Jade Cocoon Review [Stew Review]

[@D3m0n7x]

one of my favorite games still to this date, i never figured out how to create the bee monster on the cover art

[@StewTube]

There's actually instructions in the booklet but the end result doesn't look anyware near as cool lol

[@myozimandis]

I played JC when I was around 10 years old. 31 years old me, enjoys each memory of it, and replays it from time to time emulating it on the phone. A gem I truely appreciate has a place in my childhood memories. Alongside with final fantasy titles and other similar videogames, it has shaped the way I view life and the world today.

[@StewTube]

Yeah! It was an amazing time to be alive in the 1990s! Amazing game! Jade cocoon 2 though is terrible! Lol

[@myozimandis]

@@StewTube Yeah, it's pathetic compared to the first game.

[@Heeroneko]

I'd love a sequel that kept the first game's monster merging system. The lore in this game was so cool. Mixes in a LOT of real world religious stoofs that not many ppl seem to pick up on.

[@StewTube]

I know dude! The sequel we got was trash imo

[@MyratheDunmer]

My favourite JRPG and the one which got me into the genre. Still listening to the soundtrack in 2024

[@StewTube]

Jade raccoon is defo top 10!!!

[@JamerikanBeatz]

Thx shareing ur thoughts and be a part of this beautiful experience and that we all come here together and i hope in the future peoples will still come together and talk about this hidden gems. Is for ever my favorite game, played it so many times and gave me so many beautiful vibes, that i sometimes like to remember. this backgrounds and the art style from Genki was really nice to me. The music, the rpg grinding combat and monster fusions - really great.

[@StewTube]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Jade caccoon was truly one of a kind!

[@adbail1588]

this game was amazing. This should of been the one top Jrpgs of all time if it was advertised properly

[@StewTube]

Agreed good sir!

[@FrondomeCast]

My brother and I used to love the game so had separate save files. We both managed to play against each other. We were always quite a struggling family so we could never afford any of your big AAA games. I reckon we found this one in a bargain bin and what I find it was. I would even have my friends and we would spend our time just playing this game since the monster merging was just amazing. It's something we hadn't seen before and actually something I've never seen since. Thanks for making this review, you're clearly very passionate about the game! Honestly, I had no idea about the 3rd game! I'll have to look up info on it!

[@StewTube]

Thank you for sharing your story! I'm glad you got to experience the 2 player elements! And yes! I had no idea about jade cocoon gaiden either!

[@renandstimpyfreak672]

For me, my first experience with the game was with my bigger sister. She had been able to get the game as a gift one day, and she and I got hooked. Granted we didn't beat the game until we got much older, but when we were kids we battled constantly. Then she got the sequel as another gift, back when it was way newer. Once again, we battled all the time, and we didn't get very far into the game until we were older. Then when we learned what the moves actually did and how to strategize, we were able to beat the game. Nowadays, I enjoy anything I can find about either game. They both fascinate me so much, and while I wish for a third game, I wish for a reimagining that did both the original game and its sequel justice. I'm personally more of a fan of the second game myself, but I wanted to see both game succeed better. I loved the review; keep up the great work! :D

[@StewTube]

Loved reading your story!, What makes you prefer the 2nd game over the first?

[@renandstimpyfreak672]

@@StewTube For me personally, the second game was the first game I was able to write my own cheats for. As I progressed and learned more about the moves and the codes I learned more about the internals of the game itself. Basically, it was the beginnings of understanding coding and programming, for me, and I'm glad to have learned some things from it. There are, in my opinion, an equal amount of a lot of quirks between the first and second games that are worth a read. :)

[@sprytefox]

I like the part where the jade got cocooned. Seriously though that multiplayer aspect sounds pretty dope. LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE STOO-TOOB when you comfortably can, brother!

[@StewTube]

I always cocoon my jades brehh

[@StewTube]

Be back in a few weeks!

