Phantasy Star II: Beginning the Golden Era

[@ZaffreRevolution]

thank you guys for watching the video! really loved how this one turned out, and will be sure to get to the remaining two games eventually. not next time, as i have something else planned, but stick around regardless and check me out on my other platforms! appreciate your time :) www.patreon.com/zaffrerevo www.tiktok.com/@zaffrerevo twitter.com/ZaffreRevo

[@Maken-X]

Before Tifa existed, Nei was my 1st RPG crush.

[@daisukegori2112]

Nei First or Nei? It makes a difference.

[@opa-age]

Even after all this time the enemy animations in this game blow me away

[@shenmuemasta]

When people think of the 16-bit era, they're mostly thinking of the SNES era, forgetting the genesis came out 3 years before the snes. Phantasy star 2 came out between Final Fnatasy 2 and 3, that's why it was so impressive at the time.

[@mission-toast]

Phantasy Star II is a very special game. All these years later, it is still with me.

[@comicfoil9494]

That Screwattack clip took me back.

[@ZaffreRevolution]

me too LMAO

[@HHog]

I think the pitfall Phantasy Star 2 fell into was that by letting the player pick and choose which characters were in your party, it was going to be difficult to flesh out the individual characters by creating dialogue and cut scenes specific to whoever would be in your party at the time. Considering the game was already the biggest of its time, that would've required a whole lot of extra dialogue and artwork that they just didn't have any more room for.

[@poptheweasel100]

I love the classic quadrilogy of Phantasy Star after playing them earlier this year. Out of all of them, 2 has my favorite world by far. 1's world is really good as well, but 2's late 80s sci-fi, almost cyberpunk in a way world is just such a great aesthetic, and the hidden details and worldbuilding make it feel alive. I can't wait for you to review the rest of the quadrilogy!

[@ZaffreRevolution]

the world building in this game is immaculate to say the least! this game is no exception

[@stefanswiss3760]

I love the fact that they are connected but if you didn't pay the other they are still good stand alone games. It is like star wars 1 to 6, each episode just add more things to the universe and don't just rehash the same stuff (but still makes some cameo and all) I saw many people discovering ep II and IV on twitch and each time they really dig the game and its world. (I am convinced that even now we could make a sequel worth playing)

[@KimilAdrayne]

Can't wait for you to get to Phantasy Star 4

[@BakingHimani]

I beat the game over one summer when I was in 3rd grade. I didn’t have the hint guide, but I had my parents get me a shit ton of graph paper and drew my own maps 😂 I credit this game with my inhumane ability to get though corn mazes

[@Elucidus]

Back when I played this game for the first time (1990? 91?), the pipes were AMAZING. It made the game feel 3D, particularly on a CRT of the time. The mist in Skure had a wonderful transparency effect. This is lost when replayed on an LCD. But I TOTALLY get your frustration. And these dungeon layouts - well, I'm glad dungeons became simpler in PS3, 4 and their contemporaries.

[@mad-k6q]

The pipes were an amazing visual and didn't confuse me.

[@MagillanicaLouM]

Got this and the sequels on steam. Really dig the vibes and totally get why the series is so beloved

[@ZaffreRevolution]

hope you like them!

[@tanookiplayer]

The editing was great in this video. Loved the variety of sounds & special effects. ^_^

[@Warmaker01]

This game was one of the first ones I had on my Genesis. I quite liked it but I have to agree about the dungeons. The piping getting in the way of your view as a player, as well as the maze like dungeons got old. Everything else was great for its time.

[@stefanswiss3760]

cannot wait to finish your review, for the moment just watching your presentation with PS1 and PS1 remaster for switch makes me wish PSII had a proper remake

[@gastervooodoooo]

FINALLY, THIS VIDEO IS RELEASED!!! Absolutely love Phantasy Star I-IV, and this review is AMAZING!

[@DSan-kl2yc]

This is one of the most favourable reviews of PS2 around.

