Comments on: Review: Another Batch of Genesis Classics on Steam

By: kevinski

kevinski — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:52:09 +0000

I generally try to use the in-game save feature when possible, because I feel like I’m cheating if I use save states (especially since I will start to abuse them at some point if I start using them). I really never liked Phantasy Star II’s save system, what with it always asking you to give each file a name and all. Also, it’s weird that you can’t just save on the overworld by default.

As such, I suppose that using save states in that game isn’t so bad, aside from the aforementioned temptation to abuse it. Then again, much of what makes Phantasy Star II such a chore to play could be remedied by just loading a previous state.

Oh, decisions, decisions…

By: Alex Riggen

Alex Riggen — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:09:18 +0000

I haven’t played Phantasy Star 3 or 4 but the whole multi-generational thing in 3 has always interested me. I just don’t think I can sit through JRPGs anymore. I just attempted it with Lunar and had to quit about halfway through as I just get bored with the dungeons and battles all the time.

By: Alex Riggen

Alex Riggen — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:07:55 +0000

Yeah I would probably give up on the game for awhile if that happened to my save as well. I would assume that everyone playing the game on Steam would probably use both the save states and in-game saves so Sega really should consider fixing that. There’s nothing worse than losing an JRPG save. Also, I agree with the bundle pack suggestion. If you’re buying 2 or more games you might as well pay the $7.50 for all the games when they’re $3 each individually. For that $7.50 you probably have over 100 hours alone in Phantasy Star 2-4.

By: kevinski

kevinski — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:53:47 +0000

By the way, if you intend to buy even two or three of these games, then it makes more sense to just buy the bundle pack. You’ll save a lot of money that way and don’t need to pick and choose.

By: kevinski

kevinski — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:51:21 +0000

I’ve been having issues with the saves in Phantasy Star II, so I opened a support ticket with Sega. This was the eventual response:

“Evan, May 16 12:40 (PDT):
Hi,

This can occur if you are using both save states and the in-game save function. Using either only save states, or only in-game saves should avoid this conflict.

Best Regards,
SEGA Customer Support”

Apparently, this even means that simply hitting cancel to momentarily suspend game play so you can do something else on your computer (or chat, since the Steam overlay doesn’t work), you’re risking your saves being lost.

I’d started playing Phantasy Star II and intended to finally finish it without a guide. I ended up losing my save after finally getting through the first dungeon. Needless to say, I’m not exactly in the mood to play again anytime soon.

By: grolt

grolt — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:57:27 +0000

Love the little synopses for each game, thanks.

Never understood the hate for PS3. I’ve been playing it lately and in every way other than story it’s a superior game to the usually lauded second entry. The battles are no longer on that generic grid, creatures have a lot more personality, the music is incredibly catchy and the multiple pathways are also a real unique addition. The game is also much less labyrinthine and difficult. It’s kind of cool, too, that it’s set in the past as a kind of prequel, but yet there are still cyborgs and the like in this olde tyme setting.