Random Gaming Thoughts

[AppleQueso]

So, Phantasy Star. I typically don't like RPGs to be super grindy, but would it be worth it to slog through the first two games before going into the fourth, or should I just dive right into IV and not worry about it? I kinda want to play the old ones, but the stuff i've heard about the grinding involved (and the crazy dungeons in II) make me hesitant. How bad is it exactly?

I've heard III is pretty skippable.

I don't actually plan to start playing any of them until I finish a few other ones on my plate.

[CFFJR]

So, Phantasy Star. I typically don't like RPGs to be super grindy, but would it be worth it to slog through the first two games before going into the fourth, or should I just dive right into IV and not worry about it? I kinda want to play the old ones, but the stuff i've heard about the grinding involved (and the crazy dungeons in II) make me hesitant. How bad is it exactly?

I've heard III is pretty skippable.

I don't actually plan to start playing any of them until I finish a few other ones on my plate.

I would play the first one at least. It is a little bit grindy, early on for levels, later on for money. But there's worse out there (Dragon Quest), and the game is well worth the effort. Its just such a great experience all around. I wouldn't call it a slog, and I'd wager that if you see it through you won't feel that way about it in the end.

I highly recommend it no matter what, but if you're ok with emulation, I'd suggest playing the fan patched version that includes a new script and enables FM sound.

In my eyes, Phantasy Star was the best of its time. If you don't like it, I'll buy you a six pack.

[Dylan]

Really though, Phantasy Star II in particular will be really hard to appreciate if you go for IV first.

[alienjesus]

So, Phantasy Star. I typically don't like RPGs to be super grindy, but would it be worth it to slog through the first two games before going into the fourth, or should I just dive right into IV and not worry about it? I kinda want to play the old ones, but the stuff i've heard about the grinding involved (and the crazy dungeons in II) make me hesitant. How bad is it exactly?

I've heard III is pretty skippable.

I don't actually plan to start playing any of them until I finish a few other ones on my plate.

The first game requires heavy grinding right at he start, you'll likely spend a couple of hours before you can even safely travel beyond the first two towns. After that awful beginning though, it gets significantly less harsh, and I found I didn't really need to grind after that as logn as I killed a decent amount of enemies from random encounters.

PS2 requires lots of grinding all the way through from what I've seen. Like others have said, coming back to this one after 4 is supposedly really difficult, although I've not played through both fully personally, so you'll have to trust their word over mine on those ones. I've only beaten the first game.

[BoneSnapDeez]

So, Phantasy Star. I typically don't like RPGs to be super grindy, but would it be worth it to slog through the first two games before going into the fourth, or should I just dive right into IV and not worry about it? I kinda want to play the old ones, but the stuff i've heard about the grinding involved (and the crazy dungeons in II) make me hesitant. How bad is it exactly?

I've heard III is pretty skippable.

I don't actually plan to start playing any of them until I finish a few other ones on my plate.

Play I-III before IV. Use walkthroughs and maps.

III is decent, not as bad as some folks claim it is.

I don't know what kind of hardware you have, but you can find these games on compilations. If you like portable gaming I-III are all on a GBA cart (Phantasy Star Collection).

[Erik_Twice]

I think I'm going to start renting some modern games to review them. Should be fun

[noiseredux]

So, Phantasy Star. I typically don't like RPGs to be super grindy, but would it be worth it to slog through the first two games before going into the fourth, or should I just dive right into IV and not worry about it? I kinda want to play the old ones, but the stuff i've heard about the grinding involved (and the crazy dungeons in II) make me hesitant. How bad is it exactly?

I've heard III is pretty skippable.

I don't actually plan to start playing any of them until I finish a few other ones on my plate.

I'd be upset if you skipped the first game.

[AppleQueso]

I'm planning to pick up the carts on SMS/Genesis. I already have IV.

I guess I'll definitely be playing through I at least, I'll remember that tip about grinding early on.

When I play II I'll try and keep a guide of some sort handy.

III from what I understand is developed by a totally different team and has very little to do with the overarching story going on in the other 3 games. That's the main reason I think I might want to skip it. Perhaps I'll go back to it afterward?

[noiseredux]

I'm planning to pick up the carts on SMS/Genesis. I already have IV.

I guess I'll definitely be playing through I at least, I'll remember that tip about grinding early on.

honestly, just grind for your first hour. Walk out of the town, grind, go back into town to heal, repeat for an hour. It'll make starting for real a lot easier. And at least get some maps for the dungeons.

But seriously, you're in for one of the best RPG's ever.

[ExedExes]

Grinding in an RPG never bothered me. After all, my first was Dragon Warrior, the king o'grinds!

But to make the story interesting, I was getting so tired of that Green Dragon in the Swamp Cave guarding the princess I just went up to him with my club and somehow scored 2 critical hits and killed the damn thing. No joke! I was probably around level 10-15 Then I realized, I'm never gonna get any further without grinding, so for about a week or two it's what I did, upgraded all my gear and got all the Erdrick-branded stuff and beat the game at Level 21 (out of 30).