Sega
is a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational video game and entertainment company headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo. Its international branches, Sega of America and Sega Europe, are headquartered in Irvine, California and London, r ...
. The series debuted in 1987 on the
Master System
The is an 8-bit
third-generation home video game console manufactured by Sega. It was originally a remodeled export version of the Sega Mark III, the third iteration of the SG-1000 series of consoles, which was released in Japan in 1985 and ...
with ''
Phantasy Star
is a series of console role-playing video games and other supplementary media created by Sega. The series debuted in 1987 on the Master System with ''Phantasy Star'', and continues into the present with ''Phantasy Star Online 2'' and other ext ...
'', and continues into the present with ''
Phantasy Star Online 2
is a free-to-play online action role-playing game in the ''Phantasy Star'' series, developed and published by Sega. It was created as a successor to '' Phantasy Star Online'' and ''Phantasy Star Universe'', ''Phantasy Star Online 2'' features ...
'' and other extensions of the ''
Phantasy Star Online
''Phantasy Star Online'' is an online role-playing game (RPG) developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega in 2000 for the Dreamcast. It was the first online RPG for game consoles; players adventure with up to three others over the internet to ...
'' sub-series. Each of the games in the series features a
science fantasy
Science fantasy is a hybrid genre within speculative fiction that simultaneously draws upon or combines tropes and elements from both science fiction and fantasy. In a conventional science fiction story, the world is presented as being scientif ...
setting featuring a cross-genre combination of
magic
Magic or Magick most commonly refers to:
* Magic (supernatural), beliefs and actions employed to influence supernatural beings and forces
* Ceremonial magic, encompasses a wide variety of rituals of magic
* Magical thinking, the belief that unrela ...
and technology.
The first four games in the series are set in or related to the fictional
planetary system
A planetary system is a set of gravitationally
In physics, gravity () is a fundamental interaction which causes mutual attraction between all things with mass or energy. Gravity is, by far, the weakest of the four fundamental interacti ...
of Algol, and are single-player
turn-based role-playing game
In Video game, video games and other games, the passage of time must be handled in a way that players find fair and easy to understand. This is usually done in one of the two ways: real-time and turn-based.
Real-time
Real-time games have game ...
s. Later games in the series are chiefly
action role-playing game
An action role-playing game (often abbreviated action RPG or ARPG) is a subgenre of video games that combines core elements from both the action game and role-playing genre.
Definition
The games emphasize real-time combat where the player h ...
s, and some contain
massively multiplayer online game
A massively multiplayer online game (MMOG or more commonly MMO) is an online video game with a large number of players, often hundreds or thousands, on the same server. MMOs usually feature a huge, persistent world, persistent open world, alt ...
elements. There are currently four distinct ''Phantasy Star'' subseries, each set in their own universe. Cameos or nods to other subseries may appear, and there are concepts and terminology shared across them, similarly to ''
Suikoden
is a series of role-playing video games created by Yoshitaka Murayama. The games are loosely based on the classical Chinese novel ''Water Margin'', whose title is rendered as in Japanese. Each individual game centers on themes of politics, co ...
'' (
Lagrange Point
In celestial mechanics, the Lagrange points (; also Lagrangian points or libration points) are points of equilibrium for small-mass objects under the influence of two massive orbiting bodies. Mathematically, this involves the solution of th ...
), ''
Breath of Fire
''Breath of Fire'' is a role-playing video game series developed by Capcom. It originated on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1993. The series is notable for its recurring characters and ambiguous continuity; though each game is its ...
'', ''
Dragon Quest
previously published as ''Dragon Warrior'' in North America until 2005, is a franchise of Japanese role-playing video games created by Armor Project (Yuji Horii), Bird Studio (Akira Toriyama) and Sugiyama Kobo (Koichi Sugiyama) to its publi ...
'' and ''
Final Fantasy
is a Japanese video game, Japanese science fantasy anthology media franchise created by Hironobu Sakaguchi and developed and owned by Square Enix (formerly Square (video game company), Square). The franchise centers on a series of fantasy and ...
''.
Original series
The original series takes place in the Algol Solar System, which consists of four planets: Palma, a fertile agricultural world; Motavia, a
desert planet
A desert planet, also known as a dry planet, an arid planet, or a dune planet, is a theoretical type of terrestrial planet with a surface consistency similar to Earth's hot desert
A desert is a barren area of landscape where little precipit ...
; Dezoris, an
ice planet
An ice planet or icy planet is a type of planet with an icy surface of volatiles such as water, ammonia, and methane. Ice planets consist of a global cryosphere.
Under a geophysical definition of planet, the small icy worlds of the Solar System ...
; and the mysterious Rykros, whose elongated orbit brings it within visible range only once every thousand years. Players travel to all four planets throughout the series, interacting with each unique set of inhabitants and discovering the secrets to the solar system's genesis, which is irrevocably tied to an ancient conflict.
