I thought I would have quit by now. I wasn’t expecting to be still playing this game after 5 hours and three story missions, and I certainly didn’t think I’d be enjoying myself. Proof, if any were needed, that I am a seriously poor judge of my own tastes.
Phantasy Star Portable is billed as an Action RPG. It’s 95% action, 5% RPG, and I’m not even sure about that bit. There’s a story in there somewhere, and you level up and you do play a role as a newly-qualified guardian, but most games have that kind of framing device. This is very close to a pure action game. You show up, they give you your mission, you kill random monsters for 30 minutes, beat the boss, clear the mission, go back for more.
On a normal day I wouldn’t even think twice about tossing this aside. I play video games to relax and unwind, not to stress myself out. And yet somehow Phantasy Star Portable is one of the most relaxing games I’ve played all year. It’s the right game at the right time. After playing several talk-fests in a row, there’s something oddly therapeutic about just running around mashing buttons blindly without anyone getting on my case. And a simple story about a terrorist on the loose and a KOS-MOS clone that wants to know what love is is just what I needed after all those “deep” and “clever” stories.
Plus the game is easy, too. I told myself I’d quit when I saw my first game-over screen, but I haven’t even come close to being wiped out yet. I haven’t had to grind either; it seems just doing all the missions as and when they become available is enough to keep you properly leveled so you can progress. I’ve also got more weapons and healing items than I know what to do with right now. The game is a completionist’s wet dream, with what seem to be hundreds of weapons and items and arts to be collected, but I’m getting by just fine with my basic human fighmaster and his dinky little swords. I’ll still quit if I get wiped out, but it’s looking less and less likely with every passing mission.
Real men fight with meat!
All isn’t rosy in paradise, though. I have a problem with the story. Yes, it’s refreshingly straightforward and concise, but there are two things that are bothering me.
1. The Stranger’s Family Reunion issue. Apparently this is a spin-off of a PS2 game called Phantasy Star Universe
2. Visual novel-like choices along the way. The KOS-MOS clone I mentioned is a robot (CAST) named Vivienne, and you’re supposed to help her develop emotionally by making the right conversation choices. Only they don’t tell you what’s right and what’s wrong, or give you any hints so you can figure out what she wants to hear. So far the prevailing wisdom seems to be “Don’t be a douchebag,” but if I get to end and find out I got a bad ending because I picked “Don’t agree” instead of “Agree” at some point, I’m going to be pissed.
So far, so good. I’m still ready to quit at any time if the game gets too hard, but otherwise I’ll keep playing PSP in small doses and report back when I’m done.
I was a fan of Phantasy Star games in the SEGA Genesis, specially Phantasy Star II, it was my first RPG back in 1990 (yes, i’m that old). I’ve played PS 1,2,3 and 4 and for me they pretty much f*cked up the series since the Dreamcast online stuff.
I bought Phantasy Star Universe some years ago, it was like $1, cuz apparently it has an offline storyline. I couldn’t get into it, so i dropped it after an hour…I didn’t like the new approach in the games. For me PS ended in the Genesis. but as much as i love those games, i must admit they haven’t aged very well.
PSII is a grinding fest and has very slow paced storyline and extremely hard dungeons. PSIII its easier, but deviates a lot in style and graphics, and overall its not that good or interesting, it could be a Gaiden story and no one would miss it.
PSIV is the more balanced game of the bunch, it not too easy , but you dont have to grind much and battles are very cool as are graphics, dungeons are not too long or difficult either, you had a lot of combos with your techniques, your companions are likeable and the game has a fast paced storyline that you enjoy in small doses while traveling. Also you have a bunch of cool vehicles to travel in the map, in short, they perfected the gameplay in this one. I like PSII the best (my first RPG and stuff). If you like old school games, i reccomend you to give PSIV a try, it’s the best one in the series, no doubt. IMHO
Regards
I’ve been holding myself back from playing PSIV out of sheer stubbornness. My brother played it at a friend’s house back in 98 and he hasn’t shut up about it since. I figure no game can possibly live up to 14 years of hype so I’m holding out.
It must be really painful for fans that Phantasy Star has gone the way of the Shining Force series and now current games bear no resemblance at all to what drew people in to begin with. I guess I’m lucky that I have no attachment to the original series at all, so I can enjoy PSPortable for the mindless slashfest that it is.
Haha i know the feeling… i was also pushed back from many games and series (specially anime) thanks to people overjoyed and excited with them that doesn’t shut up. I end up hating stuff when i tried it (even if it was good) as i can’t dissociate people’s remarks to the actual thing.
On the total opposite, a badmouthing bash of Silent Hill 2, prevented me from playing that game for years, until i actually tried it and liked it the best.
Anyways, i like the art in modern Phantasy Star games, i like it a lot. my gripe is that it that they switched to an action game and toss all the worth storyline they may have. Maybe i’ll give PSU another shot one of these days and discover that my delusion from the series is overrated.
thanks 😉
Ah, I know what you’re talking about. In fact I keep spare copies of the early volumes of the Dragonball manga to lend to people who refuse to even try it because “It’s that show with all the shouting and standing around.” I love it when they come back begging for more.
Let me know if PSU turns out to be any good. The PC version is only $6.99 new, so I could give it a shot.
I really recommend Phantasy Star 0 for DS. It’s short, but SO challenging. You die in first try xD. But… once you pass the first mission (with a really HARD first boss…) you just enjoy as any Phantasy Star game. Your companions aren’t that dumb but act most time as shields for you. The variety of weapons are great. Low customization (but not too low) and pverall fun. Was my first entey to the series and was really fun.
Ooh, I’ll give it a try. With a DS emulator
and maybe some cheats, maybe I can muddle my way through. Thanks for the recommendation!