I absolutely adore the Phantasy Star series and replaying them in order was an awesome experience.

Glad to see Phantasy Star 4 getting some love. I played it for the first time a few months ago, and it easily stands up to Square's SNES era games. The comic book style cutscenes are very unique and the gameplay is rock solid. A little sad to see Shining in the Darkness so low. I actually remember preferring it to Shining Force as a kid, but I should really return to both one of these days.

Hey, guys, I played "Wonder Boy in Monster World" and it's an early action RPG from 1991. It wasn't on the list because I thought the Wonder Boy series were just side-scrollers (I' had played others before). I think I'm really liking this game, so far I would rank it in the B tier. That seems to be the only one I was missing. Thanks!

I think you should've called this "Ranking Every Genesis RPG Ever Made," so that you could've included Dungeons and Dragons: Warriors of the Eternal Sun. Phenommmmmenal RPG. S tier!!!

@leonidaschryssinas1723

4 жыл бұрын

AND Buck Rogers as well !

@TheRPGChick

4 жыл бұрын

@@leonidaschryssinas1723 Ehhhh, I didn't like that one much, sorry.

@leonidaschryssinas1723

4 жыл бұрын

@@TheRPGChick np, it's all about rpgs, the immortal was great but brutally hard as well & mystic defender is said to be fun, I also borrowed wonderboy in MW from a friend, but I was too young & it was too hard for me back then

That Shining in the Darkness pan, though...I cry. 😭 Lol It’s a genuinely good game...once you cheat and use external maps. :)

@marcsm2008

3 жыл бұрын

You don't even need maps, the game has an automap feature that helps a lot. The game is VERY grindy though, so cheating to get some extra exp wouldn't hurt.

The studio behind Shining in the Darkness, Shining Force, and Shining Force 2 also made the Golden Sun games. The GS games are a direct descendant.

Nice video, keep with this method for every console.

For the first time in one of these "Ranking Every ____ JRPG Ever Made!" videos, I agree with every placement here. Phantasy Star 4 is the only S tier for me, and while I really enjoy the Shining Force games, I think they do belong in the A tier. There are a couple games I haven't played, like Traysia and Fatal whatever, but they are lower quality games according to Erick and I will take his word for it.

I'll be honest to me shining force 2 is s.. Even today it holds up, amazing class system, characters and secrets to find. And for early game it's got decent story.

@cronoesify

4 жыл бұрын

I still replay that one every once in a blue moon. I remember when I was a kid and I would walk to the local video update with change I found around the house to rent it back in 1994.

@jamiemcalister4600

4 жыл бұрын

@@cronoesify I'm actually finally playing through Sf3 scenario 2 20 years after scenario 1 lol

@cronoesify

4 жыл бұрын

@@jamiemcalister4600 Shining Force 3 was fantastic. The SFC translation was rock solid. The premium disc was a treat. There was next to nothing bad about that game, outside of the fact that the 3D visuals didnt age well at all.

@pplayer3187

Жыл бұрын

@@jamiemcalister4600 Same here...

holy crap dude i was just getting into jrpgs and one of the first series i wanted to get into was phantasy star... on top of that i havent watched any of your videos in forever till i stumbled on your channel again yesterday. weird coincidences, and interesting video

Love the video, would be nice to see a list of the games in the description. Waiting on the best of 1992 right now! :)

the shining force tune at the end of the vid. was a nice touch

I like Fatal Labyrinth and Super Hydlide as well. But once again, I can understand why someone wouldn't. At least YOU know why you like what you like! That is why I can respect your list.

I do wonder, should Blue Almanac (aka Star Odyssey) be on this list? It was a 1991 JRPG which Super Fighter Team acquired the licensing rights then officially localized and released in 2011.

Thanks for this list. It looks like a lot of the good ones I have on the Sonic Ultimate collection for the PS3. I bought it not long ago and plan to start it soon. Now I have a better idea which ones on there I should play.

ONLY you Erick would take on such a monumental task as doing the jrpg's on each console. This was a very fun watch, and again agree it is sad the Genesis gets so little care an fandom. Thank you for this series good Sir.

