Phantasy Star Gaiden
Description
Long ago, the evil Cablon ravaged the Copto planet, a light year away of the Algol system. When he was defeated, he was sealed on a planet discovered by Alis, the heroine of the first "Phantasy Star", a planet that was also known as Alisland. In this gaiden (side-story) set in Phantasy Star universe, you play the role of two young people from the village Tedo - Alec and Minina. One day, Minina finds an old artifact. While wondering what that could be, the young people learn that Alec' father was attacked and kidnapped by bandits. Determined to find him, the two heroes embark on a dangerous journey that will eventually lead them much further than they suspect.
Phantasy Star Gaiden plays pretty much like any other Phantasy Star starting with the second game: both towns and dungeons are in top-down view, the turn-based battles are viewed from first-person perspective. The gameplay is standard console-style RPG: you should fight random enemies, gain experience and gold, buy better equipment, visit many towns and dungeons, etc.
Spellings
- ファンタシースター外伝 - Japanese spelling
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Screenshots
Credits (Game Gear version)
13 People (11 developers, 2 thanks)
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Reviews
Players
Average score: 3.1 out of 5 (based on 5 ratings with 1 reviews)
The Good
The second M.I.A., Phantasy Star game is Phantasy Star Gaiden. And while it is a RPG in the tradition of previous Phantasy Star games, and not an adventure game, as is Phantasy Star Adventure, is that enough to contend with the heavy hitters of the franchise?
In Phantasy Star Gaiden, you are Alex. A young man, that lives on a colony world, founded by Alis Landale, of Phantasy Star fame. That’s right, PSG, does NOT, for some reason take place in the Algol Star System, but more on that later. When Alex gets his chance for adventure, like the legendary Alis Landale, he seizes it.
His quest will take him across the world. Where he will as per RPG tradition save the world, he may even meet his idol.
PSG, has a lot of parallels to that of the original Phantasy Star. Which is nice. Even the combat is similar, as it uses the 1st person perspective, and is turn based. But for every nod to the original there seems to be some thing that is not so much like it as well. Take that how you will.
The graphics are fair. But as with PSA, really show the weakness of the GameGear. But then again, I have seen worse.
The sound effects are decent, and at the end of the day do an okay job. The music fairs a little better. Alas, much like in PSA, the music is good but cannot compare to the colossal, score of the main four Phantasy Star games.
The Bad
The plot is not quite up to Phantasy Star par. Furthermore, it leaves to many inconsistencies. For example, Why would Alis Landale, having defeated Lashiec, Dark Force, and reclaim her birthright, to just leave Algol, and establish a new colony?
The game is also ridiculously short, and way too easy. It is an RPG that can be finished in under 10 hours. Huh?
I always wondered why Sega never released this game outside of Japan. Little wonder.
The Bottom Line
Like Phantasy Star Adventure, this game was one of the missing Phantasy Star games. And can now be played by those not familiar with the Japanese language. Via a translation “patch”.
Game Gear · by MasterMegid (723) · 2006
Trivia
Translation
An unofficial, complete English translation applicable to a Game Gear ROM file exists.
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Related Sites +
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Alexandria RPGClassics Game Database
Has detailed information on characters, enemies, equipment etc., and a short walkthrough.
Identifiers +
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Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Unicorn Lynx.
Additional contributors: chirinea, Mobygamesisreanimated, Trypticon.
Game added May 28, 2004. Last modified February 4, 2024.