Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium

[Excalibur]

Does anyone remember this game? I've been playing it for two days now and I gotta say, even though it's an old 1994 Sega Genesis game, it's one of my new favorites. This is everything I love in an RPG. I can't really give a reason why, other than it's a 90's RPG(and it's turn-based, the story is looking really good too). It's just like the ones I grew up with, that I fell eternaly in love with and wish with all my heart they still made today. I remember renting a Phantasy Star game several months ago for the Gamecube, played it for 15 minutes and shut it off it sucked that bad(it was also real-time). So does anyone know when the Phantasy Star series started to suck? What are the first three games like? And does anyone have a list of what specifically each spell(tech or skill)ldoes? I've been keeping my own list but there are still 2 or 3 spells I'm not sure off.

Oh and Rika is hot, can anyone say "android-mithra"? Alys is pretty hot too, and fiesty!

 

[Tiael]

Probably started to suck with the Online ones, although I haven't played them(or PSU), I was a big fan of I-IV though, Nei rules in II, I loved the system in III, depending who you end up marrying, the game goes on via varying branches with your children.

And sorry, don't recall the abilities atm, been forever since I've played through them, may start up again. I'd definitely suggest playing the first 3 though.

 

[Excalibur]

Yeah the battle system in this game - aside from not knowing what your spells do - is perfect. I love the macros, it's kind of like a cross between XI's macro system and XII's gambit system, which is really impressive for a '94 Sega game. I love the big world map and the random encounters and the towns and the armor and weapon systems and the grinding I'm gonna have to do to beat this first contract, everything about this game is just pure win in my book. They even have a hunters guild...which is pretty much the same thing as it is in XII. People have problems with monsters and shit that they post up at the guild and you can accept the contract and help em out for a reward.

I just checked and YES GameTap has Phantasy Star I-III as well, so I should be busy for a few months. They look pretty similiar to IV, are they pretty similiar? It's a shame I didn't notice the first three first or I would have started with those instead of jumping to IV right away, but owell.

 

[Ruffyreborn]

Phantasy Star series is what introduced me to RPG's, and Im not disappointed. They were each great games.

I even love PSO (have not played PSU, though, but Im told Im not missing anything much). PSO did really kind of suck when playing alone, but when Online or playing with friends, I had endless fun on that game for several years

 

[Excalibur]

Phantasy Star series is what introduced me to RPG's, and Im not disappointed. They were each great games.

I even love PSO (have not played PSU, though, but Im told Im not missing anything much). PSO did really kind of suck when playing alone, but when Online or playing with friends, I had endless fun on that game for several years

Isn't that the game that just up and shut down one day without any notice or anything?

Also, I just found a list of spell functions on gamefags, so this game is now complete.

 

[Pupusa]

Yeah the battle system in this game - aside from not knowing what your spells do - is perfect. I love the macros, it's kind of like a cross between XI's macro system and XII's gambit system, which is really impressive for a '94 Sega game. I love the big world map and the random encounters and the towns and the armor and weapon systems and the grinding I'm gonna have to do to beat this first contract, everything about this game is just pure win in my book. They even have a hunters guild...which is pretty much the same thing as it is in XII. People have problems with monsters and shit that they post up at the guild and you can accept the contract and help em out for a reward.

I just checked and YES GameTap has Phantasy Star I-III as well, so I should be busy for a few months. They look pretty similiar to IV, are they pretty similiar? It's a shame I didn't notice the first three first or I would have started with those instead of jumping to IV right away, but owell.

Honestly, you should only play Phantasy Stars I-II, III was a huge disappoint and has very little to do with the overall series. Phantasy Star I may be a bit too old to stand to the test of time, but II is still an amazing game to play. I'm glad the series ended with IV (Onlines don't count), the conclusion at the end felt very satisfying.

Oh, and if you have a PS2, you can just get Sega Collection Volume 1, it has Phantasy Stars II, III, & IV, with the added bonus of a save anytime feature, if you'd prefer playing it on your TV.

One last bit of advice for Phantasy Star IV, DO NOT LEVEL TO 99. Even though the time dedication is long enough for people to give up, the game has a very serious glitch if you manage to reach that point. The level counter RESETS you back to level 01, forcing you to either level all the way again or just start all over. Anyway, good luck, if you need help in the game, just send a message, I remember most of it still.

And Rika is very hot, and so is Alys, Demi would be too if not for all the metal, LOL.

 

[Pupusa]

One last thing I forgot, there was a planned Phantasy Star Trilogy to come out in America a few years back, but it got dropped probably because of low buzz. It was suppose to include I, II & IV with remade graphics, sound, and anime cutscenes. Japan got it, but we never did. You can Google some links to info on it. I was really disappointed when they announced the cancellation, some of the new images looked amazing..

