Overview
Alis Landale seeks revenge for her brother’s death. Phantasy Star delivered a Japanese RPG experience on the Master System that stood alongside Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. First-person 3D dungeons, a seamless blend of science fiction and fantasy, and a female hero made it distinctive. The series would become one of Sega’s most enduring franchises.
Fast facts
- Developer: Sega.
- Protagonist: Alis Landale.
- Innovation: 3D dungeon crawling.
- Setting: Science-fantasy (Algol system).
Technical features
| Element | Achievement |
|---|
| 3D dungeons | Smooth first-person scrolling |
| Battery backup | Save game progress |
| Animated enemies | Battle sprites |
| Large world | Three planets |
The Algol system
| Planet | Environment |
|---|
| Palma | Earth-like, civilised |
| Motavia | Desert world |
| Dezoris | Ice planet |
Party members
| Character | Role |
|---|
| Alis | Sword fighter, protagonist |
| Myau | Musk Cat, magic |
| Odin | Warrior |
| Noah | Esper, magic specialist |
Combat system
| Element | Feature |
|---|
| First-person view | Enemy sprites |
| Turn-based | Command selection |
| Magic | Offensive and healing |
| Escape | Flee option |
Series evolution
| Title | Year | Platform |
|---|
| Phantasy Star | 1987 | Master System |
| Phantasy Star II | 1989 | Mega Drive |
| Phantasy Star III | 1990 | Mega Drive |
| Phantasy Star IV | 1993 | Mega Drive |
Legacy
| Impact | Area |
|---|
| Master System flagship | Sega RPG credibility |
| Female protagonist | Early representation |
| Sci-fi/fantasy blend | Distinctive setting |
| Online evolution | Phantasy Star Online |
See also