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[Man God]

As an aside, Phantasy Star 1 is honestly incredible.
I played all four games for the first time in 2007 and 1 instantly became one of my favorite RPGs ever. It really blows away its peers in every way.

To anyone who wants to experience now, I would recommend the retranslation. You get a much better English script, and you also get the FM music from the Japanese version which IMO is way better than the PSG North America got.

I played 1 and 2 right around then on the GBA collection and yeah, 1 really left a good impression with me. It's probably my favorite 8 bit RPG, and that's saying something considering how much I like DQ III and FF 1. I'd say it's about five years ahead of the RPG curve when it comes to presentation considering when it came out.

2 is fine, good storytelling mixed with awful dungeons. 3 which I played later is awful outside of some of the ideas it put forward. 4 is good but outside of macros and the combination system never really stuck with me, and this is a game I only completed last December.

 

[Mak]

Phantasy Star I-IV are also on Wii Virtual Console until the store stops taking funds in March 2018. The emulation is by M2 who handled the PS2 Phantasy Star collection.

https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/liCGd--387PDpgcfX7CfYK4-c94D4wf6

https://www.nintendo.com/search/#/results/phantasy star/1

 

[davidwhangchoi]

I think 4 is the best, but 1 is a close second. It was so fucking far ahead of its time, it's incredible. Not to mention a strong female protagonist with ZERO misogyny way back in 1987. 30 years ago, we had a strong female protagonist. We can't get that nowadays in most games for some fucking reason.



I mentioned this earlier in the thread and Aeana noted it's a PS2 Classic on PS3's Japanese PSN. It's only 823Y. I'm literally downloading it right now on my American PS3 even though I have the physical disc. I was planning on getting another physical copy in case mine ever failed- this collection is THAT important to me- before Aeana's post.

nice! i got it more to play it in 240p. i might get the psn version down the line. the downfall of the ps3 is it can't output 240p and the lowest is 480. so it'll play at the wrong resolution. (not the PSN's fault but the ps3 limiting hardware)

i'd go genesis or ps2. hooked up to a upscaler like framiester or to a CRT.

 

[Remk]

One thing that Phantasy Star III wins easily in the series is having the best intro theme. Even though is missing the waves sound effect and it's not the same as in-game,

And for good measure an S.S.T, Band version of it.


So damn good, nostalgia simply pours in while listening

 

[GhaleonEB]

Phantasy Star on the SMS was my first RPG, so it's always had a soft spot in my heart. But as I've replayed it over the years I've come to appreciate it more and more. It was just insanely ambitious for its time, and the mix of 3D dungeons, sci-fi and fantasy, and world-hopping adventure still resonate. I replay it ever several years.

Phantasy Star II is among my favorite games ever. Brutally difficult, it's a pure dungeon crawl in three epic parts (bio-monsters, the dams/robots, and the Nei weapons). I've played it end to end at least a dozen times, even drawing out many of the harder dungeons on graph paper.

PS III is a dud. The whole thing feels half-baked, with no real character or challenge to it. The mult-generational aspect of it is neat, but ultimately damaged the quality of a the quest, world and systems. Forgettable.

I played Phantasy Start IV for the first time a few years ago, as part of the Ultimate Genesis Collection that came out on 360. I was honestly blown away by it. It's such a gargantuan leap up from the second game - which it's a direct sequel to - that I can barely believe it came out when it did. I loved the homages to the first two games - remixed music tracks, Lassic's castle having the same layout as the dungeon in the first game - and it ties the story together beautifully. Just a hugely ambitious, gorgeous, surprisingly long and complex game.

I still prefer the brutal difficulty of the first two games, but part IV is really something special. I'm still pining for another installment in the series. (The PSO games don't count.)

One thing that Phantasy Star III wins easily in the series is having the best intro theme. Even though is missing the waves sound effect and it's not the same as in-game,

And for good measure an S.S.T, Band version of it.


So damn good, nostalgia simply pours in while listening

I still remember this theme, and it's a great one. Probably the best part of the game. :lol

But I still prefer the second game's theme. Hearing this exotic, mellow theme play while the art from the title screen fades in felt really amazing at the time, and still sets a great tone for the game.

 

[Lyriell]

So apparently I have the Sega ages Phantasy star collection for Saturn. Is that version any good?

 

[Celine]

Only ever played seriously PS4 but I join those who say that PS4 is among the best console RPG of the 16 bit generation.