[@ZaffreRevolution]

what can i say i really loved it haha warts and all

[@shadowlazers]

May coming down with that big overhand right-handed slash it's just such a great animation

[@Fyala102]

Thank you for sharing your opinion about this videogame. I have a love-hate-relationship with Phantasy Star 2. On the one hand I hate the abysmal dungeons, battle system (although that's mainly because I didn't know, that you can interrupt it), amount of grinding required, the high encounter rate and slow walking speed. But I still appreciate the story, unique characters (shallow as most of them may be) and the worldbuilding. I'm probably never going to return to this title, but I still kinda enjoyed my time with it. I'm currently struggling through Phantasy Star 3, mainly through my lack of motivation. I just don't like this game much, but am still playing this game, because maybe there's something special about it. After all, I can still regret it after I'm done with it. Anyway, I hope you'll enjoy your time with Phantasy Star 3 and especially 4! Playing through Phantasy Star 1, 2 and 4 in one year has been pretty exhausting, but also really worth it. By the way the Phantasy Star series celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, what a lucky coincidence I discovered these games these year.

[@sierrakobold6896]

That's exactly my relationship with game love/hate, I really like PS1&PS4, only having seriously played PS4 as a kid in the 90s

[@Road_to_Dawn]

Eyyyy new Zaffre video! Always a good time.

[@spatchmo6938]

The best part about the AGES version of Phantasy Star 2 is it turns Hugh from the worst companion to being super overpowered and able to cheese and melt pretty much every single encounter with his Acid Rain skill

[@Marc_Araujo]

While still a classic in its own right, I remember being somewhat disappointed when I first played this on my Genesis as a kid. I felt that this game wasn't as immersive as the original. Phantasy Star II did grow on me after successive playthroughs, however. P.S. "Grinding," unfortunately, is the name of this game...and I resorted to the included hint book to use its maps after my first playthrough.

[@masonwilcox7055]

PSII is my favourite in the series. The music is great, and the story is awesome. I will admit though, the dungeons are rough.

[@CydonianKnights11]

i was born in 87 my uncle had it on his genesis this made me learn how to read at an early age.

[@martinhowells6848]

Did you ever do the play through in 2500 where you can save nei

[@CrowScareify]

Liking this so I can watch it later! Super pumped. Also interested to see what you think of Gunvolt 3! And IX 2

[@sonicya]

Loved the video Revo, keep up the good work! Now just one question, Gunvolt 3 review when?

[@HybridAngelZero]

I'm so mixed on this game. On the one hand, I love the character designs, setting and sheer ambition of the story and themes for a game from flipping *1989* But on the other hand, I have tried in earnest to play this game all the way through and bounced off of it every time. However, I was also stubbornly refusing to use any kind of guides or external assistance. I had only ever played it on collections for GBA, PS2 or 360 and never knew the original came with basically a full strategy guide. When I do finally decide to tackle this one again, I think I actually will see if I can find that PDF and make my way through the game the way I know kid me would have xD

[@Elucidus]

I had to stop and freeze-frame the ad postings. Video Games and Computer Entertainment called it "the adventures of Rudo". Well, I suppose...

[@pauloballado8031]

Thank you for this Video!!!!

[@acebreaker7]

Hey Zaffre, found your channel thur the hpmp podcast, great job on the video, this is a series i also wanted to try but never can take the dive to try it.

[@ZaffreRevolution]

thanks for checking me out! glad you enjoyed the video

[@Roge9]

imo this one aged the worst outta the 4. That being said, it left one of the biggest impressions on me because of it's plot twists.

[@FinnishDuck15]

I know nowadays you're more focused analyzing gameplay first and foremost in your reviews but I had honestly forgotten how great you are at analyzing a game's story and themes, and coupled with you getting really to the thick of what makes Phantasy Star II so special (and not so special in the case of the dungeons and the Gen 2 remake) that even I as someone who's never touched the game understood and felt it pretty much perfectly, this video is definitely a new favorite of mine from you! (though I might've also been more awake for this one compared some of your earlier recent videos lol) Also, a character/concept named Mother Brain is potentially evil? Quick, all Metroid fans, act surprised! Also also, looks like the GOAT Pokémon Ranger Shadows of Almia wins again in the "RPGs that give you a ranking after each battle" department lmao

[@ZaffreRevolution]

thanks for watching man glad you enjoyed the video. you right tho shadows of almia with another w, the game truly can't be stopped

[@LetsPlayRetroRPGs]

One of my absolute fav, actually loved the unforgiving difficulty

[@ZaffreRevolution]

me too! felt like a real accomplishment to finally beat it. i love how unforgiving the phantasy star games are, i've played so many jrpg's, it's always a treat to have one really challenge me

[@LetsPlayRetroRPGs]

@@ZaffreRevolution tbh ps4 is pretty easy. But ps2 is a real challenge, more so without the hint book, like I did.

