Phantasy Star Thread

[Leon]

I love the cover but 70 bucks, ouch.


I still remember the first Dark Falz battle: instead of fading to white like most normal battles you see the screen turn red with a boss theme different from the usual, it really felt tense and this one looks like the first game's design (PSII and III's had a different look).

I'm wondering who was the person who turned into a Falz in this place.

Spoiler

The Falz design hints at it's origin, same with the second one, the first one was likely some form of bacterium or monster like lifeform that somehow got onto kuran though it should be pointed out that falz can also infect androids so it could also be one of the machines, the second falz was likely some kind of spider natural lifeform, falz doesn't have to only infect humans, any lifeform can become a falz though it tends to prefer humans if 1 and 3 is anything to go by.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

Spoiler

The Falz design hints at it's origin, same with the second one, the first one was likely some form of bacterium or monster like lifeform that somehow got onto kuran though it should be pointed out that falz can also infect androids so it could also be one of the machines, the second falz was likely some kind of spider natural lifeform, falz doesn't have to only infect humans, any lifeform can become a falz though it tends to prefer humans if 1 and 3 is anything to go by.

Come to think about it:

The first Dark Force fight had a blue tint like Phantasy Star I's, the second fight is greenish like Phantasy Star II's and finally the third one has grey/purple like Generations of Doom. Maybe each Falz are supposed to reference each previous episodes of the trilogy

And yes, Dark Force/Falz can infect both the living and non living (such as machines) which is why Phantasy Star Online also hinted at that with Callus telling that something is calling him despite that he's not a life form and how Vol Opts became crazy .

Of course, the lore may change between two games and while PSU also had Dark Falz the first final boss was called "Dulk Fakis" and was using Magashi (who has fallen into the A-Photon reactor in the HIVE) as its host.

I forgot about the lore of PSO2 but Photoners are ancient civilisation members that are partly responsible for Dark Falz to exist apparently and each ones have a host (like Double looking like twin children).

 

[Leon]

Come to think about it:

The first Dark Force fight had a blue tint like Phantasy Star I's, the second fight is greenish like Phantasy Star II's and finally the third one has grey/purple like Generations of Doom. Maybe each Falz are supposed to reference each previous episodes of the trilogy

And yes, Dark Force/Falz can infect both the living and non living (such as machines) which is why Phantasy Star Online also hinted at that with Callus telling that something is calling him despite that he's not a life form and how Vol Opts became crazy .

Of course, the lore may change between two games and while PSU also had Dark Falz the first final boss was called "Dulk Fakis" and was using Magashi (who has fallen into the A-Photon reactor in the HIVE) as its host.

I forgot about the lore of PSO2 but Photoners are ancient civilisation members that are partly responsible for Dark Falz to exist apparently and each ones have a host (like Double looking like twin children).

PSU does have a dark falz, unfortunately it was in episode 3, which was online only, so unless you were playing the game online you never got to face it.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

PSU does have a dark falz, unfortunately it was in episode 3, which was online only, so unless you were playing the game online you never got to face it.

I would like to ask why they made a villain with a similar name that isn't actually them.

Maybe they wanted to cook Dark Falz for the finale of the story.

 

[solnK!]

Is PSO2 New Genesis worth playing? Im curious about it.

 

[Leon]

Is PSO2 New Genesis worth playing? Im curious about it.

As a fan of the series, it's hard to say if you'll like it or not.

Is it worth a try? yeah sure, the problem is while the combat system is similar to pso2's battle system, everything else about it is more similar to a traditional open world mmo, 1 planet, average cookie cutter biomes and the story feels phoned in, i say this as a mega fan of phantasy star (almost used a rune walsh avatar for the site), pso2 new genesis plays and feels like a different series entirely compared to pso, pso2 and psu and imo it's not for the best, it's to the detriment of the series.

I should point out that i played pso2 new genesis up until just before the third major area unlocked.

 

[solnK!]

As a fan of the series, it's hard to say if you'll like it or not.

Is it worth a try? yeah sure, the problem is while the combat system is similar to pso2's battle system, everything else about it is more similar to a traditional open world mmo, 1 planet, average cookie cutter biomes and the story feels phoned in, i say this as a mega fan of phantasy star (almost used a rune walsh avatar for the site), pso2 new genesis plays and feels like a different series entirely compared to pso, pso2 and psu and imo it's not for the best, it's to the detriment of the series.

I should point out that i played pso2 new genesis up until just before the third major area unlocked.

I think the og PSO2 is on NG IIRC

 

[Leon]

I think the og PSO2 is on NG IIRC

If i remember right they separated old school pso2 and NG, but yeah, if this was about old pso2 hell yes, great game.

 

[FateLanegod]

How’s split screen offline co-op in PSO on GCN, is it worth trying?