I very much agree with your ranking list. Back when the Sega Channel was available as a monthly subscription from Time Warner Cable, I played almost all of these games. Shining Force 2 was actually the very first RPG I ever played outside of Legend of Zelda

I played Phantasy Star Online on the GameCube, then the first Phantasy Star game on the GBA via Phantasy Star Collections, and now that I have Sega Genesis Classics (for the Switch), I can finally play Phantasy Star IV. Other than Dragon Quest series and Fire Emblem series, the Phantasy Star series are among my favorite JRPGs.

What would be your ranking for "Pier Solar" for Sega Genesis since it's an RPG?

Phantasy Star was my introduction to RPGs growing. Phantasy Star 1 & 4 are my favorite than 2 & 3 but they were all so much fun to play at the time.

18 out of 21. The three missing are Fatal Labyrinth, Uncharted Waters 1 and Warsong. Also, realized I never commented on the SNES video. Just did. 😉 Love the videos.

Only changes for me: SF2 S, New Horizons A, Landstalker/Light Crusader could go to C as they're a clear step below the other B-tier games.

Picked up Sega MD Classics on the PS4 while on its recent sale and it's freaking paradise playing Shining in The Darkness in the age of gamefaqs maps. Wish we could get colourful tasteful designs like that again, that was pixel ART. You need to have a burning heart for the gameplay to stick with it though, it's brutal even with savestates and rewind.

Good ranking there. I'd rank phantasy star 2 in A tier, but I can totally understand the B tier spot for it.

I bought Phantasy Star 2 today, and I was a bit disappointed, it was difficult to fight from the very start without dying and the battling was somewhat confusing. I look forward to playing it more, though, there are so many people saying PS2 is a great game, and the science fiction setting I like very much. Anyway, this game is my debut on the Sega scene, and I am sure there are many more great rpgs on the console Later this evening I will check out Phantasy Star 3 and 4! Great video, Erick!

Some of them I have played on the SEGA Ultimate Mega/Genesis Collection on the XBox 360 and PS3 that was released around 2008 years ago. So I can play some of them even if I don't have the original console.

@redstratus97

4 жыл бұрын

TBoneTony I just bought that collection. Looking forward to playing them eventually.

Setting up a raspberry pi so your videos are super helpful

Excelente! I am waithing for ps2 rpg ranking.

Shining force 2 should be S tier other than that great list

I was so afraid that you weren't going to like Phantasy Star IV, Erick. I am glad that I was wrong. PSIV is my favorite RPG of all time. It's an amazing title.

Personally feel Shining Force II is the best rpg on the list and only one S tier worthy. Combination of characters, hidden promotions and towns, creatable weapons, unique boss battles, multiple difficulties (even though they messed up one), fun with debug codes, and overall atmosphere of game made it the most enjoyable. PSIV teeters on S/A then SF1 third at an A. Also interested in Pier Solar if you've played it, that was one I haven't being newer.

Sword of Vermilion was clunky when it first came out, but it’s still my favorite rpg on the system. Played through it three times. Meanwhile, I’ve tried multiple times to get through Phantasy Star 2 and just get bored trying to grind at the beginning to not get destroyed right away.

@moogleking

3 жыл бұрын

same i also love sword of vemillion, on my tier list it would be a A or B

@theweebchannel4850

3 жыл бұрын

I agree with you :)

I'd wish Surging Aura got an english patch.

Golden Axe 3 might not have leveling up or turnbased battles, but like a true rpg it has multiple paths and you can play the classic fantasy roles rpg are known of. At leat i consider it a RPG of sorts, Its actually more of an RPG than the Bloodbornsouls games some claim to be a JRPG.

This was a great video! I agree with your rating for the most part. I do think that Sword of Vermillion should have been a C tier game, since it was so influential and it was fun despite its limitations. Also, its sound track is amazing. Secondly, I think Phantasy Star 3 should have been lowered down to C tier. It has a lot of interesting aspects, but it is definitely not a good game and not on par with the other titles on B tier. Phantasy Star 4 is definitely the best rpg on the Genesis, as you noted, followed by the Shining Force games at A tier. I need to try the Landgrisser games. Keep up the good work. Your videos are some of the best jrpg related content out there.

