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Phantasy Star IV – 1993 Developer Interviews

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Re: Phantasy Star IV – 1993 Developer Interviews

#11

Post by hnlmorg »

deafpolygon wrote: post #6
loloquwowndueo wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

PS = Phantasy Star

Oops. Yea. It works great as your first game. I recommend PSIV->PSII->PSIII and maybe skip the original unless you're really into it. It's quite outdated.

The original is still a great game. But I'd recommend the `Sega Ages` version on the Nintendo Switch rather than the original because the Sega Ages version includes a couple of quality of life improvements such as a map of the dungeons. It's also a lot less "grindy".

Re: Phantasy Star IV – 1993 Developer Interviews

#12

Post by hnlmorg »

xphos wrote: post #10

The OG phantasy Star was a little before my time but the GameCube version of Phantasy Star online was so good. They even have community servers for it today as Phantasy Star Blue burst. The game is now dated but honestly I could still play it because it had a good grind formula https://www.phantasystaronline.net/

I still play PSO weekly online with a small guild of friends.

Re: Phantasy Star IV – 1993 Developer Interviews

#13

Post by NoLinkToMe »

xphos wrote: post #10

The OG phantasy Star was a little before my time but the GameCube version of Phantasy Star online was so good. They even have community servers for it today as Phantasy Star Blue burst. The game is now dated but honestly I could still play it because it had a good grind formula https://www.phantasystaronline.net/

Uff Blue Burst, fantastic online game, it's one of those blasts of sheer nostalgia that is almost unbearable, I'd give everything to go back. It's partly the game, and partly my life around the time I was playing the game, a time of constant wonder and exploration and true excitement. There are times every few years that I just put the games' music album on a loop to relive the memories. Though just watching some gameplay is also fantastic with the sound and graphic design.

Re: Phantasy Star IV – 1993 Developer Interviews

#14

Post by Esn024 »

functionmouse wrote: post #2

Awesome game, highly recommended. It's fine if it's your first PS game

Yes, it is surprisingly polished. I tried playing the first three Phantasy Star games, but each time was put off by one annoying design flaw or another (such as the camera not being centred in II, so that you can't see very far ahead when exploring). In the fourth game, everything just works.

Just about the only annoying flaw still left is that it's not obvious what items do, and you kinda will need to memorize lots of random names... (Well, or have a reference near you while you play) This is actually mentioned in the interview as them not wanting to be too explicit about what things do (not saying "attack +20" etc.) - unfortunately, it's one of those design decisions that does create friction for the player.

Re: Phantasy Star IV – 1993 Developer Interviews

#15

Post by mountainriver »

xphos wrote: post #10

The OG phantasy Star was a little before my time but the GameCube version of Phantasy Star online was so good. They even have community servers for it today as Phantasy Star Blue burst. The game is now dated but honestly I could still play it because it had a good grind formula https://www.phantasystaronline.net/

Phantasy Star Online was so far ahead of its time. I remember connecting it up to my early modem via phone jack.

Gameplay was amazing, story and graphics were great, the community was really fun.

Oddly it’s also the last MMO I ever really played. As I got into high school I focused more on music and whenever I would try a new MMO game they never felt nearly as good as PSO.

Re: Phantasy Star IV – 1993 Developer Interviews

#16

Post by mountainriver »

hnlmorg wrote: post #12
xphos wrote: post #10

The OG phantasy Star was a little before my time but the GameCube version of Phantasy Star online was so good. They even have community servers for it today as Phantasy Star Blue burst. The game is now dated but honestly I could still play it because it had a good grind formula https://www.phantasystaronline.net/

I still play PSO weekly online with a small guild of friends.

How can I play with you all!?

Re: Phantasy Star IV – 1993 Developer Interviews

#17

Post by AdmiralAsshat »

xphos wrote: post #10

The OG phantasy Star was a little before my time but the GameCube version of Phantasy Star online was so good. They even have community servers for it today as Phantasy Star Blue burst. The game is now dated but honestly I could still play it because it had a good grind formula https://www.phantasystaronline.net/

To clarify: Blue Burst was actually the PC port. [0] I put alot of time into that one, once an English patch became available on Schtserv. They made a bunch of the perks/models available to everyone that were previously only available to Sega employees and holidays. Running through the game with a trio of friends, all skinned as Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, is one of my treasured gaming memories.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantasy_Star_Online#Blue_Burs...

Re: Phantasy Star IV – 1993 Developer Interviews

#19

Post by mghackerlady »

Phantasy Star is such an underrated series. They're all far before my time, I was exposed via a sega genesis collection on the xbox 360. I've played a lot of I, II, and IV. I've also played and enjoyed phantasy star zero on the ds and got some enjoyment out of it
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