Momotarou Densetsu Turbo - Part 2/5 - PC Engine (Turbografx-16) - 桃太郎伝説ターボ ~ Octopus Dance

Momotarou Densetsu Turbo is a 1990 PC Engine remake of a 1987 Famicom game. I assume it was re-released for the system in anticipation of its PC Engine-exclusive sequel, released just a few months later. There's much to like about this game. Cute, colorful graphics. A wicked funny script - the kind of thing that can only come from the mind of the Japanese. Pretty fantastic music all-around. Some totally random enemies that make you go like, "what am I even looking at?" and many pop culture references. And some unique, original challenges from the hermits that will have you burst laughing out loud because they are sometimes so ridiculous. Like the one that just kicks you out of his hut for no reason and sends you in the middle of a field where the bushes spell out アホ (idiot). I'd easily have given this game an 8/10 for all the reasons mentioned above. However - yes, there is one big HOWEVER - this is one of the grindiest JRPGs I've ever played. I don't mind random battles, and I don't even mind grinding a little from time to time. Many JRPGs have a few grinding spots and that is fine! But Momotarou Densetsu Turbo has you being too weak in every. freaking. new. area. you. visit. New village! Grind. New town! Grind. New hermit! Grind. Grind. Grind. Grind. Grind. Grind. Grind. Ggggrrrrriiiiinnnndddddd. You're always too weak, and you never have enough money to buy the required weapons! The game deals out so little money you not only have to grind for EXP, you also have to do so for money. There comes a point in the game where a random encounter with the Money King will just double your currently held money every time you see him, and that's one huge thorn out of one's side. The max level Momotarou can get to is 45, and the game recommends you be at least level 40 to fight the final boss, so it gives you an idea. At one point in the game I spent a couple of hours off-stream grinding up 10 levels just so I could stand a chance. Three animal friends will join you throughout your adventure: a bird, a cat (that the game keeps calling a dog), and a monkey. However, you cannot control them and they attack randomly whenever they want, which is not often. This is not an easy game. It's also the kind of RPG that would be hard to clear without some basic knowledge of Japanese. Man, I really wish I could call this game a hidden gem (though this series is quite famous in Japan), but the excessive grinding brings it down to being a mere curiosity only recommended to the most hardcore of JRPG fans. #pce #hudson #dogorcat *** LIVE STREAMS ON TWITCH OR YOUTUBE EVERY WEEKDAY! TWITCH - Every weekday @ ~1:15 PM EST --   / retro_zen   DISCORD --   / discord   TWITTER --   / retro_zen   YOUTUBE - Mondays & Thursdays @ ~7:00 PM EST (on the first YT channel) Support: Thank you for watching, liking and subscribing! =) ***