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Post by Kalisiin Kumaki on Dec 15, 2011 19:11:37 GMT -5
One of my favorite series, the Phantasy Star Series was a lot of fun.
My favorite in that if Phantasy Star 2, although the original Phantasy Star is better than any 8-bit game should be.
Phantasy Star 3 was ok, but a bit of a letdown with the only 2 save spots...so you couldn't save every possible ending.
Phantasy Star 4 was pretty interesting, even if a bit more cartoonish than the first three of them...well, I dunno if "cartoonish" is the word I really want to use here...but it is more definitely anime than the first 3 were.
But Phantasy Star 2 is still my favorite of the series.
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Post by Warlock on Dec 20, 2011 20:39:37 GMT -5
I missed out on these when the were originally released due to being a Nintendo person, but I got the chance to play them after the rise of emulation I the late 90s.
I admit that I've never made it through the first, but I've played the other Genesis-era ones... The series had a unique setting; I loved the fantasy/sci-fi mix. Phantasy Star 4 is my favorite of the set; it seems the most mature story wise and, honestly, I think that the little manga-style cut-ins they used were a great way to do give their cutscenes more personality... Honestly, I'm surprised that the same method wasn't used in more games, especially after the release of the Sega CD.
Phantasy Star 2 was cool, too, if definitely on the grindy side. PS3 was kind of an interesting animal- I liked idea of the 'generational' plot, but the other aspects of the game weren't do great... Its one that I really would have liked to see a remake of. I recall a lot of occasional speculation on the old Phantasy Star message board that it wasn't intended as a Phantasy Star game at all and that Sega had in fact just thrown some spaceships and robots into an in-development Mideval RPG when PS2 was successful.
I never got around to playing any of the latter-day Phantasy Star Online-era games... They didnt seem to share much with the classic series except a sci-fi setting and an art style. Were they any good?
- HC
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Post by Kalisiin Kumaki on Dec 21, 2011 7:23:50 GMT -5
Honestly, I could not speak for PSO. I tend to avoid online multiplayer games. Like World of Warcraft...or any other MMORPG.
I do not like them because you always find real dufuses on those sites that tend to rip on newbies. Like trade you a crap item for a rare item (and you, the newbie, didn't know better) or befriend you...and then sneak behind your back with a knife and raid your corpse....
Then there are godmodders and others who have figured out how to cheat things....nah, I just never got very into any MMORPG, and I doubt I ever will.
I prefer playing solo.
As to PS2 being on the "grindy" side...yeah, I'll agree with you on that, but I seem to LIKE grindy type games. I prefer having to WORK for what I get instead of just having all the goodies handed to me, like a lot of more modern games do.
I'll admit to being all the way to the last dungeon by level 22 on PS2...and, of course, being nowhere NEAR ready to take it on at that level, and having to grind thru about 20 levels before being ready (max level on PS2 is 50.)
Now if you ever get a chance to play thru PS1 I recommend it. Undoubtedly the best 8-bit game ever...far, far better than any 8-bit game has any right being!
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Post by Warlock on Dec 21, 2011 12:54:30 GMT -5
I avoid MMOs for a number of reasons, though I find greifing/cheating is far more prevalent on non-MMO online games. That being said, I haven't really had the inclination or opportunity to check out any of the PSO/PSU games. A quick perusal of Wikipedia indicates that the PSU games were more akin to Dragon Quest 9, where multiplayer was not required but extremely strongly recommended.
As far as grinding goes, I don't mind a little, but I think PS2 may be one of the grindiest games I've ever played- especially the "lol, now gain 30 levels" last dungeon. Grinding, more often than not, seems to be a cheap way of making a game longer by bumping up enemy stats without adding any real substance.
- HC
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Post by Kalisiin Kumaki on Dec 21, 2011 14:51:55 GMT -5
Greifing and cheating are the main reasons I avoid most online games (LOTGD Kalisiin's Empire the noted exception)
Yeah, PS 2 is quite a bit grindy...I added more grind to it by working up all seven characters...which you don't REALLY need to do...you can just pick out the four you like that work best and run with them...
Usually, that would be Hero, Rudo, Kain, and the biologist (I forget his real name, I always changed it to GENE - a pun on his occupation) Sometimes, the Doctor can be helpful, too...so she's worth working up.
In all honesty, the Guardian is near useless once you get past halfway thru the game, and Shir is mostly useless once you get her to steal a Visiphone for you. for that, you have to get her to at least level 10.
I tended to spread my grinding out a bit...like getting everyone up to 15 on Uzo Island. Nei, of course, does not live beyond halfway thru the game (Nei's death is what I consider the halfway point) - and once Nei dies...that is the point at which the Guardian becomes increasingly useless.
The Biologist, of course, is not useful against machine monsters, but becomes very useful again on Dezo. So...on Mota, with Machine enemies...that is a good time to work up your Doctor.
Like I said, mainly I use the five characters, and do not much utilize Shir or Guardian (I think she is called ANNA, but I change her name usually, too.)
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Post by Warlock on Dec 21, 2011 17:48:18 GMT -5
I only played through PS2 once- I think my party was Rolf/Anna (Guardian)/Kain (Wrecker)/Amy (Doctor). Kain's not great when you get to Dezo, but he's still a decent fighter and he can use guns. I considered trying another run with Rolf/Rudo/Kain/Shir- I found that I was using items to heal most of the time anyway, and Amy's not much good for anything else. I was planning to use Shir as my main healer. Never had the patience to go through with it, though  - HC |
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Post by Kalisiin Kumaki on Dec 21, 2011 18:14:47 GMT -5
I only played through PS2 once- I think my party was Rolf/Anna (Guardian)/Kain (Wrecker)/Amy (Doctor). Kain's not great when you get to Dezo, but he's still a decent fighter and he can use guns. I considered trying another run with Rolf/Rudo/Kain/Shir- I found that I was using items to heal most of the time anyway, and Amy's not much good for anything else. I was planning to use Shir as my main healer. Never had the patience to go through with it, though - HC Shir is a pain on Dezo. If she steals, you have to go all the way back to Mota to get her. they never explain how she gets back there without the only spaceship, lol. The way to avoid it is make sure her inventory is full before you go into any store. Amy, the doctor, is good in the last dungeon, because she is the only one who learns NASIR....the "Heal us all" spell. You need it after casting MEGID. |
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Post by Warlock on Dec 21, 2011 20:09:27 GMT -5
I think my plan was to use stolen items for healing and stay away from Megid. I don't remember... It's been a while.
Looks like PS2 has been ported to iOS! Hmmm.....
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Post by Kalisiin Kumaki on Dec 22, 2011 10:38:41 GMT -5
I think my plan was to use stolen items for healing and stay away from Megid. I don't remember... It's been a while. Looks like PS2 has been ported to iOS! Hmmm..... Well, if you can get Shir to steal enough Star Mist and a few Moon Dew...you might manage it that way...you could even use MEGID...as long as you immediately after use the Star Mist. Star Mist has the same effect as NASIR. |
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