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Phantasy Star IV: Review; Score 8-10/10
Topic Started: Feb 8 2008, 09:12 AM (522 Views)
Fayt
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Easy wins have never been my style
Full name: Phantasy Star IV: The end of the Millennium
Genre: RPG
Original Platform: Genesis
Original US Release Date: 1 January 1994
Re-release: PlayStation 2 (As the Genesis Collection, with many other titles)
New US Release date: 7 November 2006

Here is my Phantasy Star IV review; this is no doubt on my top 3 games of all time lists. Despite passing the 14 year mark this game has somehow defied the odds of time. And thanks to the newly distributed Genesis collection new fans can easily get a copy to enjoy one of the greatest RPG’s created. If you were lucky like me to have played this in its day, (back in 1994) you will highly likely agree its one of the best RPG’s ever created.

Description: The finale in the Phantasy Star series, follows the story of Chaz Ashley & Alys Brangwin, a young bounty hunter & top ranked bounty hunter respectively. Who along with his friends and allies, is unwittingly catapulted into the role of saviour of the Algol solar system.

Story Review: This story really has a ‘wow’ factor to it, starting out as someone of a dual lead with Alys & Chaz works fantastic. And watching these strange events affecting the land under your feet just grab you hook line and sinker very early on. This is thanks to the combination of a great story and comic book style strips that massively build a picture of events for you.

The story does not waste any time starting, and never holds back from there on. Later in the game you will meet a guy by the name of Rune, and from there things just keep getting better and better, some truly unexpected twists and surprises all lie in wake. This is easily one of the best stories in an RPG out there in my opinion. 10/10

Graphics/Sound: I guess this is one area where you may be disappointed, particularly if you are too used to new RPG’s. However since it has basic 2D sprites and excellent comic strip illustrations to detail the story the graphics are of good taste, and do not turn you off like some of the early 3D games made. The battle sounds are sufficient and the music in the game is absolutely amazing, I even at times just turn the game on to listen to some of them. Truly relaxing and well timed musical score adds great flavour and appeal to the game. 9/10

Battle System: The game as with most older RPG’s features turn based combat, you have 5 participants in battle at any one time, later in the game you can alter your 5 party members when you exceed 5. Unique factors in battle include combination magic, to similar magic’s if performs in consecutive moves can combine to make far more powerful combinations. Another very handy and even lazy feature is macros, allowing you to preset your moves for a round, which can speed up battles greatly and also, pre-set your magic combinations. Finally the game uses a two hand equipment setup, (which should be used more often!) where you can equip 2 knifes, 2 shields, 1 knife 1 shield, or just one sword or axe (2 handed weapons) and any other such combinations, for a classic RPG it’s excellent. 10/10

Gameplay: Moving from place to place is quite brilliant, if you get lost you have the ability to talk among your allies to get help on what’s next, similar to what is used in today’s Dragon Quest VIII. Distances between town to town is long enough, without being out of control, the characters, towns and distances are sized to a more then acceptable level. Also later in the game you come across vehicles such as a “Land Rover” which makes travel from one location to another even easier, you can even fight with your travelling vehicle and shoot down your enemies! The only criticism is like with many RPG’s in that at times it feels like there are too many random battles, but thanks to macros you can help eliminate this problem.

Also of great value is the Hunters Guild, here you can approach and take on various tasks for preset bounty rewards. Such as requiring travelling to many corners of the world, rescuing people from precarious situations, or simply defeating a powerful menacing monster. All of these tasks add far more battle preparation options, and exciting ways to gain more exp and Maesta. 9/10

Replay Value: While Phantasy Star IV is over 14 years old now at 2008, I & many others still love playing it. For me it’s the oldest RPG I still play and consider one of the best RPG’s made. There are many areas in the game which are non compulsory to investigate, meaning there is a good chance you will find a new dungeon to explore on replays. The Hunters guild offering a number of tasks to complete for cash, and just the brilliance of the story and its characters will easily make you come back more and more. I’ve probably finished it about 7 times actually, it’s just that addictive. 10/10

Final Thoughts: This game is brilliant, should you have being lucky enough to play it in its prime while relatively new you would be extremely overwhelmed. Also features many new aspects which even today are still employed in RPG's. With plenty of non-mandatory areas to explore and tasks available at the "Hunters Guild" you'll find plenty of tasks and opportunities to develop more experience and "Maesta" (Gold) to improve your equipment. With Characters like Rune Walsh, full of power and attitude to boot it makes for an extremely enjoyable experience. Also featuring travel between worlds and various land vehicles to both travel and fight in provides plenty of variety to add to this great game.

I strongly recommend any RPG fan getting their hands on this truly an ageless title, and indulging in an outstanding RPG classic, and witnessing the beginning of some brilliant RPG factors that are still implemented even today.

*This is also the only time I've ever rated a game a 10, although admittedly that based on having played it in its prime, it's still an outstanding classic today however.

Rating: 10/10 in its day, these days 8/10.
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