Phantasy Star 2 - Disappointing Sega Sequel? - MY LIFE IN GAMING 

Phantasy Star 2 is still the best one for me. Spent a summer completing Phantasy Star 2. That lead to me completing an RPG every summer while I was in school until I graduated and beat Final Fantasy VII that final summer before I went to college.

My favorite game of all time. While everyone was trying to resurrect Aerith Gainsborough, I was still wishing I could clone Nei.

It's interesting that the hint book wound up being such a downside for you, when for me, it -- along with the hint book included in the instruction manual for Ultima: Quest of the Avatar on the NES -- kind of sparked my lifelong love of hint books (and maps in particular). I too used the hint book pretty much every step of the way, but that just made the experience all the more special for me, as it made me feel like an explorer consulting the notes left for me by previous explorers. I was an archaeologist exploring ruins that someone else had already mapped, but which few dared enter today due to the immense dangers that lurked therein! In fact, I work at XSEED Games, and it was the hint books included in Ultima:QotA and Phantasy Star II that inspired me to push for -- and eventually write -- the "Reah's Trusty Field Manual" included in the back of the Ys I & II Chronicles PSP manual, as well as "Adol's Travel Journal" included in the limited edition box set of Ys: Memories of Celceta on Vita. I was hoping to give someone else the same sense of wonder that I felt when I spent many long afternoons poring over those Phantasy Star and Ultima books. I guess it's all a matter of perspective, in the end. What you want out of these games determines how you'll react when encountering guides like this.

I remember doing Rolf-alone runs. You can actually take out the mother brain with him alone as well. Eventually I started doing save-outs before leveling up in order to keep resetting until I got better stats. I got so obsessive with this that I eventually modded my Genesis controller with an extra button that reset the console just so I didn't have to reach over and reset the console directly. One other feat I did was grind Nei up to level 50 and actually beat Neifirst with her alone. I was surprised to discover that the game anticipated this and had a separate conclusion to what happened next.

I'd never really thought of this game as a graphical step back from the first. 3d first person mazes always felt so nondescript it was hard to tell where I was. The grid background seemed to accentuate the scifi nature of the game, and the animations were so cool I always liked how battles looked. However I do agree with you that more space travel would have been an improvement.

Phantasy Star 2 is much more than a simple game, it contains the secrets to the meaning of life - trust me! My life was changed forever once I played this game, now I look up to the skies and know that somewhere, Mother Brain is there taking care of everything for us. She is alive throught each and every one of us, she experiences the worlds throught our senses.

AMAZING game and AMAZING series! Sega really missed the mark by not giving us a Phantasy Star 5. To this day I do not know why Sega has not given us the an English version of the Phantasy Star remakes from the Sega Ages Collection on the PS2. Thanks for the video!

I always liked the grid backgrounds for the fighting sections. They fit the game art style very well and it standout to me as something different then the other RPG of that time. I also like the early box art of the Genesis with the similar grid look on the box.

I think the 'generic blue grid' background was cool in a way. Made the battles feel a little more 'sci-fi'.

If Phantasy Star 2 is your least favorite in the series, how does it compare to Phantasy Star 3?

Intellivision is the earliest console I can think of that supported downloadable games through a cable TV service. Now that is ahead of their time.

Remember the thief girl?

I remember using that hint book, but I did it kind of sparingly. I'd only really look at the dungeon maps and maybe find out WTF town I was supposed to head to. I really disliked the dungeons because I felt that they were sooo slow. Overall I felt that the game was a major downgrade from part one, but I did enjoy it nonetheless.

I wonder what Phantasy Star 2 would look like if they had more time to put it together...

I didn't play PS1, but I loved the battle background of plain-lines on black, it emphasized the characters and their battle animations, which were great. The battle music was great too. Also, the top-view dungeons were excellent.

loved the Genesis Phantasy Star IV and SMS Phantasy Star

Great video! Your channel is great, and I think it's at its best when you guys do these memories/retrospective videos. Your perspective is unique and presented very well. Keep up the great work!

I wish there had been a Phantasy Star 5 on the Sega CD-32X...

It would have been nice if Sega had included a brief note on the first page of the hint book, saying something to the effect of, "We think you'll enjoy the game more if you try to solve puzzles and explore the world on your own, but if you get stuck use this guide!"

