They're often referred to as the "Big Four" in many gaming circles. That would be referring to the four Working Design RPGs for the Sega CD system. Not only are these four RPGs among the best you'll ever play, they're also four of the few reasons to own a Sega CD system at all. We all know that there weren't a lot of hit titles for this often forgotten system, but if you're an RPG fan, there is absolutely no reason for you not to own a Sega CD system and these four games. Below is a quick summary of each game so get to reading and then go track down a Sega CD system and these games. And if you already have a Sega CD system and these games, now might be a good time to play through one of them again.
Lunar Silver Star Story - This was the first Working Designs release for the Sega CD, and the game that launched one of the most beloved RPG series in history. The game featured some fantastic anime sequences, tons of voiced dialog, and one of the most epic quests you could find at the time. The game was a simple turn-based rpg, but the memorable and lovable characters are what made this game such a time-honored classic.
Vay - If you like your rpgs with a side order of ass-kicking, then Vay is your game. Not only is the game extremely challenging, but you'll spend most of your time leveling up your characters. While this might seem difficult, the enormous number of random enemy encounters will help you along quite nicely. Vay features one of the best stories ever found in an RPG, and it's also got some terrific music to go along with it. Not for the faint of heart, Vay will give even the most veteran RPG player a run for their money.
Lunar Eternal Blue - The sequel to Silver Star Story, Lunar Eternal Blue took everything great about the first game and just made it all better. The graphics are better, the music is better, and even the story itself manages to one-up even the outstanding storyline found in the first Lunar game. But although I give Eternal Blue the slight nod for being the better game of the two, you should really play through the first game before you tackle this one just so you'll better appreciate the nuances of the characters and their storylines.
Popful Mail - Although Popful Mail is more of a side-scrolling platformer, the game does feature a large amount of RPG traits. Not only do you level your character up, but you are often put in charge of completing certain tasks in order to advance in the game. The game features some amazing anime and almost 3 full hours of spoken dialogue to really bring the story to life. Of the four games here, Popful Mail is still my favorite and is a game that will appeal to a wide gaming audience, even those who might not normally enjoy an RPG.
It seems that Nintendo isn't the only one bringing their portable game system out in the flashy pink color. In conjunction with pop and r&b artist P!nk, Sony Europe is releasing a pink PSP system onto UK gamers on October 27th that will contain some very exclusive P!nk material on not only a limited edition UMD disc, but also downloadable content for those willing to spring for the pink system. No word yet on whether or not this pink color will come to the US, but those wishing to import may end up paying a good chunk for one considering how expensive the PSP already is in Europe. But for the pink maniacs out there, it might be worth it.
