Action adventure and RPG games are often known for their epic stories. But I noticed that the NES games in that genre don't really have a lot of plot.
Take "Final Fantasy":
Yes, it has a nice backstory. But there isn't really much that happens during the game.
After the first chapter where you save the princess, you basically have one task: Find the four orbs. And that's what you do. There aren't really any unexpected twists. You have your goal and the rest is basically just gameplay.
Then, in the end, the story is advanced one more time when you find out that Garland traveled back in time.
So, there are three places where the story is advanced: Once in the beginning when you start your adventure. Then when you rescue the princess. And in the end when you travel back in time to defeat Garland.
In the meantime, the plot is just as static and non-changing as in "Super Mario Bros."
Now, compare this to "Final Fantasy Adventure" on the Game Boy:
In this game, the plot is always moving. You never know what happens next. It's not just about you walking the land, collecting items. Instead, the next goal is always dictated by what happens in the game:
In one scene, a vampire captures your companion, so you have to get a mirror from a cave.
In another scene, the guy who helped you earlier turns out to be the main bad guy and he captures the girl and escapes in an airship. But she manages to give you the amulet, which is then taken away from you by someone else because a local bad guy turned this person's brother into a bird.
And those are not just side tasks. These story details are all related to your personal mission.
You never just walk around because you have to collect four items. Mostly, you just have a short-term goal and then something happens and your journey goes into a totally different and unexpected direction.
So, my question: Which of the action adventures or RPGs on the NES really have a good plot? Where is the plot actually advanced during the gameplay, like in "Final Fantasy Adventure"?
Take "Final Fantasy":
Yes, it has a nice backstory. But there isn't really much that happens during the game.
After the first chapter where you save the princess, you basically have one task: Find the four orbs. And that's what you do. There aren't really any unexpected twists. You have your goal and the rest is basically just gameplay.
Then, in the end, the story is advanced one more time when you find out that Garland traveled back in time.
So, there are three places where the story is advanced: Once in the beginning when you start your adventure. Then when you rescue the princess. And in the end when you travel back in time to defeat Garland.
In the meantime, the plot is just as static and non-changing as in "Super Mario Bros."
Now, compare this to "Final Fantasy Adventure" on the Game Boy:
In this game, the plot is always moving. You never know what happens next. It's not just about you walking the land, collecting items. Instead, the next goal is always dictated by what happens in the game:
In one scene, a vampire captures your companion, so you have to get a mirror from a cave.
In another scene, the guy who helped you earlier turns out to be the main bad guy and he captures the girl and escapes in an airship. But she manages to give you the amulet, which is then taken away from you by someone else because a local bad guy turned this person's brother into a bird.
And those are not just side tasks. These story details are all related to your personal mission.
You never just walk around because you have to collect four items. Mostly, you just have a short-term goal and then something happens and your journey goes into a totally different and unexpected direction.
So, my question: Which of the action adventures or RPGs on the NES really have a good plot? Where is the plot actually advanced during the gameplay, like in "Final Fantasy Adventure"?