 

[DealWithIt]

4>1>2>3 obviously my forum avatar tells you a lot about me.

Honestly ps1 is a marvel for its time. I think it’s incredible the stuff they did. 3D dungeons, vehicles, multiple planets, a good, interesting sci-fi setting, a female lead that’s just plain tough. The game has puzzles and secrets and lore. It’s gripping, Plus it has amazing music for the era. Definitely one of the best eight bit games. I would say top five.

PS4 is may be the greatest game sequel to ever exist in terms of linking together predecessors. It has a fantastic Sci fi setting that it sells perfectly, and it has a unique and interesting cast of characters. Alys might be the best female character in any game before and for more than a decade after.

Spoiler

The game even tackles grief in mature and interesting way with Alys. Alys>Aeris

I suppose it doesn’t have the raw gameplay design of final fantasy six, but it has boundary defying art and music and atmosphere like crazy. PS4 holds up today, much like Chrono Trigger holds up today.

 

[Ferr986]

Phantasy Star IV is amazing, and up there with the best 16 bits jRPGs IMO.

It starts okish but keeps getting better and better the more you advance.

 

[Hesh]

4 is one the the greatest JRPGs ever made. I wish I could go back and play it for the first time again. Such an amazing example of The Hero's Journey.

 

[cireza]

Phantasy Star is my favorite RPG series ever.

II and IV are the best. II is a pretty old game, but it had such a great and background, as well as interesting gameplay mechanics (make your team as you want by picking among various characters that are, most of the time, only really good at one or two things).

IV pushed the presentation to some pretty incredible limits in 1993, it is the most impressive RPG on 16 bits in my opinion. Battle presentation is fantastic, with very detailed animations. Characters are interesting and different, and the story is well developed. However, the team is forced upon the player, and you never have the liberty to advance as you want (compared to PS II). You do have a lot of sidequests however.

Anyway, in terms of game-design, I love PS II and IV. They are very different, and both fantastic, well paced and very fun/rewarding.

PS III is also a very interesting game, but the gameplay is a lot more repetitive. Dungeons are labyrinths made of corridors to no end. What is really interesting is the setting and story, and all the paths that are available. Sadly, the game is a bit bugged because of all the possibilities that the branching story opened.

Still a very interesting game to play. This one could be made into a fantastic game if remade while adding a good number of quality of life improvements, as well as upgrading dungeon design.

I played PS I, II and III on GBA a lot and never had any issue. This is a fine compilation for the handheld. Best way to play is still the original games on a CRT TV.

 

[Sorcerer]

In my opinion,I love the nature of those dungeons, is nice to see for once a maze that requires some learning of the dungeon, while making each battle feel like a life or death situation (Rise or Fall like the name of the theme song implies). In that sense, 4 is just way too easy, and I'm those folks who really hate games that are hard for the sake of it

Also, even though the characters doesn't have any kind of background story, I really love how from a gameplay perspective, most of them feel very different from each other.

Finally, even though most of the story comes from the ending of the game, I feel that it leads to a way more insightful commentary than hundredes of rpg which are praised even though they are as generic as they could get

The text adventures for PS2 are brilliant. There should be a release of PS2 that incorporates the text adventures. Either as unlockable as you play the game or a separate menu.

 

[Sorcerer]

Phantasy Star is my favorite RPG series ever.

II and IV are the best. II is a pretty old game, but it had such a great and background, as well as interesting gameplay mechanics (make your team as you want by picking among various characters that are, most of the time, only really good at one or two things).

IV pushed the presentation to some pretty incredible limits in 1993, it is the most impressive RPG on 16 bits in my opinion. Battle presentation is fantastic, with very detailed animations. Characters are interesting and different, and the story is well developed. However, the team is forced upon the player, and you never have the liberty to advance as you want (compared to PS II). You do have a lot of sidequests however.

Anyway, in terms of game-design, I love PS II and IV. They are very different, and both fantastic, well paced and very fun/rewarding.

PS III is also a very interesting game, but the gameplay is a lot more repetitive. Dungeons are labyrinths made of corridors to no end. What is really interesting is the setting and story, and all the paths that are available. Sadly, the game is a bit bugged because of all the possibilities that the branching story opened.

Still a very interesting game to play. This one could be made into a fantastic game if remade while adding a good number of quality of life improvements, as well as upgrading dungeon design.

I played PS I, II and III on GBA a lot and never had any issue. This is a fine compilation for the handheld. Best way to play is still the original games on a CRT TV.