Fantastic video. Avoidance of guides has always been a big thing for me since the Dragon Warrior 1 guide. Now I'll be honest I use them more now since I'm trying to play through so many times I don't want to spend hours figuring out what to do next. But, knowing what's next is a huge spoiler so even now-a-days I just refer to one if I really need it.

Phantasy Star 2 was incredible for it's time. I own it on Steam now, it's very cheap now!

Holy crap I remember playing this as a kid on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis Classics collection.

I remember playing this game when I was younger, really enjoyed the video dude man!

Please oh please do Shining in the Darkness and/or Sword of Vermillion! Great Show!!!!!!!!!

Great video! Good to see another person with an appreciation for the Phantasy Star series. I can see how using the guide book could ruin your experience in Phantasy Star 2, but that wasn't the case for me. My family didn't have a lot of money and I was lucky to even have a Genesis. I first played Phantasy Star 2 as a rental shortly after it was released. I had the game and a photo copied version of the map that came with the rental and that was it. I kept renting the game until I finished it. It took about three rentals. I had to figure out the game on my and experience it without any spoilers. I really enjoyed the game. However, my favorite in the series is still the first entry Phantasy Star, followed by Phantasy Star 4. My least favorite in the series is Phantasy Star 3. I am currently playing through the translated version of Phantasy Star Generation 2. I really miss the different weapon attack animations and sound effects in the origin Phantasy Star 2.

Iirc, the backgrounds during the battles had to be removed due to lack of space on the cartridges but they were actually made initially. Sadly the enhanced remake Phantasy Star Generation 2 was only released in Japan. Damn the whole Sega Ages 2500 collection is pretty much Japan only . . . .

Interesting that this game came with a full hint-book. I'd say a good thing since back then there were no online walkthroughs, at certain points you'd definitely get stuck. The hint books are probably a rare today, collectors items.

The ending was good in a tragic way how they all did not go down without a fight to the end against the counsel. Too bad we were not able to play in that battle and see the outcome. The music was good too.

Ah, the days of prepackaged hint books before RPGs were mainstream. The ones that came with the older Zelda games clearly stated that they should only be consulted if you're absolutely stuck on a specific part, but I was just as guilty and studied them as much as the actual instructions, eheh. Still, I doubt I would've figured some of that stuff out on my own even if the old games were new to me now

I read your "faq"and "about us" on your back log site, and wow. I'm impressed by your ambition, and determination. You really have a good idea in that site. Kudos to you sir.

The only problem I had with the game was the battle backgrounds. Those backgrounds in ps1 made the game so alive and awesome, dungeons too :)

You know what guys I never owned a Genesis growing up but I had a couple friends that had one. I was always curious about this game growing up and now that I have it coming in the mail for my Retron 5, along with playing it on the PSP through the Sega Collections I'm loving it.

My favorite part was when Nei learned SAK, and I tested it out to see what it did in the middle of a dungeon.

Where does that Phantasy Star 1 map around 6:20 come from? Great review btw :).

This game had a huge impact on me because I played it as a kid in 1989/1990. It was tough as hell and took me and a friend several weeks to finish it. We rented it over and over again from a local video store, and stayed up really late several nights in a row 'til we "beat" the game. This was the second or 3rd RPG I played. First was the orig. Zelda, 2nd was Dragon Warrior I, then this. I can see now how this game could drive someone nuts because RPGs have evolved quite a bit, but its characters and music stuck with me. The part with the cats (magic or mojic cap) and "the beautiful man in the Crevice." All pretty unique stuff... and how Nei dies.

Despite never playing this game, this episode struck very close to home for me. When I was younger I used a guide to spoon-feed me through Super Metroid, Zelda Link to the Past and Final Fantasy III. Even today I do regret having robbed myself of what I feel would have otherwise been much more rewarding gaming experiences. But as you would say, live and learn. Thankfully through those mistakes I came to understand how valuable an experience getting through a game 'by yourself' can be. Games are, after all, much like virtual playgrounds, it only offers the tools to have fun, the rest is up to us! Thanks for this video and look forward to your future work.

Where did you find these remixes of Phantasy Star 2?