I'm actually playing Langrisser I Remake in Switch. 4 hours of play and I'm enjoying a lot.

Beyond Oasis best action rpg of the 16-bit era.

Never did play Shadowrun on thr Genesis, but the SNES version was pretty badass

Im dont think it was Japanese but Kings Bounty is a really cool explore and conquer RPG

I SALUTE YOU! Phantasy Star IV Is in my Top 15 favorite games of ALL TIME and ranks Top 10 on my list of Best JRPGs of all time! Gotta go for now! Keep at it, Erick Landon RPG!

I was just playing Langrisser Demo on PS4 (The Remake of Warsong) and I think it's interesting. The Shining Franchise has Shining Resonance Refrain. I just beat it last month. Which I also like for being this JRPG mixed with Dating Sim. I think it's the Best in the Franchise. However there's a lot of Story to go through similar to games from Hideo Kojima and XenoSaga. And the Phantasy Star Franchise is great.

@guruthosamarthruin4459

4 жыл бұрын

Shining Force 3 is my GOAT. I find the current Shining series to be insulting.

Fully agreed with the ranking. There aren't that many Japan-exclusive RPGs for the system actually (way more on Mega-CD). The only ones I really liked were Madou Monogatari I (incidentally the final Japanese release, in 1996!) and to some extent Surging Aura.

You know, as much hate as I give Phantasy Star III, I agree with you that it absolutely still belongs above those other games. A nice turn-based RPG is always better than some confusing nightmare I can never get through. (Even if I didn’t get through PS III due to SHEER, UTTER BOREDOM, which also goes for original Phantasy Star!!) Did you play Phantasy Star 1?? As far as I know, the only legit English port of it is on the Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection for PS3...AS A HIDDEN UNLOCKABLE YOU NEED A SECOND PLAYER TO UNLOCK. Yeah. Brutal. I had to wait til my cousin’s kid came to visit and teach him to control Tails in Sonic 2. 🤣

I think you did miss a few: Master of Monsters, Alisia Dragoon, and Wonder Boy in Monster World. I suppose they are somewhat arguable like Arcuss Odyssey (especially Wonder Boy), but I figure they're worth mentioning. I'd probably throw Wonder Boy and Master of Monsters in C tier, and Alisia Dragoon in B tier, personally. I mostly agree with your ordering, but I would slip a few of them higher up. Shining Force 2 and Beyond Oasis go in S tier for me. Along with Phantasy Star 4, they are the trifecta of perfect classic RPG, perfect action RPG, and perfect strategy RPG. I'm also a bit kinder to Sword of Vermillion since it was one of the very first RPGs I ever played, but you probably have a good objective placing of it. Nostalgia is a hell of a drug. Fatal Labyrinth and Shining in the Darkness also agree with my dungeon crawling preferences, so I would put them a notch higher as well.

Do you recommend playing the first fantasy star games before playing fs4?

@jesot

3 жыл бұрын

They're all connected story-wise, but Phantasy Star 4 is a waaay smoother experience. The first 3 games are 0-100 with grinding/difficulty. You'll die to your first encounter if you don't use a guide because you won't know you need to do certain things before you leave the town for the first time. I'd just play 4, then go back.

Should’ve included the Sega CD games since there are so few of them

@AndymionD

4 жыл бұрын

Dark Wizard especially. Very good Srpg

I had the gba version of shining force, I liked it a lot. always found it a shame they didn't continue with that part of the franchise

So... Is SEGA CD coming next? That would be a pretty short list, but there are some gems there. The Lunar series, Popful Mail, Shining Force CD...

What about super hydelyde on genesis , did you ever play that? Or did I miss it somewhere in the video

@insaneasock3156

4 жыл бұрын

6:46

@mattasaurs

4 жыл бұрын

@@insaneasock3156 whoops my bad not sure how I missed that

In Brazil and other Latin America countries phantasy Star was the first jrpg of a lot of people.