[@ToHoldNothing]

It's arguably as difficult as the old Pokemon multiplayer, though this game assumes everyone was going to clamor for it when the PAL cover looked way cooler. Honestly thought it was the Japanese one at first, which is pretty cool too. NA version is...kind of meh by comparison and it's odd that I was that interested as a teen in it with that kind of visual, unlike, say, Threads of Fate

[@danielscott70x7]

Incredible review. Comprehensive, personal, and so enjoyable to listen through. Recently purchased a copy on eBay to play - this has me super excited!

[@StewTube]

You won't be let down! Absorb everything! The game will be over before you know. Take time to admire those prerendered backgrounds!

[@StewTube]

Something I thought about today..... This games actually incredibly sad Lavant the main character has one of the most tragic heroes journeys I've ever witnessed. The reality of the games outcome doesn't really hit you until long after you finish the game.

[@Shmuptopia]

Super impressed with this review. Too often people don't pepper in the personal details, let alone include heart-felt messages to wrap things up so I definitely appreciate this approach. Would love to see more legit YT vids from you though I realize not everyone will have that working with their schedule and everything else they have on the go. As for myself, Jade C is one I snagged years ago without having a clue what it was. This was during my phase of gobbling up whatever JRPGs I could get my hands on. I never ended up playing it and eventually sold it off but it often comes to mind. It was really neat seeing and hearing about this! Sounds like it offers a lot in such a short duration and if it ever got some sort of re-release on Switch (that's all I play on these days), I'd certainly snatch it up in a heartbeat. With things like Chrono Cross getting a modern release (something I had been desperately craving for years now), it has me feeling like we might someday see other classics like The Legend of Dragoon, Alundra, Lunar 1 and 2, etc. Thanks for the vid!

[@StewTube]

I really appreciate the kind words and it's always nice to hear people notice the heart felt messages and little personal details. I think we all forget how video games are tied to personal stories. Like what was going on In our lives when we experienced certain games. If your familiar with a channel called nakeyjakey he has a video about bioshock that really inspired me. You really should get your hands on a copy of this game it's not very expensive but it's a very polished game. Screams 90s anime. I definetly plan on making more videos in this style just currently on a temporary hiatus but I'll be back in about a month so stay tuned! Cheers!

[@Shmuptopia]

@@StewTube Yeah, no worries. When it comes making YT videos or anything else where we're growing a community, sharing who you are is vital. As much as people can be there for the content, it really boils down to whether they can get behind the person creating the videos. Also, loved hearing the FF8 tune thrown in at the start. In any event, I'll keep my eyes peeled for future vids and am stoked to see what you share next! JRPGs were the only things I played for years on end in my teens and early-mid '20s. I still love them but with my focus being on shmups (hence the name), I don't play them nearly as often and when I do, they are at a much more gradual pace since we have a daughter a little over 1yr now and she keeps us fairly preoccupied. Anyway, I won't keep you! Thanks again and have a stellar day Stew!

[@StewTube]

So meny FF8 tracks are great for heartelt moments like that and hey!! Part of my hiatus is we just had a son! He's 9 months now! Thanks for stopping by! Hopefully you can make it to a stream sometime!

[@Shmuptopia]

Just wanted to say that I listened to this again. Such a fantastic video and I trust you and the family are doing stellar! ​@@StewTube

[@StewTube]

For sure we are doing great! My son is 3 the wifey is back in college and I got a pretty rad promotion at my job! Still battling the crazy housing market though! But all is well! I actually have decided to step away from streaming to focus on making more videos like this! :) figured you'd be happy to hear that too! Did you catch my Dear Metal Gear video? You'd probably enjoy it even if your not a fan of metal gear!

[@jeffjeff-nu7jt]

when i first played this game i have no idea on how to equip the monsters and ended up beating the game without any monster, i beat it by buying the latest weapons and armors and lots of Mugwort, when i find some elemental attack items i only use them on bosses, lucky i got a strong weapon drop by a monster early.

