The Best JRPGs With Pre-Rendered Backgrounds

by

The Best JRPGs With Pre-Rendered Backgrounds

Key Takeaways

  • Pre-rendered backdrops in JRPGs on the PS1 created immersive, detailed worlds that still hold up on modern systems.
  • Parasite Eve, Final Fantasy 8, The Legend of Dragoon,
    and
    Chrono Cross
    showcase some of the best pre-rendered backdrops.
  • These games feature atmospheric, beautiful settings with intricate details that bring their respective worlds to life.

As a child of the PlayStation era, I vividly remember the magic that these games cast upon me. The Legend of Dragoon, Chrono Cross, and Final Fantasy 7 were the trinity of JRPGs that shaped my love for this genre.

During the fifth and sixth generations of gaming, developers frequently utilized pre-made, high-quality backdrops. This technique involved creating detailed backgrounds on an external software, which were then used as static settings for numerous JRPGs, providing them with a comprehensive 3D appearance that accurately reflected the artist’s vision.

They played a crucial role in making numerous PlayStation and PS2-era games come alive, and they continue to be impressive on contemporary systems. The fixed camera angles and views contributed significantly to immersing players within intricately designed worlds that held much more detail than could have been achieved using the 3D technology available then. This collection highlights some of the top JRPGs boasting pre-rendered backgrounds.

5 Parasite Eve

A Modern JRPG With Captivating Visuals

Parasite Eve is a horror role-playing game set in New York City, developed using the same technology as Final Fantasy 7. It has exploration similar to early PS1 Resident Evil games and incorporates turn-based combat with contemporary weapons like pistols, machine guns, and police batons. Unlike Final Fantasy 7, the battles occur within the same pre-rendered environment, allowing the protagonist, Aya, to maneuver freely around her opponents, dodge their attacks, and strike when ready for an attack, healing, or using an item.

The pre-rendered backdrops rank among the most atmospheric, eerie, and beautiful examples seen on the PlayStation. They wonderfully capture the essence of a wintry New York on Christmas Eve, offering a welcome departure from the typical fantasy-based settings. The attention to detail in the indoor settings, such as the police station and the History Museum, is clear and is a joy to explore. The careful and detailed design of these modern New York environments makes Parasite Eve one of the most authentic JRPGs available on any system.

4 Final Fantasy 8

A Stunning Setting That Seamlessly Merges With FMV Events

Final Fantasy 8 stands out as one of the most visually impressive games for the PS1, boasting exceptionally imaginative and captivating pre-rendered backdrops that breathe life into its universe. The game’s world appears more expansive than its predecessor due to the skillful application of cinematic camera angles and the smooth blending of FMV sequences with the surrounding scenery.

In its refurbished form, Final Fantasy 8 highlights its enduring artistic style. Enhanced character models make this blend of fantasy and sci-fi more approachable for modern JRPG enthusiasts. The eighth installment in the extensive series offers some of its most imaginative backdrops, such as Balamb Garden, Deling City, and Trabia Garden – each with breathtaking vistas that leave a lasting impression.

3 The Legend Of Dragoon

A Picturesque Fantasy World Brought To Life

The Legend of Dragoon is an enchanting Role Playing Game (RPG) produced by Sony, and it bears a striking resemblance to one of SquareSoft’s Final Fantasy series on the original PlayStation. It showcases some of the PlayStation’s finest pre-rendered backgrounds, surpassing certain early PS2 JRPGs that utilized similar pre-rendering methods. The world of Endiness was meticulously crafted with love, time, and care, offering an impression of vastness, awe, and a rich history teeming with legend and lore.

The water and sun ray effect was captivating, resembling a real-life fantasy artwork. In The Legend of Dragoon, the varied landscapes with towns reminiscent of fantasy were a spectacle, such as Donau, The Flower City, Rouge, and Aglis, the city beneath a city, which seems to draw inspiration from sci-fi aesthetics in its design. The Legend of Dragoon is an eye-catching game that warrants a second glance and perhaps a continuation of one of Sony’s finest JRPG series.

2 Chrono Cross

A Vibrant And Beautiful World

Fans found themselves divided over Chrono Cross, as it was perceived as a sequel to the acclaimed Chrono Trigger. However, despite facing the challenge of living up to its predecessor’s legacy, it proves to be an exceptional JRPG in its own merit. Chrono Cross is a visually stunning game, boasting a creatively designed world that holds its ground as one of the most aesthetically pleasing JRPGs from the PS1 era.

Yasuyuki Honne, an art director, shaped the world we see, having previously worked in that role for projects like Xenogears, Xenosaga, and the Baten Kaitos series. The background is bustling with life, filled with NPCs, waterfalls, beaches, wildlife, and much more. Exploring Chrono Cross is a delight, whether you play it on the original PS1 or the enhanced version, Chrono Cross: Radical Dreamers Edition.

1 Final Fantasy 7

A Timeless Classic With An Incredible Atmosphere

To many JRPG enthusiasts who grew up during the PS1 era, Final Fantasy 7 was their initial foray into video games. Additionally, it played a significant role in promoting the employment of pre-rendered backgrounds alongside the Resident Evil series. The game showcased an unprecedented sense of grandeur within its genre at that time. The legendary opening sequence in Midgar, where the FMV footage harmoniously merges with the instant when Cloud and his comrades jump from the train, continues to be iconic in one of gaming’s most memorable worlds.

In the game Final Fantasy 7, Midgar stands out as a character in its own right, crafted with exquisite detail. It exudes a cyberpunk ambiance, contrasting the hardships faced by slum dwellers against the opulence enjoyed by the upper class living high above. The interior and exterior of Midgar are filled with charming yet worn-out cafes and shops, as well as the vibrant neon lights of the Honey Bee Inn. The game’s backdrops and scenes extend beyond Midgar to encompass other memorable locations such as sunny Costa Del Sol, picturesque Nibelheim, and the Icicle Inn that looks like a festive Christmas card. Final Fantasy 7 is rich in larger, lasting locales, including the Gold Saucer amusement park and the Shinra-controlled harbor town of Junon.

Read More

2024-09-16 16:34