* was the first installment of the series, released for the
Master System
The is an 8-bit
third-generation home video game console manufactured by Sega. It was originally a remodeled export version of the Sega Mark III, the third iteration of the SG-1000 series of consoles, which was released in Japan in 1985 and ...
in Japan on December 20, 1987, and then in the United States and Europe in 1988. It introduced players to the planets, races, and lore of the series. The game follows the adventures of Alis Landale, a young woman from Palma. After Alis's brother Nero is killed by the formerly benevolent government of King Lassic, Alis embarks upon a quest for revenge. She is joined in her rebellion by a muskcat named Myau, a warrior named Odin, and a wizard named Noah. Together, the group defeats Lassic, but discover that he was only being controlled by the malevolent entity Darkfalz. Alis and her companions defeat Darkfalz and restore peace to Algol. It is then revealed that Alis was the lost princess to Algol's monarchy, and is given the option to accept her birthright.
* , released in March 1989, marked the series' transition to the
Sega Genesis
The Sega Genesis, known as the outside North America, is a 16-bit Fourth generation of video game consoles, fourth generation home video game console developed and sold by Sega. It was Sega's third console and the successor to the Master Syst ...
. It benefited from an upgrade in graphics and in the scope of its quest, as it's more than twice the size of its predecessor. It tells the story of Rolf, a government agent from the town of Paseo on Motavia. In this new setting, 1,000 years after ''Phantasy Star'', Motavia is no longer a desert world, but has been mostly converted into one lush with vegetation and animal life, thanks to a system-wide computer network known as Mother Brain. However, malfunctions throughout the network are resulting in all sorts of catastrophes, from climate change to the appearance of mutant plant and animal life called biomonsters. Rolf changes from an agent of the government to a rebel fated to end Mother Brain's reign over the system. He is joined by a colorful cast of characters, all of whom have their own stakes in the conflict. Beset by the biomonsters at first and government-deployed robots afterward, Rolf and his allies eventually must fight both Dark Force, the enemy from 1,000 years ago, and the Mother Brain.
* , released for the
Mega Drive
The Sega Genesis, known as the outside North America, is a 16-bit fourth generation home video game console developed and sold by Sega. It was Sega's third console and the successor to the Master System. Sega released it in 1988 in Japan a ...
in 1990 and on the Genesis in 1991, was a departure from the previous games in that the different worlds were no longer the different planets of the Algol system. The game revolves around two feuding factions, the Orakians and the Layans, who have been engaged in bitter conflict since their founders disappeared 1,000 years earlier; the factions assume their founders were bitter enemies who fought each other. Unique to ''Phantasy Star III'' was a storyline that spanned three generations, starting with Rhys, an Orakian, and continues through two more generations, with the player controlling Rhys's son and grandchildren. At the end of each generation, the player determines the next main character by choosing which of the women encountered during the adventure the characters will marry. Rhys and his children eventually discover the true nature of the world and the conflict - that the seven 'worlds' were actually subsections of the colony ship ''Alisa III'' sent into deep space after the destruction of Palm. Somehow Dark Force was able to accompany the fleeing colonists and work to turn them against each other; Rhys' grandchild or grandchildren defeat Dark Force to restore peace to ''Alisa III''.
* was released for the Mega Drive in Japan in November 1993, in the United States in February 1995, and in Europe in December 1995. Building on its predecessors, it added a number of new features, such as pre-programmable combat maneuvers called "Macros", combination attacks between two or more characters and manga-style panel illustrations for major cutscenes. It was also the first game in the series to have in-depth character interaction and development. Taking place 1,000 years after ''Phantasy Star II'', ''Phantasy Star IV'' returns to the Algol Solar System, which has been in a precipitous decline after the destruction of Mother Brain, an event known as the Great Collapse. The people struggle to survive against an unforgiving climate and a resurgence of biomonsters. Among them are Chaz Ashley and his mentor Alys Brangwin, hunters who make a living performing various tasks for clients: from protecting citizens from monster attacks to investigating strange events. As seemingly random occurrences all tie back into the system-wide crisis, Chaz and the allies he meets during his quest must fulfill the series promise of fighting back the re-emergence of darkness. However, in this, the end of the original series, players will not only face off against the incarnation of evil, but penetrate to its very source, to rescue Algol once and for all from a bleak fate.
Compilations and remakes of the original series
* ''
Phantasy Star Collection
is a compilation of the ''Phantasy Star'' video games. When released for the Sega Saturn in Japan in 1998, it featured the first four games in the series, whereas the Game Boy Advance version, released four years later in North America and fiv ...
'' is a compilation of the four games from the original series, released in 1998 only in Japan on the
Sega Saturn
The is a home video game console developed by Sega and released on November 22, 1994, in Japan, May 11, 1995, in North America, and July 8, 1995, in Europe. Part of the fifth generation of video game consoles, it was the successor to the succ ...
, as part of the ''
Sega Ages
is a series of video game Porting, ports, Video game remake, remakes, and compilations published by Sega. It consists of Sega arcade games and Home video game console, home console games, typically those for the Sega Genesis and Master System. Th ...
