Wednesday, June 19, 2013

PREVIEW #2 - Phantasy Star II Modernization Hack

Gentle Reader,


Here is a preview of the first Esper Mansion scene from my Phantasy Star II modernization hack. As with other elements of the hack, the idea here (beyond cleaning up the text itself) is to strengthen continuity by including more allusions to elements from other games in the series, and also to provide greater stylistic cohesion with Phantasy Star IV.

More to come, and thanks for watching!

Links:
Phantasy Star II Modernization Hack Verson 3.0 download (Updated 6/23/15)
Original Article
Preview #1

Ever Yours,
Fauntleroy

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Game Over Gallery

Gentle Reader,

I've always had a soft spot for game over music.  For whatever reason, the convention of the "game over" screen tends to result in rather nice pieces.  Perhaps game designers like to provide a soothing bit of music in order to calm a frustrated gamer.

Regardless, I collect this stuff!  And since the videos that I shared on this blog previously have been taken down by their channel operators, I took the liberty of reposting the pieces to YouTube myself.  Here's the result.



See ya later!

Ever Yours,
Fauntleroy

Saturday, June 15, 2013

PREVIEW - Phantasy Star II Modernization Hack

Gentle Reader,


Here is a preview of the attract mode text rewrite for my Phantasy Star II modernization hack. As with other elements of the hack, the idea here (beyond cleaning up the text itself) is to strengthen continuity by including more allusions to elements from other games in the series, and also to provide greater stylistic cohesion with Phantasy Star IV.

More to come, and thanks for watching!

Links:
Phantasy Star II Modernization Hack Verson 3.0 download (Updated 6/23/15)
Original Article

Ever Yours,
Fauntleroy

Monday, June 10, 2013

Phantasy Star II Modernization Hack

Gentle Reader,


It is with tremendous pleasure and excitement that I announce my next major game hacking project:  a modernization and overall streamlining of 1989's Phantasy Star II for the Sega Genesis, one of my most beloved games of all time.

Features:
  • Technique arsenals are revamped for all characters (except for Rudo, who still does not use techniques).  As in Phantasy Star IV, characters who learn the base level of a technique will also learn whatever Gi-, Na-, and Sa- levels are available.  Hugh and Kain learn their specialized techniques quite early on in order to maximize their usefulness.  Anna and Shir are much more effective as support characters.  Also:  Amy, Hugh, Anna, Kain, and Shir learn all of their techniques as of level 25, so you can get full usage out of the entire team without having to do any power-grinding.
  • No more random discrepancies as to who can use which equipment.  Example:  Amy, Anna, and Shir can equip all of the capes, crowns, and emels in the game.  Characters still have strengths and weaknesses without the artificial crippling of grossly limited equipment.
  • The contents of shops are greatly simplified and dole out new equipment in a much more orderly, predictable, and sensible manner.
  • Useless low-level equipment like the Sonic Gun and Boomerang is retired in favor of new equipment, much of which will be familiar to players of the other games in the series.
  • Enemies provide experience and money at double the original rate.
  • The script is essentially unchanged, but I am fixing many large and small grammatical howlers.
  • Repairing as many bugs as possible from the original game.

Screencaps:

Rolf's late-game inventory
Late-game storage locker
Amy's late-game technique arsenal
Hugh's late-game technique arsenal
The game's first armor shop
The game's last weapon shop
Finally, it's possible to buy the atomizers! ^_^

The hack is currently about 90% complete.  I've been able to implement all of the features that I initially planned, excluding one thing:  I have not been able to figure out how the game controls which special effects are produced by weapons and armor when they are used as items in battle.  If you know how this works, or are willing to help me figure it out, please contact me.

Thanks!

Ever Yours,
Fauntleroy