Phantasy Star II (Sega Genesis, 1990)

This is something most of us who grew up on Final Fantasy never played. Phantasy Star 2 is a very difficult but fun RPG that's well worth the look and effort to play trough.

The game picks up 1000 years after the events of the first game. You play as Rolf, an agent of Motavia who is tasked with finding out who's behind the recent anomalies occurring on the planet. The game features a sci-fi setting that's tragically uncommon in RPGs, but that makes this game all the more unique.

The battle menu takes some getting used to. You basically assign commands to characters who complete them over and over on auto-pilot (other than casting healing spells or using items). The dungeons are long and confusing right from the start, the first one alone is a teleporter maze spanning four floors, but is thankfully straightforward (things don't get bad until 4 or 5 dungeons in). the enemies can be very difficult, so get ready to draw your own maps and do some grinding for levels. You can always find maps and walktroughs online though to make things easier.

You can also recruit new characters by going back to Rolf's house every time you reach a new town. Most of them have specific uses and won't be in your party most of the game, so it's worth learning what their specialties are.

While the game is straight forward, it's also very cryptic and I cannot recommend enough that you get a guide unless you want to spend time figuring things out on your own. The game does not spell anything out for you. It took me a while to find out that you get new characters by going back to your house, and that you learn where to go by getting info in the main control tower library. You're also required to go to areas that are off the main map by hugging the walls near exits of levels, when you'd normally assume nothing is there, and entering buildings and mountains with no clear entrances since even though it's impossible to enter every other structures that look the same. The townspeople aren't all that useful either and other than those in houses, are rarely worth talking to. This can make the game really frustrating. Do NOT be afraid to get a guide, you WILL get stuck your first time trough.

That being said, the story and setting are very original, the party members are varied in skills which allows you to pick your own strategy, there are some great and infamous plot twists thrown in and two fantastic final bosses. If you enjoy old RPGs, you'll get a lot of satisfaction from this one.

Just be ready to be a little confused though if you've played the other games, as they get some of the names wrong. For example planet Parma and Motavia are Palm and Mota, and they retain the original names from the first game instead of those from the US localization (for example Noah is called Lutz in this one).

Bottom line: this is one of the most difficult and confusing RPGs you can play, and it's quite probably the most difficult of the original four. If you love classic RPGs, definitely give it a shot, and keep a guide nearby in case you get stuck. It's a thoroughly satisfying game to beat. If you're put off by cryptic puzzles, difficulty and gigantic dungeon mazes, but still want a Genesis RPG, by all means try out the incredible Phantasy Star 4 instead. You'll get all the satisfying gameplay with many more sidequests, characters, an even better story and some great combat mechanics without the cryptic dungeons and exploration. Still, this inarguably a classic.

This is one of the best games ever made. Not just an excellent role playing game, but a milestone in gaming history. Although not easy to find without the internet, it is well worth looking into aquiring this particular masterpiece.
If you can, get one with the hint book, unless you enjoy plotting your own maps.

For hundreds of years the solar system has been at peace due to the creation of a great computer. Its control is omniscient, bringing people abundance and tranquility. Something, However, has gone amiss in the great machine. Something, or someone, has contaminated the system, and things are beginning to change. The cause is unknown and the problem is pervasive. It is here that you are needed. You must discover the source of the disruption and cure this, once great computer. everyone in the solar system is counting on you.

I bought the game for my husband. He had played it a few years ago and liked it but his brother had it not him. He wanted to play it again. I do not play games but I can tell you that he is enjoying it very much. He loves that kind of games. He said it helps him relax ater a hard day at work.

i did not recieve it



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