Phantasy Star 2-4, Shining Forces, and well that’s all I had growing up.

Is there any need to play the phantasy star games in order or can you just skip to 4 and not miss out on anything?

@yajeel

4 жыл бұрын

MrSpectralfire you can definitely just play PS 4 on its own, but there are a TON of references to the earlier games sprinkled throughout that make the story so much richer if you at least have a passing familiarity with the other titles, especially PS1/2.

I love sword of Vermilion. But I can understand why someone wouldn't.

Yeas warsong is FANTASTIC! i VERY AGREE!!! i spend toooooo much hours in this game

Phantasy Star IV & Landstalker

can we also get ranking for fan translated ones if not so much to ask? per platform or regardless of platform will do please.

What person in their right mind doesn't care about the Mega Drive/Genesis. It's one of the best systems ever made. I'd put at No.4 on a top 10 list. Starflight, Dungeons and Dragons Warriors of the Eternal Sun,all the Phantasy Star games, Shining in the Darkness,both Shining Force games(which come after SITD anyway), Dark Wizard, Shining Force CD,both Lunar games(Lunar 2 is just as good as Chrono Trigger for my money),and Shadowrun are all great games.

I'm very interested in your opinion as to what keeps Shining Force 2 in A. Shining Force 2 is definitely better than Shining Force 1 and it just doesn't seem right to put them in the same place if 2 is A then 1 should be B.

Will you do the same with snes?

I’m sorry I never had a Genesis.. But hey the PS3 Genesis compilation disc ain’t bad

Where would you pu Pier Solar on your list?

the genesis always felt more baroque than the snes if that makes any sense, their pallet its usually less saturated (like tales of phantasy) the sound chip was way sassier and chunkier, and the games were really obscure because the US picked nintendo in the common consciousness, Europe and Latin america did a shit job remembering some bops like Sorcerers kingdom which at the end of the day its as convoluted as Bahamut dragon, thats another thing, nintendo was WAAAAY picker on what was release, sega was in disregard of if anybody could beat it. Thanks for the video, brings me a shit ton of nostalgia¿ever think about making a appreciation video of emulation? half of the games I played on the console was in the earlier builds of emulators back in 02,they sold a comercial cd with a chunk of roms back when having internet was almost now in argentina. anyways thanks for the video

Lagrange Point

It was shocking to me when Phantasy Star 4 came out in the US, retailers near me were selling it new for $99.99. That is not a joke. Toys R Us was also selling it for that much new. There was quite a bit of press about how amazing of a game this was going to be and I guess the hype hit the price. Fantastic game and def deserves S tier. Only one game I disagree with and that is Phantasy Star 3. The game was so unfinished and unpolished that frankly it needed to be in development for much longer than it was. There is so much lacking in it I couldn't believe it. I would have put that in D, otherwise we completely agree. Great video!

Any game that goes to F is considered "abomination".

This reminds me to try the Phantasy Star series.

@acidwizard6528

4 жыл бұрын

Phantasy Star 4 is really good and doesn't require that you play the others. 2 and 3 are both solid early 90s RPGs, but the lack of depth of the story and the amount of grinding may offend somebody of modern sensibilities.

@jellord

4 жыл бұрын

Get phantasy star 4 on your phone. It's free and costs $2 to get rid of the ads and you don't have to be online to play it like some mobile games. Easiest way to play it and works well on mobile since you don't need twitch reaction.

@guruthosamarthruin4459

4 жыл бұрын

I honestly don't think any of them are very good. My favorite of the 4 is actually the first one, on Master System. I keep a running list of my favorite RPGs. I currently rank the first game at #123, barely good enough to make my list. 2-4 aren't on there at all.

@David_Alvarez77

4 жыл бұрын

You can play Phantasy Star 4 (as well as 2 and 3) on many of the Sega Genesis collections on Playstation, XBox, and probably on the Switch as well.