I had a different experience with Phantasy Star 2. I bought my game used at Funco, so I didn't get the hint book. I never beat it, I spent too much time grinding and when I spent time away from the game I couldn't remember what I was doing or where I was going. If I wandered too far, I'd usually die and lose a lot of progress.

the first guide book i used was for pokémon colloseum, and at the time it was kind of refreshing not dying to "gym" leaders like i did in crystal, because i had the book telling me what their pokémon would be ahead of time and what level i should get to.... but after i saw the final guy within a few days i felt similarly empty. after that i would only look up walkthroughs if i was stuck, until i decided to try playing metroid prime 3 with one, since i was borrowing it for only a week with a friend. i did manage to 100% everything, but once again i just kind of felt like i was dancing to someone else's tune. i don't like, judge other people who enjoy playing with walkthroughs just to have the experience without the worry, though i myself can't really understand it, and from then on i've only used them to look up solutions to annoying puzzles, and trying super hard to not let myself read ahead once i've found the answer.

Love this video! I wish you would spotlight ALL the Phantasy Star single-player rpgs. :D I have a lot (Over 1500 hours) worth of experience with the multiplayer games but I've never played thru one of the rpgs.

great video. why the PS2 version through YPbPr instead of Genesis cart through RGB?

I am really enjoying this game, even though I’m 15! I’m using a scan of the manual and hint book to help. I haven’t played the first one yet, so I don’t know if it’s better. It looks cool though, can’t wait to play it!

Nice video. I used the hint book - only after being stuck for more then say 6+ hrs in a given section of the game. Of all the games in the Phantasy Star series ; III Generations of time was probably the one I spent the most time on - going through each different "Generational" time line after completing one of the other time lines first.

Till this day its music is still in my head. One of the best childhood moments of all time.

Phantasy Star II is my favorite RPG of all time. So many things to like here. And yes, you must use the bundled strategy guide sparingly.

I always thought the blue grid for the battle background was parodying Tron or something.

Great Video! This game is now free on iOS btw. A word of caution though - I grinded all day the first day, only to find out after logging in the next day that the cloud save did not work properly. I'm thinking I'll go with my original thought and stream Phantasy Star II on Twitch. Subscribed, looking forward to checking out more of your videos!

Nice review...im having a playthrough these last days...like 30 years after i played the game for the first time

Quick question for you Coury. What version were you playin @ 2:42 where it said in the upper left corner PlayStation 2 / Component? I can only find the Sega Ages Collection. And I thought that version was only a Japanese with a new design.

Cool just got the Sega genesis collection, this game did catch my eye

There are only a few games I remember my dad playing while growing up. He was never much of a gamer, but did like sci-fi/fantasy. He commandeered our Sega Genesis that he bought for us kids and played this one religiously every night for about a month all the way through to the end. Must have been a good game. It's weird, because as a kid I always thought of this as a weird/creepy game with strange music and confusing mechanics. It is only now that I see it through the eyes of an adult as my dad saw it as, and I can understand the attraction to this game. Sadly now that there are much more advanced games and the old 16-bit days have passed, I will not be able to experience the joy of this "cutting edge" game. Sure I can download the ROM and muddle through it, but to be playing it during the time it was new and exciting, to unfold that game map and read through the book to find answers - those days have passed.

You described the weak points of the game pretty well. The game gives way to PhS1 in everything, except the plot & design. I also lack a possibility to talk with enemies from prequel! It was such a good feature of 80's JRPGs like Miracle Warriors, Heracles no Eikou, Laplace no Ma, Gegege no Kitaro 2, etc. And deaths of play characters were introduced in Final Fantasy 2, which came out several months earlier.

This easily my favorite of the bunch. I love it. Warts and all. Also, just like Wyrwad below, I simply love hint books, strategy guides and fat manuals. Just flipping through them makes me itch to play. :)

12:18 where did you get that figurine?? I want one!

Love your channel man I love Phantasy Star 2 and 3 and 4 and 1.

I was in the same predicament with FFIX only this year where I used IGN's walkthrough for pretty much the entire game but that guide handled it very differently because outside of letting you know that there was going to be a boss in the next room it was extremely light on story details. Even though my hand was being held the entire time I could still be involved and surprised with where the story went.