'' series. It also includes
full motion video
Full-motion video (FMV) is a video game narration technique that relies upon pre-recorded video files (rather than sprites, vectors, or 3D models) to display action in the game. While many games feature FMVs as a way to present information duri ...
s of the original television commercials for the games and 215 pieces of official art. A
Game Boy Advance
The (GBA) is a 32-bit handheld game console developed, manufactured and marketed by Nintendo as the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001, in North America on June 11, 2001, in the PAL region on June 22, 2 ...
version, produced by
Digital Eclipse
Digital Eclipse is an American video game developer based in Emeryville, California. Founded by Andrew Ayre in 1992, the company found success developing commercial emulations of arcade games for Game Boy Color. In 2003, the company merged ...
, was released for international audiences in 2002. This version omits ''Phantasy Star IV'', the full motion videos, and the art gallery. Three of the four games were released again on the
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on 4 March 2000, in North America on 26 October 2000, in Europe on 24 November 2000, and in Australia on 3 ...
as part of the ''
Sega Genesis Collection
''Sega Genesis Collection '' (''Sega Mega Drive Collection'' in PAL regions) is a compilation of video games developed by Digital Eclipse and published by Sega for PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable. The collection includes twenty-eight Sega ...
'', and all four appeared on ''
Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection
''Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection'' (''Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection'' in PAL regions) is a compilation of video games developed by Backbone Entertainment and published by Sega for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The compilation features 48 ...
'' for the
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is a home video game console developed by Microsoft. As the successor to the original Xbox, it is the second console in the Xbox series. It competed with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation ...
and
PlayStation 3
The PlayStation 3 (PS3) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment. The successor to the PlayStation 2, it is part of the PlayStation brand of consoles. It was first released on Novemb ...
consoles. This compilation includes special features such as behind-the-scenes information, and the ability to save the game anywhere.
* '' '' ( ja, ファンタシースター generation:1) is an
enhanced remake
A video game remake is a video game closely adapted from an earlier title, usually for the purpose of modernizing a game with updated graphics for newer hardware and gameplay for contemporary audiences. Typically, a remake of such game software sh ...
of ''Phantasy Star'', released in 2003 for the PlayStation 2, as Volume 1 of the ''Sega Ages'' series. It features newly designed graphics, arranged versions of music from the original game soundtrack, and fleshed out dialogue which results in both character development and a richer story.
* '' '' ( ja, ファンタシースター generation:2) was released in 2005, also for the PlayStation 2, and is an enhanced remake of ''Phantasy Star II'', and is volume 17 of the ''Sega Ages'' series. It mirrors the events of the original game while adding character development and fleshing out the story in more detail. It features enhanced graphics, a revised combat system, and a re-arranged soundtrack.
* ''Phantasy Star Complete Collection'' ( ja, SEGA AGES 2500シリーズ Vol.32 ファンタシースター コンプリートコレクション) was released in 2008, only in Japan for the PlayStation 2 and in 2012 as a download for the PlayStation 3 on the
PlayStation Network
PlayStation Network (PSN) is a digital media entertainment service provided by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Launched in November 2006, PSN was originally conceived for the PlayStation video game consoles, but soon extended to encompass smartp ...
. It's volume 32 of the ''Sega Ages'' series. It contained the original Master System game, as well as the three games published for the Mega Drive, and the text adventures published through
Sega Meganet
Sega Meganet, also known as the Net Work System, was an online service for the Mega Drive in Japan and later Brazil. Utilizing dial-up Internet access, Meganet was Sega's first online multiplayer gaming service, and functioned on a pay to play ...
. Note that the collection consists of the original games, not the enhanced versions mentioned above.
Spin-offs to the original series
* , released in
1992
File:1992 Events Collage V1.png, From left, clockwise: 1992 Los Angeles riots, Riots break out across Los Angeles, California after the Police brutality, police beating of Rodney King; El Al Flight 1862 crashes into a residential apartment buildi ...
for the
Game Gear
The is an 8-bit fourth generation handheld game console released by Sega on October 6, 1990, in Japan, in April 1991 throughout North America and Europe, and during 1992 in Australia. The Game Gear primarily competed with Nintendo's Game Boy, ...
, is a spin-off of the original ''Phantasy Star'' and takes place on a colony known as Copto, founded by the heroine
Alis Landale
is a role-playing video game (RPG) developed by Sega and released for the Master System in 1987. One of the earliest Japanese RPGs for consoles, ''Phantasy Star'' tells the story of Alis on her journey to defeat the evil ruler of her star s ...
. In this new setting, Alis is once again called upon to battle evil, now in the form of a being known as Kaburon, which she is able to seal away. The majority of the game then follows the adventures of new characters, Minina and Alec, some 400 years later until they reunite with Alis, who had been in cryogenic sleep in a vigil against Kaburon's return. After Copto is saved, the game foreshadows the reemergence of evil back in Algol in ''Phantasy Star II''.
* ''Phantasy Star Adventure'' is a first-personpuzzle adventure game released in 1992 for the Game Gear prior to ''Phantasy Star Gaiden''. Taking place at the same time as ''Phantasy Star II'', it puts the players in the shoes of an agent of Paseo. He receives a letter from friend and scientist, Ken Miller, who is studying on the ice planet Dezolis and invites him to see an important new invention. Once there, the player learns that Ken and his device are missing, initiating an investigation.
