Problem with Phantasy Star IV

[Thermal Lance]

Hi.

So, I'm having a bit of an issue with this game. I run this on a toaster. So, I can't use the built in emulator. Instead, I use Kega Fusion to play. I transfered the roms from the "Uncompressed rom" folder and renamed them to work with Kega.

Here's the weird thing. On the built in emulator, the game is in english. But, when using the rom from the folder in Kega, it is in another language. (Japenese perhaps?)

Is there a way to change the language ingame that I don't know of or did SEGA accidentally put the japenese version of the game in the rom folder?

[Thermal Lance]

bump

[Night]

It's going to take extra steps. Use this program.
https://github.com/GMMan/PscdPack/releases/tag/v1.0r3
Go to Sega Classics\data. Phantasy Star IV is g0053.pak. It'll save as a .bin file. That rom is in English.
There's a guide that goes more in depth:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=398334923

[Thermal Lance]

Originally posted by Night:

It's going to take extra steps. Use this program.
https://github.com/GMMan/PscdPack/releases/tag/v1.0r3
Go to Sega Classics\data. Phantasy Star IV is g0053.pak. It'll save as a .bin file. That rom is in English.
There's a guide that goes more in depth:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=398334923

It worked.

Thank you very much.

[Ikagura]

Enjoy, it's probably the best Phantasy Star game in the franchise and probably one of the best 16-bits era JRPG.

[Thermal Lance]

Originally posted by Ikagura:

Enjoy, it's probably the best Phantasy Star game in the franchise and probably one of the best 16-bits era JRPG.

Well, so far I enjoy it. The story is not convoluted to the point I get lost. The combat system looks solid enough....

But, GOD, OH GOD, just WHY did they have to name all the techniques in such a cryptic fashion. None of the names makes any sense whatsoever. That alone is seriously getting on my nerves. YES I KNOW, there is guides online that covers the skills but that is no excuse for the lack of description ingame like any sane RPGs do.

In fact, it annoys me so much I'm not even sure I'll complete this game. I'll probably dump it and go play Shining Force 2 instead.

[Ikagura]

Originally posted by Thermal Lance:

But, GOD, OH GOD, just WHY did they have to name all the techniques in such a cryptic fashion. None of the names makes any sense whatsoever. That alone is seriously getting on my nerves. YES I KNOW, there is guides online that covers the skills but that is no excuse for the lack of description ingame like any sane RPGs do.

Keep in mind that the game was made in Japanese and the localiser had to translate with the character limitations (as Japanese is more compact).

There are several way to manage with the technics: trial and guessing (for exemple Gra is for Gravity and Wat is for Water).

You should also try which techniques is doing the most damage to the enemies as well.

Also guides are pretty mandatory for oldschool RPGs nowadays.

[Thermal Lance]

Originally posted by Ikagura:

Also guides are pretty mandatory for oldschool RPGs nowadays.

That is just plain false. XD

Also, plenty of RPGs comes from oversea and not all of them got that level of dickishness when it comes to skills descriptions. I applaud your attempt at defending the game from this flaw but it ain't my first rodeo.

[Ikagura]

Originally posted by Thermal Lance:

Originally posted by Ikagura:

Also guides are pretty mandatory for oldschool RPGs nowadays.

That is just plain false. XD

What do you mean? Try finishing the first Phantasy Star without any maps or indications about where to go.
I mean even the first Online game on the Dreamcast doesn't have any indications about which Section ID fits the best for your class, how to properly feed your mag or even how to properly do a 3 combos attack.

Originally posted by Thermal Lance:

Also, plenty of RPGs comes from oversea and not all of them got that level of dickishness when it comes to skills descriptions. I applaud your attempt at defending the game from this flaw but it ain't my first rodeo.

Tell me which RPGs from the early 90's had a proper explanation of all techniques, even SMT 1/2/if, the first 4 Dragon Quest game and even Final Fantasy doesn't always explain everything.

As I said, trial and error is a part of the game, use Zan, if it doesn't do any damage then use Gra or Foi.

I had to test the water to see that Hinas is actually a technique to escape from a dungeon.

PS: https://phantasystar.fandom.com/wiki/Techniques

PPS: at least Sega Ages Phantasy Star 1 had included a guide for items and equipments.

[Thermal Lance]

Originally posted by Ikagura:

Originally posted by Thermal Lance:

That is just plain false. XD

What do you mean? Try finishing the first Phantasy Star without any maps or indications about where to go.
I mean even the first Online game on the Dreamcast doesn't have any indications about which Section ID fits the best for your class, how to properly feed your mag or even how to properly do a 3 combos attack.

Originally posted by Thermal Lance:

Also, plenty of RPGs comes from oversea and not all of them got that level of dickishness when it comes to skills descriptions. I applaud your attempt at defending the game from this flaw but it ain't my first rodeo.

Tell me which RPGs from the early 90's had a proper explanation of all techniques, even SMT 1/2/if, the first 4 Dragon Quest game and even Final Fantasy doesn't always explain everything.

As I said, trial and error is a part of the game, use Zan, if it doesn't do any damage then use Gra or Foi.

I had to test the water to see that Hinas is actually a technique to escape from a dungeon.

PS: https://phantasystar.fandom.com/wiki/Techniques

PPS: at least Sega Ages Phantasy Star 1 had included a guide for items and equipments.

I didn't played Phantasy Star 1. But, now that you mention a guide is pretty much mandatory. I never will. When you need a guide, it's a sign that your game is very badly designed.

Final Fantasy III has no descriptions but the skills are far from being criptic and easy to guess. Chrono Trigger has skill descriptions so you know what you are doing. Most RPGs stick to simple terms when naming most of the skills/magic you use ingame. They don't make up words at random because of "hurr durr translation". Hell, even Final Fantasy 1 is less confusing.

There is plenty of RPGs out there that don't have the issue so why the hell would I force myself into this mess of a game? Nah, I'm going to look for a romhack that actually does the job that should have been done from the beginning. If none exists then I'll forget this thing exists.