Phantasy Star 2 was my first RPG that I played. I didn't know what I was getting - and I loved it. It was hard as hell. I had nothing to compare it against at the time. I am currently playing the remake and I am enjoying it. I feeel like a kid again :). RPG's from this era did not age as well as other games. However I consider it a good game. Wish they would make a true sequel to 4.

I feel really lucky we didn't bother using the hint book. This became my favorite RPG of all time. I actually played it again recently on steam. (I don't have a sega anymore)

Finally know how to pronounce Nei, I loved the final boss and I cried when Nei died

I remember how people complained that a guide was included. I always wanted to say, like, 'Just don't look'....? Phantasy Star 4 continues the story of 2, I'm just getting to it now on 360. Yup, I forked over 80 bucks for this game when it was released!

Okay, I just gotta say, every time I start one of your videos up, for a brief second I think I am watching stranger things. This damn intro for some reason sounds so much like the intro to Stranger Things to me! On a more serious note, I love your videos, keep up the good work!

I love Phantasy Star II myself!

I guess it was good that my copy of PS2 didn't include the book (got it used). In retrospect, I almost wish it did, I had one hell of a time finding the spot in the ocean to go underwater on the first planet.

I think its a great game and hella hard. Without the hint book, I think I could never make it. Maybe I'm just a limited player tho

Can you please do a video covering your experience of PS III and IV. I really enjoyed this video and the first one.

I really should get into these games. i have a few of them on a PSP Sega collection. Only ever played them for a few minutes each for some reason. I think I never considered the Mega Drive to be an RPG console back when this was out and on PSP I just don't want to put all that time in on a handheld game. Would be cool to see your take on some of the other games in the series at some point.

Shout out to the time travelling artist for the American cover art who drew Mads Mikkelsen as the protagonist long before he was famous.

I've been waiting for this episode for a long time. Phantasy Star 2 was my first in the series and an early rpg favorite of mine. I loved the music and look of the game but when I finally got to play the original on master system I was blown away. While I love 2, I totally get why the sequel was a let down. I sadly have yet to play 4 though but I did just get it recently and am hoping to change that as soon as possible! Also, I really enjoyed the cameo this time around

I recall renting PS2 early in the genesis days. Couldn't make heads or tails of it and was disappointed, as i was really craving a zelda style adventure which didn't show up on genesis until landstalker much later.

Honestly, the hint book already warns you right on the table of contents page; "It's best to read the hint only if absolutely necessary, and then, only the hint you really need." So while I completely understand being so hyped for the game that you just gotta read the hint book (so did I), the only one to really blame for the lack of feeling accomplished is yourself. =P

When I played it, it was O.K. But the mazes were maddening! I used the hint book to try to figure out how TF to go to get through the mazes, but even the maps didn't help much. Out of the four games, I'd rate them best to worst 1, 4, 3, 2. 2 would have beaten 3 but the mazes killed it. One wrong turn and you dropped to the bottom and had to start over; all the dead ends; having to do the maze 4 (or more) times to get each of the items... It was a disaster. 4 was great, I loved the ability to combine spells and skills to get mega attacks (ie. foi (or flaeli) + zan (or hewn) = fire storm), crosscut + effes = grand cross, but my favourite was deban + legeon + megid +posibolt (in that order) = destruct. The only 2 downsides were 1) You could only do 999 damage per attack (later in the game Legeon & megid alone did more damage than the combo) and if you went past level (IIRC) 94, you would start to *lose* stats!!!

Great review.

wow! PS2 is the greatest in the series. Really sorry it got spoiled for you. Nei was a heartbreaker for me. I actualy played PS1 after 2 but loved it to death. Someday I hope to play 1 and 2 and the text adventures all in order.

I prefer the Sega version than the ps2 remake especially the dungeon music. It sounds cute, upbeat, and makes me smile.

Phantasy Star 2 is my favorite of the series. But I do wish it kept more of what made Phantasy Star 1 great in the first place. Like cool battle backgrounds and 3D dungeons. The only time I needed the hint book was that one dungeon in Dezo where it had you teleporting to whole bunch of different spots.

