Below the Cut: StarTropics, Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II (NES)

(Source: Giant Bomb)

StarTropics - Rating(7 RPP)
1) 1 - Character Advancement: practice/experience based advancement, stat or level increases, multiple classes or characters, customize characters
2) 1 - Combat: character stats used for combat, additional combat options, turn based
3) 2 - Items and Equipment: store to buy and sell, equipment decisions, item decisions
4) 2 - Story: main story at the forefront; world full of hints and lore; descriptions for objects, people, and places
5) 0 - Exploration: open world from the beginning, visited locations remain open
6) 1 - Quests and Puzzles: side quests not related to the main quest, puzzles and riddles to solve

StarTropics is another game I remember fondly. One of the most innovative puzzles in the game broke the fourth wall, and was nearly unsolvable for us because we rented the game. Packaged with the game was a letter written to the main character from his grandpa. The puzzle involves using this letter to obtain a password.

Now I can't remember if we used Nintendo Power, or if we brute forced the four digit passcode. At some point I hope to replay this game, and get through the sequel as well, which I've never had a chance to play. Sadly, this series is below the criteria I'm seeking to establish games as RPGs.

It's a fun action adventure, one of the best on the NES, but it's limited by having chapters instead of an open world, no leveling, and no character attributes or skill increases. It has quite a bit going for it with NPCs that fill out the world, a main quest that's engaging with twists and turns, and some exploration of the caves in each level. There are a few puzzles, but they all tie into the main quest. It's close, but like most of the Zelda games, we're left with a different experience.

(Source: Hardcore Gaming 101)

Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II - Rating(7 RPP)
1) 1 - Character Advancement: practice/experience based advancement, stat or level increases, multiple classes or characters, customize characters
2) 1 - Combat: character stats used for combat, additional combat options, turn based
3) 2 - Items and Equipment: store to buy and sell, equipment decisions, item decisions
4) 2 - Story: main story at the forefront; world full of hints and lore; descriptions for objects, people, and places
5) 0 - Exploration: open world from the beginning, visited locations remain open
6) 1 - Quests and Puzzles: side quests not related to the main quest, puzzles and riddles to solve

From the videos I've seen, this is an expanded version of the first game. Both games have chapters and dungeons that don't allow any backtracking. I'm not aware of any side quests, and the NPCs are talkative, but I don't remember them providing much of a purpose other than giving weapons and items. I believe this one is a bit longer, and I haven't played it myself, so I could be wrong that it doesn't offer anything different.