* ''Phantasy Star II Text Adventures'' were a series of eight
text adventure
''
Interactive fiction, often abbreviated IF, is software simulating environments in which players use text commands to control characters and influence the environment. Works in this form can be understood as literary narratives, either in the ...
video games available to users of
Sega Meganet
Sega Meganet, also known as the Net Work System, was an online service for the Mega Drive in Japan and later Brazil. Utilizing dial-up Internet access, Meganet was Sega's first online multiplayer gaming service, and functioned on a pay to play ...
, a modem for the Sega Mega Drive in Japan, and later released as part of a compilation on
Sega CD
The Sega CD, released as the in most regions outside North America and Brazil, is a CD-ROM accessory for the Sega Genesis produced by Sega as part of the fourth generation of video game consoles. It was released on December 12, 1991, in Japan, ...
. Each of the games takes place shortly before Phantasy Star II, documenting the backgrounds of its characters, and explaining what brings them to the town Paseo where they eventually team up to investigate the pervasive troubles of the Algol Solar System.
''Phantasy Star Online''
*''
Phantasy Star Online
''Phantasy Star Online'' is an online role-playing game (RPG) developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega in 2000 for the Dreamcast. It was the first online RPG for game consoles; players adventure with up to three others over the internet to ...
'' is a series of online role-playing games originally released for
Dreamcast
The is a home video game console released by Sega on November 27, 1998, in Japan; September 9, 1999, in North America; and October 14, 1999, in Europe. It was the first sixth-generation video game console, preceding Sony's PlayStation 2, N ...
in
2000
File:2000 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: Protests against Bush v. Gore after the 2000 United States presidential election; Heads of state meet for the Millennium Summit; The International Space Station in its infant form as seen from ...
, and continuing on the
Xbox
Xbox is a video gaming brand created and owned by Microsoft. The brand consists of five video game consoles, as well as applications (games), streaming services, an online service by the name of Xbox network, and the development arm by the na ...
,
Nintendo GameCube
The is a home video game console developed and released by Nintendo in Japan on September 14, 2001, in North America on November 18, 2001, and in PAL territories in 2002. It is the successor to the Nintendo 64 (1996), and predecessor of the Wii ...
, and
Microsoft Windows
Windows is a group of several proprietary graphical operating system families developed and marketed by Microsoft. Each family caters to a certain sector of the computing industry. For example, Windows NT for consumers, Windows Server for serv ...
. ''Phantasy Star Online'' started a new adventure, centering on the plight of a colony of spaceships called Pioneer 2, in another star system. Players fight through a number of levels spread over four distinct areas, finally facing off against Dark Falz, a nod to the original series. In addition to the main story, players can also take the Hunter's Guild
sidequest
A quest, or mission, is a task in video games that a player-controlled character, party, or group of characters may complete in order to gain a reward. Quests are most commonly seen in role-playing games and massively multiplayer online games. ...
s, which explores the lives of Pioneer 2's citizens, and further delve into the backstory behind the game. In the tradition of
MMORPGs
A massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) is a video game that combines aspects of a role-playing video game and a massively multiplayer online game.
As in role-playing games (RPGs), the player assumes the role of a character (o ...
, these sidequests reward players with Meseta, the chance to explore the stories behind Pioneer 2's NPC residents, and the opportunity to obtain special weapons.
**''Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II'' was not a simple port of the Dreamcast game (only Episode I). It included a brand new episode not available in the original Dreamcast version (PSO Episode II is not to be mistaken with PSO Version 2 available for the Dreamcast). The game was released for the Nintendo GameCube and Xbox in 2002, and introduced several new features, such as multiplayer split-screen mode, three new character classes, game rebalancing, reduced experience point requirements, class recalibration, and five newly explorable areas.
**'' Phantasy Star Online Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution'', released only for the Nintendo GameCube, marked yet another departure from series establishments, featuring a card based play style. Taking place twenty-one years after ''Episode I'' and ''Episode II'', follows the people of Pioneer 2 as they continue their settlement on the planet Ragol. The government, amid inner strife, seeks to use a mysterious substance discovered on the planet, known as the germ, to power the newly developed Compressed Alternate Reality Data (C.A.R.D.) technology. Players take on the roles of both agents appointed by the government to explore, research, and capture the rebel elements, or the Arkz, rebel elements themselves trying to intercept and destroy the government's plans for the exploitation of the planet.
**''Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst'' was released exclusively for Microsoft Windows in 2004. At first, it was largely a PC port of ''Episode I & II'', plus some new items and features. The following year, an expansion pack titled ''Episode IV'' was released, featuring new areas to explore. With the closure of ''Blue Burst'' servers in 2010, this online-only version of the game and its expansion cannot be played except on unofficial private servers hosted by fans. All other games in the series do not require an internet connection and can still be played normally.
