This.

It's the tone. I'd go even further and say that it's one of the most unique works of art ever made, tonally. I've never experienced anything until Undertale that felt like Earthbound, and even that has some gargantuan differences.

Mechanically it's just alright. Thematically it's outstanding.

I would say early Megami Tensei (Not SMT.) series can match in its unique and creativity, but how many people even know about existence of that series?

Although, it feels opposite extreme from Earthbound.

It was a game in a realm of its own. My love for the game came from a time where I'd played the Chrono Triggers, Final Fantasies, Dragon Quests, etc. I'd gotten tired of the same old dragon and sword, and crystal formulas. When I found Earthbound, it was like trying a new food that I hadn't tried before, and I loved it. The art style, the writing, everything is so fresh. The battle system is very "Dragon Quest", but I found it more interesting with the battle HP scroll, and the backgrounds.

The music was also very impressive. I mean, even more impressive than anything Mitsuda, Uematsu, or Sugiyama did on the SNES. I mean, Pokey means business gave me goosebumps the first time I heard it. That should NOT have been possible on the SNES. It was near CD quality. I praise it because it dared to be different, and it ran with it.

Because it's a good video game that deserves high praise.

The whole game is about a kid and his childhood. How he grows independent and as a person, how he loves his friends and family, how he takes responsibility on a very serious threat with a smile to his face. It's all wacky and silly, like a kids mind. There's something nice about that.

Like, here we are 20 years later, and games are now mostly serious and grayish. With more adult, mature themes. Pretty subjective to say this, but it's pretty boring. It isnt a perfect game, but it's a funny, simple game, and there's lot to say about it. Be it theme, narrative, mechanics (well, at least the final battle), culture, level design. It's also a game on the Japanese perspective of the Western culture (drugs, prostitutes, mafia, celebrities). I dont think it's a fantastic game by any means, but it's very unique and creative, and there arent many JRPGs like it. It's a experience gamers and designers should take sometime.

It's an ok game. I like the art style

I like it for what it is. But Im definitely not in love with it XD I do like how its basically a modern Dragon Quest though. The story is ok. The characters are interesting

It's really unique in a way that made it stand out from other RPGs

Maybe not the best RPG but still is worth mentioning

It was pretty fun. The atmosphere made it loved by others. It's also why games like Super Mario Bros., Final fantasy VII, and others are still praised. Yes, they may not be the best game in the world, but they brought what the audience wanted.

Ouch, mechanically it's only alright? At least the mechanics are also unique to the EB and Mother 3.. : S