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