Phantasy Star series

[EmperorBrandon]

I picked up the Sega Genesis Collection at Wal-Mart yesterday, mainly because I'm an RPG fan and interested in trying out this series (at $20, I felt like it was hard to go wrong in buying it :) ). I never had a Sega Genesis back in the day (SNES all the way for me), so I never got to play them. Which one should I play first?

[jejune]

I was correct in reading that the Genesis collection only has Phantasy Star 2-4, right? Kinda sucks that they leave the first out, though they are all semi-standalone I hear.

I'll get this collection eventually, but already have the Phantasy Star collection for GBA which had 1-3.

[EmperorBrandon]

I was correct in reading that the Genesis collection only has Phantasy Star 2-4, right?

Yeah, that's right.

[tenton]

I was correct in reading that the Genesis collection only has Phantasy Star 2-4, right? Kinda sucks that they leave the first out, though they are all semi-standalone I hear.

I'll get this collection eventually, but already have the Phantasy Star collection for GBA which had 1-3.

Well, you know. It is the Sega Genesis collection. The original Phantasy Star was a Master System game.

Now, Sega, where's my PS2 Phantasy Star I and II remakes? If Sega Japan isn't going to remake IV...then just bring I and II over together. Pretty please? With sugar on top? :frog:

[Brunnen-G]

Im pretty sure in japan ps1 go a megadrive release, so it could have been possible to release it on the genesis collection. Any way, the stories of ps 1,2,4 are strongly connected, and you'll will be missing out by not playing 1. 3 is more of a black sheep and its hard to tell when it takes place in the timeline. I heard the sound wasn't perfect on the genesis collection so I didn't get it. Also ps 1-3 are on the phantasy star collection for the gba, so if you got a gba,ds or gameboy player you can play ps1 for cheap.

[Lovely]

Phantasy Star IV is the game that both got me into rpg's AND got me into anime (erm, somehow.) I then ended up playing III a bit after, but since they were rentals, I never finished either.
I need to pick up the collection game myself sometime.

That said, as I recall, I had a really great time with IV, but I can't say tell you if it has aged well or not. A lot of people tend to prefer IV over III, so I suppose I would suggest going for IV first. And heck, when I eventually pick up the collection, I plan to play IV first myself.

[Falcon_73]

I have been looking at Phantasy Star from the other end. I saw a PC version of Phantasy Star Universe in Best Buy a while back that I am still considering.

I am wondering if the PC version would be ok or if I should get a the PS2 version instead. Currently, I only play FFVII on the PS2, so it would be easier if I could install PSU on the PC.

[martod]

I haven't played these games in years so I don't remember much about them. I do remember PSIV is hands down the best one. The story in that one makes the other stories look sick. I remember PSII being very hard, although I was very young when I played it for the first time. PSIII has an interesting idea in that you play three generations of heroes, but I found it kind of boring.

Interesting fact:PSIV cost $100 when it was first released for the Genesis.

[NickFalzarano]

Phantasy Star 1 is really the one that should be played first. It begins the story and all that. And a certain character re-appears in II (and to IV in an extent) from the first game. (Though he retains his Japanese name in all games but the first.) It was released for the Genesis (wasn't it also released for the Genesis in America as well?) so it could have (should have) been on the collection. (And in a form that didn't have the save bug like on the GBA port.) For a game on the master system originally, it is amazingly deep.

Phantasy Star II doesn't have as deep a story as it could have, but what is there is pretty good. It doesn't take advantage of the system as well as it could have, so like PSI, you'll probably need a walkthrough. (One actually shipped with the game originally!) The cliffhanger ending is awesome.

Phantasy Star III is totally different. Though it boasts four endings, two of them are very similar, and the translation bungles the timeline. It also doesn't feel like a Phantasy Star game. The characters are designed more realistically, music is by a different guy, the world seems more realistically designed. Its still a good game, but the translation leaves much to be desired. (Not that the translation is the other games is anywhere near good; at least things make sense despite the changes.) The dungeon designs are pretty simple.

Phantasy Star IV is certainly the best one. The story took center stage, and were told by anime-style cutscenes. (The US release even had some added not in the Japanese one.) This allows for better characterization as well. Despite the changes to the script, it is still an amazing game. (And no, Alys -Leila- in Japanese and Alis -Alisa from Phantasy Star I- have no connection.)

I'm seriously considering importing the PS2 remakes. I love this series that much.

[tenton]

It was released for the Genesis (wasn't it also released for the Genesis in America as well?) so it could have (should have) been on the collection.

It was never released in the US. There was very limited edition Mega Drive version, though I don't recall how remade it was. I want to say that it wasn't easy to get a hold of the Mega Drive version (you had to do something, or pre-order, or dance like a monkey, etc.) to get it, so I normally discount the game as ever being a Mega Drive/Genesis game. I could be wrong on that, but I know it wasn't a normal/wide release...it was more of some sort of bonus release...perhaps a prize for some contest/giveaway? It's been too long...

[jecca-neko]

PSIV has aged rather well if you like SNES RPGs. However, I don't feel PSII or PSIII have aged very well. They're still good games, but they have a very old feel to them.

[EmperorBrandon]

I decided to start playing PSIV yesterday, and I'm quite enjoying it so far. I just went on the first hunter mission, and that Sand Worm was extremely tough. Alys died before the battle was over and now she's behind everyone else in experience (even Rika who just recently joined at Lv.1 :sd: ). Are there any revive-type items or spells at this point in the game?

[jecca-neko]

I decided to start playing PSIV yesterday, and I'm quite enjoying it so far. I just went on the first hunter mission, and that Sand Worm was extremely tough. Alys died before the battle was over and now she's behind everyone else in experience (even Rika who just recently joined at Lv.1 :sd: ). Are there any revive-type items or spells at this point in the game?

Nope, no revive stuff yet. You'll get it though. When, I can't remember as I haven't played in a while.

I'd suggest waiting a bit to do the sand worm mission so you can gain levels. It (to me) always felt nearly impossible if you try to do it right when it's available. The job won't go away and you won't get rewarded any less if you wait on it.

Also later in the game you get some really neat hunter missions. Like the sand worm one they're all optional but they're pretty fun to do and, of course, give experience and rewards.

[EmperorBrandon]

I'd suggest waiting a bit to do the sand worm mission so you can gain levels. It (to me) always felt nearly impossible if you try to do it right when it's available. The job won't go away and you won't get rewarded any less if you wait on it.

Heh heh, I beat him right when it became available. Must be my RPG-playing skills. :) That, or I had been gaining way too many levels since I tend to wander around a lot on RPG's I'm playing for the first time :sd:

Also later in the game you get some really neat hunter missions. Like the sand worm one they're all optional but they're pretty fun to do and, of course, give experience and rewards.

Ah, that sounds neat.

Today I've just learned that I need to remember to quit the game before turning off my PS2. Lost a little progress because of that. :(