Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (November 2007) |
| Phantasy Star: The End of the Millennium | |
|---|---|
 European boxart |
|
| Developer(s) | Sega AM7 |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Platform(s) | Mega Drive/Genesis |
| Release date |  December 17, 1993 December 16, 1993 December 8, 1995 |
| Genre(s) | RPG |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: K-A (Kids to Adults) |
| Media | 24-megabit Cartridge |
Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium (ファンタシースター 千年紀の終りに Fantashī Sutā Sennenki no Owari ni?) (also called Phantasy Star IV) is a traditional console role-playing game released in 1993 for the Mega Drive/Genesis. It was ported as part of the Japan-exclusive Phantasy Star Collection for the Sega Saturn. Also, it was released in The Sega Genesis Collection for the PlayStation 2 and PSP. Part four of Sega's Phantasy Star series of games, Phantasy Star: The End of the Millennium combines anime-style artwork, interacting characters, in-depth storyline, interplanetary travel, and a major quest for the forces of good over evil.
Contents |
[edit] Development history
Originally, Phantasy Star IV was to have been designed for the Sega CD system, and would have been vastly different from its final incarnation. This unreleased version was called Phantasy Star IV: The Return of Alis.[1] Features like 3-D dungeons (such as those featured in the first Phantasy Star), full motion video cutscenes, voice acting, and much more were planned. Unfortunately, poor sales and lack of support for the Sega CD platform caused a change of plans midway through development. Most of these features were scrapped from the final design, the intended voice cast declined, and the end result was a Sega Genesis cartridge game that bore little resemblance to the original plans for the CD-ROM version which would have been at least 240 megabit.
[edit] Naming
In Japan, the game was released as Phantasy Star - At the End of the Millennium.[2] In the American and European releases, the box names the game simply Phantasy Star IV, yet the title screen gives Phantasy Star: The End of the Millennium as the full title. At the time, this was seen by the gaming press as an attempt to make it perceived as closer to the widely-praised Phantasy Star II, rather than the less well-received Phantasy Star III — although there are references to both titles during the story of the game. The combination of the titles is Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium, used in the compilation Sega Genesis Collection.
[edit] Story
- The long, long struggle of ancient times finally ended...
- The victor sacrificed the vanquished to the heavens.
- Four bells tolled. Four torches were lit.
- And the world continued for thousands of years...
Phantasy Star: The End of the Millennium, which takes place in the year AW 2284 (1,000 years after the events of Phantasy Star II), is the final part of the series canon. It is the story of Chaz Ashley, a young bounty hunter, who along with his friends and allies, is unwittingly catapulted into the role of savior of the Algo solar system. The computer network which has worked to sustain Algo has gone into disarray, leading to a series of catastrophes throughout the system. An investigation of the problem leads Chaz and his allies into a confrontation with the dark wizard Zio, whose aim seems to be nothing less than total annihilation. Defeating Zio proves to only be the beginning, and amidst great tragedy and struggle, Chaz and the others must eventually fight against an evil from time uncounted to restore peace to Algo once and for all.
[edit] Gameplay
Phantasy Star IV is an archetypal console RPG in the spirit of the series, featuring the staples of exploration, NPC interaction, and turn-based combat. Building on its predecessors, it added a number of innovative features, such as pre-programmable combat manoeuvers called "Macros", combination attacks between two or more characters and manga-style panel illustrations for major cutscenes. Phantasy Star IV is also the first game in the series to have in-depth character interaction and development. Despite its few detractors, who mostly cite the considerable decrease in difficulty relative to the other games, it is the predominant favorite amongst fans of the series.[citation needed]
[edit] Characters
[edit] Protagonists
- Chaz Ashley (Rudy Ashlay (ルディ・アシュレ Rudi Ashure?) in the Japanese version) — The main character of Phantasy Star IV. At the start of the game, he just became a full-fledged partner of Alys Brangwin, working out of the Guild in Aiedo. The two of them go to Piata to investigate a disturbance at the local academy, setting the game into motion. From his beginnings as an inexperienced hunter, Chaz wholly fulfills the role of the game's hero after persevering through many physical and emotional trials.
- Alys Brangwin (Laila Brangwen (ライラ・ブラングウェン Raira Buranguwen?) in the Japanese version) — Nicknamed the "Eight Stroke Warrior", Alys is one of the most skilled hunters on Motavia, top-ranked at the Hunter's Guild in Aiedo. She is renowned all throughout Motavia for her no-nonsense attitude and skillful use of twin slashers. She shares a veiled history with Rune Walsh, the specifics of which were never discussed. She took Chaz off the streets and took him on as her apprentice, mentoring him in the ways of life. During the first confrontation with Zio, she sacrifices herself to protect Chaz, being struck by the wizard's Dark Energy Wave. In spite of the heroes' attempts to save her, she later dies from her injuries.
