Imagine playing a remake of a non-existent game. Well, as absurd as that premise is, The Remake of the End of the Greatest RPG of All Time is exactly that. And while you might struggle to say its name three times in a row, this doesn’t compare to the sheer insanity of figuring out what to do in this game. And I mean that in the best way possible.
Coin Drop Games might have a gem in their hands, but it will take an open mind to fully appreciate it. Here is my review of The Remake of the End of the Greatest RPG of All Time (gosh, let’s just call it the Greatest RPG moving forward, ok?).
Story and Gameplay
The Greatest RPG takes place during the very last hour of a fictional JRPG. And while there’s definitely lore in this game within a game, the Greatest RPG is more so a meta experience rather than a fully fledged RPG one. At any given time, you’ll be able to exit the game within the game and walk through a limbo of sorts, where you will find, just like in the 2D RPG, dialogue and video footage of the Greatest RPG making of documentary. It’s a fever dream, to put it simply.
And if that sounds convoluted (in a good way), then the gameplay will certainly break the last remnants of your sanity. The Greatest RPG has turn-based RPG mechanics, with each of your characters having multiple attacks. Still, you will have no idea what these do, and oftentimes will come across enemies that, despite all of your efforts, will refuse to just drop dead.
That’s why the Greatest RPG is more of a deduction puzzle game rather than a traditional JRPG. With clues scattered all over the game in the form of manual pages, NPCs, videos, and even commentary nodes, you’ll be able to figure out how to move forward and learn what attack combos you’ll need to use to defeat the otherwise invincible enemies.
This clue-finding and deduction will apply to both the JRPG and the aforementioned limbo, so expect some major head scratching and the occasional backtracking (what do you mean “A Dream” is actually a key?!)
Graphics and Sound
The Greatest RPG is, for the most part, a traditional and colorful 2D JRPG, filled with nostalgia-filled sprites that will make you reminisce about those hours spent in front of your classic console of choice. The limbo is more glitchy and experimental, though, as if it were a half-done mess that was added at the very last second. And I am certain it was intentional, so no complaints there!
The soundtrack is great, too, as well as the sound effects. With its bit aesthetic, it provides the appropriate accompaniment for a game that is doing its best to keep throwing curveballs at the player.
Feedback
To be honest, the Greatest RPG, by the way it is designed and presented, is a “flawlessly flawed” experience. And I say that because, while the JRPG in the game is pretty basic (glitches included), and the limbo might feel like an afterthought, all of that makes sense in the context of the game, with every creative decision feeling intentional.
And yes, sometimes I did find some of the puzzles particularly annoying, but that’s because my patience has dried up through the years. I would have appreciated a little less backtracking, though (I was not feeling like trying every single item in my inventory to open a chest, man, give me a break).
This game was very much for me, but it might not be the right game for everybody. There is something as “too meta,” and perhaps, for some, the Greatest RPG might be it. Everything with this game is random, and I’m a fan of that, but it could be a bit frustrating or aimless for someone seeking a more traditional experience.
Verdict
The Remake of the End of the Greatest RPG of All Time not only has a unique name but is also a unique game. I’m not sure if reading every page of the in-game manual has somehow brainwashed me or if some subliminal message hidden in the documentary has put me under a spell, but I really enjoyed every second of it, no matter how confused I was.