* is a third-person action RPG developed by
Sonic Team
is a video game developer owned by the Japanese video game company Sega as part of its Sega CS Research and Development No. 2 division. Sonic Team is best known for the long-running '' Sonic the Hedgehog'' series and games such as '' Nights ...
exclusively for the
Nintendo DS
The is a handheld game console produced by Nintendo, released globally across 2004 and 2005. The DS, an initialism for "Developers' System" or "Dual Screen", introduced distinctive new features to handheld games: two LCD screens working in tan ...
. The game was released in Japan on December 25, 2008, and in North America on November 10, 2009, and has been released in Europe on February 12, 2010. It is a distant sequel to the previous ''Phantasy Star Online'' titles, featuring similar gameplay, but was created from the ground up as a Nintendo DS title.
''Phantasy Star Universe''
* is an
action role-playing game
An action role-playing game (often abbreviated action RPG or ARPG) is a subgenre of video games that combines core elements from both the action game and role-playing genre.
Definition
The games emphasize real-time combat where the player h ...
by Sega's
Sonic Team
is a video game developer owned by the Japanese video game company Sega as part of its Sega CS Research and Development No. 2 division. Sonic Team is best known for the long-running '' Sonic the Hedgehog'' series and games such as '' Nights ...
for the PC, PlayStation 2, and Xbox 360. It more closely follows the series' new direction as set by ''Phantasy Star Online'', mostly played in a persistent online network mode, but unlike its predecessor, featured a more robust single-player story mode. The game is set in the Gurhal Star System, which consists of three planets, each with its own unique culture and inhabitants. After the "Final Conflict", a war ending 100 years ago, a union was formed between the three planets, leading to the establishment of the Allied Army. During a celebration of the peace accord, a meteor shower facilitates the invasion of the three planets by SEED – a race of strange monsters. The game revolves around Ethan Waber, a member of an elite soldier force called the GUARDIANS, which must rally against the new threat.
**''Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus'' is an expansion pack for the main ''Universe'' game. In addition to numerous new enemies, items, and areas, it features a new "Episode 2" and "Episode 3" that take place directly after the events of the original ''Universe'' (which is essentially "Episode 1").
*'' Phantasy Star Portable'' is an action RPG released for the
PlayStation Portable
The PlayStation Portable (PSP) is a handheld game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on December 12, 2004, in North America on March 24, 2005, and in PAL regions on September 1, 2005, ...
in 2008. It is a continuation of the ''Universe'' story, taking place shortly after the end of the above-mentioned "Episode 3".
*''
Phantasy Star Portable 2
is a video game for the PlayStation Portable, produced by Alfa System and published by Sega. It is the sequel to '' Phantasy Star Portable'' and was released for the PlayStation Portable in Japan on December 3, 2009. The North American versio ...
'' is an action RPG for the PlayStation Portable in 2009. It takes place some time after ''Portable'', with new and old ''Universe'' characters rising up against a new threat.
**''Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity'' is an updated re-release for ''Portable 2'' featuring the original Phantasy Star Portable 2 campaign ("Episode 1") alongside a new ''Infinity'' campaign ("Episode 2"). While an unofficial English translation exists, the game was never released outside of Japan.
With the closure of ''Phantasy Star Universe'' servers in 2012, the online-only "Episode 3" can no longer be played at all, and "Episode 2" cannot be played on the Xbox 360 or PC versions. However, ''Episode 2'' is still available through the PlayStation 2 version of ''Ambition of the Illuminus'', which does not require a connection to the ''Universe'' servers to play.
''Phantasy Star Online 2''
*''
Phantasy Star Online 2
is a free-to-play online action role-playing game in the ''Phantasy Star'' series, developed and published by Sega. It was created as a successor to '' Phantasy Star Online'' and ''Phantasy Star Universe'', ''Phantasy Star Online 2'' features ...
'' is an action RPG, and the "current" ''Phantasy Star'' title. Despite its name, it has no direct ties to ''Phantasy Star Online'' any more than the ''Universe'' series does. It was first released for Microsoft Windows on July 4, 2012, and later PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 4. A Nintendo Switch version was also released on April 4, 2018. In 2020, the game is coming to Xbox One in North America and therefore will be released outside Asia for the first time. Like the previous games, there are numerous "Episodes" of play areas, enemies, and items; ''Online 2'' is currently in "Episode 6".
*''Phantasy Star Online 2 es'' is an action RPG for iOS and Android mobile devices. It is a "companion app" for ''Online 2'', as well as a unique game with its own ongoing plot. Data is shared between the two games, and the same player characters are used to play both games.
* is a third-person action RPG developed by
tri-Ace
is a Japanese video game developer, video game development company formed in March 1995 by former Telenet Japan employees Yoshiharu Gotanda (programmer, current tri-Ace President), Masaki Norimoto (game designer) and Joe Asanuma (director). Th ...
exclusively for the
PlayStation Vita
The PlayStation Vita (PS Vita, or Vita) is a handheld video game console developed and marketed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on December 17, 2011, and in North America, Europe, and other international territo ...
