Game Positive: Phantasy Star IV Review

With only a few outdated speed-bumps along the way, Phantasy Star IV is a surprisingly innovative game with simple presentation and execution. RPG fans looking for an escape from complicated customization, overly-involved battle systems, and nonsensical yet clichéd plotlines should take a break with Phantasy Star IV. The game finds a happy balance between the soulless grind of text and numbers and the confusing blur of melodramatic plot-twists.

Pros:

* Slick, well-paced battle system

* Nice manga panel cutscenes

* Macro and combo systems make battles quicker yet more strategic

* Party members come and go when they should

Cons:

* Significant increase in difficulty halfway through

* Poor menus and item descriptions

* Lots of HP maintenance required in dungeons

* Later dungeons can be frustrating