Never experienced the blue screen of death on PS1 on the GBA?. It made oversaving a necessity for me.

 

[Augemitbutter]

3 is not great or anything, but i'd rather replay that one raw over 2. the dungeons in 2 are almost unplayable unless you have maps. even with maps it's very annoying. 4 is amazing and very playable to this day. 1 is like a shenmue of its time. probably blew away everyone that saw it.

 

[cireza]

Never experienced the blue screen of death on PS1 on the GBA?. It made oversaving a necessity for me.

Nope. Played the PAL release of the game.

 

[AmyS]

Here are some scans of Phantasy Star III magazine coverage here in the U.S. that's near and dear to my heart.

EGM #11 June 1990

(by that time that issue with above preview hit newsstands and got delivered to mailboxes in the U.S., PS III was already out in Japan, as of April 1990.

EGM #18 January 1991

EGM #22 May 1991

Mega Play magazine issues #1, #2 and #4

From three different issues of Sega Visions magazine:

GamePro - August 1991

Video Games & Computer Entertainment - August 1991

Computer Gaming World - November 1991

Artwork from the Phantasy Star III Generations of Doom Hint Book

Finally, from Game Player's Sega Genesis Strategy Guide - August 1991, the words on the last paragraph of the last page sent chills down my spine when I read them

 

[eXistor]

IV is amazing and probably the best. I've never been able to put any serious time in III yet, but I think the general concensus is: interesting concept, meh execution. It misses the aesthetics the series is known for.

 

[Discopizza]

Never experienced the blue screen of death on PS1 on the GBA?. It made oversaving a necessity for me.

I remember reading that it only happens if you save while the music is looping. I've always kept that in mind and never had the crash either.

 

[Sakura]

Yall making me want to play Phantasy Star

 

[Robert at Zeboyd Games]

Such a great series. Although IV is a quality ending, I'd still love to see Sega release a V.

 

[Ferr986]

Sega is too busy selling skimpy clothes on PSO2 to make PSV.

 

[Celine]

Such a great series. Although IV is a quality ending, I'd still love to see Sega release a V.

I would await the release with trepidation and fear.
Same if SquareEnix decide to make sequel of Quintet games.

 

[Freddo]

My cousin had a Master System and I remember playing Phantasy Star on it, well, I mostly watched it while he played it, and it blew my mind. Only ~7 years ago I played it by myself thanks to the Ultimate Collection for the PS3 and still enjoyed it lots.

I have yet to play 2, 3 or 4 though, but considering all the praise for 4 in here, I should really play it soon sometime. I already have it for the PS3 thanks to the above-mentioned Ultimate Collection, but also for PC thanks to some past Steam sale.

 

[Drake]

On a side note does anyone know why Phantasy Star 4 cost $100 at launch in the US. I saved up my allowance,birthday and Christmas money to buy that game back in the day. I've read various theories, but as never able to get a definitive answer.

 

[Gin-Shiio]

Something I am curious about is: how many people are aware that PSO continues the story of the classics? A strong, but really the only link is Dark Falz being sealed in a spaceship from the Algo system when Pioneer 1 happens upon it. At one point in development, Sonic Team had planned on establishing a stronger connection, even including another model of Wren in the story, but they decided on a more subdued connection in the end.

Also, let me introduce you Alis Landale, but not the one you know and love:

Indeed, SEGA couldn't help but put a scantily-dressed version of their most respectible heroine into PSO2. Because of course they would. Lutz is in the game too, but he barely shares any resemblence to the classic version of the character.

 

[CrassHoppr]

PS3 may be the worst but it certainly has the best subtitle. Generations... of DOOM!

 

[Novel Mike]

Something I am curious about is: how many people are aware that PSO continues the story of the classics? A strong, but really the only link is Dark Falz being sealed in a spaceship from the Algo system when Pioneer 1 happens upon it. At one point in development, Sonic Team had planned on establishing a stronger connection, even including another model of Wren in the story, but they decided on a more subdued connection in the end.

Also, let me introduce you Alis Landale, but not the one you know and love:

Indeed, SEGA couldn't help but put a scantily-dressed version of their most respectible heroine into PSO2. Because of course they would. Lutz is in the game too, but he barely shares any resemblence to the classic version of the character.