, released on November 27, 2014, in Japan. It is set in the same universe as other ''Online 2'' titles, and features very similar gameplay to ''Online 2'', but the narrative is not directly related to the events occurring in other games. The game's setting involves the crash landing of an Arks Special Planetary Exploration ship on the planet Machia, and the crew's attempts at survival.
*''Idola: Phantasy Star Saga'' (イドラ ファンタシースターサーガ) is
free-to-play
Free-to-play (F2P or FtP) video games are games that give players access to a significant portion of their content without paying or do not require paying to continue playing. Free-to-play is distinct from traditional commercial software, which ...
Japanese role-playing game that was released to mobile devices on November 27, 2018, to celebrate the franchise's 30th anniversary. Unlike other recent ''Phantasy Star'' titles, ''Idola'' is a turn-based RPG. It is related to ''Online 2'', but even less so than ''Nova'', as it appears to take place in an alternate dimension that certain characters from the other ''Online 2'' titles have entered.
*''Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis'' (ファンタシースターオンライン2 ニュージェネシス) is a major update to the original game "Phantasy Star Online 2 (ファンタシースターオンライン2)" released on June 9, 2021. SEGA have publicly announced that the players would be able to keep their current account as well as characters cosmetics, outfits, etc. Unfortunately, game progress such as levels, equipments, meseta (in-game currency) will not be able to transfer over to PSO2:NGS. According to official announcement, the update will include an overhaul of the original game engine, and hugely improve the game graphics.
Common elements
The plot, setting, and themes of the ''Phantasy Star'' series vary dramatically from the franchise's early installments to the multiplayer titles of today. ''Phantasy Star'', ''Phantasy Star II'', and ''Phantasy Star IV'' all deal with the concept of evil as a living, sentient entity that takes an active interest in galactic events.
A being known as "Dark Force" or "Dark Falz" (depending on the game) plagues the Algol planetary system every thousand years, resulting in mass destruction and loss of life. It begins its campaign of terror in subtle ways, usually subverting others to its will. Only once its pawn has either been eliminated or is no longer useful does Dark Force ever reveal itself. With each incarnation of Dark Force, a group of protectors arise to suppress it, ushering in a period of recovery and prosperity for the Algol system. This cycle of complacency and destruction continues every
millennium
A millennium (plural millennia or millenniums) is a period of one thousand years, sometimes called a kiloannum (ka), or kiloyear (ky). Normally, the word is used specifically for periods of a thousand years that begin at the starting point (ini ...
. In ''Phantasy Star IV'', the source of this being appears, known as the Profound Darkness.
The original series takes place in the Algol system, with three major planets: Palma, Motavia, and Dezolis. Palma is destroyed during the events of ''Phantasy Star II'', when the prison satellite Gaira crashes into the planet. Several colony ships fled from the disaster, and one of those ships, the Alisa III, is the setting of ''Phantasy Star III''. Other locations within the series include several artificial satellites and Rykros, a planet with an extremely elongated orbit. ''Phantasy Star Online'' and ''Phantasy Star Universe'' take place in different planetary systems.
Fictional races that re-occur in the series include sentient androids created by humans, called CASTs in the spin-off series and portable games, and Newmans, previously called Numans,
elf
An elf () is a type of humanoid supernatural being in Germanic mythology and folklore. Elves appear especially in North Germanic mythology. They are subsequently mentioned in Snorri Sturluson's Icelandic Prose Edda. He distinguishes "ligh ...
-like humanoids created by genetically engineering DNA from humans and other, genetically engineered "biomonsters".
History
The original ''Phantasy Star'' was released for the
Master System
The is an 8-bit
third-generation home video game console manufactured by Sega. It was originally a remodeled export version of the Sega Mark III, the third iteration of the SG-1000 series of consoles, which was released in Japan in 1985 and ...
in Japan on December 20, 1987. It was one of the earliest cartridges to include battery backed
RAM
Ram, ram, or RAM may refer to:
Animals
* A male sheep
* Ram cichlid, a freshwater tropical fish
People
* Ram (given name)
* Ram (surname)
* Ram (director) (Ramsubramaniam), an Indian Tamil film director
* RAM (musician) (born 1974), Dutch
* ...
for saving game positions. The game featured 3D maze-like dungeons, which players traversed in a first-person mode. ''Phantasy Star'', along with ''
Dragon Quest
previously published as ''Dragon Warrior'' in North America until 2005, is a franchise of Japanese role-playing video games created by Armor Project (Yuji Horii), Bird Studio (Akira Toriyama) and Sugiyama Kobo (Koichi Sugiyama) to its publi ...
'', and ''
Final Fantasy
is a Japanese video game, Japanese science fantasy anthology media franchise created by Hironobu Sakaguchi and developed and owned by Square Enix (formerly Square (video game company), Square). The franchise centers on a series of fantasy and ...
'', distinguished itself as a pioneer of what came to be defined as console role-playing. The first four games take place in the same
universe
The universe is all of space and time and their contents, including planets, stars, galaxies, and all other forms of matter and energy. The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological description of the development of the universe. Acc ...