[@arterial_alchemy]

Keep this series going 💯💯

[@ZaffreRevolution]

soon!

[@segatasan84]

One of my favorite RPG on Sega Genesis, the first one is Landstalker!

[@thedrunkmonkshow]

The maze-like dungeons, the excessive encounter rate, and being forced to get grind heavy for every new player that joins your team is why I've never had the patience to complete this game. I get why developers incorporated it so much in the past due to cartridge restraints but this game takes it to an absurd level where they intentionally designed many corridors and passage ways to look exactly the same. The constant dead ends are borderline abusive too. If you're going to design it in such a way at least throw a bone like some resources or a rare item. But here? Nope. I couldn't tell you how many times I was forced to leave a dungeon to re-stock for health/tech items that got depleted from this non-sense. I really want to like this game as I'm a huge Phantasy Star fan and I was hoping the PS2 Remake resolved those issues but I'll take your word for it and not even bother if those same issues remain with the remake. When M2 did the Phantasy Star 1 port I hoped they would do the same for this game and possibly Phantasy Star 3 but since they announced no more Sega Ages releases on Switch we can only hope and wait further. Anyway great review! 😇

[@creaturetransylvania8943]

It's like the reminisce of that genre.

[@stefanswiss3760]

okay, done, so I agree with you on almost everything, despite being also a big fan of the franchise I couldn't bring myself to finish the PSG2, the general feeling of that washed up world generic design and C tier sci fi world clean and uninteresting made me lose interest. One of the very best point of the original game was that it came out in 1989, beggining of the 90's in my country we were discovering all the japanimation and it felt gritty and wonderfull. PSII was one of the only game (and due to the fall of the genre is still one of the only game) that feels like that. you feel through the design, the story where people believe they live in an utopia and lose their purpose and everything, you feel the influence of such a work like Captain Harlock (a world where humanity lost its purpose after having too little to do, just watching TV and games yet a secret threat is looming) Akira (/Venus War) (young people having nothing to do organized in gangs that loot cities and behind a commentary on those societies) Blade runner (bio enginneered beings that have a very short life span / the ethics in bio tech) Macross gundam and its mechas 1984 Really they missed the mark with the remake. Now for what I would love to see in a remake (even without a big budget), I'd love to have diversity in the battles and battle strategies (less encounters, shorter fights but a better system where using Techniques and TP is relevant) in a word what they did in PSIV Now that all those years have past, I'd also love to see some retro cameos (walking around cities and seeing Dirty Pair, magical girls, Bubble gum crisis armors and tags announcing the futur resurection of lord Akira, cyber city, Dominion Tank police and so much more) since it won't compete with AAA or otaku games with waifus, at least let's make a niche for the licence for it to bring other old licences that would fit perfectly well with PSII.

[@lnsflare1]

Doesn't Generation 2 let you resurrect Nei (possibly in New Game Plus)?

[@ZaffreRevolution]

yup, new game plus. as if i'm even beating that remake once LMAO

[@ImMobile2014]

1 and 4 were best!

[@dustybunny6716]

I wonder...why isnt it Fantasy? Why does it have the P?

[@michaeloffgrid]

As a kid, I always thought that was the most fascinating thing...

[@LuciferAxolotl]

there is Phantasy Star 2 enhanced hack for the og game that i played its a retranslation multi bug fix, it was enjoyable

[@kingstarscream320]

Gotta appreciate Screw Attack, despite some of their controversies.

[@astrea555]

loved your last video about the 1st game (games?)!, so I started it on the good old master system. It's hard, lol

[@ZaffreRevolution]

yeah this series definitely doesn't pull its punches. but i hope you enjoy it!

[@millgiass]

It only took you 15 hours to beat this?! AND you did it at such a low level? Wtf. You must have been getting some great averages on your level up rolls. Even at of 60 I was still taking massive damage in Noah. I checked my save and my stats were really low for my level meaning I probably got shitty rng for my level ups on my Genesis version. In my gba version I abused save slots to re- level and take the best total point gain of 10 level ups and my guys were comparable to my end game file by the time they met Nei First.