I liked the idea of PSO continuing the story of what happened to the various ships that left Algo in PS2 but it just wasn't executed well. Finding little data pads telling the story of that one hunter which is the only story you really got was just not very satisfying, not when the original series had so many just outright epic or tragic moments.

Also the latter part about Alis is why I wouldn't trust Sega to do a new Phantasy Star game. Same as Shining Force, what they've done with those series in the modern generation is a god damn shame.

 

[NeoZeedeater]

Here are some scans of Phantasy Star III magazine coverage here in the U.S. that's near and dear to my heart.

Nice. I had those issues of EGM, Mega Play, Gamepro, and VG&CE. PSIII was quite critically acclaimed at the time. I was surprised a few years later when Gamefan was bashing it.

On a side note does anyone know why Phantasy Star 4 cost $100 at launch in the US. I saved up my allowance,birthday and Christmas money to buy that game back in the day. I've read various theories, but as never able to get a definitive answer.

RPG tax, basically. It was a niche genre so they figured they could charge more to make up for that and the fans would buy them anyway. RPGs tended to be larger cartridges as well. Things finally changed in the Playstation era.

 

[Hippopuncher12]

4 is the best game in the series and honestly one of the best RPG's of that era if not of all time. 3 is okay.

 

[Ferr986]

Something I am curious about is: how many people are aware that PSO continues the story of the classics? A strong, but really the only link is Dark Falz being sealed in a spaceship from the Algo system when Pioneer 1 happens upon it. At one point in development, Sonic Team had planned on establishing a stronger connection, even including another model of Wren in the story, but they decided on a more subdued connection in the end.

Also, let me introduce you Alis Landale, but not the one you know and love:

Indeed, SEGA couldn't help but put a scantily-dressed version of their most respectible heroine into PSO2. Because of course they would. Lutz is in the game too, but he barely shares any resemblence to the classic version of the character.

Didnt saw PSO2 Alis till now.
Sigh...PSO2 gameplay is very good but the rest is an embarassment.
And that outfit is still """tame""" compared to others one they put on sale.

 

[dead souls]

4 is amazing. 3 is decent, and I like it more than the general consensus (especially the overworld music).

 

[Linkura]

The text adventures for PS2 are brilliant. There should be a release of PS2 that incorporates the text adventures. Either as unlockable as you play the game or a separate menu.

They are in the Complete Collection for PS2/PS3 PS2 Classics.

Something I am curious about is: how many people are aware that PSO continues the story of the classics? A strong, but really the only link is Dark Falz being sealed in a spaceship from the Algo system when Pioneer 1 happens upon it. At one point in development, Sonic Team had planned on establishing a stronger connection, even including another model of Wren in the story, but they decided on a more subdued connection in the end.

Also, let me introduce you Alis Landale, but not the one you know and love:

Indeed, SEGA couldn't help but put a scantily-dressed version of their most respectible heroine into PSO2. Because of course they would. Lutz is in the game too, but he barely shares any resemblence to the classic version of the character.

Yes, I know there's a weak connection in PSO1. Never played PSO2. But fuck me. I didn't need to see that "Alis."

 

[Kain-Nosgoth]

4 is a direct sequel to 2 and is amazing, the only downside is that's it's a bit too easy!

You can skip 3, it had good idea but poorly exectued!

 

[djtiesto]

Those who have played Phantasy Star 3 and 4 to completion, how do they compare to 2?

These two games have been on my list of games to play for what seems like forever now and I think I'll have time in the next few weeks to put serious time into them. Back then I thought PS2 was phenomenal. I played it again a little bit recently and I thought it still holds up for the most part. My expectations are pretty high for the two sequels. So are they better?

Well, 2 is my favorite game of all time...

3 I don't think is as horrible as everyone says (though that's mostly nostalgia talking), but it was from a different team with tenuous ties to the rest of the series. Has a cool mix of medieval and tech, and a muted color palette.

4 is a fantastic sendup of the rest of the series, with tons of references and ties to the others, even manages to tie in 3 in a big way. Beautiful manga inspired cutscenes, great music. Maybe not as conceptually forward thinking as 2 was, and certainly the easiest in the series, but also the most polished. It's one of the best 16 bit rpgs.

 

[KittenMaster]

I've only beaten Phantasy Star 4 but I agree that it is one of the best RPGs of its era, it's fast paced and challenging and plays off of the series' lore well.

I never got to the 2nd generation in Phantasy Star 3, but other than an overall lack of difficulty and barely there dungeon layouts, I actually liked what I played. The game has a very haunting atmosphere to it thanks to the visual style and music.

