RPG Progress Report

[BoneSnapDeez]

Just for yucks I loaded up Episode IV of PSOBB to see how far I could make my way into the final final dungeon. I did this a few weeks ago and got owned fairly quickly, my only Game Over in 50-ish hours or gameplay.

This time I made it all the way to the door that leads to the final boss. Then I noped out of there. Woulda been kinda cool to check things out but the penalty for Game Over is fairly high and I didn't wanna risk it. I'll be back! In 20 hours or so. At least I know I can take whatever any dungeon throws at me. It's just the bosses that could prove to be difficult from here on out.

Oh, and that final dungeon took three godforsaken hours to traverse. I'll move through it at a quicker pace once my level is higher but damn.

[noiseredux]

You are my hero.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Right back at ya, slick.

It's funny...... You can enter the dungeons in any order. Theoretically. I hopped into the first dungeon of Episode II when I first played the game and did zero damage to enemies.

I wonder if this ability to jump around is unique to the PC version of the game. Or because I'm on a private server? Certainly couldn't do this on Dreamcast.

Anyhow, my little jaunt turned out to be quite beneficial. Gained some levels and was able to buy some fancy new armor. I also have enough scape dolls in storage to completely fill my inventory with 'em, should I choose.

[Exhuminator]

Bone (or any other PSO fan) what are your thoughts on:

Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II
-Dreamcast VS GameCube VS PC

Phantasy Star Online 2

Phantasy Star Online Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution

Phantasy Star Universe series

Phantasy Star Portable series (PSP ones)

Phantasy Star Zero

Phantasy Star Nova (ha just kidding)

[noiseredux]

Bone (or any other PSO fan) what are your thoughts on:

Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II
-Dreamcast VS GameCube VS PC

DC is just Ep I.

GCN is I & II and has split screen co-op, you'd like this.

PC is Ep I, II, IV. I like this.

Phantasy Star Online 2

I spent a bunch of time trying to get it set up on my PC. No dice. Got frustrated. Wish it was localized.

Phantasy Star Online Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution

Neat idea. Never really got into it tho.

Phantasy Star Universe series

Phantasy Star Portable series (PSP ones)

Phantasy Star Zero

Meh.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Well, about the original PSO..... PC (Blue Burst) is the only way to access Episode IV. That alone could arguably make it the most "definitive" version. Though playing on a private server comes with its own host of issues and idiosyncrasies. And I'd argue that some fatigue starts to set in after Episode I. Nothing wrong with callin' it a day after that's completed.

Dreamcast original is phenomenal. Haven't played it on GC, unfortunately. Never grabbed a copy when it was current and prices are now too rich for my blood. I do have the useless frisbee Xbox port (yay?).

C.A.R.D. Revolution is a lot of fun. Completely different from the other games, naturally. Universe and Portable (I don't have the direct sequel to that one) are a lot like the original game. But worse. Like noise said. Meh. Zero may be the worst of the bunch. Ugly and slow with crappy graphics and camera angles.

Haven't played the recent stuff. Damn lack of localization.

[Exhuminator]

Haven't played it on GC, unfortunately. Never grabbed a copy when it was current and prices are now too rich for my blood.

I've got this one:

(but not the Plus version)

Do you think this would be good for single player? I don't want to deal with a server.

Universe and Portable are a lot like the original game. But worse.

So what's worse about the Universe and Portable stuff?

[BoneSnapDeez]

Yeah if you're looking just to play Episode I and/or II completely offline then DC or GC is the way to go. Unfortunately you have to be connected to a server when playing on PC, even for a single player game.

As far as Universe and Portable go, I just found them much less interesting in terms of setting, dungeon design, music, and so on when compared to the original. Also, lots of needless overcomplicating of certain other elements as well.

If you wanna spend the better part of an hour reading about the shortcomings of Universe here ya go:
http://socksmakepeoplesexy.net/index.php?a=rhetetop10-2

[Betagam7]

I'm about nine hours into Secret of Mana 2 and still enjoying it a lot.

I just beat the ghost ship and have now washed up on an island. It's still quite linear so far which is helping me stay nicely on track. My characters are around level 14 so not too far away from a class change according to the book I read in one of the libraries.

[Xeogred]

I'm about nine hours into Secret of Mana 2 and still enjoying it a lot.

I just beat the ghost ship and have now washed up on an island. It's still quite linear so far which is helping me stay nicely on track. My characters are around level 14 so not too far away from a class change according to the book I read in one of the libraries.

And that's when it opens up a little.

Hopefully you still dig it. I wouldn't say it's as open as FF6's second half, but somewhat similar. You'll just be able to do some of the main bosses in any order, so it's like a few main branches open up.