|
Phantasy Star (JP) is first game of the Phantasy Star role-playing series. Originally released for the Sega Master System, it was re-released for the Wii Virtual Console and for the Nintendo Switch's Nintendo eShop as part of the Sega AGES series. Both of these versions were developed by M2. The Switch port includes a normal mode and an "Ages" mode that maps out dungeons as the player explores them. This version also includes the Japanese FM soundtrack.
Gameplay[]
Phantasy Star is a traditional Japanese role-playing game. It alters between a top-down perspective when the player is exploring the overworld, and changes to a first-person view when engaged in battle or exploring dungeons. The dungeons are long and twisted, and require the player to map most of them on paper. When exploring the overworld, the player can venture into a town to buy items and weapons. Outside the towns, monsters may randomly engage the player in battle. The player controls the main character Alis, and as the game progresses, other characters are recruited to her party: a wizard named Noah, a warrior Odin, and a talking cat-like creature named Myau. Each character has different strengths, weaknesses, and abilities. The party has a shared inventory of items and equipment.
When encountering enemies, all party members enter into battle. Battles are handled using a menu system which allows the player to fight or attempt to talk and negotiate with an enemy. When an enemy is defeated, party members gain experience points and are rewarded with a treasure chest that may contain money or a booby trap. As the characters gain experience points, they increase in level, gaining access to new magic spells and raising their offensive and defensive statistics.
Development[]
Plot[]
Phantasy Star is set in the Algol star system which consists of three planets: the lush and green Palma, the arid and barren Motavia, and the icy and desolate Dezoris. Algol is ruled by King Lassic, who while originally benevolent, becomes a cruel, sociopathic tyrant. After a string of harsh political changes, small pockets of rebellion emerge but are mostly ineffective against Lassic's iron rule. One such rebel named Nero is killed by Lassic's forces, and his sister Alis swears revenge. Alis builds a party of adventurers including a warrior named Odin, a wizard named Noah, and a catlike creature named Myau. Together, they embark on an adventure spanning the three planets, meeting with townspeople, battling enemies, and finding special items that will help in the fight against Lassic. Eventually, the party engages and defeats Lassic, after which an ethereal voice tells them to return to Motavia. There, they encounter a more evil force, Dark Falz, and after destroying him, finally return peace to the Algol system.
Reception & Legacy[]
Phantasy Star was well received. Computer Gaming World called it "the big shot in the arm for Sega [...] who was, at that time, being buried under a ton of NES titles and aggressive marketing". Electronic Game Player felt the game was leading the industry into a new era of console RPGs. Sega Pro called it the best RPG on the Master System, and Zzap! called it a must-have for RPG fans. Boys' Life wrote that along with The Legend of Zelda series, "Phantasy Star may represent the future of home video games" by combining "the graphic quality of arcade games with the complexity of computer games". Computer and Video Games felt it was a massive and sprawling game, and were left impressed visually and aurally.
Trivia[]
External links[]
- Phantasy Star at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Phantasy Star at GameFAQs
- Phantasy Star at Nintendo's Wii Virtual Console (North America)
- Phantasy Star at Sega's Virtual Console page (Japan)
- Phantasy Star at NintendoLife
- Phantasy Star at Sega-16.com Reviews
- Behind the Design: Phantasy Star at Sega-16.com
| Phantasy Star series | |
|---|---|
| Main series | Phantasy Star • II • III: Generations of Doom • IV: The End of the Millennium • Collection |
| Online series | Online Episode I & II • Online Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution • Zero • Online 2: Cloud |
| Related | Sega • Sonic Team • Yuji Naka • Rieko Kodama |
| Sega AGES games | |
|---|---|
| Games | Sonic the Hedgehog • Thunder Force IV • Phantasy Star • Out Run • Gain Ground • Alex Kidd in Miracle World • Puyo Puyo • Virtua Racing • Wonder Boy in Monster Land • Space Harrier • Columns II • Puzzle & Action: Ichidant-R • Shinobi • Fantasy Zone • Puyo Puyo 2 • Sonic the Hedgehog 2 • G-LOC: Air Battle • Thunder Force AC • Herzog Zwei |
| Related | Sega |
This Virtual Console-related article is a stub. Please help by expanding it. 