Segaiden Episode 67: Phantasy Star
Added 2024-12-18 12:31:01 +0000 UTCWhew. It's here.
My one regret with this Phantasy Star episode is that I didn't have more time to play for my recording sessions. Not just because I would have liked to have recorded material further into the game, but also because Phantasy Star is just really good and I want to play more of it? As mentioned in this episode, I made use of the SMS Power! retranslation to minimize the friction of playing a pretty unforgiving RPG on a short deadline, which is why the font and character names are inconsistent. I also blanked out on the fact that Noah's name wasn't retconned internationally until the sequels. Oh well! Despite some small, nitpicky issues, the main point of this video comes through pretty clearly, I think. That is: Phantasy Star kicks serious ass.
Comments
Great retrospective, Jeremy! You certainly got the flavor of the game. I get the deadline crunch thing--perhaps you could do an "Episode 67b" in a few months: the game really deserves a deep dive. I can't think of any other 8-bit RPG where map-making is an essential part of the process. The reissues take that aspect away, and map-making really forces your brain to work differently. Especially when you fall through a trap door and fall to a floor you haven't yet mapped: Am I still facing the same way? Does this floor sit similarly? There's a common thread of mapmaking flowing through Phantasy Star, Golgo 13, Portopia, etc., which would be very interesting to explore, maybe as part of Metroidvania Works. And folks would like to see your hand-drawn maps!
John Miller
2024-12-18 22:52:30 +0000 UTCI just bought this game! Paid too much of course, but I only have this one life so I gotta make the most of it. Gonna play it over the Christmas vacay!
Petter Öhman
2024-12-18 20:36:55 +0000 UTC"Raw-dogging an 8-bit RPG?" "Sega's got a kink?" I'll have what she's having
John Learned
2024-12-18 18:37:43 +0000 UTCYes! The time has finally come for a JP assessment of Phantasy Star. This should be a holiday. I should take off work...
Normallyretro
2024-12-18 16:07:50 +0000 UTCCan't wait! Any chance you can edit the title of the post as its episode 67 not 57
The Dark Knight
2024-12-18 12:35:21 +0000 UTC