, as opposed to many RPG series such as ''Final Fantasy'', wherein successive game settings are unrelated, or, at most, superficially related. Each major ''Phantasy Star'' game adds onto the series' overall story, culminating in ''Phantasy Star IV'' which ties all of the series' plot elements together.
Both ''Phantasy Star Online'' and ''Phantasy Star Universe'' are their own series based on the original ''Phantasy Star'' games. They continue the theme of a persistent game universe, but are set in different planetary systems than the original games.
There is a small misconception that ''Phantasy Star'' was created to rival ''Final Fantasy'', due to their similar titles. This is highly unlikely, as the first entries of both series were released within two days of each other.
Reception and legacy
Games in the ''Phantasy Star'' franchise have overall been well received by critics. The original four games in the series are typically regarded as classics for the RPG genre. Upon its initial release, the series was praised for its unique futuristic setting, something that had not been done yet in the genre. In 1996, the series was ranked as the 72nd top game of all time by '' Next Generation'', even as "there really isn't anything especially innovative here - the titles just have good, solid gameplay."
''Phantasy Star'' is recognized as featuring one of the first female lead characters, Alis Landale, alongside
Samus Aran
is a fictional character and the playable protagonist of the video game series ''Metroid'' by Nintendo. She was created by Japanese video game designer Makoto Kano. She was introduced as a player character in the original 1986 video game ''Me ...
of ''
Metroid
is an action-adventure game franchise created by Nintendo. The player controls the bounty hunter Samus Aran, who protects the galaxy from Space Pirate (Metroid), Space Pirates and other malevolent forces and their attempts to harness the powe ...
''. It was also one of the first RPGs to feature animated monster encounters, and to allow inter-planetary travel between three planets. The game was inducted into the
GameSpy
GameSpy was an American provider of online multiplayer and matchmaking middleware for video games founded in 1996 by Mark Surfas. After the release of a multiplayer server browser for the game, QSpy, Surfas licensed the software under the GameS ...
Hall of Fame in 2000. James Fudge of GameSpy said of the game that "everything about ''Phantasy Star'' was uncommon, fun, and strange."
''Phantasy Star II'' was considered one of the best role-playing games of its time, and is regarded as "a game of many firsts" according to ''
Nintendo Power
''Nintendo Power'' was a video game news and strategy magazine from Nintendo of America, first published in July/August 1988 as Nintendo's official print magazine for North America. The magazine's publication was initially done monthly by Ninten ...
''. It is regarded by many as the forerunner for certain aspects of role-playing video games, such as an epic, dramatic, character-driven storyline dealing with serious themes and subject matter, and a strategy-based battle system. The game's strong characterization, and use of
self-discovery
A "journey of self-discovery" refers to a travel, pilgrimage, or series of events whereby a person attempts to determine how they feel, personally, about spiritual issues or priorities,
''Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom'' featured an innovative and original branching storyline, which spans three generations of characters and can be altered depending on which character the protagonist of each generation marries, leading to four possible endings. ''Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium'' introduced the use of pre-programmable combat manoeuvers called 'macros', a means of setting up the player's party AI to deliver custom attack combos.
''
Nintendo Power
''Nintendo Power'' was a video game news and strategy magazine from Nintendo of America, first published in July/August 1988 as Nintendo's official print magazine for North America. The magazine's publication was initially done monthly by Ninten ...
s staff has praised the original games, saying that ''Phantasy Star'' "was the first RPG to break out of the ''
Dragon Quest
previously published as ''Dragon Warrior'' in North America until 2005, is a franchise of Japanese role-playing video games created by Armor Project (Yuji Horii), Bird Studio (Akira Toriyama) and Sugiyama Kobo (Koichi Sugiyama) to its publi ...
'' / ''
Dungeons & Dragons
''Dungeons & Dragons'' (commonly abbreviated as ''D&D'' or ''DnD'') is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game (RPG) originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. The game was first published in 1974 by TSR (company)#Tactical Studies Rules ...
'' mold of generic Arthurian fantasy by introducing sci-fi elements. Among its many other accomplishments were the inclusion of characters with actual personalities, the introduction of event scenes, and the presentation of pseudo-3-D dungeons that were a technical marvel at the time."Editors of
Nintendo Power
''Nintendo Power'' was a video game news and strategy magazine from Nintendo of America, first published in July/August 1988 as Nintendo's official print magazine for North America. The magazine's publication was initially done monthly by Ninten ...
: Nintendo Power February, 2009; issue 2 (in English). Future US Inc, 39-42. Retrieved February 1, 2010.
IGN
''IGN'' (formerly ''Imagine Games Network'') is an American video game and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa distri ...
writer Jeremy Conrad stated that "anyone who played video games through the 8 and 16-bit eras would know that name 'Phantasy Star'' and called the first four main series games "epic".
Many of the series' games, including ''Online Episodes I & II'' and ''Phantasy Star Zero'', have generally favorable scores on
Metacritic
Metacritic is a website that review aggregator, aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted arithmetic mean, weighted average). M ...