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

How’s split screen offline co-op in PSO on GCN, is it worth trying?

As I remember when you play as 3-4 players the framerate dips a bit and the draw distance is lowered.

Also since the game isn't in HD you have less space for menu management.

 

[FateLanegod]

Also since the game isn't in HD you have less space for menu management

So how does it affect the gameplay? Impossible to see all menu options or will it overlap to other players section?

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

So how does it affect the gameplay? Impossible to see all menu options or will it overlap to other players section?

The menus are covering your vision, basically.

I don't mind 2 player mode though.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

So, to all those whom have beaten Phantasy Star 1 on Master System (or emulation) I have a few questions about this guy:

I’m already grinding, but aside from that, are there any strategies AT ALL that I should implement to beat him? Odin is using the RayGun, doing a consistent 20 damage, but would it be worth it to go get the Lacotian Axe and use that?

 

[bjork]

So how does it affect the gameplay? Impossible to see all menu options or will it overlap to other players section?

I only ever did it a handful of times 20+ years ago but I really remember the camera being extra finicky in 4-player mode. But the hud is in each player's portion of the screen, no overlap:

So, to all those whom have beaten Phantasy Star 1 on Master System (or emulation) I have a few questions about this guy:
View attachment 118215
I’m already grinding, but aside from that, are there any strategies AT ALL that I should implement to beat him? Odin is using the RayGun, doing a consistent 20 damage, but would it be worth it to go get the Lacotian Axe and use that?

It's been a few years since I went through it, the last time was on the version for the Switch. But I don't remember doing any special tricks aside from getting all the items I possibly could. But it's fuzzy, Myau casting help on Odin, Odin attacks normally, maybe thunder with Lutz, and Alis heals? I do know that I did grind a lot so maybe I was overleveled, not sure. But you can do it.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

I only ever did it a handful of times 20+ years ago but I really remember the camera being extra finicky in 4-player mode. But the hud is in each player's portion of the screen, no overlap:
View attachment 118241


It's been a few years since I went through it, the last time was on the version for the Switch. But I don't remember doing any special tricks aside from getting all the items I possibly could. But it's fuzzy, Myau casting help on Odin, Odin attacks normally, maybe thunder with Lutz, and Alis heals? I do know that I did grind a lot so maybe I was overleveled, not sure. But you can do it.

I realized that I somehow skipped Medusa, so I plan to go back and do that. Odin doing consistent damage is nice, but with Myau being the designated healer (cure is so much better than any of Alis’ healing magic) Odin should really be hitting harder. I’ve never needed it before, since Myau was always able to be a primary attacker while also healing in a pinch, but he’s locked down on healing in this fight since DarkFalz can hit for an average of 80!

 

[bjork]

I don't remember exact number differences, but I know Myau as support for Odin until the Myau's MP is gone, is a real difference maker. At least, that's how I recall getting through. But if you're adventuring elsewhere, the added levels you'll get should make a difference too. I remember grinding by a beach, some kind of shellfish enemy but I don't remember which color. I did that while watching a movie or something and got easy levels that way. Depending on where you're at now though, that might not be necessary.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

I don't remember exact number differences, but I know Myau as support for Odin until the Myau's MP is gone, is a real difference maker. At least, that's how I recall getting through. But if you're adventuring elsewhere, the added levels you'll get should make a difference too. I remember grinding by a beach, some kind of shellfish enemy but I don't remember which color. I did that while watching a movie or something and got easy levels that way. Depending on where you're at now though, that might not be necessary.

Most of my team is around level 23-25, with both Alis and Myau having more than 200 hp. I’ve heard of a great grinding spot on Motavia, the sand planet, to the western side of the map. I chose to grind in the final dungeon, using my flute to escape, and save scumming as much as possible to prevent lost progress to a bad encounter (you can get caught up by FOUR Mammoths, each with 180 HP. Yikes!). Going off and doing Medusa at least gives me something to do that’s fun aside from bang my head into a wall forever. I really do love this game, and the dungeon exploration aspect of it! What I don’t like is being trapped in RNG hell, with no way to escape.


I will say, we are getting to the point where characters often require 6000 or so EXP per level up, so I don’t know how much stronger I’m expected to be before the DarkFalz fight. I don’t think I ran away from enemies much for a majority of the game until Bala Malay since I needed to conserve HP and MP lol

 

[bjork]

I don't have my switch any more so I can't check, but I really want to say I maxed everyone just to say I did it? Falz was still no pushover, heh. Are you planning to play the others in the series?

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

I don't have my switch any more so I can't check, but I really want to say I maxed everyone just to say I did it? Falz was still no pushover, heh. Are you planning to play the others in the series?

