/vr/ - Retro Games

>>1590145
Do yourself a favor and start with 4. It is the only one that feels like a 16bit era JRPG. The other ones are old and feel it. This isn't a bad thing, but you should really start with the most accessible one, then enjoy the oldschool ones. I love phantasy star 2, but I can't see myself having played it if I hadn't first played 4, loved it, and wanted more.

Shame she didn't live.

Here's how phantasy star works. Grinding or "bad design" have nothing to do with it. Neither are involved in Phantasy Star IV, which is one of the best RPGs ever.

-you use your healing items before using your mp
-using healing magic on fighters like chaz before your healers (you need that mp for boss fights)
-always leave enough mp on chaz to warp out of a dungeon
-random encounters are designed to wear you down. Only a few encounters can actually kill you from full health, and only if RNG screws you.
-the only fights that may require grinding are Lashiec (midboss) and Dark Force (end boss). They spam AOE damage every turn so you could be underleveled and just die. Nothing else requires grinding, and Zio definitely doesn't.

Pay attention to what paths you have taken in a dungeon. If you can't remember, take notes. Not strictly necessary in PS4, but taking notes is close to mandatory in PS2 unless you have photographic memory. If you clear a path and it has a great treasure, you can warp back to town and save/heal. Then go back to the dungeon and take another route. Explore every part of the dungeons in this game, as you can get the best gear that way. There are some missables, too, like Demi's ultimate attack. But its not like you need to use Demi in the endgame or anything. Fully exploring will keep your level up to what it should be, too. Treat every dungeon as an end in itself, for treasure and xp.

When you beat 4, if you liked it, you can then try the balls deep dungeon crawler that is PS2. No prisoners taken with that one.

Don't listen to these faggots going on about remakes. They didn't get localized for a reason. 2-4 are fine on the Genesis collection. I'd play 1 on emulator for the FM soundtrack.

There is a downside to the Sonic Genesis collection though, it has save states. I didn't know about them when I played the games, and I had 10 times more fun than I would have. If the chance of game over isn't there, they aren't nearly as much fun

Yes, it is. I'd play 4 first. Its the only really 90s styled RPG of the bunch, and it'll get you into the series.

If you like 4, which you should if you like RPGs, then you can check out 2 and 1. They are dungeon crawlers, and require a different sort of mindset than 4. If you liked those, then you can check out 3. 3 isn't the worst game ever made, but it was made by the B team, since the usual Phantasy Star team was stolen to make Sonic the Hedgehog. Yes, really.

Start with 4. Its the type of 90s JRPG you are probably familiar with. Its moderately challenging, and has top notch presentation. The best Genesis RPG. 10/10

IF you really like it, try 2. 2 is an 80s style dungeon crawler, but with a more palatable top down perspective. No confusing first person shit. However, once you hit the halfway mark, the dungeons become absolutely nightmarish. Get out your graph paper at that point. It'll be a while before I replay this one, but for what it is, I really liked it, and got incredible satisfaction for every dungeon I defeated. That isn't exactly a common feeling in the JRPG genre. 8/10.

3 is a half finished game made by Sega's B-team. There's some good ideas there, but its hardly must play. 6/10.

1 is ok. Its kind of simplistic, and the first person mode is confusing, even WITH hand drawn notes. If you play this one, boost the sound on your emulator, as this game was compatible with the improved Mark III sound-chip. Wouldn't rate it, as I haven't finished it.

I have never heard a remake or remix with objectively better music than the original, but some are at least different in a good way, but Phantasy Star Generations 2 has some of the worst music remixes I've heard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjfRxbnnvzA

Compare that garbage with the original

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZpbDDdMGcQ

Phantasy Star 2's music was superb.
Fuck the haters.

The only Phantasy Star I cannot take is PSIII. That game really is the bastard child of the whole franchise. Even the card game made more sense.

You are now aware that PS4 not only recycles countless graphical assets from PS2, but it recycles the plot twist too.

Awesome game, though.

At least with PS2, I was able to use my imagination to give the characters personalities. Plus, its a dungeon crawler, the fact that PS2 even has a story and its actually good is all 100% bonus.

In 3, I really couldn't care enough to put much effort into getting into the story. And the characters were just faces. I don't even remember the generation 2 and 3 names! I guess Rhys and Mieu were kind of cool, at least.

>>304703
Phantasy Star 2. Its not first person though.