. ''Phantasy Star Online'' in particular is recognized as one of the most "revolutionary new games" of the past decade, for its impact in taking "consoles online" and defining "small-scale multiplayer RPGs," paving the way for larger-scale MMORPG efforts such as ''
Final Fantasy XI
also known as ''Final Fantasy XI Online'', is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), originally developed and published by Squaresoft and then published by Square Enix as the eleventh main installment of the ''Final Fantasy ...
'', setting the template for small-scale online RPGs such as
Capcom
is a Japanese video game developer and video game publisher, publisher. It has created a number of List of best-selling video game franchises, multi-million-selling game franchises, with its most commercially successful being ''Resident Evil' ...
's ''
Monster Hunter
is a Japanese media franchise centered on a series of fantasy-themed action role-playing video games that started with the game ''Monster Hunter'' for the PlayStation 2, released in 2004. Titles have been released across a variety of platforms, ...
'' series and some of the later ''Dragon Quest'' and ''Final Fantasy'' games, and giving rise to "an entire pantheon of multiplayer
dungeon crawl
A dungeon crawl is a type of scenario in fantasy role-playing games in which heroes navigate a labyrinth environment (a "dungeon"), battling various monsters, avoiding traps, solving puzzles, and looting any treasure they may find. Video games an ...
ers that continue to dominate the Japanese sales charts." More generally, ''Phantasy Star Online'' made "both online gaming and the concept of fee-based services a reality for consoles," paving the way for the online gaming services later provided by all three of the
seventh-generation consoles
The seventh generation of home video game consoles began on November 22, 2005, with the release of Microsoft's Xbox 360 home console. This was followed by the release of Sony Computer Entertainment's PlayStation 3 on November 17, 2006, and Ninte ...
. ''
Phantasy Star Online 2
is a free-to-play online action role-playing game in the ''Phantasy Star'' series, developed and published by Sega. It was created as a successor to '' Phantasy Star Online'' and ''Phantasy Star Universe'', ''Phantasy Star Online 2'' features ...
'' became a commercial success for Sega as it has made over 900 million dollars since its release in 2012.
Other media
Game books
* ''Phantasy Star 1'', ''Phantasy Star 2'' and ''Phantasy Star 3'', was adapted by Game Book, title ''Futabasha Adventure'' series, authored by
Futabasha
is a Japanese publishing company headquartered in Higashigokenchō, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.会社概要 " Futabasha. R ...
on 1989–1990 in Japan.
Manga
* ''Phantasy Star'' is one of the video games based in the manga titled ''Game Gag 1P Comic Sega-hen'' in November 1997 in Japan, published by
Shinseisha
Co., Ltd. was a Japanese publisher founded in 1971 and who filed for bankruptcy in 1999. It originally published learning reference books, but it is more known for its 1986 arcade game magazine . The representative was Hiroshi Kato. The company ...
.
* ''Phantasy Star Online 2 Episode 0'' is a manga based on the video game of same name, published by
Kadokawa Kadokawa may refer to:
*Kadokawa Corporation, the holding company of the Kadokawa Group
**Kadokawa Content Gate and Kadokawa Mobile, both former names for BookWalker
**Kadokawa Future Publishing, a subsidiary of Kadokawa Corporation and the publis ...
and artist by Kiyu Kibako, and released by Manga on 2017 in Japan.
Other books
* The ''Phantasy Star Compendium'' is a specialty book published by Sega in late 1995, filled with production art, game development details, and expanded information on the characters, worlds, and lore of the original series. It purported to establish a clear connection between all four games, and elaborate further on the full story of the Algol Solar System. Among the connections it established were identifying Laya and Orakio of ''Phantasy Star III'' as rebel leaders in a complex and political struggle between the royal family of Algol, including Alis Landale, and infiltrators from Earth who had taken control of Algol as of ''Phantasy Star II''. Consistent with the series, all paths from the conflict still lead back to Dark Force and its progenitor, the Profound Darkness. As a retroactive effort, the details revealed in the compendium may not have reflected the original intentions for the series, and as such met with resistance from long-time series fans for over-complicating the storyline.
Drama
* The ''Phantasy Star Memorial Drama'', released in 1995 by
Softbank
is a Japanese multinational conglomerate holding company headquartered in Minato, Tokyo which focuses on investment management. The Group primarily invests in companies operating in technology, energy, and financial sectors. It also runs the ...
, is a CD featuring music and dialogue to tell a new story about the characters of ''Phantasy Star IV''. Set three years prior to the game's events, it involves Rune Walsh helping Chaz Ashley recall sealed memories of his days as a petty thief. The story revolves around an artificial intelligence called Gene, which in the wake of the Great Collapse, is convinced that humanity is to blame for Algol's troubles, and initiates a number of plans to eliminate them. It also features the "spiritual" return of Nei from ''Phantasy Star II'' in a new character of the same name, who helps Chaz stop Gene's sinister ambitions.
Anime
Two anime series have been created around the ''Phantasy Star Online 2'' world: ''Phantasy Star Online 2: The Animation'', a prequel to that game's "Episode 4" storyline; and ''Phantasy Star Online 2: Episode Oracle'', a retelling of the events of the first three "Episodes" of the game (known as the "Oracle" arc in the game).