I’m hoping to play 4 sometime, as well as figure out the Online games, as I know they’ve been kept alive by fans. Even loving the early days of the NA Genesis as I do, I’m wary of 2, as I hear it repeats a lot of what 1 does while also being the most grindy of all the games (I’m not opposed to grinding at all, but PS1 has a good grinding balance for me and I’m worried to stretch myself much further). That said, I have other RPG priorities before those, and on the SEGA front I’m planning to commit myself to a full playthrough of Panzer Dragoon Saga before anything else from Phantasy Star.

 

[bjork]

2 is my personal favorite, but I've gone through it a couple of times so I can get where you're coming from. You don't HAVE to grind, but it definitely helps, and there are a few items you can only get by chance that becomes super tiresome if you want more than one, which you likely would. Even with maps, I'd guess like 40, maybe? Maybe more, it's another one where I'd grind for hours while watching something else so I'm not sure. But it is worth seeing at some point, even if not as a priority.

You can't ever go wrong with PDS whenever you play it, though. What a game.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

I have to ask, what’s the deal with Phantasy Star 3, and why do people never talk about it kindly? It’s rarely been re-released, so it always felt like the one that slipped by.

 

[PhaseJump]

I have to ask, what’s the deal with Phantasy Star 3, and why do people never talk about it kindly? It’s rarely been re-released, so it always felt like the one that slipped by.

It's a slog.

It was created by a different team at Sega. It's pacing is slow, the generational choices through it don't matter much and were just more of a gimmick, it's characters and the translation is shallow like every other JRPG released in North America at the time.

It is a more traditional medieval fantasy JRPG with the Phantasy Star sci-fi setting being like a lost history to what's going on in much of the game.


4 was the first game in the series that has real character development or memorable banter between party members, as you progress through events.

 

[Leon]

So, to all those whom have beaten Phantasy Star 1 on Master System (or emulation) I have a few questions about this guy:
View attachment 118215
I’m already grinding, but aside from that, are there any strategies AT ALL that I should implement to beat him? Odin is using the RayGun, doing a consistent 20 damage, but would it be worth it to go get the Lacotian Axe and use that?

It's generally a good idea to go full power against dark falz, especially with odin since he's got the hardest time damaging him if i remember right if you don't go full power.
Outside of obviously damage differences, the same strategy you used on lassic should apply here, if your having trouble, grind some levels, when i faced it i actually found it easier than lassic.

I have to ask, what’s the deal with Phantasy Star 3, and why do people never talk about it kindly? It’s rarely been re-released, so it always felt like the one that slipped by.

Combining onto what PhaseJump said (though i disagree with him about generational choices not mattering much, at least when it comes to the second generation since you have a entirely differentpath you take) the game's soundtrack, even for a early to mid gen genesis game is underwhelming with only a few good tracks and the only average to good battle theme being the final boss theme, which is still underwhelming in comparison to most games in the series.

The enemy variety is terrible and most magic that isn't healing based is borderline useless, attack magic has "some" use but is really underpowered for a jrpg.

Probably the biggest problem is, simply put, it's not a phantasy star game, it's a fantasy rpg named phantasy star 3, the game would be fine as "colony ark, phantasy star gaiden" or something like that, but the game has almost nothing to do with the main series, i actually find 3 easier to get into than genesis's 2, but it's not a phantasy star game, at best ps3 feels like a techno primitivist phantasy star game and even that is pushing it.

As for the overall game, the game can be hard if you don't grind any levels, but overall is probably the second easiest of the original 4 games, that said it's second biggest problem is that it's average to a bit above average as a game, in a series known for it's stellar entries (at least, in atmosphere, since space opera is rare even now, but especially back then), basically ps3 is good, but it's not "great" and as the saying goes it's better to be so bad you can make fun of it than to be average, since average is boring.

I don't find 3 boring, but it's also not particularly enticing either, i enjoy the game but it's just...there.
Basically, so average it's boring.

 

[bjork]

I have to ask, what’s the deal with Phantasy Star 3, and why do people never talk about it kindly? It’s rarely been re-released, so it always felt like the one that slipped by.

I'm on board with everything they said above this post. The presentation is such a shift that you can kind of see what they're going for, but it just doesn't get there and feels weird as a result. The battle music is the only video game music that's ever given me a headache, though it's kind of a cool idea how it changes throughout the fight. I don't mind it for what it is, but I agree that it should've been marketed as a side story or an ancient history tale in the same universe or something.

That said, I think the intro is one of the best on the system, and when you gain the ability to freely move around the world later on, the music there rules. It's not one I would skip outright, but I don't know that I'd recommend taking the time to see all of the different endings.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

I only ever did it a handful of times 20+ years ago but I really remember the camera being extra finicky in 4-player mode. But the hud is in each player's portion of the screen, no overlap:
View attachment 118241

It's fine for its time and how you could transfer stuff from one character to another without requiring online play but nowadays you should play it via Blue Burst.