Nice video, I really like hearing other people's perspectives towards the original Phantasy Star series. It being my favorite RPG series of all time. I was saddened to hear that it sounds like you pretty much ruined the entire plot of PSII for yourself by reading the guide in it's entirety though. I suppose fortunately(now that I can look back at it subjectively)I ended up getting it used, sans guide, after having beaten PSIII every which way to Sunday. Without the pack-in guide it was one hellishly difficult game, especially since the dungeons were actual mazes. Unlike the dungeons of it's successor PSIII which were much smaller, easier, and nigh impossible to get lost in. The severe difficulty of some of the later dungeons almost made me quit playing though. Though I persevered and finally beat the game, and it's easily my proudest moment of my childhood gaming legacy. No other RPG before, or since has given me such a legit challenge. The plot twists were as you can imagine, totally unexpected to me as well. Between the explosion of Parma, to the death of Nei, and finally finding out that humans from Parma, after being corrupted by Dark Force, were planning on forcefully taking over Motavia. It was a drastically more dramatic story than I had ever experienced prior in an RPG. It's just such a shame that Sega didn't continue the main series after PSIV.. Instead focusing on multiplayer, and action oriented combat, with a lack of any real story. I really hope you decide to review the other games in the series eventually, and I'm glad to see there are other huge fans of the original series.

The best music in video game history.

Too sad that you read the hint book to finishe the game . Here in Brazil we didn´t have any information at all so I did finished the game by myself . It was really hard but I enjoy ever second of it . I love your videos !

I bought this game second hand. No hint book and totally loved it almost as much as the first which is my favorite game of all time.

I had watch GTV video on Phantasy Star 2, the reason they use a grid for the battle is to save up space.

I've played the SNES-era Final Fantasy games and enjoyed them all, but I've never played any of the Phantasy Star games. Would it be worth it for me to play any of these games? How likely will it be that I'll enjoy them?

I remember the music during the ending gave me chills. I loved reading it, and it was an epic game. PS3 on the other hand.... was disappointing haha

I didn't see the hint book as the Book of Ruined Experience. On the contrary, it helped when I got stuck which is what it was there for. I hadn't played PS1 to compare it to - the Sega Megadrive was my first console. I imagine that if you had the Master System to play PS1, you couldn't have been that young when playing PS2. But your points are good especially the change from fantasy to sci-fi and the background detail. Whilst I did not experience that in the PS games, I experienced that in book reading and I avoided sci-fi and stuck to fantasy. But I think that when taking into account all the firsts that PS2 brought, first major perma death of a lead character, largest RPG at the time with high memory cartridge (PS2 was £60 retail and I picked it up beause it was £20 on offer), accompanying large hint book, ambiguous ending. I think the perma-death of a lead character and the ambiguous ending (did they die or did they survive? Was Lutz a traitor?) causes so many questions unanswered and emotions that it can't really be compared and its what makes it the best out of the series and indeed the best RPG at the time. Those that played PS2 would periodically look up in later magazines or RU-vid to see if some questions had been answered and whether the characters died in the end. I don't think the others have the same effect.

Have you ever played Sega Ages 2500 phantasy star 2? (I have XD) Phantasy Star 2 was my first game through some trial on some old website that sold Sega Genesis games and allowed you to play like, 5 minutes of them at first. I later played and got much further on the Wii and was like, huh, this is cool. Though I failed to ever try the first game, skipped 3 and went to 4 which I really enjoyed so far as my favorite in the series. Regardless, I’m very interested to try 1 through the Sega ages switch version and maybe even the 2500 ps2 one.

...this whole games still haunts me since 1989! TRIPLE WOW!!! ...that ending still got me in shock since 1990 when I saw it!!! This is my #1 best RPG of all time, really its the best ending in any RPG! LOVE IT TO END!

One of my fav rpgs ever. I replay it every 3-4 yrs or so. I think because I was much older (in high school) to appreciate it vs when ps1 came out in the sms. I still have not beat ps1 :(

Lol I actually just got Sega smash pack 1 and 2 for the PC because I wanted to play Phantasy Star 2, as I don't have a Sega genesis. However, there is this weird glitch where after a few minutes of playing the game, it cuts back to the main menu. Is there a way I can fix this glitch? I been looking for a way to fix this. I was having a nice time playing Phantasy Star 2, and I'm desperate to continue it, as this would be my first time playing a RPG (besides Kingdom Hearts), and I have a feeling I would really like this game.