[@StewTube]

Lmao wow that's epic. I could see it being possible. There's a super powerful sword that a monster in the spider forest drops. It's like a giant buster sword. I ended up selling it because it made the game too easy. I couldn't level up my minions because I would one hit kill everything lol

[@pcprincipal2830]

Nice Review! I always got a kick out of how gloriously bad the Genki company logo was.

[@StewTube]

Lmao yeah it's fucked man

[@Cybermunky7]

I absolutely loved this game and also did get to use the multiplayer battle with my cousin Josh. Such a brilliant game for its time.

[@StewTube]

Yeah man this game has such a special place in my heart! I wish I woulda had someone to do multiplayer with!

[@MonkeyB.911]

Great story man, I started playing the game today for the first time

[@StewTube]

@@MonkeyB.911 your gonna love it!

[@Heeroneko]

I've contemplated doing a pacifist/capture only run before. I mean they do tell you your job is to soothe souls, not kill, so I've wondered if that'd have any affect on things.

[@StewTube]

Hard to say might be worth trying!

[@souledge37]

I came across this game as a kid when video rental stores were still a thing. 😢 no one I've ever met in person has ever even heard of this game. Lol it blew me away as a kid. I always felt the ending was actually super sad. Levant being trapped in the endless corridor and not really being able to go back to the village. Your wife Mahbu(whos personal suffering is the only reason you were able to make it so far) is gone I think too at that point. Its been a decade plus since I've beaten this game but ill never forget it. Great job. 🤜

[@StewTube]

Thanks buddy. Glad you enjoyed. Yeah the ending is super sad and kind of scared in a way. I've also never met anyone in real life that's ever heard of it either aside from my cousin who lives across the country that showed me the game during a family get together. I was so happy to get to play this game again. It's so well made but sadly super short :(

[@wizcatcheslightning]

Great video! Definitely enjoyed the livestream of this game. And it happened to occur during a Summer Camp romance of sorts, if you wanna call it that.

[@StewTube]

Oh? Do tell do tell!

[@StewTube]

And thanks dude!

[@wizcatcheslightning]

@@StewTube haha! In due time good sir

[@Otis151]

I remember being told my a friend (or maybe my brother) that it was like pokemon. It wasn’t really, but that was enough to get me onboard. I don’t think I ever finished it. But have fond memories of this game. A shame they didn’t market it better.

[@StewTube]

@@Otis151 agreed. It should have been way more popular!

[@yoshybra9185]

Lol, I remember stumbling on this gem because I was after the Final Fantasy viii demo. Loved the demo and managed to get the game on its release, it still has a place in my collection.

[@StewTube]

The jade cocoon demo for the ff8 demo? Lol

[@yoshybra9185]

To be honest played the jade cocoon demo a lot more. Both Final Fantasy viii and Jade Cocoon are in my collection still.

[@StewTube]

Yeah man there both amazing games! Jade cocoon was super unique for it's time

[@tottijoao]

Gaming wasn't that popular on my small elementary school, I just had one friend that also enjoyed RPGs and he was the one who introduced me to this game. I remember we kept playing the endless corridor, hoping there was actually an end lol

[@StewTube]

Man same here.....well actually it was pretty much just me at my school that was into jrpgs. I remember grinding the corridor forever too. I wanted to find the end so damn bad!

[@dudleythedragonninjagaming5941]

this was STEWpendously TUBEyoular!~

[@StewTube]

Yeeeeeee

[@dlodortyjobs5618]

My first experience with this game came from the demo on the PS magazine demo CD. I got it namely because FF8 demo was on the disk as well. My cousin and I played the Jade Cocoon demo over and over. It is actually really interesting because it took place only in the 1st forest but yet had alot of things different. Different minions, music, enemies, key items, colors, voice actors, and the village was ALOT different. Feels like the game had a few different routes that they were working on and made changes late in the development. I feel like this could have contributed to why it didn't succeed. They spent alot getting the demo onto the PS magazine demo disk and made significant changes from the demo to the actual version. Additionally, I believe anyone that plays the game can tell it was never fully realized. So much lore, items, and gameplay that was mentioned and never expanded upon. Really a shame as this is the "monster raising" game I wanted.... one with a heart and soul. Don't get me wrong I love monster rancher and pokemon but as far as story goes...... they can't hold a candle. This game is truly a hidden gem that I would love to be remade but that's wishful thinking. To sum up between this game and Xenogears you have two of the greatest games ever made that most people are clueless about. Makes me sad.

