Beyond the Beyond (1995). Play online

Summary

Beyond the Beyond was the PlayStation’s first traditional Japanese‑style RPG to hit the Western market, delivering the familiar turn‑based vibe of classics like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. The game lets you recruit a mix of warriors, mages, pirates and mystics, then watch them graduate into stronger classes – clerics become high clerics, monks turn into master monks, and conjurers evolve into mighty summons.

Combat features the so‑called Active Playing System: pressing X at the right moment boosts attack power or defensive odds, a timing‑based mechanic that felt fresh before similar systems appeared in later titles. Visually, the top‑down isometric field and a full 360° battle view give the world a lush, textured feel.

Character designs were handled by manga artist Ami Shibata, while the soundtrack comes from Motoi Sakuraba, whose later work would shape Shining Force III and Golden Sun. Critics were split – some praised the 3D battle graphics and the engaging music, whereas others slammed its derivative look, MIDI‑only audio and the endless random encounters. Despite the mixed reception, fans of classic JRPGs still find it a nostalgic challenge.

Storyline

Beyond the Beyond drops you into a mythic world where the Beings of Light once clashed with the Warlocks of the Underworld. After the planet’s near‑destruction the two factions signed a treaty, granting the surface to the Light and the depths to the Warlocks. For centuries the uneasy peace held, until bizarre disturbances began to ripple across the land. You step into the shoes of Finn, a youthful swordsman tasked with uncovering the source of the chaos. His quest is to halt the renegade power that shattered the ancient pact and threatens to flood the surface with darkness.