Back in the SEGA V. Nintendo console wars of the late 80's, early 90's, it seems as though both warring nations had an answer for everything the other released. For every system-defining IP one powerhouse had, there was another competing IP waiting in the wings to try and usurp its throne. One of the least viewed (comparatively to say, Mario and Sonic) competitions was in the RPG market (back before they had the letter "j" attached). Nintendo had Enix powerhouse Dragon Quest and the genre defining Final Fantasy under it's umbrella, while the ever pursuant SEGA had Shining Force and one of the most misunderstood and underrated RPG series to date: Phantasy Star.
Don't get me wrong, in modern times, Phantasy Star has become a schizophrenic shell of its former self, not knowing whether it wants to be an online multiplayer or story-based single player action-RPG as well as waffling back and forth between focus on accessibility versus "hardcore." Back in "the day" however, Phantasy Star proper was a particularly cohesive and magnificent RPG series. Rather than taking the individualistic approach of creating unrelated stories for each outing and linking them through stylistic aesthetics, the Phantasy Star universe (not to be confused with Phantasy Star Universe) was ongoing and connected and while games usually took place millennia apart from one another, there was always some semblance of a tie between stories. While Phantasy Star III seems to suffer most from the awkward experimental "middle-kid" syndrome, the rest of the games keep aesthetics in tact, right down to the four letter max character names.
Phantasy Star IV, being the last traditional title in the series, often stands out as its strongest[footnote]Not to mention the entire soundtrack sounds like a digitized version of an instrumental progressive Journey album... awesome.[/footnote]. Being released in the year between Final Fantasy's V & VI, Phantasy Star IV was definitely more than just the "Final Fantasy for Genesis/Mega Drive owners and SEGA loyalists." Bringing a rich and developed universe to the table and laying down a fantastic story on top of it, Phantasy Star IV felt both incredibly new and wonderfully "lived in" for new fans and returning fans alike. Despite the future holding ten more titles with the Phantasy Star moniker with the most recent being released for the PlayStation Portable late in 2009, Phantasy Star IV by most is considered the final game in the "canon" series.
Which brings up the point of why, despite so many titles and recent releases for so many platforms, Phantasy Star is a Princess worth saving: Phantasy Star V needs to be made. The series needs to return to its roots, and with games like Final Fantasy XIII being received so well across the world (Metacritics in the mid 80's, Famitsu of 39/40), there's no reason a traditional turn-based, canon story-oriented Phantasy Star title cannot exist in today's market. The unique manga-panel-esque story telling style of a game like Phantasy Star IV can be wonderfully artistically translated into modern generation hardware and graphic quality, and if done tastefully, can distance itself from the behemoth that is modern Final Fantasy without seeming contrived and silly. Couple that with some wonderful voice acting (for the love of god please let us choose dialogue language options), a canon, well told story with a battle system that is unique while remaining turn-based and in no way resembling the current Phantasy Star games, and you could end up with a cross platform SEGA title that would truly make a unique stamp on the current market.
This Princess is the sword wielding huntress, clad in tight spandex and shoulder pads, showing you the ropes on your first day at hunter-training. Responding to each of your sarcastic quips with a smack to the back of the head with her white, elbow length gloved hand, she's the one that always bails you out of trouble at the last moment when you bite off a bit more than you can chew. Cleverly helping you build up your strength so that one day you can pull her perfectly shaped posterior out of the proverbial fire in return, she's uses her tough-as-nails exterior to mask the fragile little flower hidden within. Without a doubt, the two of you are going to stumble across a plot to destroy the universe while doing a routine daily task given to you by your superiors (who are likely involved in said destructo-plot) because, despite your relatively innocuous appearance, she's just too hot NOT to be the female-center of the group destined to save the world from imminent destructification. You're just gonna have to get used to everything in your life being four letters long. So pop a BAGL in your TSTR, have a cup of COFE and get ready for the end of the millennium.
Don't get me wrong, in modern times, Phantasy Star has become a schizophrenic shell of its former self, not knowing whether it wants to be an online multiplayer or story-based single player action-RPG as well as waffling back and forth between focus on accessibility versus "hardcore." Back in "the day" however, Phantasy Star proper was a particularly cohesive and magnificent RPG series. Rather than taking the individualistic approach of creating unrelated stories for each outing and linking them through stylistic aesthetics, the Phantasy Star universe (not to be confused with Phantasy Star Universe) was ongoing and connected and while games usually took place millennia apart from one another, there was always some semblance of a tie between stories. While Phantasy Star III seems to suffer most from the awkward experimental "middle-kid" syndrome, the rest of the games keep aesthetics in tact, right down to the four letter max character names.
Phantasy Star IV, being the last traditional title in the series, often stands out as its strongest[footnote]Not to mention the entire soundtrack sounds like a digitized version of an instrumental progressive Journey album... awesome.[/footnote]. Being released in the year between Final Fantasy's V & VI, Phantasy Star IV was definitely more than just the "Final Fantasy for Genesis/Mega Drive owners and SEGA loyalists." Bringing a rich and developed universe to the table and laying down a fantastic story on top of it, Phantasy Star IV felt both incredibly new and wonderfully "lived in" for new fans and returning fans alike. Despite the future holding ten more titles with the Phantasy Star moniker with the most recent being released for the PlayStation Portable late in 2009, Phantasy Star IV by most is considered the final game in the "canon" series.
Which brings up the point of why, despite so many titles and recent releases for so many platforms, Phantasy Star is a Princess worth saving: Phantasy Star V needs to be made. The series needs to return to its roots, and with games like Final Fantasy XIII being received so well across the world (Metacritics in the mid 80's, Famitsu of 39/40), there's no reason a traditional turn-based, canon story-oriented Phantasy Star title cannot exist in today's market. The unique manga-panel-esque story telling style of a game like Phantasy Star IV can be wonderfully artistically translated into modern generation hardware and graphic quality, and if done tastefully, can distance itself from the behemoth that is modern Final Fantasy without seeming contrived and silly. Couple that with some wonderful voice acting (for the love of god please let us choose dialogue language options), a canon, well told story with a battle system that is unique while remaining turn-based and in no way resembling the current Phantasy Star games, and you could end up with a cross platform SEGA title that would truly make a unique stamp on the current market.
This Princess is the sword wielding huntress, clad in tight spandex and shoulder pads, showing you the ropes on your first day at hunter-training. Responding to each of your sarcastic quips with a smack to the back of the head with her white, elbow length gloved hand, she's the one that always bails you out of trouble at the last moment when you bite off a bit more than you can chew. Cleverly helping you build up your strength so that one day you can pull her perfectly shaped posterior out of the proverbial fire in return, she's uses her tough-as-nails exterior to mask the fragile little flower hidden within. Without a doubt, the two of you are going to stumble across a plot to destroy the universe while doing a routine daily task given to you by your superiors (who are likely involved in said destructo-plot) because, despite your relatively innocuous appearance, she's just too hot NOT to be the female-center of the group destined to save the world from imminent destructification. You're just gonna have to get used to everything in your life being four letters long. So pop a BAGL in your TSTR, have a cup of COFE and get ready for the end of the millennium.
