Systems > Genesis > P > Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium > User Review
Sign up for a free user account and you can leave feedback for this review or even submit a game review of your own!
Review by True
May 03, 2005
At first the mechanics of the game seem all too familiar. Battles consist in the same manner as they have before--the slicers, the swords all have the same graphics as in previous ones, but they’ve stepped it up a notch in this one. In my opinion the most exciting thing about the battles in part two was the ability to actually see your character attack, and in part three it was the backgrounds corresponding with whatever area you were in. (I don’t think I need to remind anyone of the boring blue grid from part two.) Part four has finally combined them, making both the background and your characters visible. Okay, big deal you’re saying right? The battles are similar with one different element: Magic combos. They’re hard to find and it’s pretty much a matter of luck. Not only do they have to be the right spells, the characters have to be in the right order too. The easiest way to pull this off is by making macros as soon as you discover one. All in all the game is still turn based, and while the encounters aren’t over abundant they can still get a bit annoying.
So why play? Why do we play all turn-based combat games? The story. You’re not going to be left dissatisfied in this one, or left in the dark. Although I’ll try and shed light on some things, I won’t reveal anything too crucial. Yes, this is the end of the series, and everything is put to rest. But no question is left unanswered, and the game even makes references to the previous sequels. Immediately I found myself liking the main character, Chaz. And the story drives on from that point--what starts out as a simple task turns into a massive end all epic that spans three planets and a space station. But the story is so involved and interwoven I can’t say much without giving the whole thing away. All I can is that you won’t be disappointed. Chaz is not the only character worth liking in this game. Each one has there own personality that help make the game stylish. Wren from part three returns, another nei-like cat girl and a bizarre but powerful koala looking creature named Gryzz to name a few. It was rather hard for me to choose just four.
Seeing as this is a retro review, I’m going to try my best not to compare the graphics and sound quality to today’s standards. But matched against other games of its time Phantasy Star IV stands alone. I read a review so very long ago that awarded the original Phantasy Star the best graphics of the year; this game is no different. The cut-scenes are in slide show form, but they are beyond decent. Dark Force--in his many forms--is insidious and towers over any other monster. The most captivating thing about the graphics is the lush background that changes along with the environment. As I said, the annoying blue grid is gone, replaced with every ounce of scenery your eyes can take in. Although when traveling the world map your characters have the traditional tiny body big head aspect, during battles their anatomy reverts to a more pleasing form and the entire backdrop is worthy of a gallery showing. The sound is yet another redeeming quality of this game. Though it’s simple at times--slash sounds, monsters growling--it’s almost always fitting. Though the score may come across as digitized for the most part, it’s intricately matched with the cut-scenes and makes them all the more enjoyable.
It’s sad to see a true epic depart. Phantasy Star created a legend that never truly got the credit it deserved. But I was lucky enough to stumble across it, and it helped mold my appreciation for role-playing games. Nothing lasts forever as they say, and it had to end sometime. Which is slightly ironic, the final game being so good it was the one time I didn’t want to see it end. But--to say the least--it goes out swinging.
Graphics: Beyond outstanding. It could match up with anything from it’s time, and maybe a few things that would come later on.
Game Play: The controls are simple, and the random encounters aren’t happening so much that it becomes irritating. (Down with Dawn of souls.)
Fun Factor: With the massive story, the endearing characters and impressive backgrounds this game never gets old.
Replay Value: Moderately high even though there isn’t a New game + feature. What’s going to keep you playing will be your desire to watch the story play out again.
Sound: Although most of the sounds do seem like they’re coming from a computer, they’re placed well enough so that it’s hard to notice.
Overall rating: 8.5/10
Rating: 8.5/10
|
|
|
Most recent video game reviews written by True
Golden Sun: Dark Dawn (DS) [March 28, 2011]
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (PlayStation 3) [January 18, 2011]
Condemned 2: Bloodshot (PlayStation 3) [January 07, 2011]
Knights in the Nightmare (PSP) [November 06, 2010]
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West (PlayStation 3) [October 10, 2010]
|
You can click the tabs on the above bar to choose whether you wish to read comments from visitors who have posted on Facebook, or from registered site users who have left feedback on the forums. Please leave a comment of your own if you have anything to say!
|
|
|
Follow Us |
Advertise exclusively for 1 month... only $1000!
Recent Forum Discussions
+ Alpha Olympics 2012
+ Where's SkyWard Sword's review ? And please bring back the rating feature.
+ Game Progress 2/10
+ JoeTheDestroyer's Tales of Phantasia review
+ holdthephone's Final Fantasy XIII-2 review
+ JoeTheDestroyer's Area 51 review
+ zippdementia's Mega Jump review
+ [News] Schafer has pitched Psychonauts 2, Minecraft dev says 'let's make it happen'
+ playstation vita, yo.
+ RotW January 29 - February 04 2012
+ Games to be added to the database...
+ The Final Fantasy XIII-2 thread
Staff Game Reviews
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim |
| SoulCalibur V |
| The Simpsons Arcade Game |
| Quarrel |
| Star Ocean: The Last Hope |
| Pushmo |
Site Staff
 |  | ||
 |  | ||
 |  | ||
 |  | ||
 |
Featured Reviews [+]
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Rayman Origins |
| Othello |
| Scarface: The World is Yours |
| The Last Express |
| Golden Axe II |
| Assassin's Creed: Revelations |
Exclusive User Reviews [+]
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Tales of Phantasia |
| Mega Jump |
| White Knight Chronicles |
| Dragon Wars |
| F-Zero GX |
| Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door |
Info |
Help |
Privacy Policy |
Contact |
Advertise
© 1998-2012 HonestGamers
None of the material contained within this site--from reviews, guides, cheats and editorials to message board posts--may be reproduced in any conceivable fashion without permission from the author(s) of said material. This site is not sponsored or endorsed by Nintendo, Sega, Sony, Microsoft, or any other such party. Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium is a registered trademark of its copyright holder. This site makes no claim to Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium, its characters, screenshots, artwork, music, or any intellectual property contained within. Opinions expressed on this site do not necessarily represent the opinion of site staff or sponsors.
