"EarthBound, also known as Mother 2 in Japan, is a classic role-playing game (RPG) co-developed by Ape Inc. and HAL Laboratory, and published by Nintendo in 1994. This game stands as the second installment of the Mother series and is the only one released in English until 2015. Set in a quirky and idiosyncratic portrayal of Americana, it parodies many RPG genre staples with its real-world setting. As a player, you'll control Ness and his party of four, traveling across the world to collect melodies in order to defeat the evil alien force, Giygas. The game's features include traditional RPG elements such as character level-ups, battles, and item acquisition, but it also introduces unique game mechanics like automatic victories against weaker enemies, and a 'rolling' HP system. A key aspect of EarthBound is its seamless world, with no distinction between towns and the outside world. Its oblique projection offers a different perspective from the usual top-down view found in most 2D RPGs. All these unique elements combined with its intentionally goofy tone make EarthBound a distinctive and memorable experience in the realm of retro gaming.