@acidwizard6528

4 жыл бұрын

@@guruthosamarthruin4459 Video games are a product of their time and for the time the Phantsy Star series came out they were pretty solid turn based RPGs. They might be a bit grindy and the story and characters may lack depth by today's standards, but how many RPGs from 1989 are better in those regards? They were also pioneers in the Sci-fi RPG category and while nowadays there are plenty of other RPGs that feature similar themes, back then Phantasy Star was just about the only game in town featuring space travel, lasers, cyborgs, robots and all the other fun stuff that science fiction is known for.

The sega genesis is one of my favorites console ever

@acidwizard6528

4 жыл бұрын

I like it cuz I grew up with it. If I were younger and weren't introduced to it when it was state of the art gaming technology I probably wouldn't care for it as much. I am a hardcore RPG fan and though the Genesis has some good ones, even it's competition the SNES blows it out of the water.

@zengram

4 жыл бұрын

@@acidwizard6528 in rpgs,absolutely!

You forgot the Wonderboy series, 3 was a metroidvania rpg, and so was 4 (though that's probably disqualified despite an official english release). If you really gave Shining in the Darkness a break, you would have given it C tier. It's basic, but solid. I like Phantasy Star 3 as well, but you gave it the same tier as 2, despite saying 2 was leagues better. The only other feedback is, I think Shining Force 2 is a cut above the other two and should be considered for S tier.

My only disagreement is that I would put shining force 2 at S tier (with phantasy star 4 still on top).

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat Fatal Labyrinth and Super Hydelide are awesome... wth man

it interesting seeing your history of rpg list and some of these you say are good but here bad-mediocre hmmm

Also not talking about games like Shadowrun or Starflight is doing the system a disservice. Both Cadash and Exile are better on the TurboGrafx,and I have beat PS2 without a guide, it's just tough. It's not much of a grind actually since the max level is 50 and I got there easily. Had fun with Sword of Vermilion.

fatal labrynth ah I forgot that game. Very similar game is Azure dreams playstation.

Good list, but Shining Force 2 is EASILY S-Tier. I'd personally have Warsong & Langrisser 2 there too

Ranking ps2 jrpg ever made!

I beat sword of Verlin that was all right

I would rank Shining Force 1 & 2 as S-Tier, and I don't think I'd rank any other Genesis RPG higher than C. It just was not a good system for RPGs, IMO.

@TG-mu7ux

4 жыл бұрын

Non biased opinion from someone with a Synbios profile picture.

@guruthosamarthruin4459

4 жыл бұрын

@@TG-mu7ux Lol. Well, the very fact that someone likes or dislikes them is "bias". The fact that I have this avatar simply tells you that I like it.

Shining force 2 is the best, I realize all opinions are subjective so I'm like you I'm just stating mine. Many people in the comments here already agree with me so I'm not alone in thinking this. I honestly don't think there is another game that gives you the shining force 2 experience better than Shining force 2 if you understand? Not even modern tactical games come close to the wonder and joy, the thought provoking and tactical battles of SF2. It's a masterpiece that has never been rivaled. S tier absolutely no questions.

Traysia that one was old school Ultima. Don’t bother playing right now I love that as a kid though

I love how Erick will honestly tell you if a game is a "piece of shit" and just move on ;)

what about pier solar ?

@breathofthewild1749

4 жыл бұрын

Not a JRPG.

@gametourny4ever627

4 жыл бұрын

It totally is a JRPG. I was gonna ask the same question. It reminds me of Lunar.

@breathofthewild1749

4 жыл бұрын

@@gametourny4ever627 So doesn't that answer your question? It's a fan-made (aka Homebrew) RPG, inspired by JRPGs.

@gametourny4ever627

4 жыл бұрын

Based of how many releases it has, I would say, it it a pretty viable suggestion. I personally have the Dreamcast version but wish I could get one of the originals with the Sega Cd extra.

@mrbacchus6127

4 жыл бұрын

@@breathofthewild1749 I know it was not made in Japan, but is was definitely done in jrpg spirit.

Cadash please B )))

What about the Valis games? I thought they were good especially Valis III.

@Koyasama

4 жыл бұрын

The Valis games are platformers, not RPGs.

