What can I say that hasn't already been said before about this game? It's just that good. Ever since I first played it as a kid, I loved it. For Nintendo's first attempt at an RPG with its main mascot, they could not have hit gold any better.
Yes, I know Square Enix helped with the development of this game, but the fact still stands, this game was beautifully done. From the art style, the battle system, items/weapon systems, attacking, defending, strategy... I have zero complaints.
Probably what I love most about this RPG game is how much emphasis they put on player choice when it comes to leveling up and fighting enemies. No random battles. No brutally hard RNG based combat completely out of your control or enemies ganging up on one member and you having to start over because Mario gets killed when other party members are still alive. I'm looking at you, Shining Force. -.-
Instead, they make it so how much damage you do or can be reduced by when defending is skill based by making it so you have to input a button at the right time. Not only that, you get to decide when you fight an enemy or not. So, if you want to attack a certain enemy on screen, you can. If you want to run away and heal up because you're running low on health, you can do that too.
Heck, even how you decide to level up your characters is given to the player too, so if they want more attack/defense, HP/FP or even special ability stats, they can do that.
Thus, player skill is much more emphasized here, which is something all RPG games should have. I know in a sense RPG games are technically supposed to be numbed based more than skills, but I still believe skill should have some input on how you do. Otherwise, why bother playing? You might as well set the game to play itself and see what happens.
What makes it even better is how many items you can carry and how many different ones help you. From mushrooms to heal your HP, syrups to heal your MP, or FP in this case and *gasps* Items that let you revive your characters if they die and let them keep fighting? Oh my... someone forbid players be given a fighting chance!
Ok, ok, I won't take any potshots at Shining Force since this is supposed to be a review of Super Mario RPG, but seriously, I cannot begin to tell you how well thought out this RPG system is. They really make it so the player is well equipped for the journey. If someone dies alot in this game, it's not because this game is a pain in the ass to figure out, but they didn't take their time to level up and get the equipment necessary to stand their ground.
THAT is how you do an RPG in my book. You give all the tools necessary to complete the job and leave it up the player to figure out how to maximize their performance.
On top of that, I love the secrets you can find in this game. My goodness, some of them are just amazing. One of my personal favorites is being able to find the Lazy Shell weapon and armor for Mario 3/4 into the game. When you find the items to access them, it's an awesome feeling.
Heck, getting to use the Super Suit and Attack Scarf was even more amazing to use when unlocking it. I mean, those items just make your cast ridiculously OP. My only complaint with those is how hard it is to acquire. To get both, you have to do 100 jumps with Mario during a battle, and let me tell you, it's alot harder than it looks.
Although, considering how those items are technically in a sense game breakers, I suppose they needed something to balance that out.
Last, but surely not least, the story, and while I wouldn't say it's the best RPG story ever written, it definitely is a good one. For the first time, Bowser is not the main villain. Instead, it's someone else entirely, someone you have no idea who it is until later in the game, and that to me is part of what makes Super Mario RPG such a good game. The journey to defeat Smithy, the main villain of this game is a long one, but the satisfaction you get when finally ending his reign of terror is so good.
What makes defeating him even more awesome is that you get to do it with Bowser and Princess Peach helping you in the process. Considering until Super Paper Mario, this was the only game to give you that luxury, that truly was a great experience.
If I have any real major complaints with this game, it'd be perhaps MAYBE it's a tad on the easy side. Now don't get me wrong, I'm glad the game is merciful to you for the most part, but I won't lie, I wish the game had ramped up the difficulty a tad more near the end after getting access to the Lazy Shell, Super suit, Jinx Belt, Quartz Charm, etc, because once you get those items, let's just say you won't be needing to use items too often.
They truly make your cast nearly unbeatable. Thus, when you fight Smithy with them, they can be make it a bit anti-climatic. Sure, I still love that fight and love kicking his ass in the game for all he's put you through, but yea, for a final villain, he could have been a bit more tough to beat to make it so you have to use your items more instead of having an abundance
Oh well, all and all, I stand by what I said, this is the best RPG I ever played. While Paper Mario in a sense refined the battle mechanics to an even greater height like Thousand Year Door, this one still had a much more complex and fun battle system that hasn't been matched.
As much as I'd love to see a Super Mario RPG 2(And no, Paper Mario doesn't count) considering how bad Square Enix has become now, it's probably best it doesn't happen. Besides, what could they possibly do to top this masterpiece?
Not much to say the least.