- Hahn Mahlay — Hahn is a young scientist studying under professor Holt at Piata Academy. He joins Chaz and Alys as they enter the Piata Basement to explore the monster outbreak reported by the Principal. After parting ways with the group following the events at Zio's castle, Hahn trains himself in combat and the use of techniques. By the end of the game, when he offers to join the team again to fight the Profound Darkness, he has developed into a capable warrior and technique user.
- Rune Walsh (Thray/Slay Walsh (スレイ・ウォルシュ Surei Uorushu?) in the Japanese version) — an enigmatic wizard who first joins the party in the city of Molcum, leaves the party a bit later and finally rejoins permanently. He and Alys share some shrouded history, but the specifics are unknown. He is one of the few people remaining in Algo with the ability to use real magic, as he demonstrates in clearing the heroes' path to Tonoe. The reasons behind his powers are explained later in the game as he is revealed to be the 5th generation inheritor of the will and memory of the legendary Esper, Lutz.
- Gryz (Pyke (パイク Paiku?) in the Japanese version) — a Motavian warrior seeking refuge in Tonoe after the death of his parents during Zio's attack on his hometown of Molcum. His goals in life are to protect his little sister Pana and to have revenge on Zio. He joins the heroes for that purpose, and participates in the final battle against the dark wizard.
- Rika (Fal (ファル Faru?) in the Japanese version) — the Numan child of the supercomputer Seed. She permanently joins the party after saving professor Holt. Seed created her to carry on his will after he self-destructs in order to cut off the flow of errant commands to the support network. It is after joining Chaz and the others that Rika first experiences the outside world. Her cheerful disposition belies her considerable combat abilities.
- Demi (Freyna (フレナ Furena?) in the Japanese version) — an android created by Wren to regulate the Nurvus support system. She is held prisoner by Zio during his scheme to disrupt the support systems of Algo. After being freed by Chaz and the others, she assists them throughout their adventures on Motavia, up until the final confrontation with Zio. Afterwards she has to interface directly with the Nurvus central computer in order to bring the system back online.
- Wren (Foren (フォーレン Fōren?) in the Japanese version) — the android custodian of the artificial satellite Zelan, where he meets and joins the party. He remains with them until the game's conclusion. Wren is quite knowledgeable and insightful, having been functioning for almost 1,000 years. He is a skilled wielder of various heavy firearms and serves as the team's spaceship pilot. Despite many similarities to Wren from Phantasy Star III, the two characters are unrelated (the PSIII Wren was named Searren in the Japanese version).
- Raja — a Dezolisian priest who forces his way into the party after the spaceship crash lands on his temple. He is an easy-going old man with a quirky sense of humor, who assists the heroes in their quests on Dezolis until he gets infected with a mysterious plague in Meese from which he doesn't fully recover until close to the end of the game.
- Kyra Tierney ((Shess Tierney (シェス・ティアニー Shesu Tianii?) in the Japanese version) — a young, tomboyish Esper girl who joins the party after being rescued from the Carnivorous Trees on Dezolis. She regards Chaz as a little brother, despite there only being a year between them. For years she aspired to meet Lutz, the legendary leader of the Espers, but was disappointed after finding out his identity. She assists the heroes in the destruction of the Garuberk Tower.
[edit] Antagonists
- Zio — a dark wizard engaging in various acts of chaos and destruction. Zio is the game's first major antagonist. He has established a church to Dark Force in the town of Kadary, where he has many brainwashed followers. He was responsible for turning the citizens of Zema to stone in order to scare people away from Birth Valley and destroying the Motavian village of Molcum. Corrupted and drawn into the service of Dark Force, his stated goal was the indiscriminate annihilation of all life forms in Algol.
- Lashiec — the former ruler of Parma returns for revenge after a long, painful 2000 years banishment by Lutz, always expecting for revenge against him. In the events of Phantasy Star IV he is the direct responsible for stealing the Eclipse Torch to prevent anyone from reaching Garuberk Tower in Dezolis. Once he is defeated and the Eclipse Torch is recovered, Lashiec reveals himself to be a great worshipper of Dark Force, even more so than Zio.
- Seth (Siam in the Japanese version) — a travelling archaeologist who meets the party outside the Soldiers' Temple, where he offers his skills in the search for the Aeroprism. Once the ancient artifact is found, however, its powers reveal Seth's true identity to be an incarnation of Dark Force cleverly disguised as a human.
- Dark Force — the "god" worshipped by Zio, and at whose command he wreaks havoc across Motavia. The recurring enemy of the Phantasy Star series, Dark Force is a physical manifestation of the hate-filled spirit of the Profound Darkness. The weakening of the seal caused by Parma's destruction enabled three separate incarnations of Dark Force to appear.