Rings of power?

I agree with this list completely. Especially that piece of shit Traysia right down in the lowest tier.

i may not like the genesis (i did grow up with friends who had it and for a very short time i owned one as well) but I certainly respect it. it's just not my thing. i never liked the controllers. there were some rare games I remember playing and liking but there was enough for the SNES and NES while I was growing up that I just never missed having the genesis. even today, with all my collected systems, I just don't care to own a genesis.

A shame the 4 Dragon Slayer games released for the system,Burai CD (artwork by Shingo Araki,the same character designer from Saint Seiya anime) and Shin Megami Tensei CD were never released in the west,and in fact not even fantranslated. Genesis had the best console versions of that games at the time. Genesis/Mega Drive used Yamaha sound chip and it was closer (if not equal) to the great soundtrack that Falcom made to PC 8801 for Legend of Heroes 1 & 2 and Ys III.

why would u make the enemy look like a tiny doll,then it turns out to be a bunch of them?

I would say do a ps2 list like this cause that's the best system for rpgs but it would take u forever to do it

@acidwizard6528

4 жыл бұрын

I would have to agree with you that the PS2 has the strongest library of JRPGs out of any console. A case could be made for the SNES, but the number of titles is lacking on SNES compared to PS2 even though some of the all time greatest are for SNES. The PS2 doesn't have many of the best of the best, but it has so many good JRPGs that I consider it the #1 JRPG console of them all.

0:10 Where in the hell did you get that crazy idea? It's not even remotely true! Maybe you meant that RPG fanatics don't care about it, but that isn't true either. It's very limited in what it has for RPG's, but people do enjoy some of it's few RPG titles immensely, especially Phantasy Star IV and the Shining Force titles. Also, most RPG fans like other genres as well, and the Genesis has many other fantastic games. Honestly, I just can't believe you'd say something so ridiculous.

Mostly I agree with your rankings, however there are 3 i'd disagree with. PS 3 is just a C; it has such different graphics and mechanics compare to 2 and 4. I honestly think Shining Force 2 deserves the S tier, it's so great. And Shining in the Darkness is more C than D - graphics are fine, pretty linear admittedly but it's a solid dungeon crawler.

shadowrun??...

Seems like you‘ve missed out on two of the best Genesis RPGs: Shadowrun and D&D Warriors of the Eternal Sun. Check them out if you don‘t mind that the graphics and presentation aged rather badly.

@isaacmahoney5947

4 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately not Japanese so not eligible to be in the vid.

I like the Genesis, or Mega-Drive as it was called here, but for RPGs it is an extremely weak console. Phantasy Star II is not really a good game in its original version (the PS2 Sega Ages remake is great though). Phantasy Star III is just plain bad. Centy is a poor Zelda clone. Landstalker is ok. Beyond Oasis is great, but the only truly excelent Genesis RPG and one of my favorite games of all time is Phantasy Star IV. A masterpiece indeed.

Shame on me, but I don't think I've ever played a single JRPG from the Genesis...

Fatal Labyrinth and Shining in the Darkness same tier? No. Just no.

Shining force 2 is not one of the best rpgs on the genesis,its simply the best game.

Not a good system for JRPGs tbh.

heres a game, not going to say why so i can defeat the purpose of ranking but heres the title and its place in the ranking category. wtf. Sword of Vermilion isnt a carton of milk. its no different than the rest of the games that are THE SAME GAMES today as they were last tuesday and they will ALWAYS BE THE SAME GAMES next friday and next year and forever unless you mod them. theres no expiration date that changes the programing to make it less desirable or not as enjoyable if the month changes. dewwd, Cadash isnt something that is OuTdAtEd either and its not a ReTrO RPG. nothing on the box reads rEtRo with an expiration play by date. its just the game Cadash. jesus i cannot get through any fucking video anymore without hearing retro retro retro retro. its the stupidest trend trying to make something new or different than what it is, always has been and always will be. look i tie my shoes with laces and shit in a flushing toilet, rEtRo. 👉💀💨 -