[@ZaffreRevolution]

i didn't realize that there were level up rolls! tbf i was still having a hard time, i really think that the game's gonna just be hard no matter what, but somehow i managed to do it! that said i really cut down on the grinding with experience and money multipliers m2 introduced in their collections. love the game and all, but those really helped to be respectful of my time

[@arctmensilva7491]

should always start with PS 4 if your new to the phantasy star.

[@MaxAbramson3]

Everything seemed to be getting better and better all the time... until the last 20 years or so. Now almost every upgrade, remake, redesign, new car, etc, seems to be worse. What the hell happened?

[@dashhuber2901]

PS2 was a roller coster ride from start to finish. The music, setting, and story were fantastic. From the death of Nei, to the final battle and revelation of who the bad guys were, the game kept my brother, and I playing from start to finish.

[@mage1over137]

The guy killing his daughter was presented in a way that made everyone look dumb. Like all she had to say was, "Stop killing people".

[@mad-k6q]

Mistakes and tragedies happen to people.

[@shadowlazers]

Its ashame 2cwas rushed..the grid backrounds..convoluted dungeons and high enemy encounter rates are all products of being released way befire it shouldve been

[@yanyjc]

When are you gonna make a video on laix2 and Azure Striker gunvolt 3? I'm pretty sure they stopped adding content, so it can't be that... why haven't you? I'm REEAALLY looking forward to it!! It was your videos on the games that got me into the series, and BOY, was it worth it. (Thanks, by the way.) When are you gonna finish covering the series?

[@ZaffreRevolution]

i made a community post about this. and in general while i appreciate you commenting i'd prefer if it weren't solely about when i'm gonna cover what you want. you might not care about this game which is whatever but i don't want to be notified about a comment on its respective video and get excited only for it to not even be about the game or topic in question if that's okay

[@yanyjc]

@ZaffreRevolution oh, sorry... I didn't mean to be disrespectful or scorn the game this video was about. I just wanted to let out my thoughts and ask why we haven't seen you cover any content on the new games in the strikerverse. I apologize for not being considerate about what you and other viewers wanted and just asking for what I wanted. I'll try to fix that, and I'll definitely finish watching this video!!

[@ZaffreRevolution]

@@yanyjc it's no worries i didn't mean for that to come off too sternly. as you can see i'm just tired of this question being asked on non-Gunvolt videos. i'm the kinda guy who doesn't wanna just do a whole series in one go anyway, i generally get bored that way but i understand why you'd be curious. thank you for understanding :) and you'll be happy to know that while my next video isn't a review on either game, it's still gunvolt-related and i'm sure you'll find it enjoyable

[@yanyjc]

@@ZaffreRevolution Gunvolt related? Let me guess... Blaster Master zero? Gal Gun? Cogen: sword of remnd? Dusk Diver?

[@Zattelin]

The Originals were made by people that loved it. The remakes were made by people that didnt.

[@ZaffreRevolution]

i do think the first game's remake was decent. definitely a lot more effort than the second lol. would love a bigger budgeted remake for the original quadrilogy somewhere down the line

[@yazarc]

I loved the video..but 15 hours my ass…

[@inkmage4084]

Was not a fan of the art in the remakes. They should have gotten Satoshi Urushihara, Kenichi Sonoda, or even called me, I would have said yes 😆

[@daisukegori2112]

Final Fanatasy and Dragon quest are good but highly overrated. Phantasy star , Cosmic Fantasy, Legend of heroes, sword dancer. Now those are good rpgs

[@isayasbashiri5371]

Fuck outta here. Just because they are the most iconic. Megami Tensei is No. 3. No one told Sega to turn this into MMO

[@RenoKyrie]

Personally not a huge fan of PS2, i think its the worst of the Quadology alongside PS3 PS4 is deffinitly the better game, still personally think PS2 "Praise" are hard carried by Nostalgia when the game is extremely problematic Its not the ONLY Phantasy Star Game where Nostalgia is the only redeeming thing about it, Phantasy Star Universe Games also have this problem within the community

[@shadowlazers]

Whoa whoa slow down there the Genesis is not easily their most iconic piece of hardware they did have this revolutionary little system called the Dreamcast