#39
Seiken Densetsu 3 (Secret of Mana 2)
Coming in at #39 is the rarest game on my list…at least, rarest in the United States, mostly because it never came out here. The sequel to Secret of Mana exponentially expanded upon a lot of the mechanics introduced in that action RPG. Featuring six different selectable characters, all with different backgrounds, the game is set up where you choose your hero, a second hero, and then finally a third hero, and the story changes depending on who you choose and the order that you choose them in. Like a lot of the SNES era games, it was well ahead of its time with a feature like this. In addition though, it included a job system (each character had a separate job) that was upgradeable not once, but twice, as the game progresses. Interestingly enough, with each job upgrade, a choice must be made between two classes, one typically being light and one being dark (no morality is featured, light focuses on healing, dark on power), so arguably the combinations between characters, stories and jobs, the game is tailor made for multiple playthroughs. More technically, the sprite-based graphics are very nice, there is a huge variety of enemy types, a shitload of spells and abilities, and it’s all wrapped up in a very tightly controlled game, which is perhaps the most important part of an Action RPG/Zelda type game. Then, there is the bummer: as I said, the game didn’t come out in the US, despite Square being at its apex of power at the time. The reason given was how costly the localization would be. Thankfully though, we live in the era of the internet, and there was a rather well done fan-made translation. This will always be one of the few Roms that I play, but don’t own. You forced my hand Square (you should probably just release it now, so more people can enjoy it). If you like action RPGs, hit up Google and give it a shot.
Just Missed the Cut:
Super Mario 3D Land
