Phantasy Star II -- Part Four

The dams proved to be a challenge. These dungeons have some of the most sadistic mazes ever created by human beings. It took several days of playing, but eventually I opened each dam and flooded the canals on the planet.

But just when I thought the job was finished, security robots attacked and captured my party. We were taken to a space station orbiting the planet, and couldn't attack or use items.

The space station crashed, killing the entire party and destroying the planet entire planet Palm. Our bodies were salvaged in space by an outlaw, Trevor, and he cloned us back to life. We thanked him and headed back to Mota, beaten and unsure of what to do next.

Our headquarters offered further support by loaning us the use of the last spaceship on Mota. It is automatic, so anyone can drive it. Without a second thought we went to Dezo, the other planet in the system. Alis and her friend had done much the same thing 1000 years ago.

Dezo is desolate. A mysterious fog envelops the entire planet, and the inhabitants speak a different language. I had to find the Mogic Hat before we could communicate with the Dezoians. There are two species of Dezoians, one appear to be hardy humans, the others are rabbit-like creatures.

After exploring the space station for a while, I found the two towns of Zosa and Ryuon. I've upgraded all my gear, and the only thing left to do is figure out where to go...

Neutopia Strategy Guide Scans

Neutopia was the Turbo Grafx 16's answer to The Legend of Zelda. It's got just as much charm and adventure as Nintendo's golden classic, plus the benefit of NOT BEING ZELDA--a game which most of you readers have, like me, demolished over 20 times.

You can snag an easy copy via the Wii's Virtual Console for 6 bucks; I've had this game for about 3 years now and I've yet to really sink my teeth into it. It's a great game, I've just lacked the dedication to conquer it and its sequel (Neutopia II, also released on the TG16 and WiiVC).

I found these scans in an old Turbo magazine. This walkthrough for Neutopia is amazing, and I'll probably peak at these things if I get into some trouble. I'll try not to use them, but in any case the artwork is strange and much different from the in-game style. Looks like they wanted to "Westernize" the game for American audiences...

But Neutopia's got the style, the challenge, and definitely the music to justify playing this game in 2011, so give it a try!

Song of the Week: Phantasy Star II "Mystery"

This week's song is another great track from the Phantasy Star series. This music plays in some of the dungeons I'm trying to get through, and the second half is super catchy.

Rock on, Sega Genesis, rock on.

Phantasy Star II -- Part Three

Read: Part One
Read: Part Two

It was several months since I last adventured on planet Palm. I had destroyed a bio-lab, but the Climatrol system was malfunctioning, and I had to explore it. However, the journey wouldn't be easy because I first had to invent a way to breath underwater.

By chance, a scientist in Kurei was working on just such a device--all he needed was a certain type of leaf which only grew on a certain island. The only problem: the people of Palm quit using vehicles years ago when teleportation was perfected.

However, in the same city some old jerks mentioned a jetski that they used to get drunk on and seduce women with in the old days.

The only other building I had access to was the gigantic garbage facility of Roron. Maybe the jetski was there? It was, and I now had the coveted RPG-boat! Also we ate poison cake in Roron. Good times.

I was using Rolf, Rudo, Nei, and Amy; exploring the mountains required several trips to gain a few levels. Eventually I could pimp out all my dudes and dudettes with the hottest gear. Rolf began to get more powerful that the others... Rudo's laser cannon made the leveling process bearable, but Rolf now holds the edge with his attacking magic, healing, higher damage, and teleportation. This isn't to say laser guns don't come in handy--defense has no effect on a motherfucking laser, so when physical attacks do a measly 8 or 9, Rudo always hits for 50-58.

Eventually I found the leaf, got the underwater-breathing gum, found the oceanic entrance to Climatrol, and broke into the facility. At the top was another catgirl, like Nei. She revealed that both Nei and herself were genetically engineered people (because that was not obvious). Her name was Neifirst and she attacked and killed Nei. Storydeath.

My team avenged her death, unsuccessfully. Neifirst kicked my ass. So I did it again, but this time I removed all of Nei's gear because $$$$ rules everything on Palm. I died again... The third time I was more cautious, walked through the dungeon collecting all the treasure, got to Neifirst, warped out, saved, went all the way back, and--finally--defeated her.

The cloning labs wouldn't bring Nei back to life. They had already done it a dozen times, but somehow they knew she was a bio-engineered person and refused to do the job. This fits with the harsh, apathetic world. Very few people have helped us, and a lot of people have already died.

Mother Brain declared us criminals. Her robots were sent to destroy the team. No longer would I be fighting bio-monsters...the world had changed.

My organization stood gaping in awe. Too afraid to arrest me themselves, and realizing Mother Brain's sinister intentions, they agree to let me do whatever the fuck I want on Palm.

Mother Brain outlawed all spaceflight.

I'm going to break into the damns and lower them.

There used to be a spaceport on Palm.

Continue Reading in Part 4!

Cosmic Fantasy 2 Retro Ad

I came across this in the first issue of an old Turbo Grafx-16 magazine. The artwork is so bad it's good--like someone trying to draw anime for the very first time, I love it!

Sidearms Turbo Grafx 16 Retro Ad

Another great Turbo ad, this time for Sidearms. The image speaks for itself, I think.

Beating The Guardian Legend

After 10 years I finally detonated the self-destruct sequence on Naju, a hi-jacked alien starship.

It's 4:00 a.m., and I too tired to say much or type correctly.

But, at least I am the greatest player.