[@StewTube]

Man I'm gonna have to check out this demo disc! Demos of jrpgs are always full of strange little differences! Don't even get me started on xenogears! Lol

[@samamies88]

There is this group in facebook that started to make kinda like remake... actually a new game but would use Jade Cocoons merging and universe, just probably different time and/or location to avoid any lawsuits etc... but few years ago they had to inform that they aren't currently working on this game anymore. They didn't say they'd fully stop tho. So maybe they can continue on working on this. They shared few screenshots of what they had so far (iirc few huts and few monster elements like torso with hands they can use on a monster and the merging). I don't think we would get actualy Jade Cocoon game ever since afaik the studio doesn't exist and the rights are all around and probably forgotten... but i think a smaller studio or indie makers could actually make spiritual successor.

[@KabooomandStuff]

Great video Stew that opening and ending was very Stewtube lol Also since one day someone will find out if there is an end to it, does this mean one day you will be complete the eternal corridor? :3

[@StewTube]

I reckon I would give it a go if someone can confirm it has an end! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@KabooomandStuff]

@@StewTube well google says it has 1000 floors and then reset after floor 1000 lol

[@StewTube]

@@KabooomandStuff there's gotta be in end tho I swear!

[@ToHoldNothing]

Was excited to try and look into the lore video, but not sure if it exists here or anywhere. This is a game I think is one I want to revisit, even without necessarily playing, since it's a slog these days to familiarize myself with the element system and get used to the tank controls

[@StewTube]

Just hang tight! It's coming just not sure when. Had a baby a few months ago so I've been super busy! It will happen though!

[@ToHoldNothing]

@@StewTube And no one would fault you for taking longer even if that wasn't the case, because fixating on one game for a long project can result in burnout of sorts in itself. Quest 64 has a long project by Lvl Jake analyzing its story and lore I finished last month or so and he hasn't uploaded in months since then.

[@StewTube]

I'll have to check out that channel! Quest 64 is pretty cool

[@ToHoldNothing]

@@StewTube If both underrated and underpromoted. Plus that localized name...Quest 64? Even Eletale Monsters would've been better, even though that makes it sound like a Pokemon knock off. Holy Magic Century was the coolest version, PAL seems to get some of the best stuff even if it's more aesthetic.

[@StewTube]

@@ToHoldNothing until they don't lol. Look at the pal art for grandia

[@michaelhernandez1841]

I only heard of this game due to it being on one of the Playstation demo discs

[@StewTube]

Miss those demo discs!

[@Lukja08]

Cosmo from The Fairly Oddparents was Koris. lol

[@StewTube]

True that! There were a few other recognizable voices too!

[@tottijoao]

Where's that Jade Cocoon lore video you mentioned?

[@StewTube]

It's no uploaded yet. I haven't even started working on it lol. I actually just yesterday moved halfway across the country so it will be a little bit. Definitely stay tuned though!

[@andriasw]

nice review and this time it's much much better than before, you're getting good at this, and you also know my name so if it's a boy, you have my permission to use my name

[@StewTube]

Bahaha I'll name him goomba xD thank you for the compliments. I do think I'm getting better at narrating

[@KarmaJolt]

Dude this is great. I should like... subscribe to you.

[@StewTube]

That would be cool. Do you by chance also have a channel?

[@KarmaJolt]

@@StewTube Hmm let me check.

