>>714284101
I really don't think Paula, Jeff and (we agree) Poo are all that compelling, is all. I did quite like the Jeff section as a change of pace, though.
Obviously looking at everything literally, it does seem chaotic and malicious. The game doesn't do that justice though. It's slowly paced, things are mostly still the same, and a lot of the later "questlines" are boring mundane fetch quests.
I did honestly find it incredibly hard to get invested. The "My Thoughts..." section was good, but only Magicant was really enough for me to feel fully invested in Ness, even if only for a little.
Undertale makes you sit with its cast directly for a little longer (if you're playing as intended taking a few tries to beat it in full), and is a much shorter game, which I think does a better job making you grow attached.
I think I would like Earthbound way more if it was a little shorter and quicker. My main issue is every issue feels worse and everything good about it gets dampened by the pace. I would've found it sweet if not for that, probably.