 

[Excalibur]

Well I do have to say there are some things about this game that really piss me off. Like the fact that there doesn't seem to be any paticular order in which the characters carry out my commands in battle. I'll input a buff or a heal, and it won't get used until the very last move of the turn after the enemy has already killed someone. If I could figure out some sort of action hierarchy it would be alot easier. Does anyone know if certain actions take priority over others? or is it just random and stupid?
Also, I don't take too great of a fancy to the way the party members keep coming and going. I prefer to keep one party throughout the entire game. At least they always replace em anyways.
All that being said, I still fuckin love this game. Does anyone know if these problems exist in I-III as well?

 

[Kotsu]

am I a dork for having a midi file of the Alys death song from like 1997? -.-;;

I love all that is Phantasy Star.

 

[Ruffyreborn]

Isn't that the game that just up and shut down one day without any notice or anything?

Also, I just found a list of spell functions on gamefags, so this game is now complete.

as far as GC and PC go, no. I dunno about DC, I only ever played it offline.

Both official PC versions (blue burst and universe) are still up and running, as are the DC v1 and 2, GC and PC v1 and 2 (but on private servers [blue burst also])

 

[Pupusa]

Well I do have to say there are some things about this game that really piss me off. Like the fact that there doesn't seem to be any paticular order in which the characters carry out my commands in battle. I'll input a buff or a heal, and it won't get used until the very last move of the turn after the enemy has already killed someone. If I could figure out some sort of action hierarchy it would be alot easier. Does anyone know if certain actions take priority over others? or is it just random and stupid?
Also, I don't take too great of a fancy to the way the party members keep coming and going. I prefer to keep one party throughout the entire game. At least they always replace em anyways.
All that being said, I still fuckin love this game. Does anyone know if these problems exist in I-III as well?

When it comes to the attack order, it depends on each characters speed. Usually Rika will go first, then Chaz, etc. As far as character choices go, Phantasy Star IV does switch up your members, but it's central to the story so it fits. Once you get Wren the Android you'll have the main core of your team, but with one slot still being rotated.

Phantasy Star II had you start with 2 characters, while you unlocked more as you went to new towns, so you always kept your team & had replacements/extras, except for one member due to the story...

Phantasy Star III had the Generations system, where you had to make choices as to which characters you kept, then that would impact which characters you unlocked later (the game went through actual generations, you would play your offspring later on).

 

[Excalibur]

When it comes to the attack order, it depends on each characters speed. Usually Rika will go first, then Chaz, etc. As far as character choices go, Phantasy Star IV does switch up your members, but it's central to the story so it fits. Once you get Wren the Android you'll have the main core of your team, but with one slot still being rotated.

Cool, I just got Kyra and from what I remember of something I read there's only one more character to come, so when I get him, will my party be a static? He better be a fuckin whm too. I'm glad I get to keep Wren and Rika, they're awesomely powerful. I've put alot of work into Wren too, going through these optional levels and getting new skills and armor/weapons.

Phantasy Star II had you start with 2 characters, while you unlocked more as you went to new towns, so you always kept your team & had replacements/extras, except for one member due to the story...

That's how I like it. One person dying off is acceptable, but losing more than that is annoying.

Phantasy Star III had the Generations system, where you had to make choices as to which characters you kept, then that would impact which characters you unlocked later (the game went through actual generations, you would play your offspring later on).

That's...pretty strange, definately unique - and interesting. I could probably get into that.

 

[Pupusa]

Basically Chaz, Rika, Rune, & Wren are permanent members. Once you get to the last dungeon in the game, all the characters you met will join up & you can switch them around to fill out that 5th slot. The 5th choice isn't permanent, so if you wanna mess around to see who fills the role best, there's no need to worry.

 

[Excalibur]

Basically Chaz, Rika, Rune, & Wren are permanent members. Once you get to the last dungeon in the game, all the characters you met will join up & you can switch them around to fill out that 5th slot. The 5th choice isn't permanent, so if you wanna mess around to see who fills the role best, there's no need to worry.

Cool. I'll probably use Raja, he was my favorite whm. Or maybe Gryz for extra DD...but I think I have enough melee between Chaz Rika and Wren, so probably Raja. Does that mean I'll get Alys back too? ..wait, don't answer that.

 

[Excalibur]

Hey Pu...lol, funny name

What are the different -dew's for?

EDIT: Finally got out of that cursed Air Castle, what a long and painful bitch. The two boss fights weren't exactly the easiest I've had so far either ><

 

[Zethren]

This game is great. I've beat it 2 times already. It is so fun. I don't really like the old FF games where I am rushed to make a move. IN PS4 I can take forever.
I didn't really like P1-3 games, maybe PS2 was ok I suppose.

 

[Excalibur]

I beat IV a few days ago and have been working on I-III now. It's wierd playing them in that order, kinda like Star Wars. I'm understanding some things from IV I didn't get when I was playing it.