Final Phantasy: Phantasy Star IV (Gen) Review

[@HereticHydra]

You should've did the side quests, they add on to the overall story. One of them has you fighting an AI management system that's the successor to the Mother Brain program. I always felt that Daughter should've been part of the main story like how PS1's Lasheic was a boss. She's just written out of the game in that 1 quest. Having to deal with another Mother Brain global threat alongside the Profound Darkness would've been crazy.

[@Oedlander]

Fantastic game. One of the best JRPGs of its generation. Glad to hear, that you see it as the best one in its franchise.

[@SoloWingFury]

It's definitely top tier in its series (thanks sega for wrecking PSO2), but it's probably the best RPG on its console too, I don't think it will best the top of the SNES any time soon, but it really was something special and a great finish to the series.

[@RaineyDaysStudio]

It’s likely entirely due to me playing PSIV as my first rpg ever (years before ever getting my hands on the snes FFs), but I genuinely prefer this game over the snes games! The gameplay is just too crisp; literally even in 2024 it feels smooth as butter to play, at least in my experience!

[@SoloWingFury]

That could be, my first RPG was Chrono Trigger (though I hated it), but I think the only fault this game has is its weirdly scaled enemies, but the scale, ambition, and production values really make it a cut above.

[@RaineyDaysStudio]

@@SoloWingFury Oh yeah! I found it odd that you mentioned the game was difficult actually. I always wanted the game to challenge me a bit more, especially towards the end game! Enemies certainly do hit like a truck though. One thing you seemed to have missed on was that the walking order of your party is also the battle formation... Characters at the front of the line are more likely to be targeted than at the back (significantly more likely I believe) so being a meat shield is the number 1 contribution of Gryz and Wren.

[@SoloWingFury]

I wasn't aware there was a front/back line sort of targeting order, I noticed it felt like Wren was actively being targeted less than any other character, and Rune was being targeted more than anyone else. I always figured the AI was built to actively target characters with a lower health pool, but if there is a front/back line mechanic that would explain it.

[@blast_processing6577]

Damn, I saw the thumbnail and thought this was an unofficial SNES port. I'm a bit disappointed, but I guess it would be easier to port it to the Sega CD or 32X CD anyhow. At any rate, Phantasy Star III and IV are awesome games and I wish Sega made more games in the series with their style of (JRPG) gameplay.

[@HereticHydra]

I thought the same thing too lol. I was like yes, finally all of the best 16 bit Rpgs are all on one system.

[@Ronsilk-pu5hr]

I played through PS4 few years ago but I only got about half way through. I remember getting stuck and not knowing where to go.

[@KinaQuinquina]

Strange, usually when you use the talk option in the menu screen, the characters talk about what they need to do. I play it once a year. I even have broken the game when Rika reached level 99. The code didn't account for it, skills and techniques missing. Made playing further unplayable.

[@13Carrey1]

I know someone sho did actually called his Nickname because of this Chaz in Phantasy Star 4. So there are people who loves him

[@SoloWingFury]

Butbutbut he RUINS Alys' fuuuun

[@aaronbourque5494]

Shining in the Darkness is an RPG, why wouldn't you count it?

[@SoloWingFury]

I just find first person dungeon crawlers to be different beasts, and it didn't initially come to mind.

[@victorgomez1703]

Definitely brought the business to Final Fantasy and CT.. FF6 still the goat but PS4 is way more consistent than Chrono trigger, and the features are huge. Full sized and animated characters/monsters, MACRO feature, vehicleS with combat functions, full on manga panels etc, killed off a main heroine for the second time in video game history..