
in 1996 - Radical Dreamers and Super Mario RPG
in 1997 - Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy Tactics and Front Mission 2
in 1998 - Xenogears
in 1999 - Final Fantasy VIII, Legend of Mana and Chrono Cross
in 2000 - Vagrant Story and Final Fantasy IX
in 2001 - Final Fantasy X
in 2002 - Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy XI and Unlimited Saga
in 2003 - Final Fantasy X-2, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles and Drakengard

Today nobody would even dream of realasing this many games, let alone at this quality. Half of these were instant classics and other half became cult classics afterwards. i didn't even inculude games they published. MAN, i can't stop myself from wishing to see Square return it's golden age one day, even if i know it can't and will not happen....

 

[oxyhime]

in 1999 - Final Fantasy VIII, Legend of Mana and Chrono Cross

I have no choice but to take it personally that you didn't mention Racing Lagoon, the premiere CaRPG.

 

[hazys]

It really was a crazy time. It gets crazier when you look at the JP-only releases like Front Mission Alternative and Racing Lagoon.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Final Fantasy IX is my favorite RPG and my third favorite game of all time, and it’s a prime example of this era!

 

[FTLOTG]

I forgot is Internal Section is Square. Japan only title with dazzling flat-shaded visuals. The build up in each level is a gentle one but it's very stimulating.

 

[Foxbat]

I have no choice but to take it personally that you didn't mention Racing Lagoon, the premiere CaRPG.

My bad! There is so many good games it hard not to miss few!!!

 

[Bomberman]

I didn't play their catalogue until well after release and even then a small number of titles.

I completed FFIX and Chrono Cross. Those games are proof the art/music makes a game. There was nothing outstanding about the gameplay or story of either from my memory. The atmosphere and vistas of both games are unparalleled.

I feel like the art and music is the most important element of a game because of games like these and a couple others on later systems. Chrono Cross in particular is pure unfiltered eye candy with a mesmerizing soundtrack.

I am trying to get into FFVIII because I heard waltz to the moon and love the visual style of that game. I didn't get very far because how obtuse it is mechanically but I am striving to push through it.

I got to disc 2 on the PSP for FFVII but it was just such a jarring game to have those cool prerendered bgs and lego- esque graphics.