"Famous or Infamous Classic!?"

First, let me state:

The SNES blows just about any Sega Genesis RPG out of the water--in terms of graphics, music, ect.

However, there are still some good Genesis RPG's. Even though graphics and music represent much of the story, (especially with RPG's now), there are still some games that can thrive with your basic crappy graphics. A good example of this on the psx is Suikoden.

Examples of this on the Sega Genesis are, well, all Sega RPGS. Sadly, if we're honest, their graphics just aren't that good, limited by the amount of colors that could be on the screen at once, ect. But, there are a couple games that are impressive, (for the times), graphically. These are Shining Force 2, and Phantasy Star 4.

Now, this is a review of Phantasy Star 3, so let me say first out. . .The graphics just aren't that good. Let's just say they get the job done, and do an okay job of telling the story.

The music is pretty decent, some of it does stick in your head; however, it doesn't have the staying power of something like a secret of mana.

The gameplay is pretty much what you would expect. Random battles are rampant throughout, and you can equip your usual amount of weapons, armor, ect. Your character moves pretty dang slow. . .very slow and this does make things take longer than it should. . .That, and although this is more of a presentation issue, let me mention that unless you buy the game with an instruction book. . .(very doubtful), you will have to figure out some stuff by yourself. . .Like how to cure poisons, what all the shops and items do ect. Luckily, Gamefaqs is here to help.

Combat is your standard first person view affair from the many ''classic'' rpg's. You see your enemy, and decide whether to use magic ect. through a menu. . .fun stuff. . .okay, not especially.

The story is the best part of the game, and it is what causes me to give it an 8. By rights, it you add up the other parts, this game deserves a 6--maybe a 7 at highest, but the story is original and quite a cool concept. This game has the word ''generations'' in the title for a reason. This is because you play through your character's family character. You choose a wife, have a kid, and continue the concept. . .for a couple generations. This is the biggest draw as you get to continue your family's legacy ect.

All in all, you should be able to pick this game up for no more than $25 dollars on ebay. . .hopefully, with case and manual. You might be able to find it for $10 at places too. The game is fun to play, (most likely in doses), and is an essential part of anyone's phantasy star or classic rpg collection.

One last note, many people consider this the ''darkhorse'' of the first four phantasy stars. . .and it is. But this ''darkhorse'' is still an interesting and well created part of the phantasy star legacy.

One more thing...this is a sega genesis game, and an early part of console rpg's, because of that, it is being reviewed as such. If it was to be reviewed against games of today, it would pale in comparison, (except for the story.) An updated phantasy star, with this story, would actually make a very enjoyable game--even by today's standards. Thus, the 8, and not a 4 or 5.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 08/11/03