[@jonnylynn2586]

My childhood self is still insulted by the UK Official playstation mag one page 6/10 review on this.

[@StewTube]

I don't blame you! Lol

[@shogunsam]

This game always looked cool to me but when I first played it I was a teenager and it was my step brothers copy but didn’t get far in the game cause the music and themes were a bit much for me due to having a lot going on. I now want to finish it

[@StewTube]

It's a good game man. You'll appreciate it alot more now that your older.

[@StewTube]

For aonster catching game it's fairly mature

[@kbkealoha]

I never owned a copy. I originally played it as a demo from ps magazine i think. Fell in love with it and rented the full game. I think it did bad due to mediocre reviews at the time

[@StewTube]

It's definitely super short lol

[@d1h9d4]

This game was bonkers when it came out

[@StewTube]

Bro I swear to God I don't know how this game got a us release. Some weeb musta been working for the esrb

[@BawesomeBurf]

Great review as always, but from the demo I played and the gameplay I saw in your streams, this looked like a mediocre RPG to me. The story was decent enough and it had some amazing music, but a lot of the other stuff didn't seem that great. I thought the voice acting was pretty average, and MIXED WAY TOO LOUD. The tank controls would drive me nuts. Really didn't like the monster designs either. Sure, you can combine them together to create new ones, but the new ones looked only slightly less derpy lol. Combat also looked really dull. As for why it didn't sell well, timing didn't do it any favors for sure. Another thing is that it received wildly varying review scores ranging from 6/10 to 9/10. Seems no one could agree on whether this was worth playing at the time. Anyways, glad you enjoyed it and enjoyed your stream replay. Looking forward to the next stream and review. :)

[@StewTube]

The combat is pretty full not gonna lie. Some monster designs were great but others weren't it's kinda 50-50 I personally enjoy tank controls. I do gotta admit the combat is definetly slow like you said. The string point here is it's world and lore building for sure.

[@StewTube]

See you soon brudda!

[@Snacts]

why am i just only now seeing this video?...

[@StewTube]

It just broke free if it's coccoon

[@StewTube]

Lololol

[@Snacts]

@@StewTube well put together video! Definitely deserve more subs!

[@StewTube]

@@Snacts thank you sir! Your a gentleman and a scholar!

[@berryscafettv]

That's it I'm streaming this game!!! It's been to long!

[@StewTube]

@@berryscafettv do it!!

[@berryscafettv]

@@StewTube ya I'll have to do it after we finish Popolocrois, but I deff miss this game. It really needs a remaster/reboot. Honestly 2 lacked something for me 😞.

[@StewTube]

@@berryscafettv why does popolocrois sound so familiar? And yeah jc2 was a joke lol

[@berryscafettv]

@@StewTube Popolocrois Montagari and Montagari 2 were PlayStation tactical RPGs inspired by fairytale. In USA they combined both games for the PSP and called it Popolocrois. Then on 3DS we got Popolocrois: a story of seasons.

[@StewTube]

That's such a unique name im trying to remember whatever I first heard of this lol

[@comodjiohermano]

Sigh, *downloading again Ive played this game when i was like 15 years old, now i have 34 and i'm still thinking this game is the best. Jade cocoon 2 it's good too tho!

[@StewTube]

Jade raccoon was such a let down for me! But at least we got a cute and less creepy kikinak lol

[@Sephirothxxl1]

well actually I am on my first playthrough and the game is pretty...basic. The story is okayish but lacks interesting characters and happenings. The items are boring and the monster look really not good actually. I am a big fan of the persona series, in which they hunting / melting of personas is well done. but this ? nah 6/10. Didn't catch me

[@StewTube]

That's a fair statement from a 2024 perspective

[@Nighteye88]

I loved Jade Cocoon 1&2 I was happy with even the changes they made just because it eas definitely fresh for the time I still have the guide book for 1 and the game of 2 but my ps1 cooy went to the void....

[@StewTube]

I will enter the void and retrieve it for you one day!