Reviewed
01.10.2007
Publisher
Sega
Developer
Yugi
Naka's Team
Format
4
Mbit Cart
Origin
Import
Domestic
Available
Dec.
20, 1987
¥6,000
(Japan)
Nov.,
1988
$49.99
(USA)
1988
£39.95
(EUR)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Hard
Dimensions
2D
View
Top
Down
Pseudo
1P
Genre
RPG
Player(s)
1
Options
Battery
Backup
(5
saves)
Control
Pad
Control
Stick
Requires
n/a
Importable
25% |
| Intro |
|
> Back in the 80's, when "gaming began with the NES", Sega
created what could arguably be called the best 8-bit RPG, Phantasy
Star. It was surely the best game on the Sega Master
System. Almost twenty years and numerous sequels later, Sonic
Team unleashed Phantasy
Star Universe for Xbox 360, PS2
and PC this past fall. The Phantasy
Star (Series) began on the SMS, and here's my
take on this classic 8-bit gem.
> Phantasy Star occurs in Space Century 342 and takes place
in the three planet Algol Star System. Your journey begins in the
city of Camineet on Palma. Eventually, you'll travel through space
to reach Motavia and Dezoris. King Lassic has turned into an evil
tyrant and unleashed monsters throughout the system. Like his father
before him, Nero was killed while trying to learn Lassic's evil secrets.
You play the part of Alis, Nero's sister, taking on his quest with only
a short sword and the name of a brave hunter, Odin, who is sympathetic
to your quest... |
| Graphics |
|
> Considering Phantasy Star is an 8-bit game from the late
80's, the graphics are amazing. It was the first RPG to do 3D dungeons
(pseudo-3D) that actually looked good -- albeit monotonous after first
few levels. Unlike every other RPG from the same era, the overworld
was colorful and exceptionally detailed with environmental animation.
The enemies are even animated, which definitely offered a unique novelty
for the time. |
| Control |
|
> Phantasy Star helped define "traditional RPG". Walk
around towns, talk to people, buy things, and go battle endless monsters.
It's a long and sometimes difficult mission to acquire your 3 comrades:
Myau, Odin, and Noah. Oh, don't forget to bring along a pencil and
paper to map out the confusing labyrinths within, otherwise known as dungeons.
The battle system is turn-based, complete with physical and magic attacks,
and the sometimes handy "Run" option. |
| Sound |
|
> Phantasy Star has classic Z-80 melodies that
actually have lasting power, as Sega implemented some of
these tunes in the ever awesome Phantasy
Star Online: OST.
> The sound effects are basic, if not standard fare for the day.
What else do you want from Sega's first American console?
At any rate, I have fond memories of Phantasy Star's music
and effects. |
| Fun |
|
> From the very moment I powered up Phantasy Star on my fledgeling
Master
System, I knew it would be an awesome experience. I was blown
away upon arriving at the space station, and was able to travel to new
planets. The storyline is decent enough, although grasping your next
destination was occasionally confusing. At any rate, I played this
game for many, many hours. In 1988, Phantasy Star officially
turned me into an RPG gamer forever. |
| Bottom
Line |
|
> If you want to play the definitive traditional RPG, then look no further
than Phantasy Star. It may be long and tedious by today's
standards, but it was state-of-the-art in 1988. It has great graphics,
pseudo-3D dungeons, a decent storyline, and endless turn-based battles
on three worlds. Phantasy Star is at the cornerstone
of my Sega Fan's foundation. |
| Ratings |
| Overall: 9.1 | Graphics:
10 | Control: 9.0 | Sound: 8.2 | Fun: 9.2 |
~ Shinobi
~
|
