https://www.vizzed.com/videogames/game.php?id=2849

Unlike most RPG series, Phantasy Star I through IV is just one, long continuous story (although purists often discuss the merits of Phantasy Star III, but that’s another debate entirely). And in each subsequent game you find references to past games. So plunge into the first opus of the series, where Alis Landale tries to get even with Lassic, whose posies killed her brother. While it’s a technically advanced game – enemies actually moved, compared to Square and Enix games – how does the music compare with the competition?

Pretty well, in fact. Although the Master System and Genesis sound chips have very heavy drum tracks, the arrangements are actually quite complex. It’s quite obvious with the numerous dungeon themes. Tower, for example, sounds even better that its Phantasy Star IV remix (inside the Bio-Plant) thanks to very upbeat drums that give it an excellent tempo. The arrangements used also sounds very mysterious, showing that there are many things to explore ahead.

And while not as epic, Cave is also a good dungeon theme (although I prefer the PS IV remix). The theme starts with a “growing” sound, which I think was perfect to introduce the mystery of a dungeon. The arrangements still sound mysterious, as they should.

The complexity also shows in the three overworld themes, one for each planet. Palma is probably the most epic 8-bit theme ever composed; you can feel the beauty of this planet and the vastness of its green plains and forests. Even the Final Fantasy III theme sounded “too joyful” to have the PS I level of epicness. Motavia, on its side, sounds much more mysterious, and even “harsh” to show how arid this newly colonized world is. In fact it sounds like a “high-pitch” version of the Palma theme; I love the contrast between the 2. And the Dezoris theme, although less developed than the previous two, has an even more mysterious feel to it. Hell, it’s hard to explore these vast snowfields and ice walls! Fortunately your exploration is made easier with a Vehicle, which theme is also quite epic. The first part of the loop is playing with shorter notes while the second part stretches the notes, which I think was a good contrast.

Finally, and despite their short lengths, Lassic and Dark Falz were very epic battle themes. For the former, the higher-pitch arrangements show that it’s a “major boss” battle, something Square only introduced in Final Fantasy IV. Plus the drum track adds the right tempo and drama. The latter also sounds VERY epic and “dark”, which is appropriate; you are fighting Darkness incarnate! In terms of final boss themes, I think only Dragon Warrior IV was able to match the epicness of Dark Falz.

However the soundtrack wasn’t perfect. Town is downright unbearable with its very primitive arrangements that even Final Fantasy I wasn’t able to undercut. I guess having no drum tracks played against it; plus there is a 1-2 second silence at the end of the loop, which sounds kind of amateur. Village sounds slightly better (and relaxing), but its slow waltz beat doesn’t have the welcomeness feel most village themes (even in DW) have. It almost sound like you are in a hamlet rather than a village…

The church theme is also quite annoying. Probably due to the SMS sound limitation, the “organ” here sounds absolutely awful, and the drum track makes it even worse. Plus the short arrangements at the end of the loop just sound out of place. And the ending theme is nail-on-the-blackboard awful. They are very high-pitch and don’t even sound like the triumph it should be for having vanquished darkness.

Nevertheless, Phantasy Star I is a definite improvement to any RPG fan music library. It sounds superior to many 8-bit soundtracks despite the constant drums in the background that can get annoying. However for many tracks like Dark Falz and the dungeon themes it greatly improves them.