I couldn't afford PS4 when it came out, but my friend had the strategy guide, so I read it cover to cover before I played the game. it didn't ruin it for me.

best game in the series and one of the best console rpgs of all time.

Dear lord that artwork 0_o Anyway, you also have the Phantasy Star Collection on PS2 Coury?

I only used that walkthrough to find my way through dungeons. I didn't read ahead. I regretted how my characters were nowhere near strong enough for the final boss though because I powered through the game too quickly with that guide.

I recently beat Phantasy Star 2 for the first time, so I don't have any nostalgia for it. I knew nothing about the game other than the dungeons are notoriously complex. I read the manual and fired it up. The first thing I noticed was the very unique setting (good) and how slow your character moves (not good). After grinding for a bit, I bought a Sonic Gun for Rolf. His attacks now dealt less damage despite his attack stat being a higher. Whatever. Found the first dungeon and was immediately put-off by the annoyingly overlay which obscured the walls underneath. After my first enemy encounter, the game had my character facing a different direction than before the battle, only adding to the confusion. By this point I was starting to learn techniques that were hardly mentioned in the manual. Pretty souring experience so far. This is when I finally decided if I'm going to continue, I'm looking up dungeon maps. After that, it became a somewhat enjoyable experience. There was more grinding involved, but I didn't mind. Eventually I also used save states and looked up item stats. This definitely improved my experience. After finishing, I was pretty relieved the game was over. Sometimes you want the game to not end. Not this one. I think every single aspect of the game has its positives and negatives, even the music (I experienced the glitch when talking to Lutz, nearly freaked out when the game froze, but luckily still had a recent save state). Unfortunately, the only way I can recommend this game to someone is if, at the very least, they look up maps. I realize that completely takes out a huge fun factor for an RPG, but this one is just too flawed in other areas that I'm not getting into. It also feels the only way to beat this game is knowing what items cast Gires. I guess you can figure that out by using every weapon/armor in battle, but how fun is that? Plus neither the game nor manual hint at doing this. These are probably explained in the hint book, I'm sure, but that should have never been necessary.

PS2 was awesome. I know a lot of people today have issues with the level grinding but it made the game more rewarding. You felt a sense of accomplishment when you can finally get through an area or afford all the equipment you needed. Leve grinding exists in modern RPGs except it is smartly hidden. In early RPGs you would arrive at an area and grind to get your level and money up. Today the grinding has been replaced with sub quests. Same concept just executed in a way that does not feel tedious. And the lack of background animation during battles made no sense since the background was once again fully animated in PS4. Well in PS3 as well but the background and animation looked like garbage so no need to even really mention it.

Thank you for this, your experience echoed mine completely. The hint book ruined my experience, I do blame myself of course. I plan to replay this someday since I have forgotten every detail, but I do remember the battle every 2 steps dungeons and I kinda don't want that again.

I never used the hint book, I enjoyed this game!!

the official hintbook was dopeasfuck.. i wish i took better care of it

The only flaw in the game is the lack of background in the battle screens, but if you can get past that, it's a great game.

phantasy star 2 vs 3 I prefer the black grid with more animated monsters. I was really disappointed when I got ff3 and there where amazing backgrounds and really minimal sometimes downright silly animations. Like the grinders that wiggled their ears for attacks, or the guys in the turbans that would wiggle their finger. So disappointing. That game was rough without the guide. I tried to not look at it as much as possible. I actually played ps2 first then went back to explore the first one and loved it as well.

The orignal Phantasy Star was the only memorable one for me.... i only played the others via emulator around ~2005ish and none captured the same feeling that the original gave me. I never even completed the original but made it to the second last dungeon.... the one where you have to walk into the wall, i never figured that out until i searched the web for an answer around 2005 as well LOL I didn't have any tips or maps for the original, IDK how long it took me to make it through Medusa's dungeon. just through trial and error, but it was a while. I remember going to McDonalds with my dad (fancy night of take away back then LOL) with the game paused right at the doorway of Medusa's room and being so excited to come home and try to defeat her.... funny how such a little moment will most likely remain with me until i die.

The game's story and concept is amazing, but you can blame most of the flaws on the Short time the developers had to make the game, just 6 months to make a huge RPG launch-title for the Genesis.