- Profound Darkness — In ancient times a spirit life form, split into two separate entities. For reasons unknown, these two beings fought one another until one emerged victorious. The winner, which became known as the "Great Light", banished the loser, which became known as the Profound Darkness, in an alternate dimension, sealed by the existence of the Algol Solar System. It sent into Algol a portion of its hate-filled spirit every 1,000 years in an attempt to destroy what the Great Light had created and to ultimately free itself from bondage.
[edit] Minor Characters
- Principal — head of the Piata Academy; hires Alys and Chaz to investigate a monster outbreak
- Grandfather Dorin — wise-cracking grandfather of Gryz and the patriarch of Tonoe
- Pana — younger sister of Gryz; fears for her brother's well-being as he seeks revenge for their parents
- Professor Holt — a teacher at the Piata Academy; disappears while investigating Birth Valley
- Seed — an AI responsible for the biosystems on Motavia
- Daughter — an AI originally intended to succeed Mother Brain
- Reipard La Shiec (Lassic) — The corrupt villain from the first Phantasy Star returns as a zombie serving the Profound Darkness
- Le Roof — custodian of the planet Rykros; informs the main characters of the genesis of Algol
- Elsydeon — a legendary sword containing the spirits of past protectors; through it Alis Landale speaks to Chaz and convinces him of the importance of his mission as a protector
[edit] Remake project
The Sega Ages project planned a remake of this game for the PlayStation 2 console, having revamped the first two games: Phantasy Star Generation 1 and Phantasy Star Generation 2. However, the Sega Ages website has recently confirmed that a port of Phantasy Star Collection for the Playstation 2 featuring all 4 of the original games is in production, leaving the future of the previously announced remake in limbo.
[edit] Pirated version Wai Xing Zhan Shi
Wai Xing Zhan Shi (外星戰士 Wài Xīng Zhàn Shì, meaning "Outside/Foreign Star/Planet Fighting Soldier") is a pirated version of Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium made for the Famicom. The game opening credits state that it was copyrighted in 1996 and made by Waixing Computer & Technology Co. Ltd.[3]
[edit] Trivia
|
|
Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones. |
- In the final dungeon, you may run into the original Phantasy Star 's Dark Falz as an ordinary monster named Prophallus.
- One of the young Musk Cats in Myau's cave brags about being able to get the top off a bottle. In PS1, Myau joined the party partly because he needed help getting the top off a bottle.
- It is the only one of the original four Phantasy Star titles that was not translated to Portuguese by Tec Toy. In 2004 a fan-made translation was created.
- A now-known glitch in the game is that once a character has leveled to level 99 in the game, the characters stats in the game decrease as opposed to increase, which forced players to be cautious about leveling up their characters in the game. Upon the game's re-release on the Sega Genesis Collection, the compilation pokes fun at the glitch by warning players not to reach level 99 in the Hint section.
- A bug occasionally occurs immediately following a boss battle in which a character leaves your party afterward. If the character who leaves was the only character to survive the fight, the moment after the battle ends you are issued a game over, despite winning. It occurs because the game designers do not give you a chance to access your menu or visit an inn (to restore your dead characters) after the fight ends and before the cutscene where the sole surviving character leaves.
- The cover art for the American and European releases was done by Boris Vallejo. Its depiction of the characters bears little resemblance to the in-game visuals.
- The instruction manual for the American version states that there are 15 possible Combination Attacks. However, only 14 were ever discovered, and the manual is most likely wrong. Occasionally the "secret technique" Feeve - a dummied-out spell, accessible through hacking, with no effect - is mistaken for the "lost 15th combo."
- Sonic The Hedgehog makes a reference in this installment in a book about himself titled Run, Hedgehog, Run! in Saya's Grammar School along with Ecco the Dolphin in the book titled A Day With Ecco. A reference to Golden Axe also appears.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Phantasy Star IV: The Return of Alis. IGN. Retrieved on 2008-01-12.
- ^ The Phantasy Star Compendium Translation. Retrieved on 2008-01-12.
- ^ Wai Xing Zhan Shi
[edit] External links
- The Phantasy Star Pages — A Phantasy Star fan site.
- Camineet.net — Another fansite.
- The Phantasy Star Cave — Yet another fansite.
- Phantasy Star Curiosities — Curiosities about the games.
- Phantasy Star IV at GameFAQs.com — Guides and FAQs for Phantasy Star IV.
- Sega Ages Line Up Page — Page confirming the Phantasy Star I*II*III*IV compilation.
- Home of Phantasy Star — extensive collection of sprites, maps, music, and other material.
- Interview with Rieko "Phoenix Rie" Kodama
http://www.gamelegacies.com/ps4.html All about Phantasy Star IV!
|
||||||||||||||||||||