 

[Oemenia]

What are people's opinions on the Generation remakes? Would've been nice to see the same treatments for III and IV.

 

[Gin-Shiio]

What are people's opinions on the Generation remakes? Would've been nice to see the same treatments for III and IV.

They're very low-budget, and I think the music is the weakest part of them overall. That said, they are perfectly servicable. Just nothing special, really.

 

[djtiesto]

What are people's opinions on the Generation remakes? Would've been nice to see the same treatments for III and IV.

Honestly couldn't get into them. The first remake suffered from a terrible remixed soundtrack and the art in the second was redrawn, in an ugly style.

 

[sixteen-bit]

4 was way better

 

[AmyS]

Beep! Mega Drive and EGM previews of Phantasy Star IV from 1992.

 

[Winnie the Pimp]

Ok i am confused, i have IV in the Sonic ultimate Genesis Collection for PS3 and was gonna give it a shot some day but then some here say to NOT play this version as it's buggy while others claim they played it there and enjoyed it a lot.

Which is it? Should i look into other options or can i safely play it there without having to worry too much about game breaking bugs and what not?

 

[Švejk]

4 is the best, 3 is not great, maybe serviceable.

/thread and any other thread that involves RPG's.

 

[Confidence Man]

I loved 1 but 2 rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't like the change to top-down dungeons, how the overworld was divided up, or the empty grid battle backgrounds.

 

[mindatlarge]

Played through IV a couple years ago and was blown away how good it was. The music and sprite work are all very well done, it's also fun to play and has generally aged quite well. It's the only Phantasy Star game I've played so I can't attest to how it stacks up against the rest in the series, but it's now one of my favorite RPGs. Definitely give it a go.

 

[Ferr986]

Ok i am confused, i have IV in the Sonic ultimate Genesis Collection for PS3 and was gonna give it a shot some day but then some here say to NOT play this version as it's buggy while others claim they played it there and enjoyed it a lot.

Which is it? Should i look into other options or can i safely play it there without having to worry too much about game breaking bugs and what not?

I played IV in that collection and I had 0 bugs. Go for it.

 

[Rad Shadow]

4 was so good they ended the mainline series there.

They knew nothing could top it.

 

[Bilix]

PSIV is great. If you have time, you can play PSIII later. It does some interesting things, but it's disappointing as a Phantasy Star game.

Also if you want to have a laugh, PSIII's battle animations:

IV is technically the better game, but II holds a special place in my heart.

 

[Psxphile]

The text adventures for PS2 are brilliant. There should be a release of PS2 that incorporates the text adventures. Either as unlockable as you play the game or a separate menu.

I've always been keen on this type of idea since PSII by itself severely lacks any kind of real narrative for the many characters you get to join you. Just "Hello, I'm _____ and I ________ for a living. Let me join you." The text adventures filled in their backgrounds a bit, you'd just need to adapt the gameplay a bit.

On a side note does anyone know why Phantasy Star 4 cost $100 at launch in the US. I saved up my allowance,birthday and Christmas money to buy that game back in the day. I've read various theories, but as never able to get a definitive answer.

inb4 Vic Ireland

They are in the Complete Collection for PS2/PS3 PS2 Classics.

Eh... yeah, but it's just not the same. They need to be properly integrated. I want to be able to move around on maps and battle using conventional turn-based combat, not selecting directions in a menu or relying on dice-roll RNG to inflict damage. Might be asking for too much, though.

 

[Bilix]

I've always been keen on this type of idea since PSII by itself severely lacks any kind of real narrative for the many characters you get to join you. Just "Hello, I'm _____ and I ________ for a living. Let me join you." The text adventures filled in their backgrounds a bit, you'd just need to adapt the gameplay a bit.

Oh yeah. These are definitely worth checking out. They also flesh out the world on Phantasy Star II that make seem way more interesting than the game shows.

 

[ss_lemonade]

One thing that Phantasy Star III wins easily in the series is having the best intro theme. Even though is missing the waves sound effect and it's not the same as in-game,

And for good measure an S.S.T, Band version of it.


So damn good, nostalgia simply pours in while listening

Intro theme gives me nostalgic vibes. One of the things I remember most about PS3 though were the imaginative, giant enemy sprites and their simple animations (moving finger? moving eye brows?) lol. Those potato chip enemies or whatever they were still make me smile